How to Make a Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie boards are perfect for serving a selection of meats, cheeses, nuts, and other goodies, like delicious toffee pieces. Charcuterie is a fancy French word for delicatessen and refers to beautifully arranging a variety of foods together.

The ideal things about creating charcuterie boards is that they are easily customized, are great for entertaining, and make the tastiest gifts. All you need is a cutting board, platter or tray, small bowls, and serving tools like forks and toothpicks. 

What foods should go on a charcuterie board?

A variety of meats, cheeses, and vegetables that offer different colors, textures, and shapes is a great place to start. Use both soft and hard cheese and a selection of cooked meats. Fresh fruits and veggies cut into finger-sized pieces will complement the cheese and meat. Bunches of grapes, strawberries, and apple slices are sure to please. Carrots, broccoli, and peppers add a rainbow of crispy colors. Multicolored olives, pickles, and roasted red peppers add more flair. It's important to enhance the selection with savory goodies like mixed nuts, crackers, and bread. Toffee, chocolates, and cookies satisfy any sweet tooth.

Helpful tips to arrange your board:

 

First, create a structure in the center of the board using bowls and cups filled with nuts and olives, dips, and condiments. This will visually anchor your board.

Next, display cheese and meats throughout the board. Alternate colors, shapes, and sizes for visual interest. Create groups with items that are similar. Then, arrange fruit, vegetables, cookies, and candies to fill in the spaces. It's ok if they overlap or touch.

Finally, arrange bread and crackers on the board's outside edges or if the board is already covered and there is not enough room, display them in bowls conveniently right beside the board.