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Round simple charcuterie board with a collections of meats, cheeses, fruits and crackers on it with a striped towel and more crackers in front of it.

Best Simple Charcuterie Board


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  • Author: Amy Estes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 8-10 people 1x
  • Diet: Low Calorie

Description

This simple charcuterie board makes the best easy appetizer for parties or holidays. It is filled with an array of meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, and nuts and is sure to be a hit at your next gathering!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces cured meats (salami, prosciutto, pepperoni)
  • 8 ounces hard cheese (parmesan, manchego, gruyere)
  • 8 ounces soft cheese (brie, goat cheese, Boursin)
  • 10-12 ounces crackers ( 2-3 different varieties)
  • 1/2 cup fig jam  – strawberry jam, apricot jam, or honey
  • 1/2 cup mixed nuts – or any variety of nuts you like
  • 1 cup fresh berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries)
  • 2 bunches of grapes – I used gree and purple grapes


Instructions

  1. Choose your board and the location where you will be serving it since you do not want to have to move it. Then choose any bowls or ramekins you want to place on the board for dips, spreads or nuts. 
  2. Arrange the board. I like to place the larger items on the board first like the bowls/ramekins, larger cheeses, meat rose, etc…
  3. Fill the bowls with the items you plan to put in them like nuts, jam, olives, or spreads. So you get the heavier items on the board first. 
  4. Add sliced/cut cheeses and meats. I like to make a meat river to fan out the meats so they look fancier, depending on the type of party. Some sliced meats are great as well. Cut the cheeses in different shapes to mix things up. 
  5. Build around the meat and cheese. Once your meats and cheeses are arranged on your board then you can add the varieties of crackers/breads. You want to make sure that these items are on the edges of the board so they are easy to grab. 
  6. Finishing touches.  Fill in any gaps with fresh ( grapes, and berries) and dried fruits (apricots, mango, pineapple). You can also add additional items like fresh herbs, edible flowers, and such to add some more creativity to your board, depending on the theme. 

Notes

  • Design a theme. Sit down and think about the event/party you are creating this for and what the theme might be. Is it a birthday party, shower, or holiday event? Then decide on what types of items you want to include based on the theme. 
  • Shop your pantry and fridge. Before heading to the store, check to see what items you already have in your pantry and fridge so you can save some money. I always have crackers, pretzels, and nuts in my pantry. 
  • Get a head count and decide on the size. Once you know how many people you will be serving then you can determine how much of each item you will need so you have enough for everyone. 
  • Choose the right temperature – most meat and cheeses have the best flavor when served at room temperature so plan to assemble your board close to when you expect your guests to arrive. 
  • Storing leftovers – store any leftovers in containers in the pantry or fridge. 
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: snacks and appetisers
  • Method: no cook
  • Cuisine: American