I used to think nothing could beat the elegant simplicity of a plate filled with cheeses, crackers, and an assortment of other junk. It’s the centerpiece of any party that’s worth attending, and I feel personally offended when there isn’t one. But now that I’ve learned about the butter board, my entire reality has shifted. What are butter boards? Please, come on this buttery journey with me.
What is a butter board?
The butter board is a relatively recent culinary creation, making its first appearance in 2017. Chef Joshua McFadden created it and included it in his cookbook Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables. The dish features good quality butter spread onto a wooden cutting board and adorned with a variety of herbs, spices, fruits, vegetables, and even edible flowers.
The butter board is served in conjunction with sliced bread, which you use to scrape the decorated butter off the board, effectively buttering your bread. The whole thing is a fun, communal twist on the traditional bread and butter you might get at a restaurant or even a replacement for the standard charcuterie board or fondue pot you may have at a party. It is, after all, much easier to slap some butter on a cutting board than it is to cut a bunch of different cheeses.
What is the viral butter board trend?
Like many modern food trends, the butter board gained popularity on TikTok during the pandemic. Food blogger Justine Doiron posted her own version of the butter board in 2022 and it went viral, garnering over a million likes. If you browse butter boards TikTok, #butterboard brings back hundreds of options; each butter board different than the last.
How to make a butter board?
The important thing is to start with softened butter, otherwise you won’t be able to artfully spread it across a big board. After that, it’s all jazz, baby. McFadden mentions the versatility of the butter board, saying that no two butter boards you make should taste the same. That’s because the combination of ingredients, breads, and even butters is completely modular and can be made to fit any occasion. Here are some ideas:
Halloween: butter of your choice, roasted pumpkin seeds, fresh or pickled button mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, fig, edible viola flowers, served with a heavily seeded bread (or even a pumpkin flavored bread).
Thanksgiving: butter of your choice, dried cranberry, cinnamon, walnut, finely chopped roasted butternut squash, shredded brussel sprouts, served with classic dinner rolls.
Harvest: butter of your choice, granny smith apple, pickled beets, roasted chestnuts, arugula, a drizzle of honey, any bread you want.
You can make a butter board for any season or holiday. It’s a great way to express your creativity and surprise friends with something different at your next party.
Try a butter board. Cholesterol be damned.
FAQs
In place of the cheese and meats on a charcuterie board, a butter board is softened butter spread out on a wooden board and then covered in herbs to serve over bread.
What is replacing charcuterie boards? ›
You can make a butter board for any season or holiday. It's a great way to express your creativity and surprise friends with something different at your next party. Try a butter board.
What is the point of a butter board? ›
The "butter board" is basically a serving surface inspired by the classic charcuterie, made of charcuterie, soft butter spread across the wooden surface and then seasoned with salt, herbs, honey, nuts and many other creative ingredients.
What is the new butter board? ›
Butter boards, a new spin on charcuterie and cheese boards, are a wildly popular food trend across the world. At its core, this is exactly what it sounds like: It's butter on a board. But there are several techniques that go into creating butter boards and boundless variations on this trend.
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 is the difference between a charcuterie board and a butter board? ›
What is a Butter Board? In place of the cheese and meats on a charcuterie board, a butter board is softened butter spread out on a wooden board and then covered in herbs to serve over bread.
What can I serve instead of a charcuterie board? ›
10 NOT-Charcuterie Boards You Need to Try
- Avocado Toast Board. ...
- Waffle Breakfast Board. ...
- Caesar Salad Board. ...
- “Fun-Due” Fondue Board. ...
- Kids' Snack Board. ...
- Epic Summer Hamburger Board. ...
- Mexican Sharing Board.
- Celebration Pavlova Grazing Board.
Why are butter boards trending? ›
The butter board is the latest internet food trend to take off and it was popularised by New York influencer Justine Doiron who added salt, lemon zest, honey, coriander and edible flowers to a slab of butter. Her original post has been viewed 8 million times on TikTok.
How long can a butter board sit out? ›
Get as creative as you like, but always start with good quality butter and a good sprinkling of flaky sea salt. The butter board will be totally fine at room temperature for a day – then you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, depending on what you've topped it with.
Are butter boards sanitary? ›
Butter boards are not a good idea for people who are more susceptible to food borne illness and cross contamination, including people who are elderly, very young, pregnant or immunocompromised, Detwiler says.
TEXAS ROADHOUSE BUTTER BOARD (viral butter board recipe)
Ingredients • 1 stick salted butter, room temperature • 1/4 cup honey • 3 tbsp powdered sugar • 1 tbsp cinnamon + more to garnish • Warm bread Instructions • spread the butter on a platter • Place honey in a microwaveable bowl and heat for 10 seconds.
Are charcuterie boards still popular? ›
Charcuterie is a favorite among consumers, but most restaurants don't capitalize on its popularity. 76% of consumers who have tried charcuterie reported either liking or loving it, but only 4.9% of menus in the U.S. offer charcuterie as of 2023.
What is the best wood for a butter board? ›
Butter board is best done on a dark wood - it shows so much better! If you try a butter board on a blonde wood such as maple, it wouldn't show as well.
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 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.
How do you make a prettiest charcuterie board? ›
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. Salamis can be rolled or folded on themselves so they stand up. The most important thing is to make them easy to grab.
Are charcuterie boards still a thing? ›
Charcuterie is a favorite among consumers, but most restaurants don't capitalize on its popularity. 76% of consumers who have tried charcuterie reported either liking or loving it, but only 4.9% of menus in the U.S. offer charcuterie as of 2023.
Can you make a charcuterie board without a board? ›
You do not even need a board. Just about any flat surface will work for creating your charcuterie board as long as it is clean. Charcuterie boards allow you to express your creative side and enjoy watching your guests devour the food offerings.
What are alternative charcuterie meats? ›
How to Select Cured Meats for Charcuterie—No Pork
- Pepperoni. Pepperoni is made from a mixture of pork and beef, so it shouldn't be added to your board if you want your charcuterie no pork. ...
- Salami. ...
- Prosciutto. ...
- Best Cured Meats for Charcuterie No Pork Boards. ...
- Beef Bresaola. ...
- Wild Cured Game Meat. ...
- Turkey Bacon. ...
- Duck Bacon.
Why are charcuterie boards so trendy? ›
With a charcuterie board, you have the opportunity to arrange it in a way that is aesthetically pleasing. If arranged in a way that's truly impressive, your guests may even feel compelled to post your creation on social media, sharing your creation with their followers. Not bad for a simple appetizer, eh?