How to Make the Perfect Classic Charcuterie Board
Are you wondering how to make the perfect Classic Charcuterie Board?
A Charcuterie Board is my go-to appetizer when we have guests. Everything can be prepped ahead of time and then you just need to arrange everything on your board.
This post contains affiliate links, and I may be compensated if you purchase through my link. See full disclosure HERE
What is A Charcuterie Board
Every charcuterie board that I put together is always a little different. A board also doesn’t have to be just cheese, meats, and veggies. It can be a sweet board, a breakfast board,
Charcuterie
Charcuterie (shar-KOO-ta-REE) is a specific term with origins reaching as far back as 15thcentury France; literally translated, it means the products of a fancy pork butcher.
The possibilities are actually limitless. I have another blog post that is all about the different kinds of boards you can create.
But back to basics! What are the key components of a good charcuterie board?
What to Put on a Charcuterie Board?
- 3 Hard Cheeses
- 2 Soft Cheeses
- 3 Meats
- 2 Dips
- 3 Veggies
- 2 Fruits
- 2 Crackers
- 2 Nuts or Dried Fruits
Cheeses
Hard Cheeses
- Manchego Cheese
- Cheddar
- Gruyère
- Gouda
- Asiago
Soft Cheeses
- Goat Cheese (Regular or Herb)
- Brie Cheese
- Burrata
- Ricotta
- Mozzarella
Meats
- Hard Salami
- Summer Sausage
- Prosciutto
- Ham
- Capicola
- Pepperoni
- Italian Sausage
- Roast Beef
Dips
Sweet
- Marshmallow Dip
- Cream Cheese Dip
- Sweet Whipped Cream
- Chocolate Dip
- Fig Jelly
Savory
- Herb Dip
- Cheese Dip
- Hummus Dip
- Guacamole
- Spinach Dip
Fruits & Vegetables
- Apple Slices
- Grapes
- Strawberries
- Figs
- Kiwi
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Cucumber Slices
- Celery Sticks
- Broccoli
- Carrot Sticks
- Asparagus
- Peppers
- Cherry Tomatoes
Nuts & Relishes
- Pistachio Nuts
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Dill Pickles
- Olives
- Sweet Pickles
- Pickled Baby Corn
Crackers & Breads
- Water Crackers
- Gluten-Free Crackers
- Butter Crackers
- Whole Wheat Crackers
- Pita Crackers
- Flat Pretzel Crackers
- Sliced French Bread
- Tortilla Chips
Miscellaneous
- Dried Fruits
- Bread Sticks
- Pomegranate Seeds
- Hard Boiled Eggs
I want to share with you that one of my favorite stores is Aldi. You can get delicious and organic foods at half the price of my local grocery store. It’s also a great place for many of the items needed for a charcuterie board at a fraction of the prices elsewhere.
The Show Stopper
I always like to have one showstopper on my board. On the board below I created the cutest pumpkin with brie cheese and phyllo dough. I got this new recipe from my sweet friend Nicolle from Our Tiny Nest and shared the cutest mini pumpkin brie recipe. I also love to make a salami rose.
Are Charcuterie Boards Seasonal?
They don’t have to be but I think that’s the fun of a Charcuterie Board.
They can also be themed; dessert board, breakfast board, Halloween board, Christmas Board, the possibilities are unlimited.
Google any kind of (Fill in the blank) ___________ Charcuterie Board and you will get tons of ideas.
I like to look at other boards for inspiration and then take what I like from those ideas and make my own.
Charcuterie Board Reminders
We make Charcuterie Boards often when we are having guests. However, I think they can also be a fun dinner idea.
You should also have beverages available. We love a crisp cold white wine, like a Pinot Grigio. In the summer I think a Rosé is lovely. If you enjoy red wine I suggest a Pinot Noir or a Sangria. A variety of IPAs is also a fun idea. For those who like a non-alcoholic drink, flavored waters are a nice alternative.
Having paper plates or small bowls and napkins in stock is something that has taken me a long time to master but now I have a well-organized supply.
Small cheese spreaders, knives, and spoons are certainly not necessary but so fun if you do have them available.
Enjoy!
Meet Me
Created by Lynn Vogeler, Small House Kitchen is a celebration of the joy found in mostly from-scratch cooking and the magic that happens when great ingredients meet limitless imagination. In our small house, we turn simple ingredients into extraordinary meals with big flavors.
You can find out about all of my other passions; decorating, entertaining, organizing, and gardening over at livinglargeinasmallhouse.com
A great way to remember this recipe is to save it to your Pinterest boards. You can find the pin button when you hover over the photo below. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest
Lynn your charcuterie board looks gorgeous!!! I’m so glad you all enjoyed the pumpkin brie <3
I have to tell you our guests were impressed. I forgot the egg wash but it still turned out great. It will definitely be one of my fall go-to’s
I have a mom/daughter event in a couple of weeks and I’m going to make it again! Thanks for the recipe and the inspiration.