Not sure what to do with all those BBQ leftovers from the summer cookout? Make this mouthwatering leftover BBQ charcuterie board! Pair a variety of meats with your favorite sides and sauces – then nothing goes to waste!
Hey cousins! It’s that time of year again. In the later summer months, everyone and their uncle are outside, grillin’ or smoking meat each night for dinner. I don’t know about y’all, but I never get tired of BBQ! I can eat cookout food every darn day. Here’s the thing about family cookouts, though… there’s always so much food leftover.
I sometimes go overboard when hosting a cookout. I end up making way too many items… too many meats, way too many sides, and more rolls than I know what to do with! Especially if we’re celebrating Juneteenth or the 4th of July, everyone is getting fed at Cousin Rosie’s house! So, what do we do with leftover BBQ meat? Make a delicious leftovers board!
No Waste with a Leftover BBQ Charcuterie Board
This idea originated from a good friend of mine who consistently created elegant cheeseboards for girls’ nights and other special occasions. She blew my mind with a BBQ board, and I guess you could say it inspired me to create my own!
Believe it or not, you really don’t need all that much to pull this idea together. Gather up those leftovers, some side dishes, sauces, and a few strategic extras, and you’ve got yourself the perfect, fancy-schmancy BBQ charcuterie board for your next family get-together or game night.
What Do You Need to Make a Leftover BBQ Charcuterie Board?
So, how exactly do you create a charcuterie board using BBQ leftovers? Do you just throw everything on a platter and serve it up? Basically! Before I break things down, here are the general items you’ll want to be sure you have:
- BBQ Leftovers: obviously, grilled, smoked, and BBQ meats are the stars of the show. But don’t forget sides, sauces, condiments, and extras!
- Large Platter or Cutting Board: BBQ leftovers aren’t a place for a dainty, expensive charcuterie board! When I first started experimenting with charcuterie boards, I tried to be fancy, but those aesthetically pleasing boards were way out of my budget. For this leftover BBQ charcuterie board, try a heavy-duty platter or cutting board. I use my favorite large bamboo cutting board, which has a handle and measures 19 by 13 inches, so we have plenty of space.
- Small Bowls: you’ll need a few extra bowls for sauces, sides, and additional snacks.
- Napkins: BBQ is messy, so be prepared with plenty of napkins on hand.
Here are some more affordable charcuterie board options that would be perfect for your BBQ leftovers board:
- Extra-large rectangular board with handles
- Bamboo charcuterie tray with a travel lid
- 3-piece magnetic set with accessory bowls and utensil set
- 3-piece bamboo cutting boards in 3 convenient sizes
- Long, foldable charcuterie serving tray with handles
The Best BBQ Recipes for Your BBQ Charcuterie Board
Now, of course, the whole point of this recipe is that it’s made up of leftover BBQ meats, so you’re going to use whatever you have – whether that’s grilled hot dogs, BBQ chicken, or some grilled chicken wings. But if you’re looking for some delicious BBQ recipes, give these a try! (Note: not all of these recipes require a grill or smoker to achieve that savory barbecue flavor. So, even if it’s not grilling season, you can still enjoy some leftover BBQ charcuterie!)
- Oven Baked BBQ Ribs
- BBQ Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker Beef Brisket
- BBQ Rib Tips
- Oven Baked Barbecue Pork Chops
- Pan Grilled Wagyu Steak
- Smoked Oxtails
- Easy Smoked Turkey
- BBQ Meatloaf Meatballs
- Honey Jalapeño Mesquite Chicken
- Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
- Soul Food Style Baked Barbecue Turkey Wings
- Sweet and Smoky Pork Spare Ribs
- Grilled Sirloin Steak, Onions, and Sweet Pepper Kabobs
- Hickory Smoked Barbecue Chicken
- Honey Chipotle Chicken Wings
Any of these recipes will ensure you have a delicious variety of meats, including classic favorites like ribs and pulled pork, as well as a few unexpected additions, such as savory oxtail, chicken, and meatballs.
Side Dishes and Extras for Your Leftovers Charcuterie Board
When you go to a BBQ joint, everyone knows the two big decisions you have to make are your meat choice and which side or sides you’re getting! If you don’t have at least two sides at the front of your mind, you ain’t doing it right, fam! The same rule goes for cookouts. Side dishes are JUST as important as the meats or main dishes. Here are some of those must-have sides.
- Potato Salad
- Macaroni Salad
- Coleslaw
- BBQ Baked Beans
- Southern Sweet Cornbread
- Bacon Mac and Cheese
- Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Casserole
- Soul Food Collard Greens
- Honey Jalapeño Cornbread
- Corn On The Cob
- Southern Cornbread
- Homemade Dinner Rolls
- Southern Green Beans and Potatoes
Condiments and More Possible Extras
Just like a typical charcuterie board isn’t complete with only meats and cheeses, a BBQ charcuterie isn’t complete with just delicious meats and sides. You gotta have some extra bites to fill in the open spaces! Here are some suggestions:
- Cheese and Crackers: These might be a traditional charcuterie ingredient, but they have their place on a BBQ charcuterie too! Crackers will add a nice crunchy bite, and cheese can add the perfect creamy touch to a bite-sized sandwich.
- Bread: From thick slices of Texas toast or garlic bread, to plain ol’ white bread, dinner rolls, or slider buns – bread is the perfect extra to include with some leftover BBQ.
- Pickles: Everyone knows pickles pair well with BBQ! Add pickle slices, wedges, or whole baby pickles to your board.
- BBQ Sauce: I always try to have more than one barbecue sauce available. I like a nice, smoky sauce, but my husband loves a sweeter BBQ sauce. If any of your BBQ leftovers already have sauce on them, include a small bowl of that sauce to help refresh the leftovers.
- Other Sauces: BBQ sauce isn’t your only option! Don’t forget the hot sauce, honey mustard, spicy mustard, ketchup… whatever sounds good, add it!
- Vegetables: Adding some extra veggies can be the perfect option to serve alongside a leftover BBQ sandwich. Sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, grilled zucchini, and peppers can add so much flavor to your BBQ charcuterie board!
How to Reheat Your Leftover BBQ Meats
My last Cousin Rosie tip is all about reheating your leftover BBQ for the best results. After all, you want those savory meats to taste just as good as the day they were made!
The best way to reheat leftover BBQ is in a 300 to 325 degree oven, covered with foil so there’s no risk of dryin’ out. You can add extra BBQ sauce or broth to help with moisture, and avoid overheating to prevent the food from drying out and becoming unpleasant. You can also reheat meats on the stovetop in a covered pan or skillet. However you decide to reheat your leftover BBQ, just be sure it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees (considered the safe temp for leftovers, especially meats!).
More Easy Recipes from I Heart Recipes
Next time you’re hosting a party, consider this leftover BBQ charcuterie board to mix things up! It’s a great way to use up leftovers so nothing goes to waste, and it makes for a fun night of snacking on delicious food – what could be better?!
Looking for more fun and easy recipes? Give these a try!
- Slow Cooker Beef Brisket Chili
- Easy Sausage and Peppers Recipe
- Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Sheet Pan Steak and Shrimp Fajitas
- Brisket Nachos Recipe
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
If you love these Southern-fried corn fritters as much as I do, leave me a comment below. Don’t forget to tag and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube, and check out I Heart Soul Food and Super Soul Food with Cousin Rosie, with many recipes you can’t find anywhere else.












I am crazy in love with this idea and I will totally be doing this after the 4th of July! We love ALL of your recipes!
Thanks so much Carla!