Easy Charcuterie Board Guide
With a full menu, serving sizes, and assembly instructions, save time with this essential guide to an easy charcuterie board.
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I love charcuterie boards. Whether a small board for the family or a large setup for a crowd, charcuterie offers a yummy bite for every palette and diet, but sometimes I feel overwhelmed at the thought of assembling a charctuerie board.
Maybe it’s because I’m a busy mom making no less than 4,982 decisions a day, but I just want someone to give me a charcuterie menu of food options to mix and match, recommendations for the right servings, and an assembly guide.
Easy. Simple. Minimal decision-making.
Save this post for later because this is your essential guide to charcuterie made easy. Read to the end for a bonus wine pairing list from the pros.
For more entertaining ideas be sure to check out:
Boards
#1. Choose a board.
The most ideal material for a charcuterie board is a hardwood that is non-porous so as not to soak in the flavors of the board, but there are other board options like marble, slate, bamboo.
This is the board that I have. It has lots of compartments that slide out, and is great for bigger groups.
It’s a great board and my number one recommendation, but it is large and expensive. If you want a simpler, cheaper option that you can use weekly for your family, then I recommend the one below.
Wood
- Maple Wood Charcuterie Board
2. Teak Wood Charcuterie Board
3. Cherry Wood Charcuterie Board
4. Acacia Wood Charcuterie Board
Marble
Slate
Bamboo
Menu
1. Charcuterie Board Cheese (Pick 3)
Hard Cheese: Lower moisture, firmer in texture and shape. Often aged longer. Tend to be dry and crumbly.
- Asiago
- Aged Cheddar
- Parmesan
- Romano
Semi-Hard Cheese: Drier than soft cheeses. Work well for melting. Tend to be sharper in flavor.
- Colby
- Gruyere
- Manchego
- Monterey Jack
Soft/Semi-Soft Cheese: Moisture-rich. Not aged for long. Good for spreading.
- Blue Cheese
- Brie
- Cream Cheese/Neufchรขtel
- Goat Cheese
- Gouda
- Mozerella
2. Charcuterie Board Meat (Pick 3)
- Ham
- Pepperoni
- Sweet Bologna
- Turkey
- Pepperoni
- Salami
- Prociutto
3. Charcuterie Board Bread/Cracker (Pick 2)
- Breadsticks
- Crusty Bread (French Baguette)
- Pretzel Thins
- Ritz Crackers
- Tortilla Chips
- Water Crackers
- Wheat Thins
4. Charcuterie Board Fruit (Pick 2)
- Apples
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Craisins
- Dried Fruit
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Strawberries
5. Charcuterie Board Vegetables (Pick 3)
- Carrrots
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Olives
- Peppers
- Pickles
6. Charcuterie Board Nuts (Pick 1)
- Almonds
- Pistachios
- Cashews
- Walnuts
7. Charcuterie Board Condiments (Pick 2)
- Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Basil
- Honey
- Honey Mustard Dip
- Hummus
- Strawberry Jam
Serving Sizes
This list is a starting point for approximately 12 people.
- 42 oz cheese
- 20 oz meat
- 2 cups vegetables
- 1/2 bunch grapes
- 1 apple sliced
- 1 c nuts
- 1 baguette
- 8 oz crackers
- 1-2 condiments
Assembly Step-By-Step
- Take 3 various size small bowls and place them on the board.
- Cheese. If 3 cheese types, then visually divide the board in 3 sections and place the cheese at random.
- Meat. Place in proximity to the cheese.
- Bread/Crackers. Place near the meat and cheese. Consider creating mini triangles on the board with the cheese/meat/bread.
- Fill in the gaps with fruit and vegetables.
- Fill one bowl with nuts and a spoon, and the next two with olives, pickles or condiments with a mini-spoon, mini-fork, or mini-knife.
- Place signs in the cheese and meat as needed to clarify.
- Consider garnishing with basil leaves for visual appeal.
Charctuerie Board Wine & Cheese Pairing
- CHARDONNAY – Brie & Gruyere
- SAUVIGNON BLANC – Goat & Gruyere
- MERLOT – Cheddar, Manchego, Mozzerella
- PINOT NOIR – Cheddar & Gouda
I hope this is a helpful guide to create your next charcuterie board, but tell me what else should be on this guide?
Any other suggestions or tips for boards, food options, or assembly tips? I will update the post so that it is beneficial for us all!
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