There are so many things that I love about running a charcuterie board catering company here in Utah. One of the things that I love the most is teaching people how to build a beautiful and delicious board for themselves! The key to creating a beautiful board is having the right mixture of different ingredients from different food categories.
If you’re in the Utah area we host workshops to learn more about building a charcuterie board. Sign up for one HERE.
If you can’t make one of our workshops, the following anatomy is a great jumping-off point to build your own beautiful and delicious charcuterie board.
How to make the perfect CHARCUTERIE BOARD
CHARCUTERIE BOARD CHEESE: Let’s talk about the most important part of a board (in my humble opinion) - the cheese! The right combination of cheeses can really take a charcuterie board to the next level and leave people satisfied. Every board I make uses at least three different types of cheese. I like to mix the cheeses between hard, semi-soft and soft cheeses, as well as in cubes and wholes. I also like to get a good mixture of mild, sharp, and spicy flavored cheeses, something for every palette.
CHARCUTERIE BOARD MEATS: Like cheeses, it’s always good to incorporate a few different types of meats on a charcuterie board in both hard and soft textures (think cured meats and deli meats). Some of my favorite meats that I like to include are ham, salami, and turkey.
CHARCUTERIE BOARD FRUIT: Fruits are a great way to bring in vibrant colors, textures, and flavors! It’s a good idea to mix dried fruits with fresh fruits. it's fun to try new fruits and always best when you use a local, seasonal produce. Some of my favorite fruits to use are dried apricots, berries, and grapes on the vine.
CHARCUTERIE BOARD VEGETABLES: Vegetables are the perfect vessel for dipping, so I like to stick to firmer vegetables that can be cut up lengthwise such as cucumber and carrots. I also love to include snap peas that are cut lengthwise with the peas exposed for a little extra flair. Cherry tomatoes are also a great addition.
CHARCUTERIE BOARD BREADS & GRAINS: Crackers are the easiest way to bring in grains to a charcuterie board. A successful board incorporates different types of crackers with different types of seasonings. Once and a while, I also like to incorporate sliced pieces of fresh bread from different bakeries around Utah.
CHARCUTERIE BOARD DIPS: Depending on the size of the board, you’ll want to include at least one type of dip. Some of my favorite dips to incorporate include hummus (both plain and flavored), artichoke dips, jams, and jellies.
CHARCUTERIE BOARD SWEETS: If you’re anything like me, dessert is my favorite part of the meal, and charcuterie boards are no exception! Make sure to incorporate a little treat for your noshers. Like with everything else, I include different types of sweets in different types of textures. I like to include wrapped chocolates as well as unpackaged cookies.
EXTRAS: To add a little more pop to the charcuterie board you can always include extras like small or sliced pickles and olives. I also love to add Caprese skewers into the mix. You can also add in seasonal garnishing. The extras are where you can get creative!
CHARCUTERIE BOARD PRESENTATION
The presentation can be just as important as the food that’s on it. Select the right size board for the occasion and size of the party. Make sure the board is clean and in good shape. You don’t have to use a typical wood board, there are so many types of platters out there to use! I have a whole post about that right HERE. For additional charcuterie board decor, feel free to add in food labels, cute vessels for the dips, and fun toothpicks for serving!
The most important part of a successful charcuterie board is to include food that you like and others will eat! Make sure you tailor your food to the pallet of you and your guests and I guarantee people will leave with full bellies and happy hearts.
Keep Grazing,
Karen
Karen Ormsby is the founder and owner of Oakford Gourmet Selections. Karen is an Australian native who brings her diverse and educated palate to creating beautiful, artistic, and delicious charcuterie boards and grazing platters. Located outside of Salt Lake City, Utah, Oakford Gourmet Selections provides charcuterie and grazing catering perfect for any sized events including girl's nights, weddings, receptions, engagements, parties, networking events, and more.
