Learn to make a Charcuterie Board that is going to be the ultimate appetizer no matter the occasion. An assortment of cheeses, meats, fruits, spreads, and more on a platter or tray, perfect for grazing.
This appetizer is a party favorite that is easy to make and loved by everyone! Check out some of our other simple party favorite recipes.
CHEESE BOARD
Having a cheese board that is loaded with an assortment of different finger foods makes for a great appetizer or snack! A charcuterie board at gatherings is all the rage now and your guests are bound to enjoy it. Make a cheese board for your next game night, birthday party, holiday celebrations or even for a simple snack.
| WHAT IS A CHARCUTERIE BOARD– A charcuterie board is an arrangement of cheeses, meats and spreads arranged in a beautiful manner, served as an appetizer or snack. It is a classic appetizer that can be made for a large crowd or even just for a single person. Not only is it a great appetizer but assembling a cheese board is an art! |
KEY CHARCUTERIE BOARD INGREDIENTS
CHEESE-
Since cheese is one of the main ingredients, you want to make sure you use high quality cheese! We like to buy blocks of fresh cheese and slice or cube the cheese. You can also buy precut cheese. Be sure to buy an arrangement of white, yellow and orange cheese to add a variety of flavors and colors. Here are some great cheese options to get for your charcuterie board:
- Soft Cheese– Goat Cheese, Brie, Camembert, Burrata Cheese, marinated mozzarella balls, and Boursin are some of our go-to soft cheeses to add to our platter.
- Hard Cheese– Colby Jack cheese, Monterey jack, cheddar, mild cheddar, gouda, Swiss cheese, gruyere, parmesan or Havarti cheese are some delicious hard cheeses.
- Unique cheese– You can also have fun and add some funky and unique cheese flavors! Some stores will have different flavored and spiced cheese in the cheese section. We like to add at least one unique or new cheese flavor for everyone to try.
| When deciding how much cheese to buy, you want to think about 2-3 ounces of cheese per person. |
MEAT-
A charcuterie board is usually loaded with a variety of different cured meats! The meat goes so well with cheese and crackers. You can usually get cured meats at your local grocery store deli or in the dry meat sections. Here are some of our must have meats:
- Cured Meat– A classic charcuterie platter calls for cured meat such as genoa salami, prosciutto, Soppresata, pepperoni, Capicola, pepper salami, or any other cured meats you prefer.
- Deli Meat– We also love to add some classic deli meats to our board! Smoked turkey breast, black forest ham, hard salami, sliced pepperoni, or even chicken breast deli meat.
- Extras– You can even add beef sticks or beef jerky to your board if you prefer! We love adding turkey meat sticks, beef sticks or even smokies.
CHEESE BOARD EXTRAS
Although the main ingredients for the ultimate charcuterie board are the meat and cheese, you still want to add a variation of extras to fill up the board and for more snacking options! Here are some of our favorite extras to add as fillers for our cheese platter.
- Bread & Crackers– Add a variety of crackers or bread to go with the cheese and meat. From different shapes and textures, have fun! Crackers, Pita chips, crostini, bagel crisps, whole grain crackers, pretzel thins, baguette, or even flatbread crisps.
- Dried Fruits & Nuts– Dried fruits and nuts make for a great snack! Add your favorite dried fruits like apricots, cherries, figs, cranberries for added snacks and color. A variety of mixed nuts is a great addition such as cashews, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, and pecans.
- Savory– We love adding some salty snacks like pickles, cornichons, olives, roasted bell peppers, capers, or stuffed peppers.
- Sweet– There is something about mixing sweet and salty! We love adding fruits to add sweetness and pops of color around our charcuterie board. Add grapes, strawberries, oranges, apples, pears, dates, pomegranate, berries, or any other fresh fruit.
- Dips & Spreads– Adding dips and spreads is the cherry on top! Add a variety of sweet jams, honey, honeycomb, hot honey (try our homemade hot honey), Ranch dip, cheese ball, spinach dip, garlic aioli, or even cranberry sauce during the holidays.
| There is no rule to what you can or can’t add to your homemade charcuterie board! Have fun and be creative with the different things you add and the different ways you assemble your board! |
HOW TO MAKE A CHARCUTERIE BOARD
Although there isn’t a certain way to make a charcuterie board, you do want to be creative and take your time assembling your platter.
- Choose your Board– Choose your choice of shape and size platter you are going to use! We love using a large round cutting board or a rectangle platter. Set out your mini bowls and utensils that you will be using.
- Prep– Slice up all the cheese into thin slices or bite sized cubes. Layout all the ingredients that you will be using for your charcuterie board.
- Bowls & Ramekins– Fill up our mini bowls or decorative ramekins with mixed nuts, olives, pickles or whatever else you choose. Arrange the bowls throughout the board, apart from each other.
- Main Ingredients– Decoratively layout the cheeses, meats, and crackers all around the board and around the bowls.
- Fillers– Once you have the meats, cheeses and crackers laid out, then go in and fill all the empty areas with your things like your dried or fresh fruits, nuts, jams, honey, dips and more to fill and finish the look of the board.
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:
We love to get all our cheese board ingredients at Aldi, Trader Joe’s, and Walmart! You should be able to get your ingredients at almost all grocery stores.
Yes! You can make the cheeseboard ahead of time up to 24 hours prior! Just don’t add the bread and crackers until ready to serve to avoid stale crackers. Once the platter is assembled, cover tightly and store in the fridge.
You can store the platter itself in the fridge, tightly covered, for up to 3-4 days! You can also disassemble the platter and store the meat and cheese in a container or plastic bag.
The charcuterie board should not be at room temperature for too long since there is cheese and meat involved. It can sit out for 3-4 hours max.
No problem! You can either assemble the entire cheese board and tightly seal it in plastic wrap to travel, or you can prep all your ingredients and then assemble once you get to your destination.
CHARCUTERIE BOARD IDEAS & THEMES
Creating a charcuterie board is truly an art and a time to bring out your creativity! You can also go outside the box and make different style cheese boards and have fun with your themes and for the holidays.
- Charcuterie Cups– Make single serving charcuterie cups by loading up serving cups with a variety of cheese board ingredients! This is great for large parties.
- Cheese Board Lunch– Making a cheese board for lunch is like having an adult launchable! Pack a variety of cheese board ingredients in a container so you can graze for lunch.
- Holiday Charcuterie Boards– Make your cheese board themed by the certain holiday! Add ingredients that are in season during the current holiday. You can have fun no matter the holiday, Thanksgiving charcuterie board and Christmas charcuterie board are so popular!
You do not have to stick to the classic cheese board theme. Be creative and make different charcuterie boards like:
- Fruit Charcuterie Board
- Breakfast Board
- Veggie Platter
- Candy Charcuterie Board
- Appetizer Board
- Sandwich Board
- Dessert Board
How to make a Charcuterie Board (Cheese Board)
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut up all the cheese and meat into thin slices or bite sized cubes.
- Prep and layout all the ingredients that you will be using for your charcuterie board.
- Fill up your mini bowls or decorative ramekins with mixed nuts, olives, pickles or anything else. Arrange the bowls throughout the board, apart from each other.
- Decoratively layout the cheeses, meats, and crackers all around the board and around the bowls.
- Once you have the meats, cheeses and crackers laid out, then go in and fill all the empty areas with your things like your dried or fresh fruits, nuts, jams, honey, dips and more to fill and finish the look of the board.
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