Halloween charcuterie board (filled with deviled eggs, ghost-shaped pastries, and mini pumpkins) Thanksgiving charcuterie board (made with sliced turkey, roasted potatoes, and tons of veggies) Sweet and salty charcuterie board (filled with salty pretzels, crackers, and cheeses, paired with jams, jellies, and mints) Asian-inspired charcuterie board (made with chicken skewers, sugar snap peas, wasabi peas, and pineapple)
If you don’t have a wooden board, don’t sweat it—a wooden cutting board is traditionally what’s used for charcuterie boards, but you can also use a plastic or metal serving tray. Just make sure it’s something you can cut on, since you and your guest might be slicing cheese or meats.
Brie (soft) Sharp cheddar cheese (hard) Parmesan (hard) Goat cheese (soft) Feta cheese (soft) Baby Swiss cheese (hard) Mozzarella (semi-soft) Gruyère (hard) Provolone (hard)
It’s important to balance out your flavors, which is why using sweet jam or honey is always a good idea. The sweetness helps balance out the saltiness of the cheese and meat, and it can be a nice break for your palette as you snack.
You can also add a few small cheese knives so guests can slice cheese on their own.
If you don’t want to shell out a ton of money for meat, find a variety pack of charcuterie instead. It will provide a ton of options and different flavors of meat for you and your guests to enjoy. [8] X Research source If you or your guests are vegetarian, skip the meat entirely. You can still make a charcuterie board without meat.
For a gluten-free option, put out some sliced veggies, like carrots and celery.
If you don’t have any fresh fruit on hand, dried fruit also pairs nicely with cheese and meat.
If you aren’t a fan of plain pickles, try something else! Pickled beets, carrots, onions, or mushrooms make an interesting side dish on any charcuterie board.
You could also try adding edible flowers, like pansies, roses, begonias, or impatiens.
If you have a farmer’s market nearby, try browsing for bright, fun veggies that look enticing.
If you don’t have a ton of small dishes on-hand, head to your local thrift store to pick some out without breaking the bank.
You can do the same thing with flat slices of cheese if the piles are looking a little too plain!
If you’re using prosciutto, try to separate each slice before placing it on your board so it’s easier to grab. If your salami is very long, fold it in half.
Be sure to check in with your guests to make sure there aren’t any nut allergies. If there are, you can use ribbons of prosciutto or sliced fruit to cover empty spaces instead.
