Name: American Flag Charcuterie Board for Fourth of July
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup blueberries and/or blackberries; 1 cup strawberries, halved; 1 cup raspberries; 1 cup cherries or red grape tomatoes; 1 cup white cheese (cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella pearls); 1 cup red cured meats (pepperoni, salami); 1 cup crackers (Club crackers, pita chips); 1 cup white chocolate pretzels or popcorn; Cheese slices cut into star shapes

I absolutely love putting together this festive American Flag Charcuterie Board—it’s a beautiful, colorful spread that brings together sweet and savory treats to delight my guests on the Fourth of July.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I adore this recipe because it’s super easy to assemble, requires no special cooking skills, and delivers a stunning centerpiece. It also offers endless customization, allowing me to feature flavors my family loves while keeping that patriotic red, white, and blue theme.

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Blueberries and/or blackberries
Strawberries
Raspberries
Cherries or red grape tomatoes
White cheese (cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella pearls)
Red cured meats (pepperoni, salami)
Crackers (Club crackers, pita chips)
White chocolate pretzels or popcorn
Cheese cut into star shapes

directions

Wash and thoroughly dry all fruit.
Choose a large rectangular tray or chilled cookie sheet.
In the top-left, fill a square with blueberries (mixed with blackberries if desired).
Scatter white cheese stars over the blue berry square.
Create alternating stripes across the board using red items (strawberries, raspberries, red peppers) and white items (cheese, pretzels, crackers), leaving stripes even and visually balanced.
Add red cured meats and crackers as additional stripes.
Fill any gaps with extra berries, nuts, or white snacks like popcorn.
Serve promptly or chill until ready to enjoy.

Servings and timing

Yields about 12–16 servings.
Prep time: ~20 minutes.
No cooking required—perfect for quick assembly before guests arrive.

Variations

All-fruit version: I use fruit only for a healthier, kid-friendly board.
Savory-forward: I lean heavier on meats and cheese, lighter on fruit for a more traditional charcuterie feel.
Dessert twist: I substitute cookies, candy, and yogurt-covered snacks for strawberries and red peppers.
Cheesy flair: I use a cookie cutter to make star shapes from provolone or cheddar cheese.

storage/reheating

I assemble shortly before serving to prevent cheese from drying out.
If prepping ahead, I cover and chill the board in the fridge up to 2 hours before serving.
I avoid leaving perishable items like cheese and meat out in direct sun for more than 1 hour.

FAQs

1. Can I make it ahead?

Yes—I prep ingredients in advance (wash fruit, cut cheese/meats) and assemble just before guests arrive to ensure freshness.

2. What if I’m allergic to dairy?

I substitute in dairy-free cheese and focus more on fruit, meats, nuts, and crackers for a delicious, inclusive board.

3. How do I keep cheese from drying out?

I chill the board before serving and assemble within a couple hours of serving. I keep it in a cooler spot if it’s warm outside.

4. Can I use frozen berries?

Fresh berries look and taste better, but if needed, I thaw frozen berries, drain excess moisture, and thoroughly dry before placing them on the board.

5. How do I make neat stripes?

I use the cheese stripe as my reference line, then line up berries and meats evenly. A cookie sheet works great for straight sides.

Conclusion

This American Flag Charcuterie Board is a showstopper for any Fourth of July gathering. It’s quick to assemble, customizable for any dietary preference, and brings red, white, and blue to life in every bite. I’m already excited to make it again next year for another patriotic celebration!