Simple Charcuterie Board Ideas

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Perfect for any occasion, from casual gatherings to holiday parties.
• Customizable with your favorite cheeses, meats, and accompaniments.
• Easy to assemble and visually stunning.
• Pairs beautifully with wine, cocktails, or festive punches, like our refreshing Non-Alcoholic Holiday Punch.

What Is A Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board isn’t just an appetizer—it’s a show-stopping centerpiece for any gathering.

A traditional charcuterie board features a variety of meats and cheeses, fresh and dried fruits, seasonal produce, nuts, pickles, crostini, and spreads.

We love serving it alongside sliced steak, such as a tender & juicy grilled ribeye, perfect filet mignon, or a whole oven roasted beef tenderloin, for an elevated touch.

Boards come in all shapes and sizes, from a simple charcuterie board for two to a large grazing board for a crowd at holiday gatherings.

Ingredients & Notes

For large gatherings, choose 3 meats, 3 cheeses, 2 fruits, and a variety of extras. You don't need everything listed. Choose your favorites. And only serve what is truly tasty.

• Cheeses - A mix of soft, semi-hard, and hard cheeses provides variety.
  • hard cheeses - Manchego, gruyere, parmigiano-reggiano.
  • soft cheeses - Brie, camembert, havarti.
• Meats - Choose a mix of mild, spicy, and dry-cured meats for balance.
  • Prosciutto (mild), Salami (mild Genoa & Soppressata), Chorizo (spicy), Capicola (spicy)
• Fruits - Fresh fruits add brightness, while dried fruits offer concentrated sweetness.
  • Red grapes, figs, honey crisp apple slices, blackberries
  • Dried apricots, dates, cranberries, cherries
• Dark chocolate - Taza Mexican-Style Chocolate is the perfect addition.
• Crunchy Elements: Nuts and seeds add texture and pair well with cheeses.
  • Roasted pumpkin seeds, salted almonds, marcona almonds, pistachios, candied pecans.
• Spreads & Condiments- Honey and jams complement both cheeses and meats.
  • jams and compotes - Cranberry sauce, peach or bourbon peach jam
  • butters - apple butter, pumpkin butter, compound butter
  • olive oil - Mix a little extra virgin olive oil with a pinch of Italian Seasoning and some crushed garlic for a tasty sauce to dip bread into.
  • horseradish sauce - Can't go wrong with Woeber's Sandwich Pal Horseradish Sauce.
• Pickled Items - Adds a tangy contrast to rich cheeses and meats.
  • Mediterranean mixed olives, blue cheese olives, baby gherkins, marinated artichokes, pickled shallots.
• Crackers & Bread - Provide a variety of textures to pair with cheeses and meats.
  • Thin slices of baguette, ciabatta, toasted crostini, or your favorite crackers. Sonoma Creamery's Gluten-Free Pepper Jack Crisps are always a hit.
  • Pro Tip: Put these out last to prevent them from getting stale.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions & Additions

• Cheeses: Swap Gruyere for Swiss or Havarti.
• Meats: Use turkey or roast beef for a lighter option.
• Fruits: Swap figs for pears or berries.
• Nuts: Use walnuts or cashews instead of almonds.
• Spreads: Try pepper jelly or balsamic glaze.
• Crackers & Bread: Use gluten-free crackers if needed.
• Crispy Roasted Chickpeas

Variations

There are no hard and fast rules for making a board. Other fun ideas are endless.

• Halloween Board: Add themed treats like candy corn.
• Dessert Board: Fill with chocolates, fruit, and cookies.
• Brunch Board: Include smoked salmon, bagels, and croissants.
• Steak Charcuterie Board: Serve with horseradish sauce and bruschetta.
  
  We make these with either whole beef tenderloin, tender filet of beef, or a juicy grilled ribeye steak.

Recipe Tips

• Plan ahead: Purchase ingredients early and store them properly.
• Prep in advance: Slice cheeses and meats ahead of time.
• Add bread last: To prevent it from getting stale.

With these tips, you’re ready to create a stunning board for any occasion. Get creative and enjoy the process!

Recipe FAQs

How To Serve

Pull the board out of the refrigerator just before serving. It can remain at room temperature for a couple of hours. But watch that the temperature of the room doesn't get too hot. It cannot remain fresh and food safe if it is sitting in the hot sun. So, watch the edges of the meat for discoloration and that the cheeses don't sweat (condensation released on surface of the cheese).

Serve with other appetizers. We always like crunchy tortilla chips on the side. So I make some easy, white queso dip, or spinach artichoke dip and serve it with a basket of chips as a second appetizer.

What To Do With Leftovers

Leftovers can be packaged up separately and used at a later date. Store leftovers in airtight containers in the freezer. Thaw and make small snack boards to enjoy on the weekends.

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