You don’t have to be a fancy chef with deep pockets to build an Instagram-worthy charcuterie board. We’ll show you how to combine flavors and textures that will wow your palate, for any occasion.
I fell in love with charcuterie (pronounced [shar-koo-tuh–ree] boards a few months ago when I found a how-to guide in my local supermarket. I knew I had to make one for our upcoming Friendsgiving party. My friend Gagan put it all together, but the reaction we got to this easy to prepare appetizer was epic, to say the least.
Charcuterieis the art of preparing cured or smoked meats. Charcuterie boards are essentially meat’s response to a cheese board, and boy are they good.
What is Charcuterie?
The word charcuterie is derived from the French words for flesh (chair) and cooked (cuit) and was used to describe shops in 15th-century France that sold products that were made from pork.
Today, people commonly use the name “charcuterie board” or “cheeseboard” to describe a board made with a mix of ingredients made with meats, cheeses, fruits, spreads, jams, nuts, olives, and more.
Anyone can build an indulgent charcuterie board in a few simple steps. Mix and match high-quality ingredients to create a picture-perfect spread for any occasion.
Use round, square, or rectangular boards and choose from a variety of materials. Keep ramekins, small bowls, and little plates on hand. Stock your cabinets with specialty knives, graters, fondue sets, and other fun kitchenware.
Choose cheeses in a variety of flavors ranging from mild to sharp flavor profiles. Textures of cheese include soft, semisoft, hard, fresh, crumbly, and blue. Select a mix of meats, like soppressata, Italian Dry, Genoa salami, or prosciutto. Serve at room temperature for the best flavor.
Experiment with different types of crackers and breads. Crunchy crostini, fresh baguettes, and artisan crackers may include a variety of ingredients, like specialty salts, herbs, and grains.
Add more flavor complexity to your charcuterie board by pairing your meats, cheeses, crackers and breads with dried or fresh fruits, jellies, jams, spreads, chocolate, candied nuts, or honey.
Complement the other textures and flavors with mustards, olives, nuts, seeds, pickles, fresh vegetables, or savory spreads and dips. Put on finishing touches if you’d like- such as decorative herbs and flowers.
Want to serve an elegant charcuterie spread that looks as good as it tastes? You’ll need a few things on hand to create your masterpiece.
knives- Cheese Knife and Fork Set
boards- Bamboo Cheese Board and Knife Set, Premium Bamboo Cheese Board Set
graters- 4in1 Cheese Knife Set
small bowls- LIFVER Serving Bowls
plates- BTaT- Ramekins 4 oz Square, Set of 6
FTC Disclaimer: MiloveOfLife.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Easy Affordable & Absolutely Delicious Charcuterie Board
miloveoflife
Anyone can build an indulgent charcuterie board in a few simple steps. Mix and match high-quality ingredients to create a picture-perfect spread for any occasion.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people
Equipment
Boards, Dishes, & Tools
Use round, square, or rectangular boards and choose from a variety of materials. Keep ramekins, small bowls, and little plates on hand. Stock your cabinets with specialty knives, graters, fondue sets, and other fun kitchenware.
Ingredients
Cheese & Meats, Crackers & Breads, Something Sweet, and Something Savory
Instructions
Cheese & Meat
Choose cheeses in a variety of flavors ranging from mild to sharp flavor profiles. Textures of cheese include soft, semisoft, hard, fresh, crumbly, and blue. Select a mix of meats, like soppressata, Italian Dry, Genoa salami, or prosciutto. Serve at room temperature for the best flavor.
Crackers & Breads
Experiment with different types of crackers and breads. Crunchy crostini, fresh baguettes, and artisan crackers may include a variety of ingredients, like specialty salts, herbs, and grains.
Something Sweet
Add more flavor complexity to your charcuterie board by pairing your meats, cheeses, crackers and breads with dried or fresh fruits, jellies, jams, spreads, chocolate, candied nuts, or honey.
Something Savory
Complement the other textures and flavors with mustards, olives, nuts, seeds, pickles, fresh vegetables, or savory spreads and dips. Put on finishing touches if you’d like- such as decorative herbs and flowers.
Notes
Keyword appetizers, charcuterie board, cheese board
Check out these amazing adaptations to this classic appetizer here:
https://www.skinnytaste.com/how-to-make-an-epic-charcuterie-and-cheese-board/
My amazing SF State alumni Zherranne’s super cute Charcuterie Box:
