How to Make a Charcuterie Board (2024)

What is a Charcuterie Board?

• It’s pronounced charcuterie ‘shahr-koo-tuh–ree’ and means the art of preparing meats. Most meats and cheeses come pre-sliced so arranging them is easy!
• Invite a few friends over and make a DIY charcuterie board (or two!) and then admire and enjoy your edible work of art with a glass of wine!
• Guestimate about 3-4 slices of meat and 1-2 ounces of cheese per person. Everything else is up to the artist!
• Prepare mini-charcuterie boards and wrap them in plastic wrap with a festive bow as a special delivery hostess gift or a Christmas party gift exchange!
• Any shape or size of wood board can be used as a serving platter for the charcuterie! Large, small, round, or square boards are can become a place for all kinds of edible ideas! Change it up and fill cups instead!

Charcuterie Board Ideas

Meats – Choose a variety of meats that are easy to eat with your fingers. Rolled-up slices of genoa salami and thin slices of artfully piled ham, prosciutto, or pancetta curled into rose shapes add structure and visual interest.

Cheese – Buy a range of orange, yellow, and white cheeses that range from mellow to sharp (like gorgonzola) in flavor. Slice them or cut blocks into cubes.

I do like to include a variety of hard cheeses (like parmesan) and soft cheeses (like burrata, brie, or goat cheese). You can also add in a creamy dip or two.

Bread & Crackers – Crostini, water crackers, grain crackers, or thin slices of toasted baguettes are perfect for spreading and scooping!

Fruit & Nuts – Fresh fruit like grapes, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or even pear or apple slices add color and freshness. Dried apricots or other fruits are sweet and add a different texture. Nuts should be shelled and salted, try a salted mixture, pisctachios, or candied walnuts .

Sweet – I add an element of sweetness with either pepper jelly, fig jam, or a little bit of honey. Add a few chocolate-covered raisins, chocolate truffles, or chocolate almonds to satisfy a sweet tooth!

Pickles, Olives, & Dips – Small bowls of black, green, and kalamata olives, cornichons (baby dill pickles), banana peppers, or other pickled vegetables and cranberry relish, some whole grain mustard, garlic aioli, or .

The finishing touch:

Adding sprigs of herbs like thyme and rosemary are very simple additions that really make the board gorgeous and look beautifully finished.

How to Make a Charcuterie Board

Let your inner foodie out and arrange the ingredients in any interesting manner that inspires you! The best charcuterie boards are piled high with various foods, but they all mix and match together. There’s really no wrong way to assemble a great meat and chees board!

1. Start with small bowls filled with jams/fruits/dips etc. and arrange the meats and cheeses around them.
2. Create patterns or use cookie cutters to cut cheese into initials, letters or a shapes.
3. Vary the way cheeses are sliced/cubed/cut and the way meats are layered, rolled and twisted.
4. Garnish with thin slices of oranges and sprigs of rosemary or basil.

Think outside of the box… or should I say the board and try making charcuterie cups or put them in little bowls! The possibilities are endless.

Can you Make Charcuterie Ahead of Time?

Assemble a charcuterie board up to a day in advance and keep it covered and chilled until ready to serve. Dips and spreads should be in small covered containers until ready to arrange on the board in small bowls for easy access.

Got Leftovers?

• Sandwiches: Fill buns or bread the next day for an easy lunch.
• Breakfast: Add the meat and cheese to scrambled eggs, a frittata, or an omelette for a post-party brunch.
• Mac & Cheese: Use the cheese for cheese sauce, chop up the meats, and toss it with elbows to a new creative spin on baked mac and cheese.
• Pasta Salad: Chop it all up and toss with pasta and bottled Italian dressing for an easy pasta salad.