Nautical Anchor Charcuterie Board (Printable Version)

Anchor-shaped spread with cheeses, smoked salmon, fruits, and coastal colors, perfect for summer gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 5.3 oz creamy brie, cut into wedges
02 - 4.2 oz herbed goat cheese, rolled into small balls
03 - 3.5 oz blue cheese, crumbled or sliced

→ Meats (optional)

04 - 4.2 oz smoked salmon slices
05 - 3.5 oz prosciutto

→ Breads & Crackers

06 - 3.5 oz large, twisted pretzels (rope-like)
07 - 2.8 oz round water crackers
08 - 2.1 oz baguette slices

→ Fruits

09 - 3.5 oz blueberries
10 - 2.8 oz black grapes
11 - 1 small apple, sliced
12 - 1.8 oz dried apricots

→ Vegetables

13 - 1 small cucumber, sliced
14 - 2.8 oz sugar snap peas
15 - 1.8 oz radishes, halved

→ Dips & Spreads

16 - 2.8 oz whipped cream cheese, tinted light blue with natural coloring
17 - 2.1 oz tzatziki or herbed yogurt dip

→ Accents & Garnishes

18 - 1.4 oz white chocolate seashells or candies (optional)
19 - Fresh dill sprigs or edible blue and white flowers

# Steps:

01 - Select a large wooden board or serving platter as the foundation for the arrangement.
02 - Arrange large pretzels in the center to create an anchor shape, adjusting and overlapping them for a rope-like effect.
03 - Place small bowls with whipped blue cream cheese and tzatziki at the anchor’s ends or eye.
04 - Fill the anchor outline with clusters of cheeses and optional smoked salmon and prosciutto, alternating to create visual interest.
05 - Distribute blueberries and black grapes around the outline and into gaps for vibrant coastal color.
06 - Place cucumber slices, sugar snap peas, radishes, and apple slices around the anchor shape, maintaining the blue-and-white theme.
07 - Scatter round water crackers and baguette slices around the board outside the anchor for easy access.
08 - Decorate with white chocolate seashells and edible flowers; add fresh dill sprigs to evoke a seaside atmosphere.
09 - Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to present.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks show-stoppingly impressive, but takes just 30 minutes to assemble, making you the hero of any gathering without hours in the kitchen
  • The anchor shape becomes a conversation starter—guests actually notice and comment on it, which feels wonderful when you've put thought into presentation
  • Everyone finds something they love, from creamy cheeses to crunchy vegetables, which means nobody ever feels left out at your table
  • You can easily adapt it for dietary preferences, swapping meats or using different cheeses without losing that coastal charm
02 -
  • Temperature control matters more than people realize—take your board out of the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving so cheeses soften slightly to their best texture, but not so long that everything gets warm and unappealing. This small timing shift makes every flavor sing.
  • Blue coloring for the cream cheese must be subtle; I learned this by making it too blue once and it looked artificial. Just a whisper of spirulina or butterfly pea powder is enough to suggest the ocean without overwhelming the pale, creamy deliciousness underneath.
03 -
  • Invest in good cheese knives—small, dedicated knives for each cheese type prevent flavor bleed-through and make the whole experience feel more thoughtful. It's a small detail that guests absolutely notice.
  • Arrange your board on a slight angle if your platter has any depth; gravity helps keep everything visually interesting and accessible, with items naturally flowing rather than stacking straight.
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