4 Steps to a Gorgeous Charcuterie Board Your Guests Will Devour (2024)

While charcuterie (pronounced shar-COO-tur-ree) technically refers only to a selection of cold cooked meats, it's usually inclusive of a broad supporting cast of cheeses, spreads, crackers, nuts, and produce. The best aspect of charcuterie boards is the flexibility they afford: Scale portions up or down depending on the number of guests, adjust ingredients for dietary needs and preferences, or shop for foods within a specific color palette or region. To get you started, we show you how to make a simple meat and cheese board from start to finish—with photos.

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4 Steps to a Gorgeous Charcuterie Board Your Guests Will Devour (1)

What Are the Elements of a Charcuterie Board?

The Platter

First, choose a board, tray, or platter to be your foundation. Wood and marble are popular charcuterie board material choices because they are sturdy and beautiful. The shape is simply a matter of preference, though you should take the elements of your board into account when making your selections. For example, a rectangular board may better accommodate long, leafy vegetable stems or cheese wedges than a square-shape one. We designed this rectangular 20x12-inch board to feed about 10 people. Bear in mind: The larger the board, the more money you'll spend to fill it up. If you want to keep your budget in check, fill large boards out with more produce or opt for a smaller one.

The Dishes

Dishes create structure on the board. Use little bowls and cups (we like these Better Homes & Gardens Small Coupe Ramekin Bowls, Set of 8 for $16, Walmart) to anchor the arrangement and help contain loose items like dips, nuts, and olives. Raid your kitchen cabinets for salt cellars, small candy dishes, and ramekins. What you have on hand is perfect—they don't need to match!

The Cheeses

If your budget and location allow it, go to a local cheese shop for unique, high-quality cheeses. As a rule of thumb, include three to five cheeses in these basic categories: a hard cheese, a soft cheese, and a blue cheese. Contrasting flavors and textures diversify the board and give guests a broader range of options to sample. If you aren't sure what to buy, ask the store for pairing recommendations.

The Meats

Include a few varieties of thinly sliced cured meats. Lay them flat or arrange them in loose rolls so they're easy for guests to pick up and nibble on. You can also include harder meats that guests can cut themselves, like smoked sausages and salamis, and a spreadable meat like pâté (chicken or duck liver). Some popular charcuterie meats include guanciale, pancetta, hard salami, prosciutto, and mortadella.

The Crackers

Crackers, breadsticks, breads. You'll want to include a few starchy sidekicks, especially if your board includes soft, spreadable cheeses and jams. There's no hard-and-fast rule here, though we recommend offering two types of crackers or breads with different flavor profiles. If someone on your guest list has gluten sensitivity, consider subbing in a nut-based cracker option.

The Produce

Fruits and veggies add color and freshness to a charcuterie or meat and cheese board. They're also a tasty contrast to rich, salty meats and cheeses. When planning which items to include, consider foods that can be eaten whole or cut into slices. Buy in-season produce for the best flavors (and to trim down your grocery bill).

Building a Charcuterie Board: Where Do I Start?

Though there are many easy charcuterie board ideas out there, the process is somewhat formulaic. Start by adding structure with little dishes, then place your ingredients on the board starting with the largest elements like the cheeses and meats, followed by smaller items like crackers and fresh produce.

4 Steps to a Gorgeous Charcuterie Board Your Guests Will Devour (2)

Step One: Add Structure

Fill small vessels with dips, spreads, and items that can be piled onto the board. Try honey, mustard, cornichons, blue cheese-stuffed olives, or a mixed selection of salted nuts.

4 Steps to a Gorgeous Charcuterie Board Your Guests Will Devour (3)

Step Two: Add the Cheeses and Meats

First, place the cheeses. Arrange them evenly around the board and allow space for slicing and scooping. We used two kinds of Brie (a robust, creamy Brie and a mild Brie), blue cheese, an aged cheddar, and goat cheese on this board. Next, add the meats. We placed the prosciutto, Italian salami, and American salami in little piles next to the cheeses. It's OK if items on the board touch; they're meant to be enjoyed together.

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Step Three: Add Crackers

Slip two or three small stacks of sliced bread or crackers among the bowls, meats, and cheeses. Let them topple over and get a bit messy—it's part of the board's beauty. We used two kinds of crackers— asiago cheese and flax seed—to complement the various flavors on the board.

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Step Four: Add Fruits, Veggies, and Herbs

This last step is the icing on the cake. Fill in any gaps on the board with fruits, vegetables, and sprigs of herbs. We used whole radishes, sliced figs, red grapes, and thyme. If you don't have fresh items available to you, sub in dried fruits like apricots, cherries, and plums for something sweet and chewy. When your board is finished, set it out with a few cheese knives so guests can help themselves after they marvel at your masterpiece. Enjoy!

Editor's note: Most charcuterie meats and cheeses are tastiest when served at room temperature. Perishable items shouldn't sit out for more than two hours. Consider keeping a small selection of "refill" items, like sliced meats and cheeses, in the refrigerator so they're ready to go when the board needs restocking.

4 Steps to a Gorgeous Charcuterie Board Your Guests Will Devour (2024)

FAQs

4 Steps to a Gorgeous Charcuterie Board Your Guests Will Devour? ›

The 3333 rule applies to the number of foods to create the perfect board. To follow the 3,3,3,3 rule, stick to three cheeses, three meats, three starches, and three accoutrements.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for charcuterie board? ›

The 3333 rule applies to the number of foods to create the perfect board. To follow the 3,3,3,3 rule, stick to three cheeses, three meats, three starches, and three accoutrements.

How do you make a gorgeous charcuterie board? ›

Divide your board into quadrants, and place one type of meat in the middle of each quadrant. There are different ways to place the charcuterie: You can shape slices into a rose-like shape, by rolling them like a cinnamon roll. Little clumps and swirls of cured hams are easy and fun.

What are 5 things to avoid on a charcuterie board? ›

CHARCUTERIE // Stop Adding These 10 Ingredients To Your Charcuterie Boards!
  • STINKY CHEESES. The cheese section at the grocery store can be overwhelming and intimidating. ...
  • FRUITS THAT GO BROWN. ...
  • SPICY FOODS. ...
  • CRACKERS & BREAD. ...
  • Veggies. ...
  • Allergens and Sensitivities. ...
  • Dips, Sauces and Jams. ...
  • Boring and Bland Foods.
Jan 15, 2023

What should every charcuterie board have? ›

Recipe Ingredients
  • Cured meat. Use a selection of 3-4 different cured meats for your charcuterie board. ...
  • Cheese. Select 4 or more cheeses of varying texture and flavor. ...
  • Bread and crackers. I love to include a baguette with a charcuterie board. ...
  • Nuts and chocolate. ...
  • Condiments and jams. ...
  • Fruit. ...
  • Garnish.
Dec 16, 2023

What goes first on a charcuterie board? ›

Wheels of cheese or small bowls that hold condiments should be placed first. Start with your largest piece near the center and place all other vessels evenly around the board. - Place cheeses and meats down next.

What is a proper charcuterie board? ›

A charcuterie board is a selection of preserved meats and sometimes cheeses laid out on a board or platter. Sliced bread, crackers, fruit, pickles, spreads and nuts often round out the board for variety and contrasts in flavor and texture.

What are three good cheeses for a charcuterie board? ›

Here are the best cheeses for your charcuterie board

Hard cheese: chunks of parmesan, aged gouda, asiago. Firm cheese: gruyere, comte, manchego, colby, cheddar. Semi-soft cheese: havarti, butterkäse, muenster. Soft cheese: burrata, mascarpone, stracchino.

What is traditionally on a charcuterie board? ›

The most important elements of a charcuterie board are meats, cheeses, savory accompaniments, sweet accompaniments, and crackers. Cheeses: choose a variety of hard and soft cheese, and cheese made from different animals (cow, sheep, goat).

How to make a charcuterie board for 50 guests? ›

A typical board would be meat, cheese, extra (fruit, veggies, crackers). Therefore if you have 50 people you would want 50 ounces of meat, 50 ounces of cheese and 50 ounces of extras. One pound of cheese, one pound of meat, and one pound of a combination of fruit, veggies and crackers= 16 people.

What is the secret to charcuterie? ›

In addition to balancing flavors (sweet, salty, sour), you also want to balance textures. For cheese, you'll want something hard, medium and soft. For meat, pair a thinly sliced meat (like prosciutto) with something a bit denser (like a salami) and something more spreadable (like a pate).

What are the red things on a charcuterie board? ›

The red things on a charcuterie board typically include red meats like cured sausages or prosciutto, red-colored cheeses, and fruits such as red grapes or berries. These items contribute to the visual appeal and flavor diversity of the charcuterie presentation.

What are two main charcuterie items? ›

Here are the five key elements to a perfect charcuterie board:
  • Cheese. ~ You have limitless options in this category so you can not go wrong. ...
  • Sweet. ~ Cheese can pair well with sweet components like honey, fig jam, and/or a chutney. ...
  • Savory. ~ You need to have one or two savory elements to pair up to the meats. ...
  • Meat ~ ...
  • Bread.

What are the best 3 cheeses for a charcuterie board? ›

Here's some of the best cheese for charcuterie boards: Hard cheese: chunks of parmesan, aged gouda, asiago. Firm cheese: gruyere, comte, manchego, colby, cheddar. Semi-soft cheese: havarti, butterkäse, muenster.

What are the three starches for a charcuterie board? ›

3 Starches: we like Taralli (a traditional Italian cracker almost like a small, circular breadstick), Artisan Crisps by Rustic Bakery, and baguettes from Gilles Baguettes. 3 Accompaniments: Cerignola olives, Marcona almonds, French cornichons.

What is the order of making a charcuterie board? ›

Though there are many easy charcuterie board ideas out there, the process is somewhat formulaic. Start by adding structure with little dishes, then place your ingredients on the board starting with the largest elements like the cheeses and meats, followed by smaller items like crackers and fresh produce.

Are there rules for charcuterie boards? ›

Stick with cuts of meat shaved from a larger piece of meat, like prosciutto or cured, thin-sliced ham, as opposed to blended meat like salami.) The flavors can be paired with the cheeses or chosen for their unique qualities, but always aim to have something spicy, something smoky, and something unexpected.

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