Exactly How to Create a Simple Charcuterie Board

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Creating a simple charcuterie board is the perfect way to celebrate the next time you gather together with your friends and family. Take your cheese board to the next level by adding a mixture of sweet and savory items all laid out together on a board or platter. A simple charcuterie board walks the line between fancy and casual and can be the centerpiece of your next event.

Luckily creating an easy, simple charcuterie board doesn’t have to be hard. Simply gather together your favorite ingredients and lay them out of a cutting board, charcuterie board, or platter, and serve. I used the same ingredients to create two different easy-to-make charcuterie boards and will share suggestions below on how to create a simple charcuterie board.

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Easy Charcuterie Board Shopping List and Ingredients

The best thing about creating a simple charcuterie board is that you can choose from a variety of ingredients to make the perfect board. Most of the time, you will be creating a charcuterie board as an appetizer or snack.

You will want to include a mix of finger foods of different textures and colors and a balance of salty and sweet. Below is a list of some of the items you can include in a simple charcuterie board – keep scrolling to see exactly what I used to create this small simple charcuterie board.

Nuts:

1. Add a crunch to your charcuterie board with a mix of roasted almonds and cashews, offering a savory contrast to the other flavors.
2. Sprinkle some salted pistachios and honey-glazed pecans among your charcuterie items for a delightful nutty twist that pairs perfectly with cheese and fruit.

Fruit:

1. Elevate your charcuterie board with an array of fresh, seasonal fruits like juicy grapes and crisp apple slices, providing a burst of natural sweetness.
2. Introduce a tropical touch to your board with succulent pineapple chunks and tangy kiwi slices, enhancing the overall palate of flavors.

Crackers and/or bread:

1. Arrange a selection of crisp, artisanal crackers alongside your charcuterie ingredients, offering the perfect vessel for spreading cheese or dipping into hummus.
2. Enhance the texture of your charcuterie board by including slices of freshly baked baguette, ideal for creating mini sandwiches with your favorite meats and cheeses.

Cheese:

1. Curate a cheese lover’s dream by featuring a soft and creamy brie, a sharp cheddar, and a crumbly blue cheese on your charcuterie board.
2. Balance your cheese selection with a mild and nutty Gouda, a rich and smoky gouda, and a velvety goat cheese, providing a diverse range of flavors and textures.

Chocolate:

1. Indulge your sweet tooth with squares of dark chocolate and white chocolate truffles, adding a touch of decadence to your charcuterie spread.
2. Elevate your dessert charcuterie with chocolate-covered strawberries and a bowl of melted chocolate for dipping alongside fresh fruit.

Pretzels:

1. Incorporate a playful element into your charcuterie board with mini pretzel twists, offering a salty contrast to the other savory and sweet components.
2. Create a satisfying crunch with pretzel rods and pretzel crisps, perfect for scooping up hummus or enjoying with slices of cheese.

Vegetables:

1. Complement the richness of your charcuterie board with a colorful array of crisp, fresh vegetables like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes.
2. Add a touch of earthiness with roasted red pepper strips and marinated artichoke hearts, offering a savory counterbalance to the other elements.

Hummus/dip:

1. Elevate your charcuterie experience with a velvety roasted garlic hummus, providing a creamy and garlicky dip for your crackers and veggies.
2. Enhance the Mediterranean flair of your board by serving a tangy tzatziki dip alongside sliced cucumbers and pita bread, creating a refreshing contrast to the meats and cheeses.

Meats:

1. Elevate your charcuterie board with an assortment of savory meats like prosciutto, salami, and chorizo, offering a variety of textures and flavors.
2. Create a carnivore’s delight by including thinly sliced roast beef and smoked turkey on your charcuterie board, providing a hearty, protein-packed option.

For a basic simple charcuterie board, you can either make your board around a specific theme (vegetables or things you can dip) or you can keep your simple charcuterie board more general and put a little of everything. It depends on both the event and people gathering what you decide to put on your board.

Simple Charcuterie Board Shopping List

For my simple charcuterie board, I included a wide range of food types, but all things can be eaten as finger foods or spread. Here is the charcuterie board shopping list I used:

• Blackberries
• Skinny Almond Peanut Butter and Chocolate Almonds
• Brie Cheese
• Triscuits
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Apples
• Cucumber
• Gouda Cheese
• Carr’s Crackers
• Genoa Salame
• Boursin Cheese
• Tasty Ranch Dill Pretzels

If you want to keep your charcuterie board simple, you will want to limit the amount of ingredients you use to build your board. You can see an image below on the ingredients I include in this board.

Preparing your Food for a Simple Charcuterie Board

To avoid a lot of last minutes prep, it’s always best to prep your food in advance as much as possible. Most of the food on this simple charcuterie board comes bite-sized, but you will need to cut just a few things like the cheese and apples. Note that if you cut the apples in advance they will brown. You can add a bit of lemon juice or cut them closer to serving.

Assemble the charcuterie board about an hour before you plan to serve so you can serve at room temperature.

How to Create a Simple Charcuterie Board

The first step in creating the perfect simple charcuterie board is to select the perfect board. You can use a cutting board, charcuterie board, platter, or even butcher paper laid directly on the table.

I selected two different boards for this recipe – a rectangular board and a smaller circular board. I made both these boards myself, but you can find many different options for amazing charcuterie boards online.

See some suggestions on our favorite charcuterie boards.

Select a Board

Once you’ve selected your board, lay out your primary ingredients. I like to start with the cheese and dips. This gives the board a few anchors and you can use these items to lay out the rest of your ingredients.

The goal is always to cover the board as completely as possible. I always like to save some of the fruit for the end that I can tuck into various places. For your board, you can choose to lay out the indigents randomly, or attempt to form a pattern – both are appealing but different.

Tops Tips for Creating a Simple Charcuterie Board

1. Select Quality Ingredients: Choose high-quality meats, cheeses, and accompaniments to ensure the best flavor and presentation.
2. Plan for Variety: Aim for a mix of flavors, textures, and colors. Include a variety of meats, cheeses, and complementary elements.
3. Consider Dietary Preferences: Keep in mind any dietary restrictions or preferences of your guests, such as vegetarian or gluten-free options.
4. Choose a Focal Point: Start with one or two standout items, like a special cheese or artisanal charcuterie, to build the board around.
5. Use the Right Board or Platter: Select an appropriate board or platter that complements the size of your spread. Wooden boards and slate platters work well.
6. Prep and Slice Uniformly: Slice meats and cheeses evenly for a neat and appealing presentation. Fold or roll slices of meat for visual interest.
7. Mix Cheese Types: Offer a variety of cheese types, such as soft, hard, and blue cheeses, to cater to different tastes.
8. Include a Bread or Cracker Variety: Provide an assortment of crackers, bread, and breadsticks to pair with your meats and cheeses.
9. Add Fresh and Dried Fruits: Include fresh fruits like grapes or apple slices, along with dried fruits such as figs or apricots, for a sweet contrast.
10. Incorporate Nuts: Add bowls of mixed nuts for a crunchy element that complements the other textures on the board.
11. Include Condiments: Offer an array of condiments like mustard, honey, chutney, or jam to enhance the flavors.
12. Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil over the board for a pop of color and fragrance.
13. Use Small Bowls or Ramekins: Place dips, spreads, or olives in small bowls or ramekins to keep them contained and prevent them from spreading across the board.
14. Arrange Thoughtfully: Start by placing the larger items like cheeses and bowls of dips, then fill in the gaps with meats, fruits, and nuts. Create a visually appealing arrangement.
15. Label Items: To help guests identify what’s on the board, consider using small labels or chalkboard markers to name the cheeses and meats.
16. Mind Food Safety: If necessary, keep perishable items on a chilled platter or use ice packs beneath bowls to maintain safe temperatures.
17. Personalize and Theme: Customize your charcuterie board to match the occasion or theme. For example, add seasonal ingredients for a festive touch.
18. Keep it Simple: Don’t overcomplicate it. Sometimes, simplicity is key. A well-balanced, simple charcuterie board can be just as impressive as an elaborate one.
19. Enjoy and Share: Encourage your guests to enjoy the board together, as charcuterie is meant to be a communal and social experience.
20. Experiment and Have Fun: Don’t be afraid to get creative and try new combinations. Assembling a charcuterie board is an art, so enjoy the process and have fun with it!

Simple Charcuterie Board Recipe and Assembly

See more ideas for Amazing Charcuterie Boards