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Charcuterie Board with brie prosciutto grapes figs crackers on warm styled table
Joe Rooney

Charcuterie Board Secrets: Easy, Delicious Ideas

Create a stunning and easy charcuterie board with expert tips on cheese, meats, and accompaniments. Perfect for any occasion, this guide ensures your board is delicious and visually appealing for your guests.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 240
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Hard cheeses (choose 3, 5, or 7): manchego, cheddar, swiss, gouda, gruyere, parmesan
  • Soft cheeses: brie, triple cream, goat cheese, havarti, burrata, cream cheese with pepper jelly, blue cheese, gorgonzola
  • Cured meats: prosciutto, salami, ham, chorizo, capricola, soppressata, summer sausage
  • Nuts: almonds, candied pecans, pistachio nuts, cashews, walnuts, macadamia nuts
  • Briny/pickled/marinated: olives, cocktail onions, cornichons, dill pickles, pepperoncini, olive tapenade, bruschetta
  • Savory dips and spreads: whole ground mustard, hummus, ranch, balsamic dip, romesco
  • Cold cut veggies (optional)
  • Fresh fruits and berries: grapes, apples, pears, oranges, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries
  • Dried fruits: apricots, cherries, figs, pineapple, mango
  • Sweet spreads: fig butter, orange marmalade, blackberry jam
  • Chocolate: quality dark chocolate or chocolate covered nuts
  • Crackers: pita crackers, whole grain crackers, croccantini, mini toasts, toasted baguettes

Method
 

  1. Choose a board suitable for your party size; use multiple boards if needed.
  2. Place your chosen cheeses (3, 5, or 7) around the board in odd numbers.
  3. Fold and fan out meats: fold in half and fan like cards or in airy ribbons for thin meats like prosciutto.
  4. Add savory and sweet accompaniments, arranging colors to create visual contrast and pairing compatible flavors.
  5. Place savory items like mustard, nuts, and pickles near sharp cheeses and meats.
  6. Position sweet items like fresh fruit, dried fruit, and jams near soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese.
  7. Fill remaining spaces with crackers and fill any gaps with nuts or fruit to complete the board.

Notes

  • Keep ingredients cold by using a marble slab board, especially for long events. Refrigerate the slab overnight to keep cheeses fresh longer.