How to Make the Perfect Charcuterie Board
Learn how to make the best charcuterie board, whether it’s for two people, or 20! We review the type and quantity of meats, cheeses, and other snacks needed for the best meat and cheese board.
Charcuterie boards consist of meat, cheese, and other bite-sized snacks. With some careful consideration, it’s perfectly possible to put together a charcuterie board that will have something that each of your guests love! For me, charcuterie recipes are meant for premium snacking and are perfect for parties and holidays!
They’re also a very easy meal for 2! My husband and I have the summer tradition of wine and a charcuterie board on Friday nights after a long work week.
How to pronounce Charcuterie
First things first here. I don’t like ordering food that I don’t know how to pronounce! I assume that most people feel the same way! So, let’s make sure we can all pronounce the word before we move on. The word charcuterie looks intimidating, but once you get it down, it’s no big deal! I’ve heard it pronounced two ways. shahr-koo-tuh–ree and shahr-CUE-tuh-ree. Either way, folks will know what you’re saying with either of these pronunciations.
How much meat is needed on a Charcuterie board?
The amount of meat that you need on a charcuterie board depends entirely on how many people will be enjoying it! You will need to provide 2-3 ounces of meat in total for each guest. I recommend providing 2-3 meat choices, so that everyone will have at least one option they enjoy.
Typically, I include one mild whole cut like prosciutto, speck, or jamón from Spain. These are typically sliced very thin and are crowd pleasers! Then, I include one or more flavorful sausage options, like salami, chorizo, or venison sausage.
How much cheese is needed on a Charcuterie board?
I love cheese. And I think most people do! So, I tend to go heavy on the cheese portion of my meat and cheese boards. I include 4-5 ounces of cheese per person, and almost never have any cheese left over!
I think that 2-3 types of cheese is ideal, and choosing them is pretty simple! You need a soft, mellow cheese (goat cheese, brie, camembert), a hard cheese (aged cheddar or gouda, parmesan), and something fun and funky! I love to switch up the funky varieties. Sometimes I include a very stinky blue cheese. Sometimes, a cheese that’s been infused with sun dried tomatoes, or chipotle. Have fun with it, the great thing about charcuterie recipes is how easy they are to modify!
Salty and sour options for Charcuterie Boards
I usually try to include two salty or sour options for Charcuterie boards. Pickled items and olives are my go-tos! Pickled peppers or vegetables, like the pickled carrots and green beans, are always a hit.
For my olives, I always choose Pearls® Specialties from Musco Family Olives! On this charcuterie board, I used Pitted Kalamatas, but I also love their Garlic Stuffed Olives and Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives. Be sure to include them on your next cheese and charcuterie platter!
Sweet options for Charcuterie Boards
I love sweets and to me, they’re a critical piece of a good meat and cheese board. Some of my favorites to include are sour cherry jam, fig jam, caramelized onions, bacon jam, and honey. If you have fresh fruit laying around, sliced apples, pears and grapes are a wonderful addition as well!
Starch options for Charcuterie Boards
I like to include two starch options as well. This could be a variety of crackers, crostinis, or breads. If you include bread, it’s best to leave the bread whole so that it doesn’t get stale! Make sure to include a small bread knife and cutting board so that your guests can cut slices of bread.
I could eat this all day! Your charcuterie board looks so yummy and especially the olives!
xo Debbie | http://www.tothineownstylebetrue.com
I’ve never heard of this before, it looks like a good appetizer type thing to share though. Interesting how pronunciations for things can be so different but people still basically understand you! :3
This board of treats would be something that my husband would enjoy. It would be perfect for eating while watching a movie.
Oh I love a good charcuterie board. Love the kalamata olives addition. I definitely include a good blue cheese and warm fresh crusty bread on mine.
This looks like the perfect party tray!
Your choice of meats and cheese go together really well. I love the final look of the board. Everything is put together so lovely and looks to filling and tasty.
I’d love to used this for a party or a get together. Cheese and meat are really a good choice for almost any big group of people, unless they are vegans, lol. I like these parings, thanks for sharing.
These are always such an amazing hit when we have get togethers at our home. All that you have included looks so delicious!
OMG now I learn this is called charcuterie board (silly me). I adore this setting in each café that serves cheese. Its a perfect instaworthy for table 🙂
thanks for the quick lesson thanks so much for sharing this post I love learning about food
I love the first picture, it looks nice. Everything is putting together so beautiful and tasty!!
Thank you for all!!!
I’m crazy about olives!
Thanks for the giveaway – I love olives meats and cheese boards – so hungry now!
I love those little containers of Olives to go! My kids would love those!
I am always looking for ideas on a charcuterie board.
I absolutely love meat and cheese! This looks scrumptious!
Great post! Thanks for the ideas.
The wine & brine was looking pretty good!!
I love the olives in the little cups they are great for taking to work for lunch
I visited! That pasta salad looks yummy!
Gee, going to the website I realize I had no idea just how many different types of olive products there are. My three daughters are all obsessed with olives. I need to try some of the recipes there.
this looks terrific love to have some now
visited link https://www.olives.com/pearls/ ; I love olives!
I really like black olives in pasta salads
Looks perfect..
Visited the recipes page and would love to make the 7 layer dip!
I am suddenly famished!!
My daughter LOVES olives! I love the individual cups so there’s no wasting.
i love pearls olives !! the black ones are my favorite
Can’t wait to make the Kalamata Caipirinha!
This looks do delicious!!
Visited the site. I do like black olives
Sour cherry jam sounds really good with that cheese, meat and crackers. Looks delicious.
The Pasts Salad looks oh so good.
This looks so nice! I love how you arranged everything!
I have always loved olives. Thanks for all of the great ideas.
The Fabulous pasta salad looks like it would be fantastic for a summer party. I can’t wait until it is warm enough.
I visited.
I would love to try making the pasta salad
I did
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