How to Build a Charcuterie Board (Definitive Guide)
Create a stunning charcuterie board with my step-by-step guide. Learn how to pair meats, cheeses, fruits, and more for an easy, crowd-pleasing spread.
Equipment
- cutting board, marble, or platters
Ingredients
Estimated amounts
- 8 oz proscuitto or Jamon Serrano
- 8 oz Genoa salami
- 8 oz capicola hot or sweet
- 8 oz smoked sausage chorizo or your favorites
- 6 oz sharp cheddar cheese Parmigiano Reggiano, or Manchengo.
- 6 oz gorgonzola bleu cheese, roquefort, or stilton.
- 6 oz goat cheese Camembert, or Brie
- 6 oz Gouda Havarti, or Gruyère
- 6 oz kalamata olives
- 6 oz stuffed green olives
- 6 oz grape tomatoes carrots, celery, broccoli
- 6 oz hearts of palm suffed grape leaves
- 2 boxes crackers breadsticks, melba
- 2 loaves sliced baguette or crostini
- 6 oz honey or flavored butter
- 6 oz onion jam caponata, tapenade, baba ganoush, hummus
- 6 oz fig jam
- 6 oz dijon mustard or stone ground, or dips
- 8 oz strawberries pineapple, apple, pears
- 6 oz blackberries or dried fruit
- 6 oz grapes
- 6 oz dark chocolate chocolate covered fruits or nuts
- 8 oz candied nuts or pecans, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios
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Instructions
Board Selection
- Use a wooden cutting board, marble slab, or a large platter as your base. You can also place parchment paper on the counter and build directly on the counter or on a table.
- Start with the larger items, such as cheeses and meats, then fill in the gaps with fruits, nuts, and crackers.
- Provide cheese knives, small tongs, and spoons for easy serving.
Notes
How much food do I need per person?
Plan on serving approximately 3–4 ounces of meat and 2–3 ounces of cheese per person. If it’s your main appetizer, bump that up slightly so no one leaves hungry.
Can I make a charcuterie board ahead of time?
Yes, you can. You can assemble the board up to 8 hours in advance. Keep it covered and refrigerated until ready to serve. Remove it 30 minutes before serving so the cheese can reach room temperature for optimal flavor.
Do I need a wooden cutting board?
No, you don’t. A wooden cutting board looks beautiful, but you can use a platter, tray, marble slab, or even parchment paper on a counter or table. It’s more about presentation and balance than the actual board.
Choosing Meats
When choosing items for your board, people tend to start by selecting meats. You want to have a variety of flavors and textures to appeal to different palates.
- Prosciutto: A delicate, thinly sliced cured ham that melts in your mouth.
- Salami: opt for both spicy and mild varieties to add depth to your board.
- Capicola: Sweet or hot ham that goes well with mustards and cheese.
- Chorizo: This spiced sausage brings a kick of flavor.
- Paté: A spreadable meat option, such as liver paté, adds richness and variety.
- Soft Cheese: Goat Cheese, Camembert, and Brie offer a creamy, smooth texture.
- Semi-hard cheeses, such as Gouda, Havarti, or Gruyère, provide a firmer bite.
- Hard Cheese: Aged Cheddar, Parmigiano Reggiano, or Manchego for a robust flavor.
- Blue Cheese: Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Stilton adds a sharp, tangy contrast.
- Baguette: Thinly sliced and toasted for a crunchy base.
- Crostini: Small, crisp toast brushed with olive oil.
- Assorted Crackers and Breadsticks: Choose plain, seeded, and flavored varieties to complement your other ingredients.
- Fresh Fruits: Grapes, larger berries, apple slices, and figs provide sweetness and juiciness.
- Dried Fruits: Apricots, dates, figs, and pineapple offer concentrated sweetness.
- Vegetables: Include pickles, olives, stuffed grape leaves, and cherry tomatoes for acidity and crunch.
- Mixed Nuts: Sugared pecans, almonds, walnuts, and pistachios add a satisfying crunch.
- Spreads: Include honey, jams, and mustards to pair with meat and cheeses.
- Chocolate: Dark chocolate pieces, small wrapped chocolates, and chocolate-covered fruit can add a surprising and delightful twist.
- Mediterranean Board: Add hummus, feta, marinated peppers, and pita chips.
- Breakfast Charcuterie: Swap meats for smoked salmon, bagels, cream cheese, fruit, and pastries.
- Sweet Board: Use chocolates, cookies, fruit dips, and candied nuts.
- Vegetarian Board: Feature roasted veggies, plant-based cheeses, and hearty dips.
- Christmas Charcuterie Board: Add holiday-themed items like cookies, candy canes, chocolates, tangerines, and pomegranates.
- Board Selection: Use a wooden cutting board, marble slab, or a large platter as your base.
- Arrangement: Start with the larger items like cheeses and meats, then fill them in with fruits, nuts, and crackers.
- Distributing colors and textures evenly over the board creates a visually appealing design.
- Variety: Ensure there is a mix of flavors and textures in every section of the board.
- Tools: Provide cheese knives, small tongs, and spoons for easy serving.
- Wine: A crisp white wine, a robust red, a rosé, or a sparkling wine can pair wonderfully with different elements of the charcuterie board.
- Beer: Light lagers, rich stouts, or fruity ales offer versatile pairing options.
- Non-Alcoholic: Sparkling water, flavored sodas, or fresh juices can be refreshing alternatives.
- Extra Sharp White Cheddar - Apples, pears, strawberries, grapes, figs, cherries, apricots, olives, chutney, mustards, pickles, and chorizo.
- Blue Cheese - Figs, pears, grapes, cherries, apples, dates, apricots, olives, cashews, and prosciutto.
- Goat Cheese – Prosciutto, salami, strawberries, figs, pears, apples, grapes, apricots, cherries, and olives.
- Parmiagano Reggiano- Strawberries, figs, prosciutto, dried apricots, sesame sticks, olives, and balsamic glaze.
- Gouda - Blackberries, grapes, dried apricots, apples, pears, cherries, figs, pecans, walnuts, pickles, and salami.
- Havarti - Soppressata, apples, pears, cherries, olives, pickles, and crackers.
- Feta - Pears, kalamata olives, green olives, watermelon, figs, strawberries, apples, grapes, cantaloupe, and prosciutto.
- Mozzarella - Tapanades, tomatoes, strawberries, apples, salty meats, and olives.
- Camembert – flavored crackers, assorted nuts, apples, pears, grapes, chocolate, jams (savory and sweet).
Nutrition
Calories: 872kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 32gFat: 60gSaturated Fat: 23gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 2411mgPotassium: 695mgFiber: 5gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 754IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 398mgIron: 5mg
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