Easy Charcuterie Board (2024)

ByAlida Ryder Published

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An epic charcuterie board laden with meats, cheeses, fruit, crackers and preserves is the ultimate appetizer to feed a crowd.

Easy Charcuterie Board (1)

Table of Contents

  • 1 How to make a charcuterie board
    • 1.1 What should be on a charcuterie board
      • 1.1.1 For interest, taste and texture
  • 2 Can I make this ahead?
  • 3 Ideas for sharing boards
  • 4 Easy Charcuterie board
    • 4.1 Ingredients
    • 4.2 Instructions
    • 4.3 Nutrition

How to make a charcuterie board

A goodcharcuterie boardis the ultimate easyappetizer, snack with drinks and even main dish if you include enough variety. It’s one of our favorite ways to eat and to entertain because it’s fuss-free and very easy to cater to a variety of different diets and preferences. Grab your largestserving platter(or lay parchment paper directly on the table) and let’s get building. For a more visually appealing board,slicethecheesesinto different shapes and use prettycheeseknives for serving. The meat can be rolled, folded, sliced or casually laid onto the board. Preserves, pickles andolivescan be added insmall bowlsfor easier serving.

What should be on a charcuterie board

There are no rules but in my opinion, a charcuterie board is different to a cheese board. A cheese board is focused on the cheese and includes ingredients and elements that complement the cheese. Similarly, a charcuterie board is all about the meat. The ingredients paired with the meat are there to complement and make each bite a delicious one.

  1. Charcuterie:Charcuterie is a broad term given to prepared meats. Bacon, cured meat,sausages, pâtés, ham, etc. I like to include a variety of different meats.Salamiis a must and as there is such a vast selection out there, you can include a few different types. I like to include a wholechorizosliced into coins. Parma ham/Prosciuttois also a great addition. Chicken liver pâté, Coppa,Jamón, Gypsy ham, etc. are all good options too. A balancedcharcuterie boardwill have between 3 and 5 types of meats, depending on the amount of people it needs to serve.
  2. Cheese:Not essential on acharcuterie boardbut a natural addition. I like including a strong bluecheese(gorgonzolais my favorite), asoft cheeseand a firmercheese. Gruyere, Havarti,Gouda,Manchego, Appenzeller, Raclette,Cheddarand Parmesan are all good options forhard cheese. Forsoft cheese,brie, camembert andgoat cheeseare delicious and work with a variety of meats.
  3. Fruit:I like includingfresh fruitsas well as preserved/dried fruit. Cherries, berries (raspberries,blueberries,strawberries) andgrapesare some of my favorites.Slicesofpearandappleare also great withcheese. Melon is a great idea if you’re serving Parma ham orProsciutto. If you love dried fruit, I would suggest dried or preserved figs,apricotsor dates. Fruit goes well with the saltiness of the meat and it’s good to have a fresh element on the board.
  4. Crackers/bread:Sliced baguette, breadsticks andcrackersof all kinds are welcome on a sharing board like this. You need a vehicle for the meat andcheese, right?

For interest, taste and texture

  1. Pickles and preserves:The acidity of pickles is very welcome amidst all the richness of thecheeseand meat. Similarly, preserves,jamsorhoneyadd greatsweetnessto the board and works incredibly well with both the cured meat andcheeses.Olives, cornichons or pickled cucumbers, pickled onions, etc are all good choices.
  2. Others: Adding elements likenutsanddipslikemustard,hummus, etc. adds a bit more interest to your board.Fresh herbslikethymeandrosemaryalso make yourcharcuterie boardvisually appealing.
Easy Charcuterie Board (2)

Can I make this ahead?

Most of the elements are best served at room temperature so the board can be assembled up to an hour in advance and kept covered until you’re ready to serve. Alternatively, assemble the ingredients (except for breads and crackers) and cover well then refrigerate for a day before serving. Add any crackers or bread right before serving to prevent them from drying out or getting soggy.

Ideas for sharing boards

  1. Easy bagel board
  2. The ultimate cheese board
  3. Holiday dessert board
  4. Easy breakfast board

Easy Charcuterie Board (3)

Easy Charcuterie board

An epic charcuterie board laden with meats, cheeses, fruit, crackers and preserves is the ultimate appetizer to feed a crowd.

4.73 from 18 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: French

Keyword: Charcuterie, Charcuterie board, Charcuterie board ideas

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Calories: 267kcal

Author: Alida Ryder

Servings: 10 as an appetizer

Ingredients

  • 200 g (7oz) salami
  • 200 g (7oz) Parma Ham / Prosciutto I wrapped the prosciutto around the breadsticks but you can also just add to the platter as is.
  • 200 g (7 oz) Coppa
  • 200 g (7oz) chorizo sliced into coins
  • 100 g blue cheese Gorgonzola, Stilton, etc.
  • 100 g Brie
  • 100 g Hard cheese Gruyere, Havarti, Parmesan, etc.
  • 3 cups fruit of your choice berries, cherries, grapes, melon
  • 2 cups pickles I used Cornichons but pickled onions will also work.
  • 1 cup olives I used Castelvetrano olives as well as marinated olives but any olive will be delicious.
  • preserves of your choice
  • 1 baguette sliced
  • breadsticks/crackers of your choice

Instructions

  • Place the ingredients onto a large serving board or platter.

  • Pile each ingredient together to create a more visually appealing end result. Place fruit in between for color and texture.

  • Add serving knives or spoons and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 932mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 1mg

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

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Regarding the concepts mentioned in the article about making a charcuterie board, let's discuss each one:

How to make a charcuterie board

A charcuterie board is a versatile appetizer that can be easily customized to cater to different diets and preferences. To make a charcuterie board, you can follow these steps:

  1. Choose a large serving platter or lay parchment paper directly on the table.
  2. Slice the cheeses into different shapes for a visually appealing board.
  3. Arrange the meats on the board by rolling, folding, slicing, or casually laying them.
  4. Add preserves, pickles, and olives in small bowls for easier serving.
  5. Include fresh fruits, such as berries, grapes, and slices of pear or apple, as well as preserved or dried fruits like figs, apricots, or dates.
  6. Offer a variety of crackers, breadsticks, and sliced baguette as a vehicle for the meat and cheese.
  7. Consider adding elements like nuts, dips (such as mustard or hummus), and fresh herbs (like thyme or rosemary) for added interest and flavor.

What should be on a charcuterie board

While there are no strict rules, a charcuterie board typically focuses on the meat and includes ingredients that complement it. Here are some key components:

  1. Charcuterie: This term refers to prepared meats, such as bacon, cured meat, sausages, pâtés, and ham. Including a variety of different meats, such as salami, chorizo, Parma ham/Prosciutto, and chicken liver pâté, can add depth of flavor to the board.
  2. Cheese: While not essential, cheese is a natural addition to a charcuterie board. Consider including a strong blue cheese, a soft cheese, and a firmer cheese. Some options include Gorgonzola, Brie, Gruyere, and Parmesan.
  3. Fruit: Fresh fruits like berries, cherries, grapes, and melon can provide a refreshing contrast to the saltiness of the meat. Slices of pear and apple also pair well with cheese.
  4. Crackers/Bread: Offer a variety of crackers, breadsticks, and sliced baguette to accompany the meat and cheese.
  5. Pickles and Preserves: Pickles add acidity to balance the richness of the cheese and meat. Preserves, jams, or honey can add sweetness to the board. Olives, cornichons, or pickled cucumbers are also good choices.
  6. Others: Consider adding elements like nuts, dips (such as mustard or hummus), and fresh herbs (like thyme or rosemary) to enhance the visual appeal and flavor of the charcuterie board.

Can I make this ahead?

Most of the elements on a charcuterie board are best served at room temperature. You can assemble the board up to an hour in advance and keep it covered until you're ready to serve. Alternatively, you can assemble the ingredients (except for breads and crackers), cover them well, and refrigerate for a day before serving. Add any crackers or bread right before serving to prevent them from drying out or getting soggy.

I hope this information helps you create a delicious and visually appealing charcuterie board! Let me know if you have any further questions or need assistance with anything else.

Easy Charcuterie Board (2024)

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