Meat and cheese trays: what to include and how much per person

Meat and cheese trays aren’t just food. In Northwest Indiana, they’re tradition. From holiday spreads to family reunions, they’re the kind of platter that makes a gathering feel complete. They’re the platters that invite everyone to linger, to snack and to enjoy the moment. Whether it’s turkey and Swiss or salami and cheddar, the tray is always the heart of the party.

So, what belongs on a meat and cheese tray, how much should you plan per person and how does it differ from a charcuterie board? Your local Strack & Van Til Deli Department team slices and builds trays fresh, in-store across Lake and Porter Counties, making it easy to serve the right mix for any occasion.

What goes on a meat and cheese tray?

A classic deli tray pairs sliced or cubed meats with familiar cheeses and crackers. The lineup is simple, but it’s the balance that matters.

Meats

• Ham
• Turkey
• Roast beef
• Salami
• Pepperoni

Cheeses

• Cheddar
• Colby Jack
• Pepper Jack
• Swiss
• Gouda

Supporting cast

• Crackers: Crispy thins pair well with meat and cheese slices or cubes and are a delicious accompaniment to your platter.
• Pickles: Spears or slices in sweet or sour selections add a bit of crunch to your meal.
• Olives: Elevate your meat and cheese platter with green, black or even Greek Kalamata olives for extra color and taste.
• Mustard: From everyday yellow to specialty varieties such as Dijon, spicy brown, honey or stone ground, mustards enhance your meats and add a twist of flavor.
• Potato salad, coleslaw or macaroni salad: Classic sides add substance and complement meats and cheeses.

This combination covers the basics. Ham and turkey are mild and versatile, roast beef adds heartiness and salami or pepperoni bring spice. Cheddar and Colby Jack are crowd‑pleasers, while Swiss and Gouda add variety. Crackers, pickles and olives round out the tray.

Meat and cheese trays work not only because they’re a Region tradition, but because they offer familiar flavors that guests recognize right away. Ham and turkey are ideal for daytime gatherings or events where guests want lighter options. Roast beef adds richness, especially for evening parties or holiday spreads. Salami and pepperoni bring a bit of spice and variety, rounding out the tray with bold flavors that pair well with crackers and pickles. Cheddar and Colby Jack appeal to almost everyone, Pepper Jack adds a gentle kick, and Swiss and Gouda offer smooth textures and subtle sweetness. When these cheeses are sliced or cubed in the deli, they hold their shape well and stay easy to grab throughout the event. Pickles add crunch, olives add color and brine and mustards bring tang that complements the meats. Together, these elements create a tray that feels complete and satisfying.

At Strack & Van Til, the Meat and Cheese Snacker Tray includes beef sticks, pepperoni and hard salami, with Colby Jack, cheddar and Swiss cheeses. “The meats and cheeses on this platter are all cut for easy bite-size snacking,” notes Deli Department Director Kristin Snow. “For times when only the cheese will do, you can order our Cubed Cheese Platter, which comes with six of your favorite domestic cheeses (think American, cheddar, Swiss, Colby Jack and the like) and cheese spreads for guests who like to nibble.”

Meat and cheese tray or charcuterie board?

The deli tray and the charcuterie board share similarities but serve different purposes. The deli tray features sliced sandwich‑style meats built for a crowd. The charcuterie board is specially curated, leans on cured meats and a variety of cheeses that are paired with other items and artfully arranged for grazing.

The Charcuterie Tray at Strack & Van Til includes Gouda, Monterey Jack, mild cheddar and Colby Jack cheeses, hard salami, pepperoni, cheddar cheese spread, pretzelized pita chips, grapes and a fruit spread.

“In your local Deli Department, you can order a ready-made charcuterie tray, or pick up your favorite deli meats, specialty cheeses, nuts, olives, jams, mustards and more and create your own charcuterie masterpiece,” adds Snow.

Charcuterie meats

• Salami: Adds a bit of spice
• Prosciutto: Thinly cut and a distinct flavor
• Soppressata: Chunky texture and bold, savory flavor
• Other cured meat options

Charcuterie cheeses

• Brie: Soft, rich and buttery French cheese
• Goat cheese: Smooth and spreadable, with a distinct tang
• Manchego: A firm, rich Spanish sheep’s milk cheese with a buttery, nutty and mildly tangy flavor
• Aged Gouda: Deeply flavorful, nutty and rich Dutch cheese

Accompaniments

• Nuts
• Dried fruits
• Grapes
• Honey
• Jams
• Cornichons
• Olives

Which to choose

• Trays feed a crowd quickly and efficiently.
• Boards encourage grazing and gifting, often with more variety.

Both count as the same category when planning quantities. The choice depends on whether you want a straightforward deli tray or a curated board for guests to explore.

Charcuterie boards offer a different experience than deli trays. They focus on cured meats that bring deeper, more complex flavors.

• Prosciutto is thin and delicate
• Soppressata has a bold savory bite
• Salami adds spice and chew

These meats pair naturally with cheeses that offer contrast.

• Brie is soft and creamy
• Goat cheese is tangy and spreadable
• Manchego is firm and nutty
• Aged Gouda brings caramel notes that stand out on any board

Accompaniments help tie everything together.

• Nuts add crunch
• Dried fruits add sweetness
• Grapes add freshness
• Honey and jams bring a smooth finish
• Cornichons and olives add brine and brightness

Charcuterie boards are popular for holidays, gifting and special occasions because they feel curated and intentional. They encourage guests to graze, explore and enjoy different combinations. At Strack & Van Til, the Charcuterie Tray offers a ready-made option that includes cheeses, cured meats, pretzelized pita chips, grapes and a fruit spread, making it easy to serve a board without assembling it yourself.

How much meat and cheese per person?

Serving counts depend on whether the tray is an appetizer or the main event.

• As an appetizer: About 2 ounces of meat and 1 ounce of cheese per person
• As the meal or a long grazing spread: 4 to 5 ounces of meat and 2 ounces of cheese per person
• Crackers and bread: 4 to 6 pieces per person; accompaniments fill the gaps

Meat and cheese math

Serving style	Meat per person	Cheese per person	Extras
Appetizer	2 ounces	1 ounce	4-6 crackers
Grazing spread	4-5 ounces	2 ounces	Nuts, fruit
Full meal	5 ounces	2-3 ounces	Bread, pickles

This table makes planning simple. For 20 guests at a graduation party, plan 40 ounces of meat and 20 ounces of cheese, plus crackers and accompaniments.

How to assemble the tray

Presentation matters. A well‑assembled tray looks inviting and encourages guests to eat.

• Fold or roll sliced meats so they’re easy to grab
• Fan cubed cheese for variety
• Mix textures: At least one soft and one hard cheese
• Let cheese sit out 20 to 30 minutes before serving for flavor, then follow the two‑hour rule
• Refill from the fridge instead of stacking the board deep

These steps keep trays fresh and appealing.

Buy one or build one?

Building a charcuterie board from scratch means buying six or more ingredients in full packages. For groups of 15 or more, a made‑to‑order tray usually costs less.

Building a board from scratch can be fun, but it requires buying full packages of meats, cheeses and accompaniments. For small gatherings, this works well. For larger groups, store-made trays reduce waste and save time. Strack & Van Til’s deli teams slice meats fresh, arrange trays neatly and prepare everything in store, which means hosts across Northwest Indiana can rely on consistent quality. Store made trays also scale better for events with 20 or more guests, since the deli can prepare multiple trays that match in size and presentation.

Meat and cheese trays from Strack & Van Til

Strack & Van Til offers a wide selection of trays, all prepared fresh in‑store.

Deli meat and cheese trays

• Meat and Cheese Snacker Tray — Beef sticks, pepperoni, hard salami, Colby Jack, cheddar and Swiss
  
  
  • Sizes: 14-inch and 16-inch
    
    
• Cubed Cheese Platter — Six domestic cheeses and spreads
  
  
  • Sizes: 14-inch, 16-inch and 18-inch

Charcuterie options

• New Charcuterie Tray — Gouda, Monterey Jack, mild cheddar and Colby Jack cheeses, hard salami, pepperoni, cheddar cheese spread, pretzelized pita chips, grapes and a fruit spread.
  
  
• Sizes: 14-inch and 16-inch

Specialty trays

For another twist on meat and cheese trays, try some of the Strack & Van Til deli’s other meat-based options:

• Sandwich trays – King’s Hawaiian rolls, croissants, pretzel rolls, Italian subs, pita sandwiches and combos
• Chicken trays – Boneless wings and tenders with dipping sauces
• Seafood trays – Deluxe shrimp and seafood combo

Sizes and serving counts

• Small trays (14-inch) serve 10 to 20 guests
• Medium trays (16-inch) serve 20 to 30 guests
• Large trays (18-inch) serve 30 to 40 guests

Ordering

Order at the deli counter, by phone at 219-961-9119 or online at strackandvantil.com/catering and be sure to provide at least 24-hours’ notice. Pickup and delivery are available at Strack & Van Til, your hometown grocer located across Lake and Porter Counties, including Hammond, Highland, Munster, Crown Point, St. John, Schererville, Valparaiso and Hobart.

Put the board on the table

From graduations to family reunions to holidays, the meat and cheese tray is the one platter that makes every gathering a real celebration. With the right lineup, the per‑person math and simple freshness rules, you can serve trays that guests will gobble up in no time. For small groups, building your own tray works. For larger gatherings, you can depend on your local Strack & Van Til Deli Department to prepare trays fresh, daily, in‑store, sized to your guest list and ready to serve. Order in person, by phone at 219-961-9119 or online at strackandvantil.com/catering. Place your order at least 24 hours in advance.

Frequently asked questions

• What goes on a meat and cheese tray? Ham, turkey, roast beef, salami, pepperoni, cheddar, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, Swiss and Gouda, plus crackers and pickles.
  
  
• How much meat and cheese per person? As an appetizer: 2 ounces of meat and 1 ounce of cheese. As a meal: 4 to 5 ounces of meat and 2 ounces of cheese.
  
  
• What’s the difference between a meat and cheese tray and a charcuterie board? Trays use sliced sandwich‑style meats and familiar cheeses. Boards lean on cured meats, varied  cheeses and accompaniments.
  
  
• What sizes do Strack & Van Til trays come in? Small 14-inch trays serve 10 to 20 guests, medium 16-inch trays serve 20 to 30 and large 18-inch trays serve 30 to 40.
  
  
• Can I order trays for delivery in Northwest Indiana? Yes. Pickup and delivery are available across Lake and Porter Counties, including Hammond, Highland, Munster, Crown Point, St. John, Schererville, Valparaiso and Hobart at your local Strack & Van Til store.
  
  
• How can I order meat and cheese trays and charcuterie boards?
  Order at the Strack & Van Til deli near you, by phone at 219-961-9119 or online at strackandvantil.com/catering. Place your order at least 24 hours in advance.
  
  

• Is it cheaper to make my own tray? DIY works for small groups. For 15 or more guests, store‑made trays usually save time and reduce waste.
  
  
• What specialty trays are available? Sandwich trays, chicken trays, seafood trays and charcuterie options are all available.

By Karyn G. Zafran