How to Build the Charcuterie Boards of Your Dreams
I love making charcuterie boards for myself and my family. They make for an easy lunch for us on weekends and they are so much fun to put together! The great thing about creating a charcuterie board is that you can make it as fancy or as normal as you like. That makes these great for everyone from kids to adults!
I prefer to use things I mostly have on hand already, since I am feeding 2 young children. However, I do include a few fancier ingredients on my charcuterie boards for myself and my husband to enjoy. Check your fridge and pantry for ideas of things that your family will eat and love.
To build the charcuterie boards of your dreams, you need to follow a simple formula. First, you need a platter of some kind. Then, you need a mixture of foods on your board. Finally, you will want a variety of dips, preserves, and/or condiments.
Here’s how to build your charcuterie boards:
1- Place your bread and crackers on your board.
I like to use a few different types of crackers. We always have round buttery crackers on hand, and I have started trying new varieties of crackers, too. There are some really fun flavors out there! We love to have sliced bread on our charcuterie boards, too. It’s really easy to grab a loaf of crusty bread at the store, and there’s nothing better than soft cheese on bread!
2-Add your large blocks of cheese
A wheel of brie is always super pretty on a charcuterie board. Other cheeses that are great are: cheddar, manchego, jarlsberg, gouda, and mozzarella pearls. You will want a mixture of creamy, semi-soft, and firm cheeses.
3-Add your sliced meats
We love salami, prosciutto, and even summer sausage on our charcuterie boards. Look for meats that are easily sliced, or that come pre-sliced to make your life easier.
4-Now it’s time for fruit and veggies
There are so many fruits and vegetables to choose from!
Some that we love are:
- strawberries
- blackberries
- blueberries
- grapes
- sliced apples
- sliced pears
- sliced cucumbers
- grape tomatoes
You can also add dried fruits to your charcuterie board. Things like dried apricots, dried mango slices, and dried apple slices would be great. Don’t forget pickles and olives! Those can be great for adding interesting flavors to your board.
4- Dips, Preserves, and Condiments
Before your board gets too full, add in some fruit preserves, dip, and condiments. We love to use amazing jams, creamy herb dips, and even a fancy mustard or two!
5-Nuts and Olives
Assorted nuts and olives are perfect for filling in any empty spaces on your charcuterie boards. We use everything from pistachios to almonds to cashews on our board. You can even use peanuts.
When it comes to making the charcuterie boards of your dreams, don’t forget to have some fun and let your imagination run wild! You may just come up with some new flavor combinations you would never have thought of. It’s also a really great way to get your kids to try new foods. When you make food look really appealing and pretty, everyone will love eating it even more. Check out my video below to see how I build my charcuterie boards. Follow me on Instagram for more tips on style and mom life- @loveoliveco.
