How To Build A Delicious Charcuterie Board

Whether you need a new appetizer, a snack for girls’ night, or a fun way to enjoy some cheese on a Friday night, the charcuterie board is the perfect option for you. An elegant and fun way to enjoy meats, cheeses, nuts, and crackers, Lena’s Kitchen can help you build the fall-flavored charcuterie board of your dreams!

What is a Charcuterie Board?

A French word for cured meats, today charcuterie is most commonly used to discuss the pairing of cured meats with cheeses, fruits, crackers, and more!

Fall Flavors to Use

Gather up all the wonderful snacks you will use. Lena recommends two to three ounces of cheese per person, selecting hard and soft cheeses, for example, Lena used comté cheese, Hawes Wensleydale Cranberry, and truffle double cream brie. For meat, try salty and savory options like prosciutto, salami, and soppressata. Crackers, bread, or crostini are needed to support the cheese on your board. To help feel space and add crunch, add nuts. Some you could use are almonds, cashews, or pistachios. Add grapes, apples, or pears for a fun fall charcuterie and pickled items like olives for extra saltiness.

How to Assemble a Charcuterie Board

Start by grabbing a pretty wooden serving platter, marble slab, or ceramic serving tray. Then get all the bowls or ramekins and spoons, forks, and cheese knives you will need. Begin by adding your cheeses to the corner since they are a popular item. Have harder-to-slice cheeses already in individual slices and softer cheeses with knives. Then add the meat by wrapping or folding. Meat is another popular item and should be on the outside of the platter for easy access.

Next, add pickled items into bowls, like olive, mini pickles, or cornichons, and place in on the platter. Go ahead and serve with a fork or spoon. Do not forget your fruit. Apples should be chopped, and tangerines peeled. Layering sections on top of each other is super cute, do not be afraid to do that! Keep grapes on the vine and place them on the board. Add your crackers, keeping each type together and in different places on the board so there is variety. Finish by filling in the gaps with extra grapes, blueberries, pomegranate seeds, or herbs.

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Tips and Tricks

Whether you are hosting a girls’ night or a family dinner, a huge time savor is to make your charcuterie board hours before guests arrive. Simply make the board without the crackers and nuts and wrap it in plastic before placing it in the fridge. Remove 30 minutes before everyone shows up to let the cheese come to room temperature and add your crackers and nuts.

Something else you can do is keep the charcuterie board in your budget. The most expensive items do not equal the best board. Stick to your budget and have fun making it! Similarly, use items you like. Lena’s charcuterie board is not the only way to make one. Use items you like and speak to your flavor palette.

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