Learn how to make the Perfect Charcuterie Board loaded with meats, cheeses, spreads and spices! This is the perfect tutorial to make entertaining a breeze!
I am a sucker for a good appetizer platter. There is nothing better than a nice big Charcuterie board packed with cured meats and fancy cheeses. It is fun, it is easy and it is perfect for parties! I like to think of the Charcuterie board as the perfect “recipe” for the reluctant entertainer. If you have a nice big cutting board, meats, cheeses, olives, antipasto and rich tomatoes you can make an impressive dish!
The word charcuterie originates from the French words for “meat” and “cooked” so naturally the meat is generally the star of the show. A staple for most Charcuterie boards includes cured prosciutto and salami. These flavor rich meats pair great with a variety of cheeses and go well with crackers and breads.
How do you know what to put on a Charcuterie Board?
For this Charcuterie board I decided to stick with a Spanish style board inspired by curated from around the world! In addition to the more common cured meats I also added slices of savory Chorizo and Iberia Pork Ham. You can choose any theme you wish, or mix and match your favorite ingredients.
What kind of cheese do you add to a Charcuterie Board?
The easiest part of a Charcuterie board is always the cheese! You simply cannot make a bad choice when selecting gourmet cheeses! You can offer a variety of flavors like brie or smoked gouda. However, if you prefer to keep the flavors more mild you can offer something like a semi-hard Manchego cheese like I did. It goes well with everything else on the board and doesn’t have an over powering taste.
What else do you add to a cheese board?
Once you have the meat and cheeses in place it is time to add the “jewels” as I like to call them. These are the pops of color (and flavor) that you add to your board. Since I was sticking closely with a Spanish style board I added tangy brined green olives, rich smoked paprika for sprinkling, delicious herb packed Semi-Dried Tomatoes and a simple Eggplant Antipasto that goes great with everything.
To finish off your board add any kind of bread, crackers, pretzels! You can also add small groups of your favorite fruits, jams and nuts.
Shopping List for The Perfect Charcuterie Board
(1) Dry Cured Acorn Fed Iberico Pork Ham
(1) Manchego Cheese
(1) Smoked Spanish Paprika
(1) Eggplant Antipasto
(1) Semi Dried Cherry Tomatoes
How to Assemble a Charcuterie Board
Grab a large cutting board and arrange your meats, cheeses, bread, crackers and other items to your liking. Use small bowls, large tasting spoons or jars to house your olives, antipasti and spices. Most importantly, have fun! Your guests will love the presentation and you will love how simple this is!
Other Appetizer Recipes
- Lima Bean Salsa
- Prosciutto Stuffed Mushrooms
- Hot Crab and Bacon Dip
- Crab and Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
