Description
A Charcuterie Board is an elegant and customizable assortment of cheeses, cured meats, nuts, fruits, and accompaniments perfect for entertaining any group size or occasion. This no-cook recipe offers a flavorful balance of savory, sweet, and briny elements that create an inviting and visually stunning spread to enjoy with friends and family.
Ingredients
Cheeses
- Manchego, cheddar, swiss, gouda, gruyere, parmesan (3-7 types, as desired)
- Brie, triple cream, goat cheese, havarti, burrata, cream cheese with pepper jelly
- Optional: Blue cheese or gorgonzola
Cured Meats
- Prosciutto
- Salami
- Ham
- Chorizo
- Capricola
- Soppressata
Nuts
- Almonds
- Candied pecans
- Pistachio nuts
- Cashews
- Walnuts
- Macadamia nuts
Briny, Pickled or Marinated
- Olives
- Cocktail onions
- Cornichons
- Dill pickles
- Pepperoncini
- Olive tapenade or bruschetta
Savory Dips and Spreads
- Whole ground mustard
- Hummus
- Ranch
- Balsamic dip
- Romesco
Vegetables
- Cold cut veggies, if desired
Fresh Fruits and Berries
- Grapes
- Apples
- Pears
- Oranges
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Strawberries
Dried Fruits
- Apricots
- Cherries
- Figs
- Pineapple
- Mango
Sweet Spreads
- Fig butter
- Orange marmalade
- Blackberry jam
Chocolate
- Quality dark chocolate pieces or chocolate-covered nuts
Crackers and Bread
- Pita crackers
- Whole grain crackers
- Croccantini
- Toasted baguettes or mini toast crackers
Instructions
- Choose Your Board: Select a board size suitable for your party. For larger groups, consider using multiple boards. Refer to additional resources for creative board ideas and options.
- Arrange the Cheeses: Start with the cheese as the anchor of your board. Select an odd number (3, 5, or 7) of cheeses and distribute them evenly around the board to create visual interest and balance.
- Fold and Add the Meats: Fold cured meats in half or twice and fan them out like a deck of cards so they are easy to pick up. Thin meats like prosciutto should be folded into light, airy ribbons. This technique helps display the meats attractively while keeping them accessible.
- Add Sweet and Savory Accompaniments: Place nuts, pickled items, olives, dips, and spreads thoughtfully around the board. Separate bright colors to make them stand out and pair flavors that complement each other—for example, savory items near sharp cheeses and sweet spreads near cream cheeses and brie.
- Fill in Gaps: Use crackers and toasted breads to fill empty spaces, then add leftover nuts and fruit to complete the presentation and provide variety.
Notes
- Creating a beautiful Charcuterie Board is easier than it seems with simple guidance on pairing and arrangement.
- Use a variety of textures and colors to make the board visually appealing and inviting.
- Feel free to customize based on dietary preferences, seasonal ingredients, or your guests’ favorites.
- Watch videos or tutorials for folding cured meats and arranging elements effectively if you are new to charcuterie boards.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 607 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
