Add a Charcuterie Board to Your Next Gathering

11 Tips for How to Make It Tasty and Pretty

If you’re planning or attending a party or get together soon (Easter is coming!), you may be planning to add a charcuterie board to the menu. And if you’re not, you probably should be.

Charcuterie boards are super popular right now. We know that not only because several of the staff here at Union Furniture & Flooring love to prepare them, but because we have a nice variety of boards in the store on which to serve them. We have several all-wood styles, including an oversized one that is more than 3 feet long and another that has carved descriptions of where to place each item. We also have a few white marble boards that feature monograms. Side note: these make great bridal shower or housewarming presents too.

The word charcuterie is French for cooked, processed or cured cold meats, but today’s charcuterie boards typically go far beyond meats to include cheeses and other items that pair well with wine. But that’s just the beginning. A big part of creating a great charcuterie board is the presentation. In fact, there’s an art to it. You want to include a nice variety of foods, but also arrange them in a pleasing and interesting way.

If you’re a charcuterie newbie and you want some help preparing both a tasty and pretty board, we’ve come up with a list of tips:

1.     Select your meats. There are no rules here, but popular choices are pepperoni, salami, prosciutto and sausage. Depending on the size of your board, we like the idea of having an odd number of meats, mainly for arranging purposes. Keep reading for tips on how to arrange your board.

2.     Select your cheeses. Again, we like having an odd number.

3.     Add ramekins or small bowls for sauces, dips and jellies that pair well with your meats and cheeses. You can include tiny spoons or spreaders, but they may not be necessary if items can be dipped into the bowl individually.

4.     Add slices of artisan bread, pita chips or crackers (or all three). Think about shape, size and color when making your selection.

5.     Fill in with treats like fruit (fresh or dried), nuts and pieces of chocolate (or chocolate-covered fruits and nuts). Espresso beans might be a fun choice too. We’ve also seen olives and pickles on some boards.

6.     Consider adding fresh herbs if for no other reason than to add color and interest.

7.     Plan ahead for how to arrange your board. Don’t just group all of the meats in one area, the cheeses in another and the extra items together. Maybe pair a meat, cheese and sauce in one area, and another meat, cheese and sauce in another, with extra items in between. Mix it up. And don’t just spread your meats out in a single row, but consider arranging them into a shape, like a semi-circle, perhaps around one of the sauce or dipping bowls. Try to create movement and flow on the board.

8.     Cut everything ahead of time into bite-sized portions so they can be grabbed easily by your guests.

9.     Cost can add up quickly if you’re not paying attention, so keep that in mind when selecting the size of your board or items you want to include. Don’t feel like you have to include a big variety. Sometimes, simpler is better. You don’t want to overwhelm your guests, especially if there will be a nice selection of other items being served.

10.  Because meats and cheese need to stay cold to stay fresh, consider how long your board will be sitting out at a party (and where – is this an outdoor party?) You may be able to keep the meats and cheeses in the refrigerator until just before the party begins and add them to the pre-arranged board. Or you may be able to create a set up that keeps the board cold (although not everything on your board will taste good when chilled – some things may be better at room temperature). Remember, food safety rules recommend only keeping meats and cheeses out of the refrigerator for 2 hours.

11. Start with a small board, like a few of the ones shown below, if you’re feeling unsure about your ability. These smaller boards are a great idea for a small get-together with just two or three couples or even for a date night.

Feeling proud of a charcuterie board you’ve put together? Send us a photo! We’d love to share it with everyone for some inspiration.