Grazing boards are wonderfully versatile, making them perfect for any get-together. It’s easy to include something for everyone, so you can satisfy a variety of ages, tastes, and dietary restrictions.
It’s also easy to customize your grazing board for different occasions. Local fruits bring fresh seasonal flavor, while colorful veggies are perfect for matching team colors for game night. For every occasion, Gelson’s has charcuterie board ingredients for inspired grazing board ideas.
Essential Ingredients for a Balanced Grazing Board
These are the key components for a balanced and satisfying grazing board. When in doubt, follow the 3-3-3 rule: three meats, three cheeses, and three accompanying spreads.
Meats
Meats are one of the boldest flavors on the plate. Choose these first and arrange the rest of your board around them. Typically, a grazing board will include two or three milder flavors, then one or two more intense meats that feature a spicy or peppery note.
Cheeses
A smaller grazing board often starts with three cheeses, while larger boards have five or six. Aim for a variety of hard, firm, semi-soft, and soft cheeses. Consider including a more approachable cheese like a mild cheddar or a brie as well as more intense options like semi-soft rinded and sharp cheese like a stilton or gorgonzola.
Spreads
Jams, jellies, mustards, and chutneys make for exciting flavor combinations for your meats and cheeses. Try to include one fruity element like a fig jam, one spicy option like a pepper chutney or spicy honey, and one savory like a relish.
Fill the Space with Crunch and Color
Once you’ve selected your main charcuterie board ingredients, you can move on to the sides that accent the meats, cheeses, and spreads.
Crackers and Breads
Crackers are often used as a space-filler in grazing boards, but that doesn’t mean they’re not a key part. Crackers and thin-sliced breads like baguette or pita offer a neutral pairing for meats and cheeses. You can also include some crackers that have light flavorings, including rosemary, salt, pepper, and herbs.
Fruits
Fruits bring color to your board, as well as a palate-cleanser between different meats and cheeses. Grapes are a grazing board staple, while bright fruits like strawberries and cherries bring freshness.
Veggies
Carrots, celery, and cherry tomatoes add a nutritious touch that helps your board feel like a balanced meal. For an acidic touch, consider including pickled veggies like green beans and carrots to contrast the fatty flavor of meats and cheeses.
Nuts
Nuts are perfect for filling in the spaces on your board. Add these in last to complete the visual appeal while adding a hearty crunch. Cashews and almonds are especially popular, but walnuts and pecans can also be a good choice.
Step-by-Step Guide to Assembling a Stunning Grazing Board
Not sure where to start? Follow these steps to learn how to make a grazing board.
Step One: Know Your Guests
If you’re hosting a small gathering, check in with your guests about any allergies or dietary restrictions. For larger events like work parties, it’s often a good idea to prepare two grazing plates — one that caters to a general audience and another that offers nut-free, vegetarian, or gluten-free options.
Step Two: Find Something for Everyone
Don’t be afraid to make multiple grazing plates! Let meats and cheeses shine on your main board, and get creative with unique pieces like stuffed peppers, specialty nut mixes, and cornichons. For vegetarians, it’s a welcoming touch to offer a separate meat-free board.
Step Three: Place Your Meats, Cheeses, and Proteins
These make up the focus of your board, so place them first. Hard and firm cheeses are sliced thicker than meat, while cheese knives are placed beside semi-soft and soft cheeses so guests can serve themselves.
Step Four: Pair Your Spreads
Put your spreads in their dishes and arrange them between the meats and cheeses. If you have some pairings that go especially well together — for example, a pepper salami and a Dijon mustard — arrange these beside each other on the board.
Step Five: Arrange Fruits and Veggies
Fruits and veggies are more about visual appeal than flavor pairings, so you don’t need to worry too much about putting specific produce beside particular items. It often looks appetizing to place a small bunch of each item in a few places on the board.
Step Six: Fill in Crackers, Breads, and Nuts
Grazing boards are about abundance, so don’t be afraid to arrange artful piles of your favorite crackers and bread. Nuts are great for filling in the tiny gaps so the final board looks full and even.
Looking for more easy appetizer board ideas? Browse our recipe collection for delicious soups, refreshing salads, and inviting bites made with quality Gelson’s ingredients.
Expert Tips for Pairing Meats, Cheeses, and Accompaniments
Choosing the best cheeses for charcuterie is all about balance, and these gourmet cheese pairing tips help you select the best accompaniments for your board.
Pair Bold with Mild
Two bold flavors will often fight each other — it’s best to pair a big flavor with a gentler one. For example, a veined blue cheese goes beautifully with a subtle pear and honey combination, while a milder camembert can pair with a spicy salami or a tangy chutney.
Offer Plenty of Palate-Cleaners
It’s difficult to jump from a salty, fatty prosciutto directly to a spicy salami. Water crackers, apple slices, and other mild options give the palette a break so your guests can fully enjoy the flavor of the next item.
Spreads: Spicy, Sweet, and Acidic
Spreads bring spice, sweetness, and acid to your charcuterie board, letting your guests experiment with unique flavor combinations.
Seasonal Grazing Board Ideas
There’s nothing better than a grazing board for showing off the specialties of your neighborhood. Give your board a unique feel with local meats and cheeses and shop seasonal produce to fit the calendar. Some seasonal favorites for the LA area:
- Winter: snap peas, carrots, beets, and blood oranges.
- Spring: apricots, cherries, and raspberries.
- Summer: avocados, figs, and peaches.
- Fall: apples, pomegranates, and broccoli.
Are you in a rush? Skip the prep and pick up a Cowgirl Creamery cheeseboard featuring delicious cheeses made in Marin County.
How to Store and Serve Your Grazing Board for Maximum Freshness
If you’re preparing your grazing board the day before, it’s important to store it properly so it stays fresh for your event. Prepare the basic board layout with meats, cheeses, spreads, fruits, and veggies, then cover tightly with cling wrap or a lid and place in the fridge.
Make sure any fruits and veggies are fully dry. It’s also best to only include whole fruit pieces like grapes, blueberries, and cherry tomatoes at this stage. Cut fruit like strawberry halves and melon slices should be added just before serving.
Avoid leaving any dry items like crackers, nuts, and bread on the board overnight, as these can get soggy. Add these just before you serve.
Take your board out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving for maximum freshness. This allows the meats and cheeses to reach their most fresh and flavorful temperature.
Visit Your Local Gelson’s for the Perfect Grazing Board
From Santa Barbara to San Diego, your local Gelson’s supermarket has everything you need to craft your perfect board. Browse meats and cheeses to create a unique spread, then mix in seasonal produce to show off the best treats in southern California. Contact us to learn more about our grocery pickup and delivery services, promotional specials, and delicious grocery provisions.