Nautical Anchor Charcuterie Board (Printable version)

A coastal board with creamy cheeses, pretzels, smoked salmon, and fresh fruits arranged in an anchor shape.

# 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 food 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/white flowers

# Steps to follow:

01 - Select a large wooden board or serving platter as your base.
02 - Arrange the large twisted pretzels in the center of the board to create an anchor shape, overlapping as needed to simulate rope texture.
03 - Position small bowls of whipped blue cream cheese and tzatziki at the anchor's ends or at the anchor's eye.
04 - Fill the interior of the anchor outline with clusters of brie wedges, herbed goat cheese balls, blue cheese, and if using, smoked salmon and prosciutto, alternating for visual variety.
05 - Distribute blueberries and black grapes along the outline and within gaps to provide coastal color highlights.
06 - Place cucumber slices, sugar snap peas, radishes, and apple slices around the anchor shape, maintaining the blue-and-white theme.
07 - Scatter water crackers and baguette slices around the perimeter of the board outside the anchor shape for easy accessibility.
08 - Decorate with white chocolate seashells and edible flowers, adding fresh dill sprigs for a seaside touch.
09 - Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to present.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that requires zero cooking—just thoughtful arrangement and about thirty minutes of your time.
  • The anchor shape gives everyone something to talk about before they even taste anything, which is honestly half the fun of hosting.
  • Blue and white is such a timeless, calming palette that somehow makes every cheese taste better and every conversation flow easier.
02 -
  • Toss your apple slices in lemon juice the moment you slice them—oxidation happens fast, and nobody wants to see a brown apple on a beautiful board.
  • Pull your cheeses out of the cold about thirty minutes before serving. Cold cheese tastes like nothing; cheese at room temperature tells you who it really is.
  • If you're tinting the cream cheese blue, start with a tiny pinch of spirulina or butterfly pea powder and mix thoroughly. It's easier to add more color than to dial it back.
  • Pretzels get soft when they're next to wet dips or moisture-heavy fruits. Keep them at the edges where they stay crisp, or add them last if you're serving in an hour or less.
03 -
  • Buy your cheeses from a proper cheese counter if you can—they'll slice them to order and give you exactly what you need instead of pre-packaged disappointment.
  • The pretzels are your anchor's voice; choose them last and choose them carefully. You want them to look intentional, not like leftover snack food.
  • If this is for a special occasion, make a simple card that lists ingredients for allergy purposes—it's thoughtful and it shows you care about your guests' safety as much as their experience.
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