Name: Charcuterie Board
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: . Cheeses; 3-7 Hard cheeses (e.g., manchego, cheddar, gouda); 3-7 Soft cheeses (e.g., brie, goat cheese, cream cheese) (Consider topping with pepper jelly.); . Meats; varied Cured meats (e.g., prosciutto, salami, chorizo) (Summer sausage is a good inexpensive option.); . Savory accompaniments; varied Nuts (e.g., almonds, pistachios) (Consider candied pecans for a sweet touch.); varied Briny, pickled, or marinated items (e.g., olives, pickles); varied Savory dips and spreads (e.g., hummus, mustard); optional Cold cut veggies; . Sweet accompaniments; varied Fresh fruits and berries (e.g., grapes, apples); varied Dried fruits (e.g., apricots, figs); varied Sweet spreads (e.g., fig butter, jams); few pieces Quality dark chocolate (Consider chocolate-covered nuts as well.); . Crackers; varied Crackers (e.g., pita crackers, whole grain); as needed Toasted baguettes or mini toasts

Welcome to the delightful world of charcuterie boards! This is a fun and creative way to impress your guests with an array of flavors and textures. Let’s dive into how to assemble a stunning board that will be the centerpiece of your gathering!

Choosing Your Ingredients

The beauty of a charcuterie board lies in its variety. Trust me, you’ll love mixing and matching your favorite cheeses, meats, and accompaniments!

Assembly Tips

Start with a solid foundation and layer in the flavors. This part’s so satisfying as you watch your board come to life!

Ingredients

Instructions

Preparation:
Step 1

- Choose your board: Depending on your party size, you could always use multiple boards if needed. See my notes in the post for more board ideas and links.
Step 2

- Start with the cheese: This anchors the board. Work in odd numbers, so choose 3, 5, or 7 types of cheeses to place around the board.
Step 3

- Fold and add the meats: Fold them in half and fan them out like a deck of cards. For thin meat like prosciutto, fold them in a light and airy ribbon. Watch my video for visuals on how to fold cured meats before placing them on the board.
Step 4

- Add savory and sweet accompaniments: Separate colors to allow the brightest colors to stand out. Pair foods that go well together, like mustard and briny foods near salami, and sweet accompaniments near creamy cheeses.
Step 5

- Fill in extra space: Use crackers, then fill any gaps with nuts or fruit.

Nutrition

Cooking techniques

Layering ingredients thoughtfully enhances both the visual appeal and flavor combinations of your charcuterie board.

Variations or substitutions

Feel free to mix and match the cheeses and meats based on what you enjoy or what’s available. You can also use different dips or spreads to change the flavor profile.

Storage tips

If you have leftovers, store cheeses and meats in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Fruits and crackers are best enjoyed fresh.

Notes

Consider dietary restrictions of your guests when selecting ingredients. Gluten-free crackers can be used for a gluten-free option.