Budget Friendly Family Spread (Printable Version)

A crowd-pleasing platter with meats, cheeses, fresh vegetables, and assorted crackers for easy sharing.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 7 oz sliced cooked ham
02 - 7 oz sliced turkey breast
03 - 5.3 oz sliced salami

→ Cheeses

04 - 7 oz mild cheddar, sliced
05 - 5.3 oz Swiss cheese, sliced
06 - 3.5 oz cream cheese, for spreading

→ Vegetables

07 - 2 large carrots, sliced into sticks
08 - 1 cucumber, sliced into rounds
09 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
10 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes

→ Crackers & Bread

11 - 14 oz assorted budget-friendly crackers
12 - 1 baguette, sliced

→ Extras

13 - 1 cup hummus
14 - 1/2 cup green olives
15 - 1/2 cup pickles

# Steps:

01 - Position sliced ham, turkey, and salami in generous piles at different corners of a large serving platter or tray.
02 - Fan out sliced cheddar, Swiss cheese, and place the cream cheese in a bowl next to the meats for easy access.
03 - Group carrot sticks, cucumber rounds, bell pepper slices, and cherry tomatoes in accessible heaps around the platter.
04 - Fill small bowls with hummus, green olives, and pickles; distribute these evenly around the platter.
05 - Stack assorted crackers and sliced baguette in high-volume piles ensuring easy reach from all sides.
06 - Present immediately and replenish items as needed for larger groups.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks impressive and abundant without any actual cooking—just knife skills and thoughtful arrangement
  • Everyone finds something they love, making it perfect for picky eaters and varied diets in one gathering
  • Once it's assembled, you're free to actually spend time with your guests instead of being trapped in the kitchen
02 -
  • Arrange everything while it's still cool and fresh—if you prep this more than an hour ahead, vegetables start to wilt and meats can develop that slightly sweaty look that kills the visual appeal
  • The secret to a platter that looks like it took hours is generosity with quantities and intentional spacing; empty gaps make a board look sad and depleted
03 -
  • Chill your platter for ten minutes before serving if possible—cold meats and cheeses maintain their shape and look fresher longer throughout your gathering
  • The 80/20 rule applies here: eighty percent of what people eat will be crackers, bread, and vegetables, with meats and cheeses as the flavor vehicles, so never skimp on volume with the carbohydrates and produce
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