10 Essential Elements for Your Charcuterie Board
A charcuterie board consists of an assortment of meats. These can be accompanied by a variety of other elements, including cheese, fruit, nuts, vegetables, and more. Below, we’ll look at what a charcuterie board is and what it may include if, for example, you build a unique cheese and charcuterie spread.
What’s a Charcuterie Board?
A charcuterie board is generally a wood slab with cooked, cured, or smoked meats and accompaniments. Charcuterie translates to “pork-butcher shop” in French, but it’s become more than just a meat platter. It is used to combine many foods for entertaining at home and providing appetizers to guests. Although it takes just a few minutes to assemble, there are many ways to prepare one.
Essential Elements of a Charcuterie Board
You can choose popular ingredients but mix and match food items in many ways. As you prepare your appetizers, consider the following elements:
1. The Board
Nearly any wooden board will do. It can be square, rectangular, or round. Some people prefer to use a lazy Suzan-type board. You can also have a board cut to any size at a home improvement store or purchase one at an antique shop where you may find matching spoons and other serving implements.
However, finding a suitable board does not have to be time-consuming or expensive. If you want to keep it simple, a standard cutting board or breadboard will do. It’s fine if you want to start with a food-safe marble, ceramic, or slate surface to work with.
2. Meats
Since you’re serving appetizers, break it down to about two or three ounces of each meat per person. That’s just a few small slices apiece. Many types of meats are used for charcuterie boards. The most common include the following:
- Pork: Thinly-sliced, dry-cured pork is a staple. You can include prosciutto, serrano ham, Iberico ham, and others. Choose pink or red meat with white fat, whether it’s sliced fresh in the deli or prepackaged.
- Salami: An aged sausage derived from ground meat, salami is a versatile meat. It can be seasoned with various herbs and spices. If using smaller pieces of salami, use thicker slices, while larger pieces should be cut thin.
- Bresaola: Bresaola is a dried, cured meat similar to prosciutto. Made from beef top round, it has a deeper flavor. It should have a smooth texture and deep reddish color. Thin slices are best to use.
Other meats you can add include mortadella, an Italian sausage similar to bologna. Or, you can use capicola, soppressata, or a meat spread. Common spreads include rillettes slow-cooked in fat and patés that are finely ground with spices and various other ingredients.
3. Cheese
Cheese on a charcuterie board is typically sliced thicker than the meat. More cheese than meat should be set up, and it should provide some contrast in texture and flavor. For example, a firmer cheese pairs well with mortadella, and a creamier cheese works better with salami. The types of cheeses to consider and examples in each category include the following:
- Firm Cheeses: These include flavorful choices like cheddar, Jarlsberg, Gouda, and Gruyère and don’t require a cracker to eat with.
- Hard Cheeses: These pair well with bresaola, soppressata, and other fatty meats and include Asiago, Pecorino-Romano, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. They can be pre-sliced or cut into chunks.
- Semi-Soft Cheeses: Muenster, fontina, Havarti, and drunken goat cheeses are creamy and easy to slice. They also have a mild flavor.
- Soft Cheeses: These include brie, burrata, goat cheese, fresh ricotta, and other buttery, flavorful cheeses. They are easily spread or sliced depending on how you want to prepare your charcuterie board.
4. Fruit
You can add grapes, olives, peppers, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, and other fruits once your meats and cheeses are prepared. Grapes go well with the flavors of meat and cheese. Sliced apples are a great crunchy substitute for crackers. To give your board a seasonal touch, consider peaches or melons in late summer.
5. Vegetables
Fresh vegetables can add color to your assortment, not to mention some crunch. Carrots, broccoli, celery, radishes, and bell peppers are well-suited for virtually any charcuterie board. Picked or briny veggies provide a nice contrast to the flavor of fatty meats. Vegetables also add a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals to the mix so your guests get the nutrition they need.
6. Nuts
Almonds, pistachios, and other nuts provide a crunchy texture and are easy to find. Spiced nuts are great for enhancing flavor. However, depending on the impact you want to add to the mix, you can use candied nuts or just plain roasted nuts.
7. Spreads
Mustard, fig jam, honey, chutneys, and other spreads allow you to create the preferred flavor combination. Combining honey with red pepper flakes creates a sweet and spicy spread that pairs well with most meats and cheeses. A spicy jelly can also add a nice touch. Spreads and pickles should be served in small jars or bowls instead of their store packaging.
8. Crackers
Crackers come in many shapes, colors, and flavors. They can make arranging your charcuterie board fun. Don’t be afraid to get creative. You can use a mix of round, rectangular, or irregular-shaped crackers and space them throughout the board between the meats, cheeses, and other elements. Along with nuts, crackers should be the last to arrange as you can use them to fill spaces.
9. Bread
Crostini, breadsticks, sourdough bread, baguettes, pita bread, or whole-grain bread like pumpernickel provide a nice finishing touch. They allow your guests to be creative if they want to make mini meat and cheese sandwiches.
10. Utensils
Small spoons, forks, and knives are great. You can use standard utensils or smaller varieties that are easy to handle. Have enough utensils for at least a couple of people to handle at once so things don’t get too messy.
A Charcuterie Board Doesn’t Have to Break Your Budget
It may seem like a lot goes into creating the perfect mix. However, you can save by looking for sales on meats and cheeses. You can even get fresh slices to order from the local deli. Or, slice them thinner to stretch your supply further; guests won’t likely notice. Also, go for cheaper extras, such as sliced baguettes, instead of fancy crackers.
Shop at Gelson’s to Create the Perfect Charcuterie Board
There’s nearly an infinite number of ways to create a charcuterie board (just check out our holiday cheese, charcuterie, and wine pairings). At Gelson’s, you’ll find all the ingredients you need whether you shop in one of our Los Angeles stores or place an order for pickup or delivery. If not sure what you need or want to prepare, check out our many recipes.
Do you have additional questions or need assistance? Feel free to contact us today.
Sources:
1. Picky Palate: How to Make a Perfect Charcuterie Board
2. Food Network: The Only Guide to Building a Charcuterie Board You'll Ever Need