Follow these eight simple steps to create your best-ever charcuterie board.
1. Choose your surface. Whether it’s rustic or polished wood, a silver tray, or a slab of stone, pick a base that inspires you to be creative. For an intimate gathering, a small cutting board is probably about the right size. For a very large group though, you may want to expand out to a 16″ by 24″ size, or something even bigger.
2. Gather the goods. Need a place to start? Here’s a basic formula for beautiful board:
3-7 cheeses—choose a variety: hard, creamy, blue, goat’s milk, sheep’s milk or spreadable types. Challerhocker, OG Kristal, Prairie Breeze, Essex Manchego and Chocolate Mascarpone are a few of our current faves
1-3 types of cured meat—like salami, chorizo, Mortadella, Prosciutto, Serrano Ham or paté
1-3 briny bites like olives, pickled veggies, roasted tomatoes, or marinated artichoke hearts. Oh, and cornichons are always a good idea.
1-3 baked items—like baguette slices, breadsticks, crackers or crostini
1-3 fruits—fresh grapes, sliced apples, pears, berries, kiwis, persimmons—and dried fruit too
A couple of fun surprises like chocolate, quince paste or Amarena cherries. Tuck in a few small bowls of sweet or savory jam, chutney or honey, too.
3. Choose a focal point. Choose something interesting for the middle of your board and build outward. If you’re using a baguette, you can make that your centerpiece. Cut a few slices and place the remaining loaf on the board. Or use our diagram as your inspiration.
4. Slice and place the cheese. Slice up half hard cheeses, and place the slices on the board. For a softer cheese, place the entire wedge on the board, and place it near complementary items such as the jam or honey.
5. Place the meat. Fold or roll softer salami and bresaola. Shape prosciutto into nests or rosettes. Cut hard salami into slices place it onto the board.
6. Mind the gaps. You can cut grape clusters into smaller pieces to fill empty spaces. Crackers can be displayed in stacked towers, on their sides, fanned out, etc. Edible leaves, flowers and herbs make good space fillers, too (and they look very cute on top of a bowl of nuts.)
7. Don’t forget utensils. Small spoons, forks, spreaders, cheese knives, nutcrackers, honey dippers—make it fun and easy to grab a good snack.
8. Wait for the oohs and aahs. Have your charcuterie board assembled before your guests arrive. Take it out of the fridge 30-45 minutes before your guests arrive. Serve alongside your pre-dinner cocktails and toast to a great gathering.
Want a shortcut to charcuterie board perfection? Check out our customized board and charcuterie collection here.