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    Home » Recipes » Simple Charcuterie Board

    Simple Charcuterie Board

    Mar 31, 2022 · 2 Comments

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    This simple charcuterie board is perfect for entertaining! Try making your own charcuterie board at your next party for super easy entertaining!

    I love making a beautiful charcuterie board for the holiday season. It's one of my favorite appetizers. It's the star of the show of any party! My guests love one every single time, and yours will too!

    Simple charcuterie board

    Recipe Inspiration

    This is more of a formula than a recipe. To make a cheese board, you'll need a few cheeses, crackers, and some add ons.

    But first, you'll need a board. You can use a large cutting board, a small board, or even a serving tray.

    I recommend using a combination of soft cheese and hard cheese, with a variety of different types, like goat cheese, brie cheese, blue cheese. A good rule of thumb is to have one kind of cheese per two people. So if you're hosting 6 people, starting with three types of cheese will be good.

    cheese board with wine

    For the sides, you can use fresh fruit, dried fruit, fresh herbs, nuts, olives, cured meat, summer sausage, or whatever you think your guests will like. You can also use honey or fig jam.

    Finally, for the last step, add in crispy crackers or baguette slices. The perfect charcuterie board has a wide variety of items. The fun part is getting to choose what you want to include!

    The key is to have different kinds of cheese and different textures to suit palates of a lot of people. Also, having different shapes on your board makes for a more interesting mix and match bite.

    If you're looking for other delicious appetizer recipes, check out our Marinated Mozzarella Balls, Whipped Goat Cheese and Tomato Tart, or Easy Tomato Crostini!

    Cheese, crackers, meat, and honey on a board

    Charcuterie Board Ideas

    Here are some ideas for various ingredients that you can include on your charcuterie board.

    • Cheese - all and any! Some of my favorites are from Cypress Grove. You can choose to pre-slice your cheese on the board or let your guests dig in. There's no right or wrong way, just based on preference!
    • Berries - strawberries and blueberries are great
    • Red Grapes
    • Green Grapes
    • Nuts
    • Olives
    • Pickles
    • Honey - regular or hot honey
    • Mustard - I love a grainy mustard!
    • Baguette
    • Focaccia
    • Cured Meats
    • Fresh herbs
    • Jam - any flavor you like
    • Crostini
    honey with cheese and crackers

    Ingredients

    Here are the ingredients you will need for this easy charcuterie board:

    • Hard Cheese - I used Aged Gouda
    • Soft Cheese - I used Blue Cheese
    • 1 Block Your Choice - I used Burrata, but you can use many kinds of cheeses ranging from slices of cheese or a special cheese you think your good friends would love.
    • Add-Ons - Place add ons in small bowls on the board. I used Castelvetrano olives, honey, and pecans for this board, but you can use whatever you have on hand or prefer.
    • Meat Slices - I used prosciutto, but you can use hard salami, deli meat, or whatever you prefer. A general rule of thumb is a few ounces of meat per person, keeping in mind how hungry your guests are. You'd want more meat, for example, if you have hungry kids or are feeding a lot of men.

    Step by Step Instructions

    Let's make this small charcuterie board together!

    cheese on a board

    Step 1

    Start by laying out your board. I like to cover mine with parchment paper for easy cleanup, but this is totally optional. Lay out your cheese on the board. You want to start with larger items and fill the board in with smaller items.

    cheese, olives, honey on a board

    Step 2

    Place your add-ons throughout the board. Place them in small bowls or in empty spaces on the board.

    cheese board

    Step 3

    Add in your meat (or meats!) to the board in any remaining spaces. Fill in the rest of the board with an assortment of crackers and bread. Serve and enjoy!

    simple charcuterie board

    Expert Tips and Tricks

    Here are some expert tips and tricks to make a good charcuterie board.

    Variety - A variety of cheeses, add ons, meats, and crackers is the best way to guarantee a delicious cheese board. Some might like firm cheeses, while others soft. Variety is great because you can mix and match elements on the board, creating a new bite every time.

    Stock Up - I love having ingredients for a cheese board on hand. It's such a great appetizer if I have to unexpectedly throw something together and totally stress free! Trader Joe's has a lot of great options for cheeses, meats, and add ons. Or visit your local Italian grocery store!

    Make it a Meal - I love a simple board car date night. Is there anything more romantic than a simple cheese board, good wine, and quality time? Plus, it's so easy to clean up!

    cheese with meat and nuts

    Kitchen Equipment

    Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.

    Wooden Board - I love serving an epic charcuterie board on a large board. This one is great and is perfect for special occasions and casual date nights alike.

    Cheese Knives - I love this set of cheese knives for charcuterie boards. They add so much character and are great for a variety of cheeses! 

    Small Plates - Set out these small plates for your guests to use as they enjoy your epic cheese board!

    easy charcuterie board

    Recipe Substitutions/Variations

    Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this easy recipe.

    Spice it Up - Add in a spicy cheese or meat for spice lovers. You can also add in hot honey for a kick.

    Make a Sauce - Adding a sauce like a chimichurri or roasted red pepper sauce is a great way to bring unexpected flavor to your board.

    Make a Theme - Give a theme to your cheese board for extra fun! This is especially great for themed parties. 

    easy cheese board

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Here are some frequently asked questions about cheese boards:

    What are the basics of a charcuterie board?

    Charcuterie boards contain meat, cheese, crackers, and some add ons. There is no right or wrong to what you include on a charcuterie board. Some examples are dried fruit, olives, pickles, jam, honey, or mustard.

    How do you set up a small charcuterie board?

    Set up a small charcuterie board by placing three cheeses on the board. Add in some add ons like olives, pickles, fresh or dried fruit, mustard, or honey. Add in some meat, and finish by filling in the remaining spots with crackers.

    Is charcuterie an appetizer?

    Yes, charcuterie boards are typically served as an appetizer for at home entertaining or in restaurants. Charcuterie is typically served on a long wooden board so the various cheeses and meats can be displayed.

    Recipe Storage and Reheating

    Here are storage and reheating instructions for this recipe.

    Refrigerator Storage: Store leftover charcuterie items in an airtight continuer and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.

    Freezer Storage: Freeze cheese in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and enjoy.

    Other Recipes to Try

    Check out some of our other delicious recipes!

    • Italian Sausage Soup
    • Pan Seared Scallops
    • Easy Baked Chicken Thighs
    • Lemon Pepper Salmon

    Simple Charcuterie Board

    This simple charcuterie board is perfect for entertaining! Try making your own charcuterie board at your next party for super easy entertaining!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American, Appetizer, Italian
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 350 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 block aged gouda
    • 1 ball burrata
    • 1 block blue cheese
    • 1 cup castelvetrano olives
    • ½ cup honey
    • ¼ cup pecans or almonds
    • 4 oz prosciutto sliced
    • 2 cups assorted crackers

    Instructions
     

    • Place gouda, burrata, and blue cheese in opposite corners of a board.
    • Place castelvetrano olives, honey, and nuts in small bowls and add to the board.
    • Add prosciutto slices throughout the board.
    • Fill in space of the board with assorted crackers. Serve and enjoy.
    Keyword Simple Charcuterie Board

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary says

      April 04, 2022 at 8:31 pm

      5 stars
      I've always wanted to make a charcuterie board but didn't know which cheeses to buy or what to put on it. Thanks for such a detailed guide!

      Reply
      • Christina Musgrave says

        April 05, 2022 at 3:47 pm

        So happy this helped!

        Reply

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