7 Tips For Making a Charcuterie Board at Home (2024)

Do It Yourself

Yes, there is such a thing as too much cheese.

ByShelby StewartOctober 14, 2022Published in the Fall 2022 issue ofHoustonia Magazine

7 Tips For Making a Charcuterie Board at Home (1)

Charcuterie boards are essentially just an evolved childhood snack—like a luxurious Lunchables—which is partly what makes them such a treat to compile and enjoy. The fun is in the variety: diversify textures with cheese, meat, and crackers while mixing flavors with spreads, fruit, and herbs. As you experiment, use these general guidelines to keep your board from going overboard.

1. Use the perfect board. For small groups, you can get away with using something as simple as a cutting board or serving tray. If you’re having a big party, a larger board will greatly improve your presentation and functionality—get creative and test out a large slate board or even a pizza peel, which has a nice handle for moving the board around the party.

2. Choose cheeses with a range of flavors and textures. Pick at least two to three cheeses, ideally from a local specialty shop like Houston Dairymaids in the Heights, selected from distinct categories: firm, soft, aged, and blue. To really get into the spirit of fall, go with a combo like Manchego (hard), Brie (soft), Stilton (blue), and a spreadable cranberry goat cheese to send it over the top.

3. Serve 2 ounces of charcuterie per person. Approximating how much meat to serve per person is a great way to avoid overspending or underbuying. Not everyone will eat 2 ounces of meat, but someone is sure to eat less (vegans, for example), and someone is sure to eat more.

4. Don’t forget the baguette! While crackers, crostini, and pretzels are a must, don’t overlook the appeal of a freshly sliced baguette. Put it in the oven just before serving to add something warm to the board.

5. Add something fresh and herbal.Use seasonal fruits like apples, figs, pomegranate, grapes, and cranberries to give your board a festive feel. Add herbs such as basil and sage to bring some color and aromatics to the plate.

6. It’s all about diversity. When creating the perfect board, the possibilities are endless. Garnish the board with cornichons, nuts, and jams to give your guests plenty of options. Pair dry cured salami with smokier sliced meats to incorporate different flavors, and drizzle honey or olive oil on one of your cheeses to tickle your guests’ palates. And for the finishing touch, sprinkle the board with ground black pepper and flaky sea salt.

7. Pair with wine, sangria, or both.If you’ve followed the tips thus far, the variety onyour board means that there are endless opportunities when pairing a beverage. Create a batch of white or red sangria for a festive party, or go with a classic full-bodied red wine like tempranillo.

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7 Tips For Making a Charcuterie Board at Home (2024)

FAQs

7 Tips For Making a Charcuterie Board at Home? ›

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.

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 is the secret to a great charcuterie board? ›

After all that meat and cheese, you're going to need something to balance those rich flavors. Cairo suggests accenting the board with acidic pickles, crunchy nuts, whole grain mustard (Maille is his favorite brand), tinned fish, and something sweet like quince jam or a drizzle of honey.

What are the rules for making a charcuterie board? ›

When making a charcuterie board, try following the 3-3-3-3 rule:
  1. 3 meats.
  2. 3 cheeses.
  3. 3 starches.
  4. 3 accompaniments.
Dec 14, 2023

How do I make my charcuterie board stand out? ›

Making Your Charcuterie Boards Stand Out

The best charcuterie boards include options from all of these categories – as well as accompanying cheeses, jams, fruits, and other accents that contrast the meats and highlight all of the best flavors.

What goes first on a charcuterie board? ›

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.

What are 3 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.
  • Blue cheese: gorgonzola, dunbarton blue, marbled blue jack.

How many cheeses should be on a cheese board? ›

A good rule of thumb is 1 ounce of each cheese for every guest and about five types of cheese. For a party in which cheese is the main event, plan on buying 3 pounds for eight people, 6 pounds for 16 people, or 9 pounds for 24 people. If cheese is one of many items being served, plan on buying 3 to 4 ounces per person.

What are the do's and don'ts of charcuterie? ›

Rules to follow for the perfect Charcuterie Board
  • Everything should be easily accessible. Hard cheeses should always be on the outside of the board. ...
  • Something Hard, Something Soft & Something BLUE. ...
  • Meats should stand out! ...
  • Something Sweet & Something Spicy. ...
  • Garnish!
Sep 22, 2019

What does not go on a charcuterie board? ›

What should you not put on a charcuterie board? You'll want to avoid overly juicy fruits whose juices will run across the board and turn your crackers and bread soggy. Skip fruits like watermelon, pineapple, and tomatoes and stick with grapes, berries, and apples or dried fruits.

How unhealthy are charcuterie boards? ›

Many ingredients used in charcuterie boards are high in sodium, including deli meats, dry sausages, cheeses, salted nuts, pretzels and crackers. The recommendation for daily sodium intake for adults is 2,300 milligrams or less. To reduce the sodium load on your board, add more fresh or dried fruits and raw veggies.

How do you organize a charcuterie board for beginners? ›

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.

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