Charcuterie Boards – 4 Healthy Charcuterie Board Options - Pompo's Boards (2024)

4 Healthy Charcuterie Board Options

Any classic charcuterie board recipe is typically filled with a plethora of delicious but highly processed meats and cheeses that can run on the unhealthy side. For instance, cured meats and sausage-style meats include additives for preservation, which increase the risk of disease. A healthy charcuterie board is a quick and easy way to put together an impressive feast not just for your appetite but also for your health. Here are four food options that are healthy and can be included in your charcuterie board.

Charcuterie Boards – 4 Healthy Charcuterie Board Options - Pompo's Boards (1)

Meat/ Protein

Keep your charcuterie board packed with healthy, lean proteins by including minimally processed, nitrate-free cold cuts. You should also consider healthy protein alternatives including seeds, cereals, grains, nuts, or quinoa. Also opt for artisanal cold cuts, smoked fish, vegan or vegetarian 'salami', egg slices, or marinated tofu.

Charcuterie Boards – 4 Healthy Charcuterie Board Options - Pompo's Boards (2)

Cheeses

Because charcuterie boards are a feast of flavors and textures, try a mix of soft and hard cheeses. Goat cheese is a healthy, low-fat, and protein-rich alternative to cheese made with cow's milk. It comes in hard and soft variations and is less likely to cause gastrointestinal upset. If you are feeling adventurous try plant-based, non-dairy cheese.

Charcuterie Boards – 4 Healthy Charcuterie Board Options - Pompo's Boards (3)

Vegetables

Seasonal vegetables are an effective way to brighten up any spread because of the color, flavor, and texture. Also include fresh crudites, for instance, carrots, celery, bell peppers, and pink radishes. You can also place little jars of antipasti, include olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and cornichons onto the charcuterie board. Vegetables are some of the healthiest options you can place on your board.

Charcuterie Boards – 4 Healthy Charcuterie Board Options - Pompo's Boards (4)

Dips and Spreads

Dips and spreads keep your charcuterie board exciting by adding more flavorful and textured options. Healthy and tasty dips include hummus, seasoned yogurt, mushroom pate, or guacamole. If you have a sweet tooth, place small jars of your favorite fruit compote, jellies, or raw honey all over the platter. In case you want to hold back on the excess sugar, drizzle honey over a section of the spread instead of leaving a tempting little pot to dip in.

Charcuterie boards are fun to eat and perfect for entertaining. Traditional boards include a considerable amount of unhealthy food choices. But, you can keep the board fresh and healthy by including or eliminating some food options. Shop the best wooden charcuterie boards for sale online!

Charcuterie Boards – 4 Healthy Charcuterie Board Options - Pompo's Boards (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest charcuterie option? ›

Meats/Protein- Keep your board packed with healthy, lean proteins like herb roasted chicken or turkey, grilled pork tenderloin, marinated tofu or a few hard boiled egg slices. Try to avoid processed, high nitrate/high salt luncheon meats. Cheeses- Try a mix of hard and soft cheeses….

How healthy is a charcuterie board? ›

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 is the best meat for a charcuterie board? ›

Dry-Cured Pork: Thin-sliced, fatty and salty — dry-cured pork is a must. Serrano ham, prosciutto, country ham, Iberico ham, capicola and speck are all readily available. Look for meat that is pink or red in hue (not brown or gray) with fat that is white (not transparent or opalescent).

What cheese is best for 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.
  • Soft cheese: burrata, mascarpone, stracchino.
  • Blue cheese: gorgonzola, dunbarton blue, marbled blue jack.

What are the healthiest cheeses for a cheese board? ›

Healthy Cheese Board
  • Semi-soft cheese Swiss cheese and Mozzarella are lower in fat and salt than many other cheeses. ...
  • Soft cheese Ricotta cheese is creamy and yet relatively low in fat and high in protein. ...
  • Hard cheese Cheddar cheese is high in protein and calcium, and also in Vitamin K.

What is a healthy alternative to a cheese board? ›

Vegan platters are a great way to ensure that there's something for all your guests to enjoy. In the absence of meat and cheese, the stars of the show are fruits, vegetables, nuts and assorted dips like hummus.

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.

What material makes the best charcuterie board? ›

Find a charcuterie board that is made of wood and has a durable finish. Marble, glass, and ceramic charcuterie boards all look great but can damage and dull your serving knife and are more fragile.

How do you make a charcuterie board safe to eat off? ›

How to season a Charcuterie Board
  1. Lightly sand down the board with very light sand paper. Wipe clean with a soft towel.
  2. Lightly rub beeswax and mineral oil over the board. ...
  3. Continue to apply and buff the oil into the board until the wood is no longer absorbing the product. ...
  4. Gently wipe again before using the first time.
Mar 7, 2020

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 can I use instead of meat on a charcuterie board? ›

Some of my favorite vegan meat alternatives for a charcuterie board are:
  1. Roasted chickpeas.
  2. Almond Pâté from Lark Ellen Farm.
  3. Red pepper dip.
  4. Lentil spread.
  5. Savory hummus.
Dec 7, 2022

What kind of sausage is good for charcuterie board? ›

Mortadella is a type of sausage similar to bologna and is dotted with creamy fat. Its silky texture adds variety to your assortment, making it an interesting addition to your charcuterie board. Serve it with ricotta, sourdough, olive oil and chianti. For a spicier option, you may want to opt for nduja.

What are the 3 kinds of charcuterie? ›

Charcuterie is divided into three types: forcemeats, sausages and salumi, an Italian word for “salted meats,” which includes preserved whole cuts of meat. Forcemeats are spreadable mixtures of meat and offal (organ meats) like rillettes, pâtés and terrines.

What is a good alternative to crackers for charcuterie? ›

Choose 1 of the following non-traditional crackers
  • crostini.
  • grissini (breadsticks)
  • pretzel crisps.
  • taralli.
  • cheese crisps.
Jun 18, 2023

How to make a well balanced charcuterie board? ›

How to Make a Healthy Charcuterie Board
  1. Choose Whole Grains.
  2. Add Nuts.
  3. Load Up on Fruits & Veggies.
  4. Choose the Right Meats & Cheeses.
  5. Make the Pickled Element Yourself.
  6. Don't Eat Off the Board.
Jan 13, 2022

What can I do instead of charcuterie? ›

By Reluctant Entertainer, the recipe has the food groups and the wow-factor covered for your guests.
  1. Waffle Breakfast Board.
  2. “Fun-Due” Fondue Board.
  3. Kids' Snack Board.
  4. Mexican Sharing Board.
  5. Celebration Pavlova Grazing Board.
  6. Barkuterie Boards.
Jun 7, 2021

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