Create a simple charcuterie board with ease! Arrange meats, cheeses, fruits, and crackers to impress guests with minimal effort. Perfect for gatherings!
This is a great way to prepare an easy appetizer in minutes. Simply throw together a selection of bite-size foods and serve it at your family reunion, game night or a Christmas party.
People are always wondering what ingredients go on a charcuterie board. But there is no right or wrong answer here. Think cheese, deli meats, fresh and dried fruits, nuts, crackers, pate and pickles.
Now, make a list of these items I mentioned and write down your favorites for each category. Then, decide which ones you would like to buy and use it on your platter.
You can follow a picture (mine or others from the Internet) and make it similar looking, but unless you are creating a specific type of a platter where you need to use specific ingredients, go ahead and use what you like.
How to do a simple charcuterie board
I used:
- Deli meats – Prosciutto
- Cheese – Cheddar, Brie and Manchego.
- Fresh fruit – Grapes and blueberries.
- Dried fruits – Apricots and dates.
- Nuts – Cashews and almonds.
- Crackers – Water crackers and mini toasts.
- Pickles – Pickled/marinated pepperoncini, marinated olives.
Kitchen tools and utensils:
- Cutting board & knife – To cut cheese into bite-size pieces. I often half the dates as they might be too sweet for 1 bite.
- Small bowls – For pepperoncini and olives. Ideally for blueberries too.
- Serving tray/platter
How to build a simple snack board
First, choose a serving tray/platter/dish. It can be anything really. Even a baking sheet. I prefer using deeper trays because they can hold more. You can fit the same quantity of food into a smaller and deeper tray than larger and shallower.
Then, gather small bowls and decide which items will go there. Think wet or oily (olives) or spreads (like pate).
Next, arrange the bowls onto your serving vessel.
Finally fill everything with the food.
Tip: If you happen to have some empty space, fill it with whatever snack/bite-size item you have on hand. Dried raisins, cranberries, fresh fruit or berries…
Can I substitute Brie for other cheese?
Absolutely! Use any type of cheese you like. The same goes for the other 2 cheeses!
What to avoid when making a charcuterie board?
It is best to avoid using ingredients that change their color shortly after being opened. Think apples or avocados – they go brown after being sliced.
Note: If you are planning on serving the charcuterie board shortly after you make it, then feel free to use it.
Keep moist foods separately from dried ones. If you can, use small bowls for these foods. Don’t serve them all together.
Dry the produce well after being rinsed. If you don’t and if your produce touches foods like cheese – this will turn soggy.
Make it seasonal:
Add cranberries, oranges or mandarins for a winter cheese board.
Use green foods for the St. Patrick’s Day-themed snack board.
Arrange the foods in a specific way to create a Holiday-themed platter. In an egg shape for Easter, in a tree or wreath shape for Christmas or turkey-shaped charcuterie board for Thanksgiving.
How to serve it?
My preferred way is using toothpicks or forks and with a crowd, it is better to supply small plates so the guests can take a small selection and enjoy without having to be standing/sitting next to it.
Julia’s tips:
- If you would like to make a charcuterie board but don’t like most of the cheeses there, don’t worry! The key is to use what you like. Take this as a guide only. There are so many options, and it is only up to you to decide what you will serve for your guests. My recommendation though: Say you are planning on buying 3 different cheeses. Buy 2 you love and 1 you haven’t tried yet. You might never know. It can be a hit on your platter!
- Why not surprise your guests and make your own cheese log with pistachios? Or, try apricot and chocolate goat cheese log! If you want to be unique, this is a must to put on your charcuterie platter.
- Take the quantities in this recipe as a guideline. Because I used ½ cup of almonds, it does not mean that you must use it too. Add more, or less or substitute, omit…
- Don’t stress much about how it looks! I haven’t met a snack board I haven’t liked yet.
- This is a great appetizer recipe, but you can serve it as a main as well. We often enjoy it instead of a warm dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover bits and pieces. If you do decide to have this as a main meal, keep in mind that this would probably serve 2 to 3 people.
What else could I put on a charcuterie platter?
- Dill Pickle Dip – Goes well with crisps/chips.
- Almond Stuffed Olives – They are easy to make!
- Olive Tapenade – This is best with crostini or fresh French baguette!
Simple Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 1 cup green olives (140 grams)
- ½ cup blueberries
- 1 cup pepperoncini (or any spicy pickled peppers)
- 7 ounces cheddar cheese (diced, 200 grams, see note 2)
- 8 ounces Manchego cheese (240 grams)
- 7 ounces brie cheese (200 grams)
- 2 cups grapes
- 3 ounces prosciutto (90 grams, see note 3)
- 1 cup dried apricots
- ½ cup almonds (60 grams)
- ½ cup dried dates (without pits, 70 grams)
- ½ cup cashew nuts (60 grams)
Two types of crackers of your choice:
- Water crackers (see note 4)
- Mini toasts
Instructions
- Get a large serving platter (or cutting board, tray, baking sheet).
- Arrange 3 small bowls in. Fill these with olives, blueberries and pepperoncini.
- Dice cheddar and thinly slice Manchego cheese. Place these together with brie on the platter, preferably choosing 3 corners or 2 corners of the platter and its center.
- Arrange the grapes and prosciutto wherever large empty spaces are. You can separate the grapes into smaller pieces (leave them on the vine) and spread them around.
- Use the rest of the ingredients to fill the gaps.
- Serve crackers on side – in a bowl or on a plate.
Notes
- If you are using a serving tray or plate that is not intended for food, line it with a sheet of baking parchment paper first.
- Cheese – Use any kind you like. You do not have to use the same that I did! The same goes for the rest of the ingredients so take this charcuterie board as a guide only.
- Prosciutto can be substituted with Spanish Serrano ham or dry-cured jamon. Salami will also work just fine.
- If you don’t like water crackers, use fresh baguette, crostini or any other kind of crackers you like.
- Take the quantities as a guide only. You can use as much/as little as you like.
- This tray will serve 5-6 people as a light snack.
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