Charcuterie board
A charcuterie board is a selection of cured meats, cheeses and other savory snacks that is typically served as an appetizer. The word “charcuterie” is French for “pork products,” and the tradition of putting together a board of cured meats dates back to the Middle Ages.
Charcuterie boards were originally created as a way to preserve meats before the invention of refrigeration. Curing meats involves using salt, spices and sometimes smoke to keep them from going bad. The process of curing meats was developed by the Ancient Romans, and it was later perfected by the French.
Today, charcuterie boards are often served as part of a larger meal, but they can also be enjoyed on their own as a light snack. They’re a perfect way to entertain guests, and they can be customized to suit any taste.
Advice
Making a charcuterie board can be a fun, creative and tasty way to entertain. Start by choosing a variety of cured meats such as salami, prosciutto and mortadella. Then pick a few cheeses that pair well with the meats, such as sharp cheddar, brie and blue cheese. For added flavor and texture, include olives, grapes, nuts, and crackers. Lastly, incorporate a few pickled vegetables, such as pickles, onions, and peppers. Arrange the items on a large cutting board or tray and have fun creating a visually pleasing presentation. Be sure to include a few sweet items, such as jams and honey, to balance out the savory flavors. With these tips, you can make a beautiful and delicious charcuterie board that will impress your guests.
Questions
What should be on a charcuterie board?
1. Assorted cured meats such as salami, prosciutto, and sopressata 2. Assorted cheeses such as cheddar, brie, and blue cheese 3. Fresh fruits such as grapes, strawberries, and figs 4. Roasted nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews 5. Artisan breads and crackers 6. Pickled vegetables such as peppers, onions, and olives 7. Honey, jam, and other condiments 8. Dried fruits such as apricots and figs
What are 5 tips to making a charcuterie board?
1. Choose a variety of meats, cheeses, and other accompaniments: When creating a charcuterie board, it's important to select a variety of meats, cheeses, and other accompaniments that will provide a range of flavors and textures. Consider adding cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, and chorizo, as well as hard and soft cheeses like cheddar, brie, and blue cheese. 2. Include pickled vegetables, olives, and nuts: To add more flavor and texture to your charcuterie board, include pickled vegetables such as giardiniera and cornichons, olives, and nuts like almonds, cashews, and pistachios. 3. Provide a variety of breads and crackers: Having a variety of breads and crackers to choose from is essential. Try to include a mix of crunchy, buttery, and wheaty textures. 4. Add fresh fruits and vegetables: To add a pop of color and sweetness to your charcuterie board, include some fresh fruits and vegetables like grapes, apples, and bell peppers. 5. Don't forget the condiments: No charcuterie board is complete without a
What is traditionally on a charcuterie board?
A charcuterie board traditionally includes cured meats, such as prosciutto, salami, and soppressata; various cheeses, such as brie, cheddar, and blue cheese; pickled vegetables, such as olives, cornichons, and peppers; nuts, such as almonds and cashews; dried fruits, such as figs, dates, and apricots; and crackers and/or bread.
How do you pronounce charcuterie board?
The correct pronunciation of charcuterie board is "shar-koo-tuh-ree bohrd".
What not to put on a charcuterie board?
You should not put anything that is not edible on your charcuterie board. This includes decorations, such as flowers or other non-edible items.
How many cheeses should be on a charcuterie board?
It really depends on the size of the board and the preferences of the guests, but a good rule of thumb is to include three different types of cheese on a charcuterie board.
Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights
Recipes
Charcuterie Board
- WHIPPED RICOTTA
- olive oil
- ricotta cheese
- salt
- BOARD
- bread
- block quince
- cured meat
- radish
- medjool date
- olife
- marcona almond
- smoked whitefish
- spreadable paté
Charcuterie Board
- briny
- dark chocolate chocolate
- veggy
- cured meats like prosciutto
- fruit apricot
- fruit
- hard cheeses manchego
- nuts almond
- pita cracker
- savory dip
- cheese brie
- sweet spreads fig butter
- baguette
Charcuterie Board
- jams assortment
- olives assortment
- buffalo pimento cheese
- candied pecan
- salt
- bread
- cinnamon
- ginger
- salt
- baguette
- egg white
- light brown sugar
- sharp yellow cheddar
- onion powder
- smoked paprika
- celery
- sugar
- blue cheese
- mayonnaise
- smoked ham
- salami
- cayenne pepper
- hot sauce
- pecan
- cream cheese
- pimento
- cracker
Charcuterie Board Bites
- baguette
- cherry preserve
- cornichon
- salami
- butter
- fontina cheese
Christmas Charcuterie Board
- black olife
- cherry tomato
- green grape
- green olife
- colby jack cheese
- purple grape
- pretzel
- pepperoni
- cheddar cheese
- colby cheese
- mozarella ball
- pepper jack cheese
- salami
- crackers serve
Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board
- candy cane
- caramel
- cooky
- flavor syrup
- hot chocolate bomb
- hot chocolate marshmallow
- hot chocolate
- macaron
- malt ball
- marshmallow
- marshmallow twist
- peppermint puff
- pirouette cooky
- vanilla meringue
- wafer cooky
Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board
- hot chocolate
- chocolate chip
- chocolate
- marshmallow
- marshmallow
- chocolate covered pretzel
- cinnamon
- peppermint meringue
- white chocolate pretzel
Charcuterie Board with Dutch Influences
- quince jam
- hard
- cow' milk cheese
- hard cheese edam cheese
- cured sausage
- prosciutto
- chicken liver pate
- duck liver pate
- logs goat cheese
- wheels cow' milk cheese epoiss
Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board
- baton wafer cooky
- biscotti cooky
- chocolate covered peppermint cooky
- chocolate nut cluster
- chocolate orange
- christmas tree cooky
- gingerbread man
- chocolate sauce
- dark chocolate candy cane pretzel
- peppermint meringue
- present browny
- mint chocolate
- molasses cooky
- orange cranberry scone
- pomegranate
- red chocolate covered cherry
- strawberry
- waffle cooky
- white chocolate peppermint bark
- white chocolate peppermint kiss
- wrapped caramel
- wrapped chocolate ball
Easy Charcuterie Board
- green grape
- red grape
- log goat cheese
- garlic
- mastro® genoa salami
- mastro® hot genoa salami
- san daniele® prosciutto
- wedge jalapeno gouda cheese
- apricot
- cracker
Halloween Charcuterie Board
- green olife
- blueberry vanilla chèvre
- double cream brie
- green goddess gouda
- apricot jam
- pesto
- merlot bellavitano
- italian salami
- prosciutto di parma
- blackberry
- black grape
- blueberry
- apricot
- honey
- pistachio
- smoked gouda
- strawberry
Football Charcuterie Board
- carrot
- celery
- cheddar cheese
- cheese ball
- crostini bread
- hummus
- parmesan cheese
- pepperoni
- pretzel
- ranch dip
- ruffles chip
- salami
- cucumber
- stone bread
- triscuit triangle
Veggie Charcuterie Board
- bell pepper
- beet hummus
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- celery
- cherry tomato
- cucumber
- hummus
- sweet pepper
- radish
- carrot
- sugar snap pea
- veggie dip
Breakfast Charcuterie Board
- banana
- belgian waffle
- blackberry
- blueberry
- cookie butter
- maple syrup
- bagel
- pancake
- nutella
- raspberry
- sweet chocolate chip
- strawberry
- whipped cream
- white chocolate chip
Turkey Charcuterie Board
- blackberry
- toscano cheese
- pear
- pepperoni
- pumpkin cranberry cracker
- pumpkin joe joe
- raspberry
- red wine salami
- salami
- buffalo cheddar cheese
- strawberry
- almond
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
- condiment
- cracker
- cured meat
- fruit
- hard cheese
- nut
- cheese
- cheese
Hocus Pocus Charcuterie Board
- bellavitano merlot cheese
- wheels brie
- blackberry
- black licorice
- blueberry
- candy eyeball
- cheese
- chocolate candy eyeball
- mango
- fall leaf cooky
- fig
- food coloring
- frosting
- grape
- halloween oreo
- lindor truffle
- miniature reese
- orange chocolate dipped pretzel
- oreo
- pistachio
- pull apart strawberry twizzler
- pumpkin gummy
- pumpkin seed
- rice krispie treat
- strawberry
- uncured pepperoni
- cracker
Simple Charcuterie Board
- cracker
- wheel double cream brie
- wedge english cheddar
- wedge cheddar
- apricot
- blueberry
- italian salami
- strawberry
- grape
- honey
- jam
- pistachio
- pomegranate
Hocus Pocus Charcuterie Board
- wheels brie
- bacon jam
- blackberry
- chorizo
- parmesan cheese
- cordial cherry
- cornichon
- oreo
- fruit snack
- green grape
- gummy worm
- hot honey
- green olife
- marinated mozzarella
- nutella
- orange
- pepperoni
- pickled okra
- purple wrapped truffle
- raspberry
- rosemary
- salami
- strawberry
- candy eye
- spellbook browny
- stuffed red pepper
Christmas Charcuterie Board
- condiment
- cracker
- cured meat
- fruit
- hard cheese
- nut
- cheese
- cheese
Valentine's Charcuterie Board
- cherry
- cinnamon heart
- conversation heart
- red grape
- brick sharp cheddar
- blueberry
- chocolate heart
- herb boursin
- italian salami
- raspberry
- strawberry
- wedge wensleydale
- grape jam
- goat cheese
- lindor chocolate truffle
Fall Charcuterie Board
- beemster cheese
- blackberry
- blueberry
- cranberry goat cheese
- toscano cheese
- dutch kaa
- green apple
- italian salami
- peppered salami
- proscuitto
- pumpkin cranberry crisp
- pumpkin dip
- pumpkin sandwich cooky
- pumpkin spice baton
- red globe grape
- strawberry
Perfect Keto Charcuterie Board
- goldenberry
- keto chocolate bar
- starfruit
- cornichon
- keto chocolate
- nut
- blueberry
- cranberry
- mustard
- cucumber
- radish
- bacon chip
- cheese crisp
- cheddar cheese
- blue cheese
- brie
- parmesan cheese
- goat cheese
- keto jam
- manchego
- herb dip
- keto cracker
- pepperoni
- prosciutto
- salami
- fruit
- flower
- herb
- cured meat
- dip
- sprout