Charcuterie Boards for Every Occasion

Hear the word “charcuterie,” and many of us think “complicated.” Actually “charcuterie” is just a fancy French word for cooked or cured meat products (think salami and prosciutto). So, when you’re talking about a charcuterie board, it’s really meat on a board accompanied by whatever your heart desires. It’s actually a crowd-pleasing, protein-packed way to make summer entertaining a breeze. Think flavorful meats, cheeses, and easy assembly. Warning – once you get into creating charcuterie boards, you may want to bring them everywhere. Here are some easy ways to get started.

Keep it Simple – a quick entertaining win

Steakhouse Snack Board, an elevated but super easy charcuterie home run.

• The Meat: Sliced medium rare grilled steak or steak tips
• The Cheese: Sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, blue cheese, or similar complementary strong flavors
• Accompanied by: Whole small or sliced pickles, or other pickled vegetables
• On the Side: Horseradish sauce or steakhouse aioli

Putting it together: Fan out thinly-sliced steak; add generously chunked cheeses and place pickled vegetables in several locations as a garnish; finish with two sauce ramekins at either end.

Classic Deli Board, perfect for casual get-togethers.

• The Meat: Folded sliced turkey, roast beef, and ham
• The Cheese: Swiss, Provolone, American deli slices – cut into triangles or rolled
• Accompanied by: Pickles, sliced or cherry tomatoes, toasted bread snacks such as crostini or baguette slices
• On the Side: Mustard (any style) and mayo
• Putting it together: Fold meats into loose ribbons; arrange cheese slice rows in between meats; place pickles and other accompaniments in several places on board; position small condiment containers on board at several locations, depending on size.

Skewer Boards, the ideal “pick up and eat” solution

• The Meat: Salami, chicken, sausage, prosciutto etc.
• The Cheese: Mozzarella balls, cheddar and swiss cheese cubes
• Accompanied by: Melon, cherry tomatoes, basil leaves
• On the Side: (Optional) Dipping Sauce such as vinaigrette.

Putting it together: Use small wooden skewers to create snack combinations (such as Salami + mozzarella balls + cherry tomatoes; chicken + swiss cheese + tomatoes; Prosciutto + Melon + Basil). Lay them in neat rows or go for a more casual presentation. Put optional dipping sauce in the middle.

Up Your Charcuterie Game – still easy, just more styled.

Backyard Barbecue Board – When you want to go big.

• The Meat: A variety of sliced sausages, grilled chicken, boneless ribs, brisket
• The Cheese: Pepper jack, colby jack, classic cheddar
• Accompanied by: Pickles, cornichons, grilled corn pieces, etc.
• On the Side: BBQ sauce, honey mustard, etc.

Putting it together: Arrange groups of bite-sized warmed meats on board with chunks of cheese and accompaniments. Serve with generous ramekins of BBQ sauce and mustard.

Classic Italian Antipasto Board – Big on protein and flavor

• The Meat: Salami, prosciutto, capicola, etc.
• The Cheese: Fresh mozzarella and provolone.
• Accompanied by: Variety of olives, roasted red peppers
• On the Side: Extra virgin olive oil, balsamic drizzle

Putting it together: Roll or fold meats, grouping meat and cheese by type; accent with ramekins filled with olives and peppers. Place small serving pitchers of olive oil and balsamic drizzle on the side.

These are just a few ideas for easy charcuterie entertaining. Take all these ideas to the next level by incorporating fancy flatbreads or crackers, fruit such as grapes, or adding a basket of sliced French bread. Or create your own board using the “meat+cheese+accompaniments” formula. What about a charcuterie board with a “breakfast for dinner” theme, or one that leans into cheese and fruit, or just dessert?

Stop into Butcher Boy to see what inspires your charcuterie board creativity.