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Is there anything better than a charcuterie board? Charcuterie has quickly become one of my favorite appetizers because it’s a little mix of everything. Pair it with a nice glass of wine and you feel oh so fancy! The best part is that this is an easy recipe that can be customized to your preferences.
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I used to only get charcuterie boards at restaurants, but now that more ingredients are available in stores it’s been really easy to make my own for a fraction of the cost of restaurant ones! Plus, I can tailor it to my liking and add in extra ingredients or leave out ones that I don’t like.
So, let’s get started on making our own perfect charcuterie board.
What is a Charcuterie Board?
A charcuterie board is a platter or board filled with a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and other accompaniments. It originated in France as a way to showcase different cured meats and has since evolved into a popular appetizer all around the world.
Charcuterie boards can be as simple as a few meats and cheeses, to as complex as a full spread with multiple varieties of each ingredient. It’s a fun and versatile way to entertain guests or just enjoy a tasty snack.
What Should You Put on a Board?
The beauty of the charcuterie board is that you can customize your board with anything you like. Mix your favorite cheeses, fruits, dips, and more to make it your own. You can even make themed boards like breakfast charcuterie boards or even a pancake board!
Here are some ideas of different types of things you can add to your board:
Meats
- Prosciutto
- Salami
- Pepperoni
- Sausage
- Ham
- Pate
Cheeses
- Brie
- Goat cheese
- Gouda
- Cheddar
- Blue cheese
- Manchego
- Smoked Mozzarella
Fruits and Vegetables
- Grapes
- Berries
- Melon slices
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Apples
- Olives
Nuts and Dried Fruits
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Pistachios
- Dried apricots or figs
- Dates
- Raisins
Dips, Spreads, and Extras
- Hummus
- Fig jam (or any fruit jam)
- Honey
- Mustard
- Balsamic glaze
- Olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping bread
Sides
- Bread
- Crackers
- Crostini
- Baguette slices
- Garlic Naan bread
How to Make a Charcuterie Board
- Start with a large, clean board or platter.
- Add larger items first, like bowls for dips and spreads.
- Place cheeses and meats on the board next, arranging them in different areas.
- Fill in any gaps with fruits, vegetables, nuts, and dried fruits.
- Add small dishes for dips or extras like olives or pickles.
- Finish by adding crackers, bread, or other sides to fill in any remaining gaps on the board.
- Serve and enjoy with friends and family!
Tips and Tricks
Use different textures: Mix soft and hard cheeses, crunchy crackers and breads, and smooth dips for a more enjoyable eating experience.
Play with flavors
Add different types of meats, cheeses, fruits, and spreads to create a variety of flavor combinations.
Use small dishes or ramekins
These can be used to hold dips or other wet ingredients to avoid making the board soggy.
Don’t overcrowd the board
Leave a little room in between the charcuteries so it’s easy for guests to grab without touching other pieces.
Prep ahead, but not too far ahead
You can wash and chop fruits and vegetables the day before as well as slice the cheese and meats, but wait to assemble your board until an hour or so before serving so everything stays fresh.
Have fun with it!
Charcuterie boards are meant to be enjoyed, so don’t stress too much about making it perfect. Experiment with different ingredients and arrangements to find what works best for you.
Specialty Ingredients
To take this board to the next level, I recommend adding in some specialty jams and spreads. They might be a little pricey at first, but you can often use them many times and create a lot of charcuterie boards with them. Here are amazon affiliate links for the exact spreads I like to use:
What to Serve with Charcuterie
A charcuterie board can be perfect on its own or can be a part of more appetizers if you’re hosting a large party. Here are some ideas for what you can serve alongside your board:
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Caprese Skewers
- Smoked Salmon Dip
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover meats and cheeses should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I like to separate them into one ziploc for meats and another for cheeses, but it’s up to you on how to store.
Any leftover sides like crackers should be stored in an airtight container, but don’t need to be rrefrigerated.
How Big Should My Charcuterie Board Be?
The size of your charcuterie board will depend on the number of guests you’re serving and how many other appetizers or dishes you’ll have available. As a general rule, plan for about 3-4 ounces of meat and cheese per person. For larger parties, it’s better to have multiple smaller boards spread out rather than one large one that can easily become overcrowded.
If this will be your only appetizer, you might want to add have more meats and cheeses. If you’ll be serving this alongside other appetizers you could make a smaller board.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
Looking for more easy appetizer recipes? Here are our favorites:
- Mini Caprese Pizza
- Veggie Cream Cheese Spread
- Air Fried Pickles
How to Make a Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards are popular for a good reason! They blend together delicious cheeses, meats, fruit and more to be the ultimate appetizer. Pair with your favorite beverage and you're ready to party!
Ali Van Straten
Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
Ingredients
Assorted Cheeses:
- Brie wheel
- Gouda cubed
- Blue Stilton
- Cured Meats:
- Prosciutto
- Genoa Salami
Nuts & Fruits:
- Cashews
- Pistachios
- Green Grapes bunches
- Dried Figs
Accompaniments:
- Fig Jam
- Crackers & Bread:
- Scalloped Crackers
- Cheese Crackers
Instructions
Prepare the Cheeses:
Arrange the Brie wheel as the centerpiece.
Cube the Gouda for easy snacking.
Crumble the Blue Stilton for a bold flavor contrast.
Assemble the Cured Meats:
Roll up the prosciutto into tight rolls.
For the salami, place slices over a narrow glass, folding them over each other to create a rose-like appearance.
Add in Nuts & Fruits:
Scatter Cashews and Pistachios around the board, ensuring they fill gaps and add texture.
Place bunches of Green Grapes for a refreshing palate cleanser.
Position Dried Figs strategically to balance sweetness.
Include Accompaniments:
Spoon Fig Jam into a small dish and place it near the cheeses.
Layer with Crackers & Bread:
Arrange Scalloped Crackers and Cheese Crackers in various spots for a mix of textures.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I am an expert and enthusiast-based assistant. I have access to a wide range of information and can provide assistance on various topics. I can help answer questions, provide information, and engage in discussions. If you have any specific questions or need assistance with anything, feel free to ask!
Now, let's dive into the concepts mentioned in this article.
Charcuterie Boards
A charcuterie board is a platter or board filled with a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and other accompaniments. It originated in France as a way to showcase different cured meats and has since evolved into a popular appetizer all around the world.
Customization
The beauty of a charcuterie board is that you can customize it with your favorite ingredients. You can mix and match different cheeses, fruits, dips, and more to make it your own. You can even create themed boards like breakfast charcuterie boards or pancake boards.
Ingredients for a Charcuterie Board
Here are some ideas for the types of ingredients you can add to your charcuterie board:
Meats:
- Prosciutto
- Salami
- Pepperoni
- Sausage
- Ham
- Pate
Cheeses:
- Brie
- Goat cheese
- Gouda
- Cheddar
- Blue cheese
- Manchego
- Smoked Mozzarella
Fruits and Vegetables:
- Grapes
- Berries
- Melon slices
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Apples
- Olives
Nuts and Dried Fruits:
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Pistachios
- Dried apricots or figs
- Dates
- Raisins
Dips, Spreads, and Extras:
- Hummus
- Fig jam (or any fruit jam)
- Honey
- Mustard
- Balsamic glaze
- Olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping bread
Sides:
- Bread
- Crackers
- Crostini
- Baguette slices
- Garlic Naan bread
How to Make a Charcuterie Board
Here are the steps to make a charcuterie board:
- Start with a large, clean board or platter.
- Add larger items first, like bowls for dips and spreads.
- Place cheeses and meats on the board next, arranging them in different areas.
- Fill in any gaps with fruits, vegetables, nuts, and dried fruits.
- Add small dishes for dips or extras like olives or pickles.
- Finish by adding crackers, bread, or other sides to fill in any remaining gaps on the board.
- Serve and enjoy with friends and family!
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks for creating a great charcuterie board:
- Use different textures: Mix soft and hard cheeses, crunchy crackers and breads, and smooth dips for a more enjoyable eating experience.
- Play with flavors: Add different types of meats, cheeses, fruits, and spreads to create a variety of flavor combinations.
- Use small dishes or ramekins: These can be used to hold dips or other wet ingredients to avoid making the board soggy.
- Don't overcrowd the board: Leave a little room in between the charcuteries so it's easy for guests to grab without touching other pieces.
- Prep ahead, but not too far ahead: You can wash and chop fruits and vegetables the day before, as well as slice the cheese and meats. However, wait to assemble your board until an hour or so before serving so everything stays fresh.
- Have fun with it! Charcuterie boards are meant to be enjoyed, so don't stress too much about making it perfect. Experiment with different ingredients and arrangements to find what works best for you.
Specialty Ingredients
To take your charcuterie board to the next level, you can consider adding some specialty jams and spreads. These can add unique flavors and elevate the overall experience. Some examples include hot honey, bacon jam, and preserve sampler packs.
Serving Suggestions
A charcuterie board can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a larger spread. Here are some ideas for what you can serve alongside your board:
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Caprese Skewers
- Smoked Salmon Dip
Leftovers
If you have leftovers from your charcuterie board, you can store the meats and cheeses in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Sides like crackers can also be stored in an airtight container but don't need to be refrigerated.
Size of the Charcuterie Board
The size of your charcuterie board will depend on the number of guests you're serving and how many other appetizers or dishes you'll have available. As a general rule, plan for about 3-4 ounces of meat and cheese per person. For larger parties, it's better to have multiple smaller boards spread out rather than one large one that can easily become overcrowded.
I hope this information helps you in creating your own perfect charcuterie board! Let me know if there's anything else I can assist you with.
