Budget-Friendly Family Spread (Printable)

A simple, shareable platter of meats, cheeses, vegetables, and crackers perfect for gatherings.

# What You'll 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, sliced 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

# Method:

01 - Distribute sliced ham, turkey, and salami into generous piles on different corners of a large serving tray.
02 - Fan out the sliced cheddar, Swiss cheese, and place cream cheese in a small bowl next to the meats for easy selection.
03 - Group the carrot sticks, cucumber rounds, sliced red bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes in accessible clusters around the tray.
04 - Position bowls of hummus, green olives, and pickles evenly around the platter for dipping and garnishing.
05 - Arrange assorted crackers and sliced baguette in substantial stacks to allow easy access from all sides.
06 - Present immediately, replenishing items as necessary for larger gatherings.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • Takes just 20 minutes to prepare, leaving you relaxed before guests arrive instead of frazzled in the kitchen
  • Feeds 6 people generously without breaking the bank—the real secret to stress-free entertaining
  • Works for any crowd: kids, adults, picky eaters, vegetarians—everyone finds something they love
  • Looks impressive and abundant without requiring any cooking skills whatsoever
02 -
  • The secret to a platter that looks expensive on a budget is arrangement and abundance—stack things high, group them clearly, and don't leave empty spaces. Fullness reads as generosity
  • Cut your vegetables just before serving or up to 2 hours ahead and store them covered in the fridge. This keeps them crisp and fresh-looking, which matters more than you'd think
  • Arrange everything around the platter's edges and corners, leaving the center open for people to set down plates and move around the spread. A platter that's too crowded feels inaccessible
03 -
  • Keep everything cold until the moment you serve it. A platter that's been sitting out gets sad and floppy—a cold one stays crisp and inviting all night
  • If you're making this ahead, assemble everything except the vegetables and bread up to 4 hours early, then add the perishable items just before guests arrive. Your platter will look fresh and look like you put in way more effort than you actually did
  • The secret nobody talks about: people fill their plates based on visual cues. If you want vegetables eaten, make them look as abundant and accessible as the meats. If you want the hummus used, put it in the center where people can't miss it
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