Who doesn’t love a perfectly arranged spread of meat, cheese, crackers, and condiments? Charcuterie boards are trending right now and are a great addition to any get-together. But how do you put one together that looks beautiful, while also tasting delicious?
We’ve compiled a few tips to help you build your own board:
- Charcuterie boards normally contain a combination of cheeses and meats, fresh and dried fruits and vegetables, nuts, and bread or crackers along with some spreads or dips. So, when assembling the different ingredients, remember to include a variety of flavor, texture, and color.
- For cheese selection, try to pick at least three types of cheeses. More variety means more food combinations, as well as more chances that your guests will find something they really like.
- For a spreadable or soft cheese, try Brie or Goat cheese.
- For a medium-density cheese, try Gorgonzola, blue cheese, cheddar, or gouda
- For a hard cheese, try Parmigiano Reggiano
- For meat selection, variety is key! Some great charcuterie board meats include:
- Prosciutto – a must for any board! It’s chewiness and saltiness pairs well with most cheeses.
- Mortadella – this is a classier version of bologna that your guests will love.
- Salami
- Pepperoni
- For cracker selection, lean toward a variety of different colors, shapes, and flavors. Try these:
- Rye crackers
- Baguette slices
- Long, thin crackers
- Condiments are always welcome, but charcuterie board experts rave about including a stone ground mustard and tupelo honey.
- Fruits and vegetables add a pop of color to any board! Try to stick with what’s in season so that you can offer the freshest selection.
- Small fruits and vegetables, such as grapes, berries, cherry tomatoes, and baby carrots
- Larger fruits and vegetables that can be cut into easy-to-eat slices, such as cucumbers and apples
- Dried fruits also are a great option and offer a textural balance to fresh fruits and vegetables. Try dried apricots, dates, or raisins.
- Once you’ve got the ingredients ready to go, it’s time to start building your board!
- First, place your cheeses.
- Then, pile on your meats.
- Next, arrange your crackers and breads.
- Fill in the gaps with the fruits and vegetables you’ve selected.
- Enjoy!
