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Learn How to Make a Charcuterie board for your next party and totally impress your guests. You will be pleasantly surprised how simple it is to make the best ever charcuterie board.
If you have been hesitant to make one of these, don’t be. I am going to show you how to make a charcuterie board that is so quick and easy. Plus, it will look so amazing and put together. If you love this make sure you try our Summer Snack Charcuterie board too. Both are perfect for an Easy New Year’s Recipe.
They are perfect for parties and they look absolutely gorgeous. However, they are easy enough for any night of the week. You will see just how simple it is. Now if you love cheese and crackers you might also like our Pepperoni cheese ball or our Garlic and Onion Cheddar Cheese Ball Recipe.
Table of Contents
- What Is Charcuterie?
- Supplies Needed:
- Ingredients:
- Charcuterie Board Ideas:
- How to Make a DIY Charcuterie board:
- Tips for Charcuterie Board Assembly:
- What Crackers should I use?
- What types of nuts to use:
- What type of fruit spreads to use:
- What to Serve with a Charcuterie Board:
- More Charcuterie Board ideas:
- More Appetizer Recipes:
- Charcuterie Board Recipe
What Is Charcuterie?
Charcuterie is a french word that references prepared and cured cold meats. It is often paired with cheese, fruits, nuts and crackers when served on a charcuterie board.
Supplies Needed:
You can use a cutting board or wooden tray. We like the charcuterie boards here that are designed just for these. They are so handy and many of them have grooves for the crackers and such.
I spotted a few with places for cheese knives. They definitely will make putting one of these boards together easier if you are new to making these.
Ingredients:
- Meats used – ham, summer sausage, salami and prosciutto
- Cheeses used – brie, apple smoked gruyere, green onion white cheddar, cranberry cheddar, babybel
- Fruit – strawberries, blackberries, red raspberries
- Crackers (See Best Crackers for Charcuterie Boards)
- Mixed Nuts
- Fruit spread
- Bread
For the full list of ingredients and recipe, scroll to the bottom to see the recipe card.
Charcuterie Board Ideas:
Now that you know how to make a charcuterie board, try other ideas. It is fun to use other types of cheese, meat and crackers. Each board really is a masterpiece and it is fun to see how they turn out.
Use your favorite type of cheese. You don’t have to use the exact cheeses that I used in this recipe. I love making it with a mixture of soft cheese and firm cheese. Also, people love seeing blue cheese, goat cheese, gouda, and asiago cheese on a charcuterie board too.
Sometimes, I will make a charcuterie board just for the kiddos. They love when I do this for movie night. I use a few slices of deli cheese, crackers, pepperoni and ham, crackers and fruit. They love cherries, strawberries, blueberries, dried apricots, mango pears, and grapes.
Also, you can make a healthy board by just filling it up with your favorite berries and veggies. Add olives, marinated artichoke hearts, almonds, pistachios, pecans and hummus.
They think it is the coolest snack try ever and love when they their own charcuterie tray.
How to Make a DIY Charcuterie board:
Step 1 – Start with large board. One with edges is the easiest to use. Place bowls on first, then add brie cheese.
Step 2 – Next, fill small bowls with fruit spread and mixed nuts. Add larger crackers and pita bread.
Step 3 – Then add the largest items like the strawberries, large round crackers and baby bel cheese.
Step 4 – Add a section of medium size items like sliced hard cheese and smaller crackers.
Step 5 – Add the meats with fruits and veggies. To form meat fans simply fold each piece of salami and ham into quarters.
Step 6 – Fill holes with blackberries and red raspberries. Then fill in with smaller items like cheese and summer sausage. Add the smallest items like crackers. You can also fill in any empty space on the board with fresh herbs. Serve immediately
Tips for Charcuterie Board Assembly:
- Use a board with an edge. It will make it SO much easier to put together and get the ingredients to stay in place. If you don’t have one, there are several charcuterie boards here for a good price. We have used a wooden cutting board or large board to make a charcuterie platter and it was perfect.
- These are best served immediately or fairly soon after putting together.
- Try to include a variety of meats, cheeses and fruit. Not only does it look pretty to have a nice selection but it will ensure your guest have options to choose from. Everyone will enjoy several variety of cheeses and sliced meats.
- Use fresh fruit that is in season to enhance the flavor of your board. Plus, they will be priced better at your grocery store if you purchase in season.
- Use different types of crackers with the meat and cheese board. Include gluten free options so all guests can have an option.
- Make sure to use high quality ingredients in your assortment of cured meats cheeses.
- Add some kid friendly cheeses and crackers and the entire family will enjoy this tray. Children love a cheese plate and dried fruit. My kids love cream cheese so you can also include that in a small bowl as well.
What Crackers should I use?
I recommend using a variety of different crackers so there are some for everyone.
Also, I like to get different shapes, flavors and colors so that the board looks pretty as well.
Plus look to see how the crackers are stacked on each other to make sure that they will work on your board.
What types of nuts to use:
Generally, I use mixed nuts as I always have those on hand. However, you can use any nuts that you prefer.
That’s why making your own charcuterie boards are so fun. You can easily make them based on your preferences.
What type of fruit spreads to use:
Again, this is really based on your personal preference. You can use a jam, preserves, fruit butter or chutney.
I also love using a spicy fruit spread to give a spicy option on the board as well.
What to Serve with a Charcuterie Board:
This is a popular appetizer recipe and I love serving it with wine. Meat and cheese just go great with your favorite type of wine in my opinion.
If you’re not a wine drinker, it’s also great to serve with your favorite easy punch recipe.
Generally, I serve this board as an appetizer but it can be very filling, so you can easily serve this board for dinner as well.
More Charcuterie Board ideas:
- Summer Snack Charcuterie Board
- Ice Cream Charcuterie Board
- Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
- How to make a Salami Rose
More Appetizer Recipes:
- Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
- Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe
- Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Cheesy bread recipe
- Homemade Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
- Crescent Roll Veggie Pizza Appetizer
- Pizza Dip
- The Best Fruit Dip
- Dill Pickle Dip
We love hearing from you. If you make this easy charcuterie board, please leave us a comment.
Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- Meats used – ham summer sausage, salami and prosciutto
- Cheeses used – brie apple smoked gruyere, green onion white cheddar, cranberry cheddar, babybel
- Fruit – strawberries blackberries, red raspberries
- Crackers
- Mixed Nuts
- Fruit spread
- Bread
Instructions
- Start with large board, using one with edges is easiest
- Place bowls on first, then add brie cheese
- Fill bowls with fruit spread and mixed nuts
- Add larger crackers
- Then add the largest items like the strawberries, large round crackers and babybel cheese
- Add a section of medium size items like sliced cheese and smaller crackers
- Add the meats. To form meat fans – fold each piece of salami and ham into quarters
- Fill holes with blackberries and red raspberries
- Then fill in with smaller items like cheese and summer sausage.
- And last, add the smallest items like crackers.
- Serve immediately
Yes, it’s so fun to make! We love them!
We loved this recipe! I changed it up a little to better match our families tastes and the seasons. Overall 10/10 though.
Made this for my brother in law Birthday it was a hit
So easy to do. Great for parties, holiday, outdoor entertaining. Such a variety of food.
This would be great for a large gathering of people, simple to make and put together.