Budget-Friendly Family Spread (Printable version)

An inviting platter with meats, cheeses, vegetables, and crackers ideal for easy group gatherings.

# What you 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, cut 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

# How to Make It:

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 mild cheddar, Swiss cheese, and place cream cheese in a bowl next to the meats for easy grabbing.
03 - Group carrots, cucumber slices, red bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes into accessible heaps around the platter, keeping similar items together.
04 - Fill small bowls with hummus, green olives, and pickles; arrange them evenly around the platter.
05 - Stack assorted crackers and sliced baguette in high volumes around the platter to ensure easy reach from all sides.
06 - Present the assembled platter at once, replenishing items as needed during larger gatherings.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 20 minutes with zero cooking—just honest, good-looking food that doesn't require stress
  • Everyone finds something they love on this platter, so no one feels left out
  • It stretches a budget while still feeling abundant and celebratory
  • You can prep everything ahead and just arrange it when guests arrive
02 -
  • Arrange the platter no more than an hour before serving—things dry out and colors fade if they sit too long exposed to air. If you must prep early, cover loosely with plastic wrap.
  • Leave actual space between items. A crowded platter feels chaotic; a generous spread invites people to explore. White space on the platter is your friend.
  • Keep everything at room temperature (except perhaps the cream cheese, which should be spreadable). Cold items can feel uninviting; room temperature lets flavors shine.
03 -
  • Buy your meats and cheeses from the deli counter where they're freshly sliced—it costs the same but tastes infinitely better than pre-packaged options
  • Group similar colors together rather than scattering them—this makes the platter more visually striking and easier for guests to navigate
  • Keep at least two types of crackers at different stacks so people with preferences don't crowd one spot
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