Easy Charcuterie Board (2024)

An epic charcuterie board laden with meats, cheeses, fruit, crackers and preserves is the ultimate appetizer to feed a crowd.

How to make a charcuterie board

A goodcharcuterie boardis the ultimate easyappetizer, snack with drinks and even main dish if you include enough variety. It’s one of our favorite ways to eat and to entertain because it’s fuss-free and very easy to cater to a variety of different diets and preferences. Grab your largestserving platter(or lay parchment paper directly on the table) and let’s get building. For a more visually appealing board,slicethecheesesinto different shapes and use prettycheeseknives for serving. The meat can be rolled, folded, sliced or casually laid onto the board. Preserves, pickles andolivescan be added insmall bowlsfor easier serving.

What should be on a charcuterie board

There are no rules but in my opinion, a charcuterie board is different to a cheese board. A cheese board is focused on the cheese and includes ingredients and elements that complement the cheese. Similarly, a charcuterie board is all about the meat. The ingredients paired with the meat are there to complement and make each bite a delicious one.

1. Charcuterie:Charcuterie is a broad term given to prepared meats. Bacon, cured meat,sausages, pâtés, ham, etc. I like to include a variety of different meats.Salamiis a must and as there is such a vast selection out there, you can include a few different types. I like to include a wholechorizosliced into coins. Parma ham/Prosciuttois also a great addition. Chicken liver pâté, Coppa,Jamón, Gypsy ham, etc. are all good options too. A balancedcharcuterie boardwill have between 3 and 5 types of meats, depending on the amount of people it needs to serve.
2. Cheese:Not essential on acharcuterie boardbut a natural addition. I like including a strong bluecheese(gorgonzolais my favorite), asoft cheeseand a firmercheese. Gruyere, Havarti,Gouda,Manchego, Appenzeller, Raclette,Cheddarand Parmesan are all good options forhard cheese. Forsoft cheese,brie, camembert andgoat cheeseare delicious and work with a variety of meats.
3. Fruit:I like includingfresh fruitsas well as preserved/dried fruit. Cherries, berries (raspberries,blueberries,strawberries) andgrapesare some of my favorites.Slicesofpearandappleare also great withcheese. Melon is a great idea if you’re serving Parma ham orProsciutto. If you love dried fruit, I would suggest dried or preserved figs,apricotsor dates. Fruit goes well with the saltiness of the meat and it’s good to have a fresh element on the board.
4. Crackers/bread:Sliced baguette, breadsticks andcrackersof all kinds are welcome on a sharing board like this. You need a vehicle for the meat andcheese, right?

For interest, taste and texture

1. Pickles and preserves:The acidity of pickles is very welcome amidst all the richness of thecheeseand meat. Similarly, preserves,jamsorhoneyadd greatsweetnessto the board and works incredibly well with both the cured meat andcheeses.Olives, cornichons or pickled cucumbers, pickled onions, etc are all good choices.
2. Others: Adding elements likenutsanddipslikemustard,hummus, etc. adds a bit more interest to your board.Fresh herbslikethymeandrosemaryalso make yourcharcuterie boardvisually appealing.

Can I make this ahead?

Most of the elements are best served at room temperature so the board can be assembled up to an hour in advance and kept covered until you’re ready to serve. Alternatively, assemble the ingredients (except for breads and crackers) and cover well then refrigerate for a day before serving. Add any crackers or bread right before serving to prevent them from drying out or getting soggy.

Ideas for sharing boards

1. Easy bagel board
2. The ultimate cheese board
3. Holiday dessert board
4. Easy breakfast board