How to Make a Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie boards have become very popular, and we’re here for it! We like to think of them as grown-up lunches. Choose your vessel (bread or biscuits) and pile it with your favorite meats, cheeses, fruits and jellies. Making a charcuterie plate at home is an art, and if you’ve ever wondered how to make your own, you’re in the right place. We love a recipe like this because it leaves so much room for creativity. Choose your ingredients from our master list, arrange them on the board of your choice, and serve. It’s the perfect appetizer for a large gathering or a small gathering. You can even make it a fun family date night! It’s as much fun to prepare as it is to eat.

What should go on the charcuterie board?

Charcuterie boards used to feature a selection of meats…and that’s it! Today, these plates include cheese, fruit, nuts, seeds, jellies, jams, and more. Again, this is one of our favorite parts of making our own charcuterie boards. We can pick and choose what to include! See the recipe card below for specific instructions, but in the meantime here are the basics:

• hard cheese
• semi soft cheese
• soft cheese
• bread and/or biscuits
• bacon
• Fresh fruits
• nuts and/or seeds
• Condiments such as jellies and jams

What kind of board should I use?

One of the first questions that arise when learning how to make a charcuterie board is: What material makes the best board? We always say you should use whatever you have on hand. This can be a large wooden cutting board, a dinner plate, etc. That said, most chefs agree that non-porous hardwoods are the best choice. Slate, marble and bamboo are also good choices!

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

If you plan to make charcuterie boards for a party, you may want to prepare them ahead of time. The good news is you can assemble it up to 24 hours before serving! Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. And, we definitely recommend that you slice fresh fruit just before serving. Otherwise, it will start to turn brown – which no one wants.

Interesting add-ons:

One of the best parts of making a charcuterie board at home is including some fun add-ons. Here are some of our favourites:

• Make a Flesh Rose (instructions are on the recipe card below)
• add some fresh herbs or flowers
• Make it a themed board – get creative for a holiday or birthday party
• Add a bed of greens or other vegetables
• Make Small Labels for Meat and Cheese

Storage Instructions:

You should store all ingredients in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Leftover meat and cheese should be consumed within 24 hours. However, if the charcuterie board has been left at room temperature for longer than 2 hours, you will need to throw the rest away for food safety.

If you liked this recipe, you might be interested in these other delicious appetizer recipes:

watch the video below Caytlin will walk you through each step of this recipe. Sometimes the visuals help, and we always let you watch our cooking shows.You can find the complete collection of recipes youtube, facebook watch, or our facebook pageor provide a corresponding recipe on our website.