Creating a charcuterie board is as much art as it is delicious. With this step-by-step guide, you can assemble a board that not only tastes incredible but also looks like it belongs in a magazine. Perfect for holiday entertaining, birthday parties, or casual gatherings, this board will wow your guests every time.
A charcuterie board is a delightful combination of cured meats, cheeses, nuts, fresh and dried fruits, and crackers. The beauty of a charcuterie board lies in its versatility—there are endless ways to customize it to suit any occasion or taste. This recipe includes step-by-step shots to guide you in creating a visually stunning and delicious board, with a few unique elements to elevate the presentation and flavor.
Why Charcuterie Boards Are Perfect for Any Occasion
Charcuterie boards have become a go-to for entertaining because they’re visually stunning, versatile, and delicious. Combining cured meats, cheeses, fresh and dried fruits, nuts, and crackers, these boards allow for endless creativity. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, a casual get-together, or a romantic evening, a well-assembled charcuterie board is sure to impress.
Ingredients You’ll Need for a Charcuterie Board
Cheeses
- 1 Goat Cheese Log (herb-flavored recommended)
- 3 Small Gouda Cheeses
- 1 Block of cheese for slicing (your choice)
- Thinly sliced cheese (aged Cheddar recommended)
- Small Mozzarella Balls
Meats
- Salami Log
- Thinly sliced salami (4 slices per rose)
Fresh Fruits
- Green and purple grapes
- 4–5 Cuties (peeled)
- ½ cup blackberries
- ½ pomegranate
- 1 kiwi
- Cherry tomatoes (about 5)
Dried Fruits
- ½ cup dried apricots
- ½ cup dates
Nuts & Olives
- ½ cup cashews
- ½ cup pecans
- ½ cup pistachios (in the shell)
- ½ cup Kalamata olives
- ¼ cup black olives
Condiments & Extras
- ½ cup fig jam
- Crackers (3 different kinds, about 1 cup each)
- 1 cup holiday candy (optional)
Garnishes
- Rosemary sprigs
- Edible flowers like chamomile (optional)
How to Prep Your Charcuterie Board
- Organize ingredients: Wash, peel, and cut fruits and vegetables.
- Grapes: Snip into small clusters.
- Pomegranate & Cuties: Cut pomegranate in half and peel Cuties.
- Salami Roses:
- Fan out 4 slices of salami, fold lengthwise, roll tightly, and secure with a toothpick.
- Caprese Salami Skewers: Thread black olive → basil → mozzarella → salami rose → mozzarella → basil → cherry tomato on skewers.
- Kiwi: Make “V” cuts all around, then pull apart into halves.
- Cheese Prep: Slice block cheeses into triangles and use a cookie cutter for star shapes.
Step-by-Step Charcuterie Board Assembly
- Anchor Dishes: Place small dishes first—fig jam, mozzarella & black olives, Kalamata olives.
- Goat Cheese: Place at an angle near the center.
- Fruits: Arrange pomegranate halves, Cuties, and kiwi near the center and corners.
- Salami Skewers: Place at the bottom of the board.
- Salami Roses & Sliced Salami: Position strategically for color and height.
- Cheeses: Arrange triangles and Gouda near meats and anchor dishes.
- Crackers: Place in three different areas, fanning out larger ones for visual appeal.
- Nuts & Dried Fruits: Scatter across the board in groups of three.
- Grapes & Blackberries: Fill in gaps and corners.
- Garnishes: Add rosemary sprigs, cheese stars, holiday candies, and edible flowers for a festive touch.
Tips for a Beautiful Charcuterie Board
- Balance colors and textures: Mix soft and hard cheeses, crunchy and sweet elements.
- Height matters: Stack items like salami roses or bowls for visual interest.
- Seasonal touches: Add fresh herbs, edible flowers, or themed candies to match holidays.
- Keep it fresh: Serve perishable items like cheeses and fruits shortly after assembling.
- You can make the salami roses ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Have everything prepped before you start, for a quick assembly.
- Have fun and be creative!
Final Thoughts
Creating a charcuterie board is as much art as it is delicious. With this step-by-step guide, you can assemble a board that not only tastes incredible but also looks like it belongs in a magazine. Perfect for holiday entertaining, birthday parties, or casual gatherings, this board will wow your guests every time.
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Servings: 20
Calories: 114kcal
Equipment
- Large Board (This one is 19”x14”)
- 3 Small Dishes
- Small Spoons and Spreaders
- Small Sharp Knife
- Small cookie cutter
- Bamboo Cocktail Picks and toothpicks
- Kitchen Shears (to snip Grapes & Rosemary)
Ingredients
Cheeses
- 1 Goat Cheese Log herb-flavored recommended
- 3 Small Gouda Cheeses
- 1 Block of cheese for slicing your choice
- Thinly sliced cheese aged Cheddar recommended
- Small Mozzarella Balls
Meats
- Salami Log
- Thinly sliced salami 4 slices per rose
Fresh Fruits
- Green and purple grapes
- 4 –5 Cuties peeled
- ½ cup blackberries
- ½ pomegranate
- 1 kiwi
- Cherry tomatoes about 5
Dried Fruits
- ½ cup dried apricots
- ½ cup dates
Nuts & Olives
- ½ cup cashews
- ½ cup pecans
- ½ cup pistachios in the shell
- ½ cup Kalamata olives
- ¼ cup black olives
Condiments & Extras
- ½ cup fig jam
Crackers (3 different kinds, about 1 cup each)
- 1 cup holiday candy optional
Garnishes
- Rosemary sprigs
- Edible flowers like chamomile optional
Instructions
How to Prep Your Charcuterie Board
- Organize ingredients: Wash, peel, and cut fruits and vegetables.
- Grapes: Snip into small clusters.
- Pomegranate & Cuties: Cut pomegranate in half and peel Cuties.
- Salami Roses: Fan out 4 slices of salami, fold lengthwise, roll tightly, and secure with a toothpick.
- Fan out 4 slices of salami, fold lengthwise, roll tightly, and secure with a toothpick.
- Caprese Salami Skewers: Thread black olive → basil → mozzarella → salami rose → mozzarella → basil → cherry tomato on skewers.
- Kiwi: Make “V” cuts all around, then pull apart into halves.
- Cheese Prep: Slice block cheeses into triangles and use a cookie cutter for star shapes.
Step-by-Step Charcuterie Board Assembly
- Anchor Dishes: Place small dishes first—fig jam, mozzarella & black olives, Kalamata olives.
- Goat Cheese: Place at an angle near the center.
- Fruits: Arrange pomegranate halves, Cuties, and kiwi near the center and corners.
- Salami Skewers: Place at the bottom of the board.
- Salami Roses & Sliced Salami: Position strategically for color and height.
- Cheeses: Arrange triangles and Gouda near meats and anchor dishes.
- Crackers: Place in three different areas, fanning out larger ones for visual appeal.
- Nuts & Dried Fruits: Scatter across the board in groups of three.
- Grapes & Blackberries: Fill in gaps and corners.
- Garnishes: Add rosemary sprigs, cheese stars, holiday candies, and edible flowers for a festive touch.
Nutrition
Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 0.2mg | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 192mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 285IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
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