A Simple Small Charcuterie Platter for Summer

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A small charcuterie platter is the perfect dish for summer. Gather your favorite ingredients onto a small board, plate or platter and enjoy your small charcuterie platter with a glass of wine before your next outdoor meal, or make a small platter for your next dinner party.

In this article you will find exactly how to make this small charcuterie platter as well as some general tips for assembling charcuterie boards.

You might also like this fun Melon Ball Charcuterie Board for Summer.

What is a Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board or charcuterie platter was traditionally centered around cured meats with a few additions including cheese and bread. A traditional charcuterie board still has these core ingredients but can also have fruits and vegetable.

Today, a modern charcuterie board can be made from any ingredient you can imagine. You can find dinner charcuterie boards, fruit charcuterie boards, vegetable boards, dinner charcuterie boards and breakfast charcuterie board. Read more about the history of the charcuterie board.

What Makes a Small Charcuterie Platter the Perfect Dish?

A small charcuterie platter is the perfect dish for various occasions.

Firstly, its versatility allows for a diverse range of flavors and textures to be showcased in a single serving, catering to different palates and dietary preferences. The carefully curated selection of cured meats, cheeses, and accompaniments offers a delightful medley of savory, salty, tangy, and sweet elements that can be savored individually or combined to create harmonious flavor combinations.

Secondly, its visually appealing presentation creates an immediate sense of indulgence and sophistication, making it an excellent choice for gatherings and social events. The artful arrangement of colorful meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and condiments on a board or platter adds an aesthetic appeal that elevates the dining experience.

Lastly, a small charcuterie platter encourages interaction and engagement among guests, as they can customize their bites and share their discoveries with one another, fostering a convivial atmosphere that enhances the overall enjoyment of the dish. We also love to serve a small charcuterie platter for 2 people as a light dinner.

General Tips for Making a Small Charcuterie Platter

Making a small charcuterie platter should be easy and be combination of ingredients you already have on hand as well as a few special additions. Below you can see some general tips to make a small charcuterie platter.

• Variety: Include a diverse selection of cured meats, cheeses, and accompaniments to provide a range of flavors and textures.
• Presentation: Arrange the components in an aesthetically pleasing manner, considering colors, shapes, and sizes to create an attractive display.
• Balance: Aim for a harmonious balance between salty, savory, sweet, and tangy flavors throughout the platter.
• Pairings: Pair complementary flavors together, such as pairing mild cheeses with bold cured meats or contrasting crunchy nuts with creamy cheeses.
• Accessibility: Provide small utensils, toothpicks, or bread/cracker options for easy assembly and consumption by guests.

Search for Charcuterie Board Ideas on Pinterest.

Charcuterie Platter Ingredients

The best thing about creating a charcuterie board is you can include any ingredients. Choose your favorite finger food items and simply place them on a board or platter. You also can search for our favorite charcuterie board ingredients. For this summertime charcuterie board, we included:

• Grapes
• Cheddar Cheese
• Kiwi
• Nuts
• Salami
• Blueberries
• Olives
• Peaches
• Brie Cheese
• Crackers
• Cucumbers
• Apples
• Garnish: Chive and marigold flowers

There are so many ways to adjust this charcuterie platter, so I recommend just using this ingredient list as a starting point

Assembling this Small Charcuterie Platter

Assembling this charcuterie board is easy. The steps below can all be completed in about 10 minutes.

Step 1: Assemble your ingredients and cut you food into bite sized pieces. I like to cut fruit, cheese and veggies into small slices that can be easily stacked.

Step 2: Start with your center and assemble a salami rose. There are several ways to do this but you are basically folding the salami around itself to form a small bud. You can see more direction on how to make a salami rose here.

Step 3: Lay the rest of your ingredients on the board or plate (we used a plate for this arrangement). Lay the food in groups and rows to add areas of color. Try to spread the items out so that there is visual appeal – separate colors and sizes.

Step 4: Add a garnish of fresh, edible flowers.

Serving a Small Charcuterie Platter

Once you’ve assembled your charcuterie board, the next step is to serve it up! Below are a few tips for serving your charcuterie board:

• Temperature: Ensure that the charcuterie items are served at the appropriate temperature. Cured meats are best served at room temperature, while certain cheeses may benefit from a slight chill. I likve to serve my board right after assembling it.
• Freshness: Use fresh and high-quality ingredients to enhance the overall flavor and enjoyment of the charcuterie board.
• Quantity: Consider the number of guests and adjust the quantity of ingredients accordingly to ensure everyone can enjoy a variety of flavors. This small board is perfect for 2-4 people.
• Pairing Suggestions: Provide small cards or labels with suggested pairings for guests to explore different flavor combinations.
• Dietary Considerations: Take into account any dietary restrictions or preferences of your guests when selecting the ingredients, and provide suitable alternatives if needed.
• Allergen Awareness: If you are serving to a larger crowd, clearly label any potential allergens present in the ingredients to ensure the safety of guests with specific dietary needs.
• Beverage Selection: Consider offering a selection of wines, craft beers, or non-alcoholic options that complement the flavors of the charcuterie board.

Small Charcuterie Platter Recipe

Looking for More Small Charcuterie Board Ideas? Check out:

• Exactly How to Make an Easy Small Charcuterie Board
• How to Make a Charcuterie Board Fruit Spread
• How to Make a Small Charcuterie Board