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Charcuterie boards – aka grazing board, meat and cheese board, platter dinner (at Andersen casa) – are trending, and I’ve curated a collection of 10 Unique Charcuterie Board Ideas built around a theme. From Mexican to French to pancakes, they’re sure to expand your definition of “charcuterie board,” and how you can create your own!
🧀 How to Assemble a Charcuterie Board
Assembling a charcuterie board is a creative and flexible process, allowing you to showcase a variety of cuisines, flavors, textures, and colors. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you assemble a charcuterie board:
Choose your components.
- Start with the Board or Platter – Select a large wooden board, piece of slate, platter, marble slab, or any other visually appealing surface to arrange your charcuterie. I have even used a baking sheet with an interesting patina. Make sure it is clean and food-safe.
- Select cured meats or other proteins – Choose a variety of cured meats to include on your board. Popular options include prosciutto, salami, chorizo, coppa, and soppressata. Falafels, and small meatballs are less typical, but great options!
- Select cheeses – Choose cheeses that vary in flavor, texture, and type. Include soft cheeses like brie, creamy goat cheese, firm cheeses like cheddar or gouda, and perhaps a more pungent cheese like blue cheese. Cut them into chunks. Don’t overlook cheese spreads and dips (ie. hummus, salsas, etc).
- Consider spreads and dips – Add bowls or small dishes with spreads like honey, fig jam, olive tapenade, mustard, or hummus to complement the meats and cheeses. I include salsa and avocado hummus with my Mexican-inspired charcuterie board. Colorful bowls look great on your chosen board!
- Include Bread and Crackers – Offer a selection of crusty bread, baguette slices, breadsticks, and an assortment of crackers. Chips pair well with salsas and dips.
- Choose Accompaniments – Enhance the flavors and presentation of your charcuterie board by adding complementary accompaniments. Some popular options include fresh or dried fruits (grapes and dates are favorites at Andersen casa). Nuts, olives, and pickles always find a place on my boards. We especially love Marcona almonds.
- Garnishes – Fill in the gaps with herbs – like parsley, rosemary, and dill come to mind – and edible flowers if you like them. I usually find a way to slip in a few pieces of dark chocolate!
Put it all together!
Remember, the beauty of a charcuterie board lies in its versatility, so feel free to experiment with different ingredients, flavors, and arrangements to suit your preferences and occasion. Refer to the photos in the collection for placement ideas.
- Start byanchoring your board with bowlsor small plates. These will hold your dips (salsa, hummus), spreads, olives, pickle, etc.
- Next, addlarger itemsthat don’t require a container, like a cheese ball, a chunk of cheese, or a cluster of grapes.
- Medium itemslike crackers, tortilla chips, sliced baguette, etc. come next. This is a good time to add sliced or julienned fruit, vegetables, and sliced cheeses and meats in a pleasing pattern.
- Fill in withsmall itemslike radishes, citrus wedges, and sprigs of fresh herbs.
💭 Charcuterie Board Tips
- Consider placement of moist ingredients like sliced fruits and vegetables. Avoid contact with dry ingredients like bread and crackers. No one enjoys soggy bread or crackers!
- Store leftovers in individual containers or zip bags rather than just covering the entire board. Items like olives and pickles can be returned to their jars.
- The best board for a charcuterie tray depends on your personal preferences, the size of the gathering, and the overall look you wish to achieve. Consider the style, material, and functionality that best suits your needs, and choose a board that will beautifully showcase your delicious charcuterie selection.
🥖 Unique Charcuterie Boards
Mexican Charcuterie Board · Beyond Mere Sustenance
This Mexican-themed charcuterie board may at first glance look like a "regular" charcuterie board. If you look a little closer, though, the various components have a decidedly Mexican twist. You'll seehomemade tajín,spicy avocado hummus,salsa verde, red chile pecans, Mexican dark chocolate, and more.
View the Board!
Tinned Fish Charcuterie Board (“Seacuterie”) · Walder Wellness, RD
Transport yourself to Southern Europe by making this tinned fish charcuterie board or “seacuterie.” You can choose from canned tuna or salmon, or try different varieties like mackerel, sardines, herring, and anchovies. Perfect for date night or as a party appetizer!
How to Create A French Charcuterie Platter · Recipes From A Pantry
A French Charcuterie Platter is an easy appetizer that is ideal for all sorts of occasions. Classic saucisson sec (French salami) and pâté with excellent French breads and cheeses set this charcuterie apart from the typical offerings.
The Ultimate Falafel Platter with Hummus, Tahini, Tzatziki and More · My Pure Plants
This falafel platter is a lavish combination of homemade crispy falafel, tzatziki sauce, harissa hummus, maple dijon tahini sauce, an easy Middle Eastern cucumber tomato chopped salad, and many other things. It will be the star of your dinner party or picnic.
Banh Hoi Platter · Sift and Simmer
This Banh Hoi Platter features Vietnamese rice noodles bundled with spring rolls, crispy roasted pork, and steamed pork roll, pickled daikon and carrot, cucumbers, and fresh herbs, making it the ultimate unique celebratory platter.
Spanish Cheese Board · My Kitchen Love
All the details on how to build an amazing cheese board, Spanish style. What makes it Spanish? Romesco sauce, Spanish chorizo, Spanish cheeses like manchego and Iberico, Marcona almonds, roasted red peppers, figs, and more…
Salmon Sharing Platter · Little Sugar Snaps
This salmon breakfast platter makes for an innovative breakfast or brunch served with mixed toasts, bread or bagels. Alternatively, serve as a salmon platter for lunch or supper with wraps and pita breads.
Greek Appetizer Platter · Home Body Eats
This Greek appetizer platter is the perfect Mediterranean-inspired make ahead charcuterie board for any dinner party or happy hour. You’ll find Mediterranean classics like pita, hummus, and tzatziki. If you’re looking for a party platter to impress, you have to try this twist on the authentic fresh and tangy flavors of Greece.
Pancake Charcuterie Board · Sparkles to Sprinkles
Unique breakfast ideas can be hard to come by. With this breakfast charcuterie board, you cover every base. Everyone will think you ordered catering when you break out this beautiful, impressive breakfast pancake board complete with all your favorite breakfast foods and toppings and delicious buttermilk pancakes!
Dessert Charcuterie Board · Partylicious
While these dessert boards are not technically charcuterie boards as they have no meat, they keep with the spirit of traditional charcuterie boards as they are portable, customizable, and typically feature many preserved foods such as cookies, candy, and fruit that are okay to sit out for parties and events.
While we refer to “platter dinners” when we have them, they can be breakfast and brunch as well. A unique charcuterie board is a great way to entertain, and certainly as an appetizer course for a dinner party. I hope you’ve been inspired to “think outside the box!”
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Amazing collection – who knew there were so many ways to take this concept.
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Right? I’m looking forward to making your smoked salmon board Jane!
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Meet Tamara
Hola from the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas! I'm Tamara, the recipe developer, co*cktail mixologist, photographer, and writer behind Beyond Mere Sustenance. Beyond Mere Sustenance is a food blog with creative (often unique) recipes that are mostly healthy (I call it healthyish) with a Latin flair. Having lived on or near the border my entire life and traveled extensively in Peru, you’ll find a strong emphasis on Peruvian and Mexican recipes.
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