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There is nothing complicated about making a charcuterie board. Charcuterie is just the French term for cooked cold and cured meats such as ham, bacon, and salami, and spreadable meat such as pâté. All you need to do is add charcuterie to cheese plates, antipasto platters, or a relish tray. Use these charcuterie board ideas for party food, game day snacks, last-minute guests, or a quiet night in with a good movie and a bottle of wine.
Food Safety Tip: While charcuterie meats and cheeses are best served at room temperature, these perishable foods should not be sitting at room temperature for more than two hours. Don’t put everything out at once but keep some refills of meats and cheeses in the fridge for restocking.
Antipasto Tray
Credit: Jacob Fox
Create a beautiful Mediterranean-inspired antipasto platter without ever turning on the stove. Each of these ingredients can be purchased at your local supermarket, and you can sub in dried or pickled produce for fresh, depending on seasonal availability.
Build the board with:
Desired cured meats
Bold cheese (we used cubed feta and goat cheese)
Pickled or fresh veggies
Dried and fresh fruits like dates, apricots, figs, and plums
Olives
Bread slices or crackers
Herbed nuts
Classic Charcuterie Tray
Credit: Dera Burreson
Need a foolproof appetizer for your next gathering? A classic and simple charcuterie board idea for party food is easy to assemble and offers a little something for everyone to nibble on. Grab a sturdy wood cutting board or tray, then pile on the goodness.
Build the board with:
Cured meatsCheeses (at least one soft cheese, hard cheese, and blue cheese)CrackersHerbed nutsCornichonsRadishesOlivesGrapes or figsHoneyMustard or butter
Healthy Relish Tray
Relish trays should showcase flavors of the season. If you’re searching for a healthier charcuterie board idea, load yours with a combination of fresh in-season veggies as well as traditional pickled ingredients for a variety of flavors. Add a favorite cooked or roasted vegetable, too, if the mood strikes.
Build the board with:
Almonds or other nutsCauliflowerAsparagus spearsZucchini or mini cucumbersEndiveTomatoesSweet mini peppersHummus
Fresh Veggie and Antipasto Platter
Meat and veggie lovers will enjoy this savory and filling charcuterie board idea for party snacks. Blanched vegetables give typical antipasto an unexpectedly fresh twist and balance heavier items like meats and cheeses (plus they introduce a pop of color). A homemade tomato chutney is an excellent accompaniment and a tasty way to use up produce in your kitchen.
Build the board with:
Desired blanched vegetables
Prosciutto
Crackers
Tuna with capers or other tinned fish
Mini sweet peppers
Fresh mozzarella
Savory Party Platter
Give your appetizer tray a signature touch with homemade dips, spreads, or pâté rounded out with a few purchased ingredients so there’s plenty to nibble on.
Build the board with:
Breads and Spreads
Credit:
Carson Downing
There’s nothing that says you need to serve crackers with your charcuterie board. Here, we’re slicing a loaf of savory quick bread and serving it wish spreads, olives, meats, and cheeses.
Build the board with:
Simple Charcuterie Board
Credit:
Jacob Fox
You don’t need multiple cheeses, toppings, meats, and breads to make a charcuterie board. Here, one cheese, a couple of meats, and a few toppings make a simple yet sophisticated spread.
Build the board with:
One cheeseSalami ProsciuttoGrainy mustardPicklesSeeded breadPickled peppersJam
Unexpected Charcuterie Board
Credit:
Carson Downing
For a memorable charcuterie board, add one homemade element that’s unexpected. Try making homemade spiced nuts, cheddar crackers, or marinated olives. You don’t need to stick to the traditional meats, cheeses, and crackers.
Build the board with:
Spiced nuts
Dried fruit
Nuts
Summer sausage
Crackers
Olives
Sliced cheese
Fruit and Cheese Board
Credit:
Brie Goldman
When apples are in season, they’re one of our favorite charcuterie board additions. Here, we’re showcasing both sweet and tart apples with soft cheese like brie and blue.
Build the board with:
Sliced apples
Soft cheeses like goat cheese, brie cheese, or blue cheese
Crackers
Honey
Deli meat
Nuts
Dining and Cooking