Get the party started with these tips on How to Make a Charcuterie Board. It is sure to be a real crowd pleaser. Keep your guests satisfied before the main meal is ready by creating a charcuterie board that is delicious and beautiful.
What’s the difference between a charcuterie board and a grazing board?
‘Charcuterie’ is a French word that means ‘cooked meat’. Charcuterie boards are traditionally made with a combination of cured meats and cheeses. When visiting a winery or restaurant, many of them offer a charcuterie board to complement their cocktails.
A grazing board has additional foods, including fresh fruit, nuts, and dips. They are usually made on larger platters and boards, and intended to serve more people. Grazing boards can be simple or extravagant. They can be sized up to cover an entire table or cut back to feed just a few. But the terms ‘charcuterie’ and ‘grazing’ are often used interchangeably.
I’ll give you some great tips to make your own charcuterie board, including what kind of a board to use, what to include on the board, how to build the board, and how to garnish it before serving.
How to Make a Charcuterie Board
Before you get started, there are a few things to keep in mind. When purchasing items for your board, be sure to ask yourself these questions.
- What’s the season? Be sure to pick items that are seasonal, as your choices will be fresher, more affordable and taste better.
- Should it be savory or sweet? Do you want the board to provide a light snack before a meal is served OR are you wanting to give your guests a variety of sweets to enjoy with coffee after dinner? Determine the purpose of the board before selecting items to include.
- What’s my budget? Select items that are affordable and enjoyed by your guests. It isn’t necessary to ‘break the bank’ and buy expensive items. Good quality, fresh fruit, crackers and store-bought dips are budget-friendly options for any charcuterie board.
- Would I eat it? Don’t include low-quality foods or things that are messy to eat. If you can easily pick it up and eat it with your hands or it looks appetizing, then it is a good choice for your board.
- Does anyone have food allergies? Be careful to include things that can be eaten safely by your guests. Skip the nuts if you know of someone in your family who is allergic to them.
- Is there a theme? Be creative and look for ways to celebrate a holiday or special occasion with a themed charcuterie board. Cinnamon Sugar Crisps with Pumpkin Fluff was the center of a sweet Halloween board I made for my family. The homemade tortillas chips were shaped like bats, ghosts and pumpkins. Everyone loved them!
There are four steps to keep in mind when putting together a charcuterie board for family celebrations and parties with friends.
How to Select a Board or Tray
Keep it simple. Use a wooden cutting board, a round cheese board, or a serving tray you have on-hand. Shallow baskets with handles also work well. Keep in mind the number of guests you expect and select a tray that is big enough to hold the items you want to serve.
If your board has stains or cutting marks on it, simply cover it with a piece of parchment paper. Here are some suggestions if you don’t have a serving tray or want to find something new:
- This Acacia Wood Tray with Gold Handles is one of my favorites. It is large and rectangular, so it is easy to use and holds enough to serve approximately 12 guests. Simply clean it with a damp cloth after use. Easy and versatile, it is made by Better Homes and Gardens and costs $23.76 at Walmart. Use it for an accent piece to hold books or display candles on a coffee table when you’re not using it in the kitchen.
- Another great choice is this 6-Piece White Porcelain Grazing Board, also made by Better Homes and Gardens. It comes with the acacia wood board and 5 white porcelain servings dishes designed to fit on the board. I often use small dishes to hold dips, jellies and sauces that I am including on the board. So, this set is complete with the board and serving dishes. It measures roughly 15×10 inches and costs $24.67 at Walmart.
What Can I Include on the Board
Here’s a list of some items that are regularly used on charcuterie boards.
- Spreads and Dips: Include cream cheese with fruity jams, flavored goat cheese with honey, dill dips and crackers, along with spicy sauces or salsas.
- Fresh and Dried Fruits: Grapes, small wedges of pineapple or watermelon, strawberries and blueberries are a good choice for fresh fruit to include on a charcuterie tray. Dried cranberries, raisins and dried apricots also make a nice addition.
- Meats: Look for sliced sausage, pepperoni, prosciutto, and other cured meats at the grocery store. These are a more substantial offering and can be paired with cheeses and crackers for a heartier bite of food.
- Nuts: Small bowls of pecans, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, honey-roasted peanuts and cashews are a great addition to a charcuterie board. They provide protein and crunch, and are a familiar snack food for many people.
- Pickled Vegetables: Olives, banana peppers, cucumbers and onions that have been pickled can be included. Items with bright, bold flavors are always a great addition.
- Cheeses: Soft cheeses, like cream cheese and goat cheese, are delectable. They pair well with honey and fruity jams and can be served with crackers for scooping and spreading. Hard cheeses, like cheddar, gouda and gruyere, can be sliced or cubed. Cheese-flavored crackers are also a popular choice.
- Dippers: Multi-grain crackers, cheese straws, pretzels, mini toast rounds, and thin breadsticks are useful for dipping into dips and sauces included on the board. They provide lots of crunch and can be eaten with your hands.
- Novelty Items: Depending upon how elaborate you’d like to get and how much time you have, specialty items like homemade cheese balls and dips can really push your board over the top. This Pumpkin Cheese Ball is an example of a festive addition to a charcuterie board.
How to Build the Board
You will need to gather a few small bowls or small plates for the spreads and dips. Small decorative containers help to organize the items and keep them separate from one another.
Use small spoons for dips and small knives for spreads. A cheese knife is also great to include when using a cheese ball or hard cheese that needs to be cut. A small pair of tongs can be used for fruit and meats. And finally, have some toothpicks available for those who need them for olives or other small items.
Place the bowls and small plates around the board, putting things that are eaten together close together on the board. Fill in around the edges with tasty crackers, crispy breadsticks or other crunchy dippers, including sliced fresh vegetables. Strips of colorful peppers, carrots and cucumbers work well.
How to Finish a Charcuterie Board
Garnish your charcuterie board by adding microgreens or leafy herbs for color and freshness. You’ll be surprised at just how much it brightens up the whole board. Drizzle honey or hot pepper jelly over cream cheese at the last minute just before serving. Make sure to have helpful utensils on the board, like a small spoon for the jam and small tongs for sliced meats and cheeses.
Serve your charcuterie board with cocktails or soft drinks as guests arrive. Make sure to have plenty of small plates and napkins available for guests to enjoy the array of snacks you have provided while they mingle and engage with others.
Making a charcuterie board is a fun idea for holiday gatherings or anytime you are expecting visitors. Knowing that the snacks are prepared and ready to serve puts your mind at ease so you can enjoy time with family and friends.
For more of the best snacks and dips, check out these tasty recipes:
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Sherrie Ravencraft
They all look good. I especially like your cream cheese pumpkin.
Raveaboutfood
Thanks, it is a fun addition to a fall charcuterie board!