Budget Friendly Family Spread (Printable)

Generous platter with sliced meats, cheeses, vegetables, and crackers for easy family sharing.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 7 oz sliced cooked ham
02 - 7 oz sliced turkey breast
03 - 5.3 oz sliced salami

→ Cheeses

04 - 7 oz mild cheddar, sliced
05 - 5.3 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 ham, turkey breast, and salami in generous piles at different corners of a large serving platter or tray.
02 - Layer sliced mild cheddar, Swiss cheese, and cream cheese next to the meats, arranging cheeses fanned out for easy grabbing.
03 - Group carrots, cucumber, red bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes into large accessible heaps around the platter.
04 - Fill small bowls with cream cheese, hummus, green olives, and pickles, and place them evenly around the platter.
05 - Stack assorted crackers and sliced baguette in high-volume piles ensuring easy access from all sides.
06 - Present the assembled platter immediately, replenishing items as needed during gatherings.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's the kind of spread that feeds a crowd with zero stress and maximum satisfaction—everyone finds something they love.
  • The beauty is in its simplicity; you're not cooking, you're curating, which means more time with your guests and less time stressed in the kitchen.
  • It's wildly forgiving and budget-conscious, letting you swap ingredients based on what's on sale without changing the magic.
02 -
  • Slice everything no more than an hour before serving. Meats and cheeses oxidize and dry out if they sit too long, and vegetables get soft. Timing matters more than perfection.
  • Always let cheese and meats come to room temperature before serving. Cold cheese doesn't have the same flavor impact, and room-temperature meat is more forgiving to eat.
  • Buy pre-sliced everything if it saves you time and stress. The goal is a joyful gathering, not proving you can slice a tomato perfectly. Your guests won't judge the knife work; they'll remember the ease and abundance.
03 -
  • Odd numbers work better than even. Instead of six items, arrange seven or nine. It creates visual interest and feels more intentional without being precious about it.
  • Leave a little space between items rather than packing everything tight. Breathing room makes a platter look generous rather than cluttered, and it's easier for guests to serve themselves.
  • Warm baguette slices just before serving if you have time. That warmth paired with cool cheese is one of those small moments that people remember and think about later.
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