Budget-Friendly Family Spread (Printable)

A welcoming platter with meats, cheeses, veggies, and crackers perfect for easy, crowd-pleasing sharing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 7 oz sliced cooked ham
02 - 7 oz sliced turkey breast
03 - 5 oz sliced salami

→ Cheeses

04 - 7 oz mild cheddar, sliced
05 - 5 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

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Place sliced cooked ham, turkey breast, and salami in generous piles at separate corners of a large serving platter or tray.
02 - Fan out the sliced cheddar, Swiss cheese next to the meats for easy selection.
03 - Group and arrange sliced carrots, cucumber rounds, red bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes in large, accessible heaps around the platter.
04 - Fill small bowls with cream cheese, hummus, green olives, and pickles, placing them evenly around the platter.
05 - Stack assorted crackers and baguette slices in high-volume piles ensuring easy reach from all sides.
06 - Present immediately and replenish items as necessary for larger gatherings.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours preparing, but honestly takes just 20 minutes—that's the best-kept secret of entertaining
  • Everyone finds something they love, from the carnivores to the vegetable lovers, so nobody feels left out
  • The beauty is in the abundance and variety, not in cooking skills, so even beginner hosts feel confident
02 -
  • The secret isn't the ingredients—it's the arrangement. A platter that looks full and generous will outsell the same items arranged sparsely every single time
  • Slice everything just before serving if you can. Meats and cheeses oxidize and look tired if they sit too long, but vegetables can be prepped hours ahead and they'll stay bright
03 -
  • Slightly chill your meats and cheeses before slicing—they cut cleaner and look more intentional on the platter
  • If you're serving a crowd that includes both wine drinkers and non-drinkers, the salty items on this platter pair beautifully with both a light white wine and sparkling water, so you've already planned the drinks
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