Charcuterie Board Styling Tips & Tricks - Kayla's Kitch and Fix (2024)

Ever see a beautiful cheese board display and wonder how they curated it to look a certain way? I’ve got all of my best Charcuterie Board Styling Tips & Tricks so you can build your own creation at home for the holidays or for any occasion! Let’s be honest, cheese and crackers need no occasion and should be enjoyed upon demand.

Charcuterie Board Styling Tips & Tricks - Kayla's Kitch and Fix (1)

Charcuterie Board Styling

Charcuterie Boards are basically a trendy art form at this point, but what’s so fun about them is that no matter what, you can’t mess them up! You can customize the layout as well as the food that hits the board so it can fit whatever dietary needs you or your group may have. On Whole30? Avoid crackers or meats cured with sugar. Vegetarian? Skip the meat. No matter what your taste, you can’t go wrong!

Now, let’s move onto my best Charcuterie Board Styling Tips & Tricks, from the planning to the prepping to the assembling.

Charcuterie Board Styling Tips & Tricks - Kayla's Kitch and Fix (2)

Shopping List

As mentioned, you can pick whatever you’d like to fill your board with, but here are the staples I usually pick out at the store for mine:

  • 1-3 different crackers/pretzels/bread
    • favorite brands: Simple Mills, Quinn, Mary’s Gone, Hu
  • 1-3 pieces of fruit
    • apples & pears, sliced thin, make a great alternative to crackers
    • pomegranates add great texture and color
    • whole oranges/clementines look great, especially when you find one with leaves attached!
    • small berries are great for garnishing cheese or filling small gaps
  • 3-5 cheeses
    • aim for varying shapes, varieties and textures
    • when possible, I reach for raw, grass fed, organic cheeses
  • 1-3 spreads/toppings
    • honey, jam, fruit spreads, mustard, to name a few
  • 1 dip
    • hummus with roasted chickpeas, EVOO and fresh dill is a crowd pleaser
  • 3-5 cured meats
    • again, aim for a variety of meats and fold them differently for contrast across your board
  • 1-3 veggies (especially if serving hummus)
    • stick to a color scheme or select three different
  • 1-3 small bites
    • various nuts are great for filling small gaps
    • olives and/or co*cktail pickles in small bowls
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Charcuterie Board Styling Tips & Tricks

Consult the guest list. Before heading to the store, think about who will be enjoying the board. What are their food preferences? Do they have any dietary needs/restrictions?

Work with uneven numbers. When building your board, you’ll achieve a more organic vs. perfect look by working with odd numbers instead of even numbers. That being said, aim to grab three types of cheeses instead of two, for example.

Keep organized. From the shopping list to the prep to the assembly, staying organized will prevent overwhelm.

  • Shopping- make an organized list before you hit the store so you don’t find yourself confused in the aisles. Also, don’t hesitate to ask store associates for recommendations!
  • Prepping- once you get home from the store, organize your items into their categories (cheese, meat, fruit, etc.) then wash/chop/prep any items that need to be. From there, keep all of your items in baking trays to keep organized and mobile.
  • Assembling- keep a towel and trash been nearby to keep tidy.

Start with your bowls or round shapes. Begin styling by arranging your bowls or round shapes, like soft cheeses or big bowls/dips, on your board. Don’t put them next to each other, though. You’ll want them spread out. Also keep in mind, work in odd numbers! If you don’t have round shapes, move onto the next step.

Next, move on to your biggest pieces and arrange by category. Grab your larger cheese blocks and things of that nature and place them where it feels right. Once your cheeses are placed, move onto a new category, like crackers or fruit.

Avoid same category items touching. While placing your cheeses, for example, be sure they aren’t touching. You’ll want to separate like categories so that you build contrast in texture and color across the board.

Move and adjust as you go. You’ll likely want to move things around as you go, and that’s okay! Tweak and adjust as needed to achieve the look you want. Also keep in mind, you can have items hanging over the edge to achieve even more of that natural and effortless look.

Fill final empty spaces with nuts. Once you’re about done, you’ll probably notice that there are some open gaps and spaces. No problem! Fill them with sprinkles of your favorite nuts.

Abundance is key. Not only will filling your board with overlap and to maximum capacity look prettier, but it also means you won’t have to restock it as often. Win-win!

  • Charcuterie Board Styling Tips & Tricks - Kayla's Kitch and Fix (4)
  • Charcuterie Board Styling Tips & Tricks - Kayla's Kitch and Fix (5)

Eat Seasonally

Did you know that eating what produce is in season is good for both you and the environment? It also makes finding specific produce much easier to find.

Click here to find a list of what is in season and when!

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  • Charcuterie Board Styling Tips & Tricks - Kayla's Kitch and Fix (7)

Boards for every occasion

Boards are not just for hosting during the holidays or to snack on at a winery, y’all. I LOVE to craft a board for any theme. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s/Galentine’s Day, heading to a picnic or need a spread for game day, use your imagination and by following my above tips and tricks, you’ll be on your way to a beautiful themed board!

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  • Charcuterie Board Styling Tips & Tricks - Kayla's Kitch and Fix (9)

FOLLOW ALONG

Be sure to follow me onInstagramto be the first to know about new recipes and watch how to videos and head over toPinterestto save any of my recipes for safe keeping. See you there!

PS – if you make a board using my tips and share it to Instagram, be sure to tag me so I can see it and share your results! I’d also be so grateful if you shared your experience and feedback in the comments below. Happy styling!

Charcuterie Board Styling Tips & Tricks - Kayla's Kitch and Fix (2024)

FAQs

Charcuterie Board Styling Tips & Tricks - Kayla's Kitch and Fix? ›

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

How to make charcuterie board look fancy? ›

Charcuterie Board Styling Tips & Tricks
  1. Consult the guest list. ...
  2. Work with uneven numbers. ...
  3. Keep organized. ...
  4. Start with your bowls or round shapes. ...
  5. Next, move on to your biggest pieces and arrange by category. ...
  6. Avoid same category items touching. ...
  7. Move and adjust as you go. ...
  8. Fill final empty spaces with nuts.
Nov 24, 2021

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

However, some general tips for creating and enjoying a charcuterie plate might include choosing a variety of meats and cheeses, avoiding overpowering flavors, and allowing each person to build their own plate according to their preferences.

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.

What are 5 tips to making a charcuterie board easy? ›

Here's an easy, step-by-step guide.
  1. Choose your board, platter, or plate.
  2. Lay out your soft and moist ingredients first.
  3. Place your dips and spreads around the board.
  4. Lay out your dry ingredients, like meats, nuts, and hard cheeses.
  5. Top with your choice of garnishings.

What veggies go on a charcuterie board? ›

When it comes to what vegetables you should use for your vegetable charcuterie, almost any vegetable can work. Some easy favorite vegetables to incorporate in your boards include, carrots, celery, bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and green beans.

What goes first on a charcuterie board? ›

Arrange the items on the board – Once you've selected your meats, cheeses, and accompaniments, it's time to start arranging them on the board. Start by placing the larger items, like meats and cheeses, on the board first. Then, fill in the gaps with the smaller accompaniments.

What is the best shape for a charcuterie board? ›

Round is the most popular shape for medium sized parties, and handle boards is the most popular for smaller parties of 2 or 4. Round contrasts nicely with the shapes of a lot of cheeses and crackers. It is also easy for your guests to enjoy without feeling like they're on the "back side" of the board.

How can I improve my charcuterie board? ›

7 Tips For Making the Perfect Charcuterie Board
  1. Use the perfect board. ...
  2. Choose cheeses with a range of flavors and textures. ...
  3. Serve 2 ounces of charcuterie per person. ...
  4. Don't forget the baguette! ...
  5. Add something fresh and herbal. ...
  6. It's all about diversity. ...
  7. Pair with wine, sangria, or both.
Oct 14, 2022

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.

Are there rules for charcuterie boards? ›

Depending on the size of your board, you should have one each of cow, sheep, and goat options with soft rind, firm, and hard cheeses in the mix. Flavors should range between nutty and mild to funky and unique. Rule of thumb: 1 cow, 1 sheep, 1 goat; 1 soft, 1 firm, 1 hard.

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