Summer is the season for gathering—whether it's a backyard barbecue, a poolside happy hour, a family picnic, or an impromptu evening with friends. And nothing brings people together quite like a beautiful charcuterie board filled with fresh flavors, colorful produce, artisan cheeses, and savory bites. The best part? You can build an impressive summer spread with ingredients from nearly every department at Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace.

Start with Artisan Cheeses

Every great charcuterie board begins with a variety of cheeses that offer different textures and flavors. Our cheese department is one of the best in town, bringing in cheeses from around the world.

For the perfect summer board, here is what we recommend you choose:

• Creamy Brie or Camembert
• Fresh mozzarella pearls
• Aged Parmesan wedges
• Sharp white cheddar
• Goat cheese with herbs
• Manchego or Gouda for a nutty flavor

Pro Tip: Select three to five cheeses that vary in firmness and flavor profile for a balanced tasting experience. A drizzle of honey over Brie or goat cheese is always a crowd favorite.

Add Premium Meats from the Deli

Our deli department offers a wide selection of sliced meats that pair beautifully with cheese. Plus..did you know that you don’t even have to wait in line for our meat department? All of our stores have technology based self-serve kiosks ready to take your order! Our deli department will have your order waiting when you are ready to stop by and grab your selections. This is especially helpful when you are in a rush, or planning a last minute summer soiree! 

Stop by our self-serve kiosk or deli department and place your order for summer charcuterie favorites including:

• Prosciutto
• Genoa salami
• Soppressata
• Capicola
• Pepperoni
• Turkey or roasted chicken slices for a lighter option

Pro Tip: Arrange meats folded, rolled, or fanned out around the board to create visual appeal and make serving easy. Get fancy and hop on tik tok to learn how to shape your deli meats into pretty shapes, flowers, monograms. The sky is the limit with your charcuterie creativity! 

Add Olives, Pickles, and Savory Bites

Before you leave the deli…be sure to check out our olive selection for flavorful additions that bring contrast to the board. Plus, these salty, tangy flavors help balance sweeter ingredients.

Our Nino’s Favorites include:

• Castelvetrano olives
• Kalamata olives
• Cornichons
• Pickled vegetables
• Marinated mushrooms
• Stuffed peppers
• Roasted red peppers

Bring in Fresh Seasonal Fruit

Nothing says summer like fresh fruit. And fresh fruit is synonymous with Nino Salvaggio’s. Our  Nino’s produce department is bursting with seasonal favorites that add natural sweetness and vibrant color. Plus, summer is the perfect time to center your charcuterie board around stone fruit. Check out our blog post, Savor Summer’s  Sweetest Harvest.

Try adding:

• Michigan cherries
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Sliced peaches
• Nectarines
• Apricots
• Seedless grapes
• Watermelon cubes

Fresh fruit brilliantly complements salty meats and rich cheeses while making your board feel bright and seasonal.

Include Fresh Vegetables and Crunchy Dippers

Balance out richer items such as creamy cheeses with fresh vegetables that add color, crunch and yes even nutrition and fiber! .

Great options include:

• Mini cucumbers
• Sweet bell peppers
• Cherry tomatoes
• Radishes
• Snap peas
• Carrot sticks
• Celery sticks
• Hearts of palm

Pair them with hummus, ranch dip, or herb spreads for easy snacking.

Don't Forget the Bread and Crackers

The bread and crackers provide the foundation for every bite of your charcuterie board. In addition to an incredible bread selection in our bakery, we offer a wonderful variety of crackers, chips and toast to incorporate into your board design. Offering a variety of textures allows guests to customize their perfect bite.We definitely encourage you to mix and match with some of our favorites including:

• Artisan baguette slices
• Crostini
• Flatbreads
• Water crackers
• Multigrain crackers
• Breadsticks
• Pita chips

Sweet Finishing Touches

A few sweet elements can elevate your board from simple to spectacular.

Consider adding sweetness to your summer board with some of these yummy treats:

• Local honey
• Fig preserves
• Fruit spreads
• Chocolate-covered nuts, raisins & nuts
• Dark chocolate squares
• Candied pecans
• Dried apricots
• Dried cherries
• Dates & figs 
• Chocolate covered strawberries 
• Truffles or artisan chocolates 
• Mini cookies, brownies, petit fours 
• Mini cannoli 

Create a Summer Grazing Board Theme

Looking for inspiration? Try one of these seasonal charcuterie board ideas:

Summer Garden Board

Fresh vegetables, hummus, herbed goat cheese, olives, and artisan crackers.

Michigan Harvest Board

Michigan cherries, local cheeses, honey, dried fruit, and fresh-baked bread.

Backyard BBQ Board

Cheddar, smoked meats, pickles, barbecue nuts, pretzels, and fresh fruit.

Peach & Burrata Board

Creamy burrata, ripe peaches, prosciutto, basil, honey, and crostini.

Nino’s Charcuterie Board Presentation Tips

• Use a large wooden board or serving platter.
• Place cheeses first as anchor points.
• Add meats around the cheeses.
• Find pretty papers to line the charcuterie board with in different patterns and colors 
• Fill empty spaces with fruit, vegetables, nuts, and crackers.
• Use small bowls for olives, honey, jams, and dips.
• Garnish with fresh herbs such as rosemary, basil, or mint.

Remember: the most beautiful charcuterie boards are abundant, colorful, and relaxed—not perfectly arranged.

Nino’s Recipes Fit For A Charcuterie Board

We have rounded up some of our favorite Nino’s recipes for inspiration for your summer charcuterie board. We can't wait to hear how they turn out! Share your summer charcuterie creations on social and be sure to tag us! 

Founder’s Daughter Fig & Goat Cheese Spread 

Sweet Fruit Chutney 

Whipped Feta & Avocado Veggie & Chip Dip 

Fresh Fruit Salsa 

Short on Time? Need the Perfect Gift? Let Nino’s Create Your Charcuterie Masterpiece

While creating your own charcuterie board can be fun for some, it feels daunting for others. Whether you are entertaining at home, sending a gift or bringing one to a party, Nino’s offers beautiful charcuterie boards that are made to order with only the finest of ingredients. Plus, you or your hostess/guests can keep the board imprinted with our Nino Salvaggio logo if you so choose! Our boards are a gourmet selection of premium meats & cheeses accompanied with market fresh grapes, deluxe mixed nuts, olives and fig spread. Meats include Proscuitto, 2 Salami and Pepperoni. Cheeses include aged Parmesan, Bleu, truffled Pecorino, Sartori espresso and herbed La Roule. This gorgeous sampling comes complete with crackers and a sliced baguette. Order your Nino’s Charcuterie Boards online or contact our Catering Department at any of our Nino’s locations.

From artisan cheeses and premium deli meats to fresh seasonal produce, bakery favorites, olives, spreads, and sweet treats, Nino Salvaggio has everything you need to create a memorable summer charcuterie board.

Whether you're hosting a large gathering or enjoying a quiet evening on the patio, a thoughtfully crafted charcuterie board makes entertaining effortless and delicious all summer long.

Stop by your local Nino Salvaggio and start building your perfect summer board today!

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