Building a charcuterie board or cheese board is a nothing to be hesitant about. There is really no wrong way to do it! Simply combine an assortment of delicious ingredients that pair well together in a pretty way and there you go!
Sounds simple enough, right? Well, if you are interested in building your own board and are looking for some tips and tricks to make it both beautiful and functional, you are at the right spot!
Use Your Sharpest Knife
While you can purchase pre-sliced and chopped ingredients, it is definitely cheaper to slice your own. Plus, additives are often added to pre-sliced meats and cheeses to prevent clumping in storage, so in order to save a little coin and avoid unnecessary additives, grab your sharpest knife and slice your own!
If you find yourself making more than the occasional charcuterie board, you may want to invest in a mandolin or cheese slicing attachment for your food processor to make things go a little quicker.
Pick the Right Ingredients
Although technically you can add anything you want to your board, there are some tips for choosing ingredients that work well together and will give everyone something they enjoy…
- Cheese – There are so many different kinds of cheese out there that it can get a little overwhelming when you are trying to decide on which ones to add to your board. A great rule of thumb is to include a soft cheese (such as brie, goats cheese, camembert or chevre), a medium-firm cheese (such as cheddar, gouda, jarlsberg or havarti) and a hard cheese (such as parmesan, grana padano, gruyere or swiss). In addition to varying textures, you should also try to vary the flavors a bit. If you have included a wedge of pungent smelling gorgonzola, be sure to balance it with something casual and inviting like mozzarella or a mild cheddar.
- Meats – If you are including meat on your board, try to follow similar rules as you did when choosing your cheese by varying the flavors and textures. Add something mild and something with a little more of a kick, like salami and a spicy pepperoni. If you are making a larger board, you can also add some cured and uncured meats for varying textures. Some great cured meats are prosciutto, iberico and spicy calabrese and my favorite uncured meats are genoa salami, summer sausage and capocollo.
- Dips & Spreads – Including dips and spreads on your charcuterie board is a simply way to add more layers of flavor and textures into the mix. An olive tapenade is always a great choice. Many cheese boards include olives, but if you serve a tapenade then that covers the salty, briny flavor notes that should definitely join the party. Pestos, chutneys and mustard are also a great addition to any charcuterie board and if you want to add a bit of sweetness, a bit of jam or jelly is a wonderful add on.
- Crackers – This is probably the easiest element of a charcuterie board and you can be as basic or extravagant as you want when it comes to your choices. Everything from a classic butter cracker or multigrain biscuit to dried bread sticks and crostini will work on a charcuterie board. If it pairs well with the meats and cheeses you are including on your board, add it!
Make Things Simple
If you are including any sort of dip, spread or super soft cheeses on your board, be sure to include a cheese knife, small spoon or scoop to help everyone gather some onto their plate. This will keep things sanitary and make everything easily accessible.
Keep toothpicks, cocktail napkins and small plates close by for serving.
The Finishing Touches
If you are left with empty spaces on your board after adding all of the ingredients, fresh herbs, sliced fruits and vegetables are a wonderful way to both fill those spaces and add pops of color to your board. Strawberries and apples pair beautifully with cheese and sliced carrots, celery or sweet bell peppers can bring a fresh, lightness to the richness that is in the meats and cheeses.
I hope you enjoyed reading some of these simple tips and tricks to building your own charcuterie board at home. With the holidays right around the corner, planning a simple, but delicious board for your guests can take the stress out of many parties and get togethers that bring friends and family into your home.
