What kind of meats can I include on a board?

Common charcuterie meats include prosciutto, salami, chorizo, summer sausage, soppressata, and pâté. You can mix and match based on your preferences.

What types of cheeses work well on a charcuterie board?

Popular cheese options for charcuterie boards include brie, cheddar, gouda, blue cheese, and goat cheese. Go for variety, picking ones from different regions and/or that have differing flavors and textures. Include a small cheese knife for easy cutting and serving.

How much should I plan to serve each person?

Plan for about 2-4 ounces of meat and cheese per person. You can adjust this based on whether the charcuterie board is the main attraction or just one part of a larger spread.

Can I prepare the board ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep several components of your board in advance, such as cutting and storing cheese in the fridge and arranging non-perishable items. Be sure to cover them with plastic wrap, so they stay fresh. However, add fresh ingredients like fruits just before serving to maintain freshness.

How to Make a Simple Charcuterie Board

Name: Simple Charcuterie Board
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 2-3 different cold, cured meats (i.e. prosciutto, salami, summer sausage, chorizo, and pâté); 3 different cheeses (i.e. brie, goat cheese, manchego, havarti, aged cheddar, smoked gouda); 2-3 types of crackers/breads (i.e. multigrain, artisan, or water crackers, pita chips, thinly sliced baguette); 1-2 fresh or dried fruits (i.e. fresh grapes, dried apricots, fresh sliced figs, fresh berries); 1-2 fresh or pickled veggies (i.e. baby gherkins/cornichons, olives, pickled vegetables, roasted red peppers, raw veggie sticks); 1-2 spreads or dips (i.e. fig compote, apricot jam, orange marmalade, hot pepper jelly, mustards, hummus); 2+ nuts and candy (i.e. pistachios, smoked almonds, dark chocolate, chocolate-covered raisins); Optional: fresh arugula leaves (for garnish)

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Simple Charcuterie Board

Use these 4 steps to create an elegant yet simple charcuterie board for a light meal or appetizer.

Yield: 2-12+ servings 1x

Prep: 20 minutesTotal: 20 minutes

Scale:

Ingredients

2–3 different cold, cured meats (i.e. prosciutto, salami, summer sausage, chorizo, and pâté)
3 different cheeses (i.e. brie, goat cheese, manchego, havarti, aged cheddar, smoked gouda)
2–3 types of crackers/breads (i.e. multigrain, artisan, or water crackers, pita chips, thinly sliced baguette)
1–2 fresh or dried fruits (i.e. fresh grapes, dried apricots, fresh sliced figs, fresh berries)
1–2 fresh or pickled veggies (i.e. baby gherkins/cornichons, olives, pickled vegetables, roasted red peppers, raw veggie sticks)
1–2 spreads or dips (i.e. fig compote, apricot jam, orange marmalade, hot pepper jelly, mustards, hummus)
2+ nuts and candy (i.e. pistachios, smoked almonds, dark chocolate, chocolate-covered raisins)
Optional: fresh arugula leaves (for garnish)

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Instructions

Choose a nice wooden cutting board for the size of your group. Utilize small ramekins or bowls to contain smaller items and spreads. Watch the video for inspiration.
Start by fanning out slices or rolled pieces of various meats on the board.
Add in the cheeses. Cut a few first slices and include a cheese knife.
Fill in the rest of the board with your fruits, veggies, nuts, candies, and spreads. Include little serving spoons for the spreads. Think in terms of including a variety of colors, textures, and heights throughout the board. This is an art, not science, so don’t be too precise and have fun!
Optional: Fill in negative space with arugula leaves to bring in more color.

Notes/Tips

If trying to avoid gluten, use gluten-free crackers instead.
Plan for about 2-4 ounces of meat and cheese per person. You can adjust this based on whether the charcuterie board is the main attraction or just one part of a larger spread.
Don’t forget to offer interesting and well-paired beverages, especially wine.

Cuisine: French Method: No Cook

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