Charcuterie boards are in essence meat and cheese platters combined with an assortment of fruits, nuts, crackers and spreads.
What goes on a charcuterie board?
Charcuterie boards are versatile and they can have whatever you like. A classic board consist of a variety of soft and hard cheeses, cold cuts of meat, fruits and nuts.
The accouterments or companion items of a charcuterie board are were things get fun an interesting. Usually fruits like grapes, apples and pears are a must.
Other items include jams, honey, sweet or savory dips and crostini to spread the soft cheeses and jams on top.
Expert tips for Charcuterie success
This may sound obvious but the first thing you need to do is figure out how many people you will be feeding.
A good rule of thumb is to allocate 2-4 ounces of meat and 3-4 ounces of cheese per person.
Next, head over to your pantry and see what items you already have on hand.
Olives, crackers, nuts. Make sure things are refresh and gather everything that could be a good item for your grazing board.
Start with the cheeses; select a variety of 3 cheeses including a soft/spreadable cheese, a hard cheese and a mild flavored semi-soft cheese.
The cheeses you select should be a balanced combination of milk types, texture and flavor.
Add 2-3 of cold cut meats, the ones that should always be in your charcuterie board are prosciutto and salami.
What kind of cheeses to use in a grazing board?
These are three of my favorite cheeses. There is something for everyone in this trifecta.
- Brie: It's a French soft cheese that is particularly buttery and rich. It is perfect for melting or spreading and goes well preserves for a sweet and savory combination.
- Manchego: This Spanish sheep's milk cheese is one of my favorites. It is nutty with a mild toasty flavor. It goes great nuts such as Marcona almonds.
- Cheddar: This cheese has many varieties, I usually pick a mild cheddar for those who are just beginning their cheese-loving journey.
What kind of meats to use in a charcuterie board?
These three are always easy to pair and easy to get at any supermarket.
- Prosciutto: This thinly sliced cut of meat is fatty and rich in the best way possible. It add interest to the board and a beautiful texture.
- Salami: Is one of the most classic cold cuts of meat, you can choose between peppered, spicy or mild salami.
- Sopressata picante: a spicy sopressata is always a nice surprise in a board. It helps brighten the flavors in the board.
Best places to shop for charcuterie boards
Where you shop will depend on how many people you are feeding and your budget.
Here are some of my favorite places to shop for unique ingredients when making a charcuterie board.
- ALDI: Super budget friendly and has a great variety of cheeses, unique jams, crackers and all you need to make a beautiful board.
- Trader Joe's: Also has an amazing variety of cheeses and fruit and vegetables that are great for boards. Most of their items are seasonal so you will find unique things to add to your board.
- Costco: Great budget/quantity alternative when feeding a crowd. They have a solid cheese section and you can easily find cost effective alternatives for all your items.
I hope this guide inspires you to get creative and get started on charcuterie boards.
If you have any questions, post them down below. I'd love to help you!