Steps to the Perfect Charcuterie Board
There’s something magical about building a charcuterie board—it’s part art project, part treasure hunt, and 100% joy. From picking out the perfect mix of cheeses and meats to tucking in little surprises like olives, berries, or a drizzle of honey, it’s a creative and satisfying ritual. Then comes the best part: gathering around and grazing at your own pace. Every bite is a new combo, a new flavor, a tiny celebration. Whether you’re sharing it with friends or enjoying a solo snack feast, a charcuterie board turns simple ingredients into something special—fun to make, even more fun to eat.
What to add to a Charcuterie Board:
When building a crowd-pleasing board I usually include these five things:
- Cheese: Choose 2-3 oz per person and select hard and soft cheeses and cheeses made from different animals (cow, sheep, goat). Use an odd number of cheese (3, 5, or 7) depending on how many people you’re serving.
- Meats: Choose 2-3 oz per person of a few cuts like prosciutto, ham, salami, cured chorizo or summer sausage.
- Savory Accompaniments: Id suggest choosing at least one of each of the following:
- Nuts: Candied pecans, pistachios, cashews, macadamia nuts, almonds etc.
- Pickled, Marinated, or Briny: Olives, cocktail onions, dill pickles. I love to add green olives stuffed with garlic or feta.
- Savory Dips and Spreads: Hummus, ranch, balsamic dip etc.
- Vegetables: Carrots, broccoli, snap peas, or any of your favorite cold veggies.
- Sweet Accompaniments: Id suggest choosing at least one of each of the following:
- Fresh Fruit: Apples, pears, oranges, grapes, rasperries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, etc.
- Dried Fruit: Mango, pineapple, figs, peaches, cherries, apricots, etc.
- Sweet Spreads: I’d include orange marmalade, blackberry jam, or other sweet spreads.
- Crackers: Include a variety of crackers, mini toasts, or sliced baguette, rosemary crisps. It’s fun to have different shapes, sizes, and flavors.
How to make a Charcuterie Board:
Select Your Board: Choose the size depending on the number of people you’re serving. For an extra large group you can even have multiple boards. Any type of board will work: cutting board, serving tray, or even butcher paper laid directly on the countertop.
Arrange Cheeses, to anchor the board. I’d use an odd number of cheese (3, 5, or 7)
Arrange Meats: I like folding them in half and fanning them like a deck of cards or folding then in half twice so it’s easy to pick up. For thin meat (like prosciutto) it’s fun to fold them like a ribbon. Go wild use your crafty meat folding imagination.
Add Accompaniments: Arrange the sweet and savory accompaniments around the board. Separate the colors to stand out, and place foods next to each other that pair well (see more on that below).
Add Crackers all throughout any gaps on the board. Add small nuts or dried fruit to fill any gaps. Serve and enjoy!
What Goes Well With What?
Go the extra mile and arrange items together that taste good together. Here are some examples of which items compliment others, to keep in mind as you assemble your board.
Cheese Pairings:
- Manchego: pairs well with spicy or smoky meats, like chorizo. It pairs well with dried apricots too.
- Cheddar pairs well with any cured meats. Place cashews, apples, and dark chocolate close by too.
- Gruyère: The nutty flavor of gruyère pairs well with salami or ham. Also grapes, figs, honey and mustard.
- Brie or Triple Cream: is my favorite with fig butter or other flavor preserves (like orange marmalade or blackberry jam), candied pecans, grapes, apple, prosciutto, almonds, baguette slices or mini toasts.
- Goat Cheese works well with sweet and juicy grapes, or apples. It’s also great with dark chocolate.
Meat Pairings:
- Prosciutto: Pairs well with gouda, fresh fruit (especially grapes or pears), olives, cornichons, pears, and almonds.
- Salami: Arrange next to cheddar, olive tapenade or mustard, and fresh apples, figs, or pears.
- Chorizo: Delicious with manchego, pistachios, pickled onions, and dried apricots.
- Soppressata: Try with Gruyère, olives, baguette slices, or toasted croccantini.
- Pro Tips:
- Don’t Overcomplicate It! Make sure to design your board with your guests in mind, and include cheese and meats they like and recognize. When in doubt, avoid fancy or expensive items they may not care for.
- Add Color: I love the bright pops of color red apples, red and green grapes, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries provide.
Themed Charcuterie Board Ideas:
- Fall Charcuterie: Use a few small pumpkins to decorate your board, and seasonal vegetables like pears. Fall dips like whipped caramel apple dip, pumpkin dip, or fall desserts like thinly sliced pumpkin bread or mini healthy pumpkin muffins.
- Christmas Charcuterie Board: Arrange meats, crackers, and cheese into the shape of a Christmas tree Include holiday treats like Chocolate Truffles, candied oranges, or fudge. Sprinkle fresh or candied cranberries to add a seasonal touch.
- Dessert Charcuterie: Make melted chocolate or caramel sauce and surround them with strawberries, bananas, apples, pretzels, marshmallows, graham cracker sticks, mini cookies, rice Krispies, and other dipping treats.
- Valentine’s Charcuterie: Arrange meats, cheese, and crackers into a giant heart and include chocolate covered strawberries, conversation hearts, and cinnamon bears.
- Kid’s Party: Lay a large piece of butcher paper on your counter and fill it with piles of kid friendly snacks like fruit, veggies, dips, chips, donuts, mini sandwiches, popcorn, cheese, crackers, juice boxes, etc.
- Hot Chocolate Board: Make homemade Hot Cocoa and have a board with marshmallows, candy canes, chocolate chips, caramels, whipped cream, etc.
Christmas Board
Easter Treat Sweet Board
Fall Board
Love on a Platter
I gather, I slice, I place with care,
A little feast for hearts to share.
Cheese and fruit, a sweet surprise,
A spread that brings both smiles and sighs.No need for words, just bites and laughter,
Moments we’ll remember after.
For in this simple, tasty art,
I serve you pieces of my heart.
