Charcuterie boards are one of the hottest culinary trends happening right now, and it’s easy to see why: people love gathering around delicious food. While endless varieties exist on all the best restaurant menus, it’s easier than ever to make your own charcuterie board at home.
When it comes to creating your own board, you can forget about following rules and let your tastes dictate what makes it on and what doesn’t. The best part about charcuterie boards is how versatile they are. Boards can stick to a strict theme or be completely random. They can have just a few ingredients or have a more elaborate variety. You can prepare it ahead of time or just before it’s time to eat. And it’s easy to scale the size of a board to feed one person or one thousand people.
I love a good specialty food store as much as the next foodie, and I do a lot of my board shopping there, especially when I’m looking for something specific or truly unique. Lately I’ve found the chain grocery stores have really stepped up their game in terms of meat and cheese selection. Check out the refrigerated area near the deli counter for almost everything you’ll need, and don’t skip browsing the top of the case for things like jellies, olives and crackers.
You can find me on Instagram @momjeansreinvented where I share my love for all things food and charcuterie board building.
Pickled Vegetables
They add a great crunch and a vinegary bite to balance out the rich flavors of the meats and cheeses. My favorites are pickled carrots, asparagus and Brussels sprouts.
Charcuterie
Select two to three different types of meats and count on having three ounces per person. Crowd pleasers include Prosciutto and various types of salami.
Cheeses
Cheese selection is the most fun part of making a charcuterie board because of the different varieties. You can either pick cheeses based on a theme, such as all French cheeses, or you can mix it up like pictured.
Mixed Nuts
I like to use candied nuts because the sweetness is the perfect break from so many savory items. You could use a smoked, spicy or just plain roasted mixed nut.
Crackers
Crackers are must-have on your board, especially if you’re serving a soft cheese or anything that requires dipping. My favorite are these Savory Thin Mini Crackers from Trader Joe’s.
Olives
For an added layer of flavor, find olives that are stuffed with blue cheese, jalapenos or garlic. Be sure to serve the olives (with juice) in a small ramekin.