Whether you’re hosting a small, intimate gathering or gearing up for a more luxurious occasion, charcuterie boards are a great option for making sure there’s a little something for everyone to nibble on during their stay.

Originally known as a platter of meats and cheeses, charcuterie boards over time have evolved into including an assortment of a wide variety of themes for parties to include sweet and savory options. 

What I like about charcuterie boards is the fact that they’re easy to whip up, they look aesthetically appealing, and you can customize them to suit a wide variety of guests no matter what their dietary restrictions may be. 

For weddings, charcuterie boards make a fun and unique addition to any wedding reception spread. No matter if you’re going for the traditional meats and cheeses or a sweet and savory option, the dips are an important element in any charcuterie board.

The dip can make your spread more interesting, add different flavors, and give your guests the satisfaction they crave.

So today, I’m sharing a round-up of delicious dips for your charcuterie board that can take your platter to the next level.

11 Dips For Charcuterie Board

Whipped Cream Cheese

Whipped cream cheese is the perfect spread for bagels or toast on your meat and cheese board. It’s lighter than regular cream cheese that’s not whipped, and has a luxuriously lighter texture that’s easier to spread. 

Nut Butter

An alternative to serving up creamy cheese is a creamy spread of nut butter. Think beyond just peanut butter and look to Nutella, pine nut butter, almond butter and more when you’re wanting to switch things up. No nuts? Use seeds, e.g. sunflower seed butter. These pair well with fruit, veggies, crackers, toasted baguettes, or pita bread.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Wanting a savory dip to add to your meat and cheese board? Whip up this quick and easy buffalo chicken dip recipe. Perfect for parties and game day and it’s a great option for dipping your veggies like carrots, bell peppers, or celery or even toasted baguettes!

Ingredients

2 tsp Buffalo sauce - 10 calories

1 cup Carrots, baby - 45 calories

3 oz Chicken breast, boneless, skinless, raw - 95 calories

¾ Tbsp Cream cheese, whipped - 25 calories

⅓ cup Cheese, shredded, mozzarella - 112 calories

1 Tbsp Dressing, ranch, full fat - 74 calories

Directions

1. This recipe works best when you’re making 2+ servings at once.

2. Place chicken in a small baking dish and cover with 1/2 inch of water; cover the dish with tin foil. Bake for 25 minutes. When done, shred with forks! If you prefer to use pre-cooked shredded chicken that is a-ok.

3. On the stove top, heat cream cheese, mozzarella, buffalo sauce, Ranch, and chicken.

4. Dip carrots into dip.

Guacamole

If you’re going to have dipping sauce, you have to add this classic into the mix. Guacamole on a charcuterie board is the perfect pick for game day parties or a Taco themed board. Sprinkle in some roasted red pepper flakes along with salt and pepper to taste.

Blue Cheese Dressing

You can never go wrong by having a serving of blue cheese dressing for your meats and cheeses board. Dip your blue cheese dressing in roasted red peppers, celery, wings, or other meat varieties to serve a sauce that makes the perfect dip for a charcuterie board.

Cannoli Dip

This is one of those sweet and savory dips for charcuterie boards you’ll want to make again and again. Pairs perfectly with strawberries or dried fruit.

Ingredients

2 Tbsp Powdered sugar - 60 calories

¼ tsp Vanilla - 0 calories

¼ cup Ricotta cheese, part-skim - 108 calories

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine ricotta, powdered sugar, and vanilla.

2. Stir until evenly mixed.

3. Dip strawberries (or desired fruit) into cannoli filling.

4. No dairy? Swap this snack / dessert out for another.

5. Optional: Add chocolate chips, track them!

Lightened Up Spinach & Artichoke Dip

You can never go wrong by adding this warm and cheesy dip to your charcuterie board. Spinach and artichoke dip is a crowd pleaser. It pairs well with crunchy or salty snacks like chips, toasted baguettes, pita bread or crackers.

Ingredients

1 cup Frozen spinach - 40 calories

3 slice Artichokes, canned (pieces) - 30 calories

6 Tbsp Cream cheese, whipped - 200 calories

⅓ cup Cheese, shredded, mozzarella - 112 calories

⅓ cup Cheese, Parmesan, grated (cups) - 115 calories

¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories

1 cup Celery stalks, chopped in half - 16 calories

Directions

1. Cut artichokes into small pieces.

2. Spray pan with an oil spray and stir-fry spinach on medium heat.

3. Once cooked through, drain any excess liquid with a sieve.

4. Add in rest of ingredients (aside from celery), stir frequently for another 5-6 minutes, or until your desired temperature.

5. Serve with celery sticks for dipping.

Lemon Vinaigrette

Whisk together a serving of fresh lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dijon mustard, honey, thyme, and salt and pepper for a fresh and bright vinaigrette recipe that’s great on greens, vegetables and fruits. Get the full recipe here.

“Reese’s” Dip

Another sweet and savory dips for charcuterie

Pairs well with fresh or dried fruit like pears or apples.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp Peanut butter, unsweetened (Tbsp) - 94 calories

1 Tbsp Chocolate chips, semisweet, Tbsp - 60 calories

Directions

1. Add chocolate chips and peanut butter into a small microwave safe bowl

2. Microwave in 20 second intervals, stirring, until smooth

3. Dip fruit into chocolate pb mixture

Pumpkin Dip

Perfect dip for the fall. It pairs well with apples or cinnamon and spice cookies like ginger snaps.

Ingredients

4 Tbsp Cream cheese, whipped (Tbsp) - 132 calories

1 Tbsp Pumpkin, puree, unsweetened (Tbsp) - 5 calories

½ tsp Maple Syrup (tsp) - 9 calories

¼ tsp Cinnamon - 0 calories

¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine whipped cream cheese, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and salt.

2. Blend until smooth with a hand-blender (preferable) – or if you don’t have a blender, just mix with a spoon.

3. Enjoy with a sliced apple!

4. No dairy? Use dairy-free cream cheese, or sub out this meal for another.

Basil Pesto

You can make your own creamy and delicious basil pesto if you have pine nuts, parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. This recipe is packed full of flavor, making it perfect for dipping your roasted veggies, toasted baguettes, pita bread, flat bread, or crostini toast! Take things over the top by adding crumbled goat cheese on top. 

Not sure what cheeses would go best on your board? Check out this full list of cheese for charcuterie boards that’s perfect for weddings!

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