These charcuterie board Ideas will ensure you have an epic cheese and meat board for your next party or event! Cured meats, cheeses, fresh and dried fruit, crackers, slices of bread, jams, and nuts arranged on a platter to enjoy as finger food.

Take the concept of a charcuterie board and use it with a fruit platter or an arrangement for a sandwich platter and the creative s’mores board! We even created a hot chocolate board to enjoy during the holidays.

A cutting board arranged with cheeses, meats, fruit, crackers and jams.

what is a charcuterie board?

A charcuterie board is the art of arranging cured meats accompanied by cheeses, fruits, nuts, sauces, and finger foods on a platter or board. From a simple board to enjoy with your family in the evening to a fancy one that fits an entire table at parties – this is true culinary art.

The ULTIMATE charcuterie board has a balanced combination of flavors from sweet to savory and spicy or sour. Keeping the ingredients diverse will ensure there is something for everyone to choose from.

How is Charcuterie Pronounced?

Though it sounds like a long, complex word, it is not. You pronounce it just as it sounds shahr-KOO-tuh–ree.

Another name for a charcuterie board would be a meat and cheese board.
Charcuterie board with cranberry cheese, capers, olices and jam.

charcuterie board ideas-

The ideas of how to arrange a Charcuterie Board are genuinely endless. The ingredients used can be seasonal or something in the store all year round.

First, start with a board. You can also just lay everything out on a table or countertop if you’ll be making a large board.

What goes on a charcuterie board?

  • Meats – You can want to include a variety of meats for people to choose from. The meat may be sliced or cubed. Salami, Proscuitto, and ham are very popular.
  • Dried Fruit – Any dried fruit with work, preferably pitted.
  • Dips & Sauces – Sauced and hot or cold dips are great. Add to mini jars with small spoons for scooping.
  • Cheeses – A combination of hard cheeses and soft cheeses works great.
  • Jams – Different flavored jams may be placed onto the board in its jar or transferred into ramekins.
  • Nuts – Just about any nut will work, and you can add them in between other ingredients or ramakins so they may be scooped with a spoon.
  • Fresh Fruit – Any fresh fruit works great; be sure to wash it so it’s ready to be enjoyed.
  • Crackers – A variety of different-sized crackers and sliced bread.
  • Vegetables – Just about any vegetable will work; it’s a great way to add healthy options to the board.

the best jam for a charcuterie board?

Just about any jam or jelly you like may be used. My favorite would have to be pepper jelly or some kind of spicy jam. It adds so much flavor to any cheese, especially brie (a favorite of mine for a cheeseboard).

A wooden tray loaded with cheese, meats, fruits, nuts and more to make the ultimate cheese board.

best crackers for a cheeseboard?

You can use just about any size or shape of crackers for the cheeseboard; here are some ideas:

best cheese for a charcuterie board?

You can use soft cheese, hard cheese, or crumbly cheese. For a softer and crumbly cheese, I like to keep the block whole and slice any cheese that’s harder and can be cut into slices.

  • Brie Cheese (my absolute favorite)
  • Brie Cheese Spread
  • Cheddar
  • Block of Blue Cheese
  • Smoked Gouda
  • Parmigiano
  • Provolone
  • Burrata
  • Goat Cheese
  • Colby Jack Cheese

best meats for a charcuterie platter?

The meats may be sliced in advanced, stacked and kept refrigerated until platter is ready to be assembled.

  • Dried Cured Salami
  • Prosciutto
  • Soppressata
  • Pepperoni
  • Ham
  • Turkey

what else goes into a charcuterie board?

Though you can use just about any of your favorite finger food style ingredients, here are some options:

  • Nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios)
  • Mini Pickles
  • Sliced Cucumbers
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Fresh Fruit (grapes, oranges, clementines, strawberries, raspberries or blueberries)
  • Dried Fruit (apricots, prunes, raisins, cherries or cranberries)
  • Olives and/or Capers
  • Favorite Dips (hot or cold)
  • Spreads of Any Flavor, sweet or savory
Cheese board loaded with meats, cheese, fruits, nuts and crackers.

how to assemble a charcuterie board?

And now, the fun part is arranging everything onto your board!

  1. Start with any jars or ramekins you will be using first, and place them randomly on the board.
  2. Add any jars or jams randomly.
  3. Then add everything else. Place the sliced or cubed meat, crackers, veggies, and fruit.
  4. Fill any empty areas with nuts.
  5. Add spoons and knives to cheeses if they need to be cut; I love THIS set.

Chef’s Tip: Arrange the ingredients so the colors and sizes are evenly balanced.

MORE PARTY APPETIZERS-

Charcuterie Board Ideas

Author: Valentina
Print
5 from 9 votes
A detailed guide on how to make the BEST charcuterie board for parties piled with cured meats, crackers, cheeses, dip and jams – the ultimate cheese board recipe.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12 servings, as appetizer

Ingredients

cheeses-

  • 1 wheel brie cheese
  • 1 block blue cheese
  • 1 wheel cranberry cheese
  • 8 oz cheddar cheese, sliced thin
  • 1 wheel smoked gouda cheese, sliced thin

meats-

  • genoa salami, sliced
  • prosciutto, sliced

other-

  • 1 orange, sliced
  • red and green grapes
  • 1/4` cup dried apricots
  • 1/4 cup green olives
  • 1/3 cup capers
  • mini pickles
  • 1 cup almonds
  • peach jam
  • pepper jack peach jam
  • crackers, pita chips, baguettes

Instructions

  • Arrange all the ingredients on a platter or wooden cheese board.
  • Start with jars and ramekins, arrange randomly.
  • Add remaining ingredients placing them randomly so the sizes and colors are equally spread out.
  • Serve and Enjoy!

Nutrition

163kcal Calories6g Carbs8g Protein13g Fat5g Saturated Fat20mg Cholesterol299mg Sodium154mg Potassium2g Fiber3g Sugar329IU Vitamin A6mg Vitamin C177mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Charcuterie Board Ideas
Amount Per Serving
Calories 163 Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 20mg7%
Sodium 299mg13%
Potassium 154mg4%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 329IU7%
Vitamin C 6mg7%
Calcium 177mg18%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)