Share:

A charcuterie board is perfect for snacking on when you have guests over, and when done right, it can be impressive. If you’ve never prepared one before, a little forethought and a trip to a well-stocked, high-quality grocery store with fresh produce and deli meat are all it takes. Below is a guide to putting together a beautiful charcuterie board.

How To Make a Charcuterie Board

1. Choose Your Board

The board you use influences the aesthetic, while the size of it affects how much you can fit on it. You can use a large wooden cutting board, a wooden serving platter, or even just buy a wooden plank to use. If you opt for the latter option, make sure it’s safe to eat off of and free of splinters.

2. Know What Foods You’ll Put On It

You’ll need 3-4 types of cheese, usually in blocks, wheels, or triangles, and a few varieties of crackers to pair with them. Also, your board will need 2-3 types of meat, like salami, pepperoni, or turkey. Nuts, olives, pickles, dried fruit, fresh berries, grapes, and chopped vegetables can all be added to the board as well, depending on how much yours can accommodate. Sprigs of herbs like rosemary can also be used to enhance the aesthetic and scent of the board.

3. Decide On Presentation

groceryYou can decide whether you will slice your cheeses all the way, cube them, or only cut a few pieces off, allowing the guests to cut off more as they wish. The same goes for the meats you choose, as to whether you want whole sausages, pre-sliced deli meat, or an assortment. You’ll also need to decide what dishes and utensils to use if you aren’t placing everything directly on the board. Small silver utensils and white porcelain or china bowls are usually preferred.

4. Lay It All Out

Start by arranging the cheeses around the board, spaced out, then display your meats in the same manner, keeping each item to itself and leaving space between them. Fill in the spaces with little bowls of berries, fruits, nuts, pickles, olives, or whatever else you’re using. For final touches, you can scatter small piles of dried fruit, nuts, and crackers in the available spaces, and tuck a few sprigs of herbs around them. The overall result shouldn’t appear cluttered, though, so moderation is necessary for smaller boards. 

 

You can get everything you need for the perfect board at Cranberry Country Market grocery in Tomah, WI. Family-owned and -operated, they provide local fresh produce year-round, as well as premium meats and cheeses. Their grocery store also has a bakery and a cafe. Browse their current deals online, and call (608) 374-4944 to inquire about specific items.

tracking