How to Make a Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie boards are a classic and easy shareable that’s perfect for large crowds or gatherings. Offering a spread of various savory and sweet finger foods, they allow people to choose their favorite flavor profiles or try something new. This makes charcuterie boards an excellent menu item or appetizer that’ll please everyone. On top of that, they’re very easy to make. Learn how to create your very own charcuterie board with our guide below.

Making a Charcuterie Board

Ingredients

• Cured meats
• Cheeses of varying density
  • Spreadable cheeses like brie or goat cheese
  • Hard cheese slices like white cheddar
• Crackers, sliced crusty bread, croutons, flatbreads 
• Fresh fruits and veggies
• Olives and other pickled items
• Shelled nuts
• Jams and marmalades 

Once you’ve compiled all your desired ingredients and pairings, it’s now time to build your charcuterie board. So, how do you fold the meat for a charcuterie board and how can it be set up? The actual arrangement of each type of item is up to you, but here’s some ideas:

• Step 1—Build out your charcuterie board from the center and outward by placing the largest items there. This is a great space for wheels of brie, other cheeses, ramekins of spreads or jams and more.
• Step 2—Next, arrange some of the cured meats, pickled foods and additional sliced cheeses around the items in the center. 
• Step 3—Add any veggies and fruits next to the meats and cheeses they pair well with.
• Step 4— Place additional ingredients like nuts, dried fruit and other items in spots that need to be filled. 
• Step 5—Arrange crackers, toasted bread slices and other carbs around the perimeter of your charcuterie board for dipping, spreading and snacking.
• Step 6—Add cheese knives, spreading knives, tongs and other tools to necessary cheeses and food items.

How Far in Advance Can You Make a Charcuterie Board?

If you need to plan ahead for an event, a charcuterie board is perfect for that. You can assemble a charcuterie board up to 24 hours ahead of time, minus the fresh fruit. Just be sure to wrap the charcuterie board with plastic wrap before storing it in the fridge. Take it out of the fridge up to 30 minutes prior to serving.

How Long Can a Charcuterie Board Stay Out?

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a charcuterie board can stay out up to 2 hours for safe consumption. This includes the 30 minutes needed for the charcuterie board to come up to room temperature.  

How to Fold Meat for a Charcuterie Board

The designs you choose depend on how fancy you want your board to look. There are plenty of folding options to use including:

• Salami roses
• Prosciutto ribbons
• Capicola triangles
• Salami chains

Once you have the meats folded the way you like, place them around the board, mixing in cheese slices for a great variety.

How to Cut & Serve Cheese for a Charcuterie Board

Cheese is typically sliced a bit thicker than the meat and the rule is to have about three ounces per person. Once cut into small slices, the cheese can be placed on the board with the meat. Here are some popular cheeses to include:

• Brie
• Parmesan
• Gouda
• Asiago

Different Types of Charcuterie Boards to Try

If you want to serve other options either alongside or in place of a traditional charcuterie board, there are a few that have become popular that you can try.

• Butter Boards—After exploding on Instagram, butter boards have become the new, hot serving board offering. Using high-quality salted butter decoratively spread on a charcuterie board or tray, butter boards can be topped with any number of ingredients like fresh or dried herbs and spices, nuts, dried fruits, edible flowers, honey, marmalade and more. The boards are then served with a variety of breads and crackers you can dip or spread the butter with. 
• Cream Cheese Boards—Perfect for breakfast, as an appetizer or dessert, cream cheese boards are similar to the aforementioned butter boards—but with cream cheese instead. You can create sweet, savory, spicy or all of the above with a variation of toppings. Use the same toppings you would for a butter board, or pick specific items that pair exceptionally well with cream cheese for a rich, flavor-filled offering.
• Dessert Boards—Skip the meat and cheese and embrace the sweet side of things with a dessert board. You can incorporate different types of chocolates, fresh fruit, caramel dip, shortbread, marshmallows, whole nuts, biscotti and other sweet treats.
• Breakfast or Brunch Boards—Start the day off right with a scrumptious, filling breakfast-themed charcuterie board. Take a classic breakfast carb like waffles, bagels, pancakes or toast and build out your board with flavorful toppings to add. For example: if you choose a breakfast board with pancakes, build it out with classic toppings like different maple or fruit syrups, fresh fruit like bananas and strawberries, chocolate chips, bacon, honey and butter. The possibilities are deliciously endless.

How to Make a Fruit Charcuterie Board

Making a fruit charcuterie board is much like making one with meat and cheese. Start by cutting up your favorite fruits such as pomegranates, oranges and more. Then, start placing crackers, spreads, olives and bread crisps on the board. Once those are in place, you can start adding fruit slices and you’ll have a well put together snack board for your customers.

What Not to Include

Make sure to stay away from the overly juicy fruits that’ll turn your breads and crackers soggy. These fruits include:

• Watermelon
• Pineapple
• Tomatoes
• Lemons
• Limes

It’s best to use fresh berries, apples and dried fruits like apricots and cranberries. Also, be sure to stay away from using meats that are too spicy. You don’t want anything that has too much of a kick.

When you’re ready to change up your menu or if you’re interested in learning how to decorate for the holidays, be sure to check out our helpful guides.