A charcuterie board is an assembly of cured meats and other meat products. Lately, charcuterie boards are all the rage and refer to an assortment of meats that are paired with different complements, such as olives, toast, fruit, cheese, and sauces; essentially a meat and cheese board!
Cheese and charcuterie boards have become an art form if you want to take it to that level! Preparing charcuterie involves more than throwing some cheeses and crackers on a plate and serving it to guests.
Charcuterie boards are gorgeous to look at and contain a combination of flavors and treats that make for a simple, easy to prepare party snack! When you plan a charcuterie board, plan to offer three to five items. A good rule of thumb is to have a nice variety of items, including fatty, spicy, sweet, and spreadable.
Always include a few sweet and a few sour ingredients in your charcuterie. Sweet treats such as fresh fruit, jams and preserves are great tradeoffs to sharper flavors, while salty items such as pickles, olives, and raw or pickled vegetables cut through the fat of charcuterie meats and cheeses.
Charcuterie Board Foods
These foods typically go on a charcuterie board:
- Cured meats
- Cheese
- Olives
- Nuts
- Dried Fruit
- Crackers, bagel chips, pretzel chips, baguette bread
- Jelly or jam
Tip: Don’t let your charcuterie sit out for more than four hours!