How to Make an Epic Charcuterie Board (video!)
What is a charcuterie board? An Epic Charcuterie Board is filled with cured meats, cheese, veggies, nuts, olives, dried fruits, and crackers!
Friends, everyone asks, what is a charcutier board? Whether for dinner for the family, or an appetizer for a party, we are all about “charcuteries” here on RE!
Epic Charcuterie Board
This “how to make an Epic Charcuterie Board” post includes many ideas to inspire you to dive in and to make your own charcuterie or cheese board.
It will give you many ideas (the art of creating your own board), and photos of a variety of boards. Feel free to copy how we have put our boards together (below, an easy board for two). This post is reposted and updated from December 2017.
Looking for an easy summer entertaining recipe? Just set out an epic charcuterie board, and you will have happy guests. Especially now with the Big Board, it’s easy to make the ultimate charcuterie board to bring a party!
Start off with the right size board for the number you are feeding! We recently brought this Summer Snack Board to a party with about 20 guests. Everyone had the right size “nibble” before the burgers and chicken was served. [Below, the 12×36″ Big Board.]
Why serve an epic charcuterie board?
We love to serve a charcuterie board for an appetizer or even a snack dinner. It’s delicious to make it according to the season, with fresh veggies and fruit, your favorite cheese, salami, and crackers.
Making a mouth-watering cheese board is fun. The varying colors and textures, with plenty of meat and cheese options, makes the board so delicious and beautiful. Then add in lots of fresh items. Use your artsy skills to make the best platter you can!
Epic means large!
When guests walk through the front door of a party, and see a gorgeous spread of meat and cheeses before them, I think right away it brings an excitement to the party. Everyone’s ready to dig in.
What does charcuterie mean?
Charcuterie is a French word pronounced “shahr-ku-tuh-ree” which means the process and beautiful creativity of assembling cured meats and meat products. Charcuterie-style cheese boards often have more than just meat; which now involves cheese, dips, nuts, jams and jellies, olives, and more.
What typically goes on a charcuterie board?
Here’s a quick list of what typically goes on a meat and cheese board:
- Meats – Include a variety of meats like salami and prosciutto.
- Cheese – We love to add a hard cheese and a soft cheese, like a parmesan or cheddar, and then a soft cheese like goat cheese, or creamy brie. Check out this Winter Brie Charcuterie Board.
- Crackers and bread – A sturdy cracker is important. Add a multigrain crackers or crisps, like our favorite Lesley Stowe Crackers. Bread is another option!
- Fruit (and veggies) – Fresh fruit is a favorite on our cheese boards, but you can also add dried fruit. Think of fruits and veggies that are in season, or that go well with dips and cheese. You may like this Eat the Rainbow Charcuterie Board full of beautiful colors.
- Olives – A variety of olives are used, from Pitted Olives Jubilee to Aglio Green Pitted Olives. We also love Kalamata olives, or an olive medley.
- Dips and spreads – Add your favorite cheese dip or savory spread. A small bowl of marmalade or fig jam is also tasty on a charcuterie board. Hummus is always a big hit, so check out this Ultimate Classic Hummus Board.
- Nuts – What’s your favorite nuts? Simply sprinkle a few around the board, or fill in any open areas with nuts (almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts). We’ve layed down most nuts on a charcuterie board (but not peanuts, that do not seem to go with cheese and meat). You can pour them in small bowls, too, if you want to keep the nuts separate from other foods. I sell a great set of “nesting bowls” that are perfect for a charcuterie or cheese board.
How to Make an Epic Charcuterie Board
There are no hard rules for making a charcuterie. Make it your own, change it up, think outside the box! That is what makes charcuteries so interesting and fun; they are always different.
It’s all about creating and designing a board with snack food.
Start off with a big board. We prefer to use a large board with a lip around the outside so the food stays on the board. Have you ever been to a party where there are several charcuterie boards, and within minutes, the counter is a big mess?
Using a board with a raised edge eliminates the mess, and keeps the food nice and tidy.
Check out this post: How to make a Charcuterie Board for more tips!
Ingredients for this Epic Charcuterie Board
Today I’m showing you How to Make an Epic Charcuterie Board! (A smaller version, visit my Meat, Cheese and Olive Charcuterie Board recipe:)
For this epic board today, we used these ingredients:
- Olive Bruschetta
- Roasted Pepper Bruschetta
- Garden Vegetable Bruschetta
- Red Wine Salami, sliced
- Black Pepper Dry Cured Sausage, sliced
- Italian Herb Dry Cured Sausage, sliced
- Sweet Casalingo Dry Cured Sausage, sliced
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Soft cheese
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for dipping
- Roasted Garlic & Parmesan Seasoning Spices
- Garlic Pepper & Tomato Seasoning Spices
- Crostini Original (bread or crackers)
- Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Seasoning Spices
- Rosemary & Garlic Seasoning Spices
- Baguette Bread
- Veggies and miscellaneous crackers
- Figs, sliced
- Almonds
- Olives
How to arrange a cheese board
- Start with small bowls to add olives, nuts, or wet ingredients. For this board we added olive oil and the bruschetta. Arrange the bowls on the board.
- Fill in the spaces with meats, cheeses, vegetables, crackers, figs, etc.
- Next, add baguette slices.
- Garnish the board with fresh herbs! For this board we added small tangerines on a stick, for a beautiful fall board.
Building boards is easy. No board is ever the same.
Make it your own, use what you have. And never apologize for a culinary mistake.
More charcuterie board recipes:
Grab all of my THE BIG BOARD ideas!
Have you ever made an epic grilled breakfast charcuterie board? (photo above)?
How to make a Fall Cheese Board
This beautiful Winter Burrata Charcuterie Board
My BIG BOARDS do not need to be seasoned, but if you need to season a board:
How to Season a Charcuterie Board
Big Boards for Families
And have you ordered my new book yet? Thank you so much for your love and support! Every recipe in Big Boards for Families has a gorgeous photo and recipe to try! You can also preorder Reluctant Entertainer’s Big Boards and More (October 2022).
Did you know that Reluctant Entertainer was featured in a NY Post article?! So cool.
Enjoy bringing people together with great food, and I think you’ll be surprised how casual and easy it is to serve a charcuterie board!
What do you do with leftover charcuterie?
Everyone asks me when we serve these big boards, what do we do with the leftovers? Rarely are there any leftovers, but if there are (meats, cheese, olives), here are a few ideas.
Leftover Charcuterie Board Pizza
Leftover Thanksgiving Epic Charcuterie Board
The Big Board®
Friends, The Big Board® is here! Yes, I’ve partnered with JK Adams, the premier woodmaking company in Vermont, with my own line of RE boards! [The first photo in this post is the old 28-inch board that is no longer available.]
- 20-inch round, maple
- 26-inch round, maple
- 12 x 36-inch maple
- 12 x 24-inch maple
- NEW 12×24” travel board
- 26-inch ebonized BLACK, cherry
- 12 x 36-inch ebonized BLACK, cherry
- A board with a lip (or raised edged) so the food doesn’t fall off
- FOOD SAFE
- Made in the USA
- Undercut handles (a unique design)
Thank you for your support, as we’ve sold out so many times already!
Order The Big Board® today!
Get the Recipe:
How to Make an Epic Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 1 jar Italian Olive Bruschetta
- 1 jar Italian Roasted Pepper Bruschett
- 1 jar Italian Garden Vegetable Bruschetta
- Red Wine Salami, sliced
- Black Pepper Dry Cured Sausage, sliced
- Italian Herb Dry Cured Sausage, sliced
- Sweet Casalingo Dry Cured Sausage, sliced
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Soft cheese
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for dipping
- Roasted Garlic & Parmesan Seasoning Spices
- Garlic Pepper & Tomato Seasoning Spices
- Crostini Original (bread or crackers)
- Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Seasoning Spices
- Rosemary & Garlic Seasoning Spices
- Baguette Bread
- Veggies and miscellaneous crackers
- Figs, sliced
- Almonds
- Olives
Instructions
- Set out a large epic board and gather small bowls.
- Slice meats, and place on the board with cheese.
- Wash and dry fruits and vegetables; thinly slice.
- Place small bowls on your board and fill with olives, nuts and bruschetta (or any other favorite dips).
- Lay down 3-4 flatter small dishes and fill with olive oil; sprinkle with DeLallo Foods dipping spices.
- Place meats, cheeses, sliced baguette and crackers around the board.
- Lay fruits and vegetables around the board.
- Fill in blank spots with salami pieces folded in quarters.
- Optional to garnish with fresh herbs, or take a long skewer and place small tangerines on it for a pretty garnish.
- Serve with small appetizer plates and dig in!
Notes
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
Oh my gosh what great tips! This looks amazing!!!
I LOVE charcuterie boards — they’re the perfect appetizer for any gathering. And I’m dying over that board. Hope I stumble across one some day!
Wow! This board is epic indeed! I make a lot of cheese boards year round. I’m going to use some of your suggestions and add a bit of meat on my next one. Thanks for the pretty inspiration!
What are the orange/red fruit/veg on the board? Are they persimmons or Peppadews? I guess either would be good. While most of the comments are focused on the board itself, I think the food presentation is on point. I love seeing different people’s versions of charcuterie boards. So versatile! I always like to use fresh herbs tucked in as an added touch. Yum!
I just got 3 of those gorgeous boards last week! So excited to use it. One is for my daughter and one for my daughter in law…..also we are thinking of epoxying them to protect the boards.
How many people does this size of board usually serve?? Going out of town this upcoming weekend and considering using this sane board
Really depends … 12-24? Depends if snacking on it or if dinner!
Thank you Sandy, I was thinking about lightly sanding it down. Did you sand your board down? I’m assuming your board didn’t absorb the mineral oil and bees wax being we have the exact same board. I don’t want to make anyone ill and can’t find anything on line about the finish that is not food safe and how to correct that.
Sandy , you’re just the girl I need to chat with. I purchased the 28 inch courtland brown board like yours on line from pier one. In your video it states you can make it food safe by using the mineral oil and wax, so that was my intention. I applied the mineral oil but it doesn’t seem to be absorbing the oil – I will let it sit for 24 hours and wipe down and apply the wax. Did this happen to you when you seasoned it? I realize I could use parchment paper, but am really hoping to be able to season the board because it’s so pretty. I would appreciate any direction/tips you could give me.
You can sand it down with a light sand paper, then add the bees wax and mineral oil :) Or, as you mentioned, use the parchment. :)
I found your board at my Pier One! Can’t wait to make this for a party next week. Have you made one ahead to take to a party? Just leave out adding the oils until you arrive and cover with press and seal? I hope they have a table large enough to set it on, maybe I should bring my own table!
I’ve cut everything up in advance so it was ready to assemble, so sort of the same thing. Yes!
I was thrilled to be able to buy one of those beautiful platters yesterday!! I was wondering about how you season the wood with mineral oil AND beeswax. I already use foodgrade mineral oil for my wooden cutting boards but don’t know about beeswax. Which kind and how do you use it?
I cannot wait to put this platter to good use this summer! I realize it is QUITE expensive to fill it so beautifully!
Thank you so much for your video!
Yes, it’s quite spendy and usually for a larger party :) You can google how to season the board. You may want to lightly sand it down first, then add the oil and wax :)
Gorgeous board! I would love to make this for my son’s birthday party. Can you do a step by step video (slower version) for people who are not so creative and experienced at putting together a Charcuterie Board.?
I will see if I can do that (down the road) Becky! Great idea!
And why does i have to be a board? I have been making these Antipasti for years using an aluminum tray or a large serving tray.
Yes, Paula, use whatever you have! It doesn’t have to be a board :)
Exactly how do you season a board…I’ve never done that.
We just rubbed it down with a cloth. You can google it. If it doesn’t seem like something you want to do, just keep using parchment paper! YAY – ENJOY!
How much would a board like this cost, with all the food?
I believe it was around $119, but if you have a 20% that helps! They also make different sizes! This one is huge!
I found the board at Pier1 but it states it’s not food safe. How are you able to put food directly on yours? Thanks!
Yes, I addressed that above! :)
Thank you for your response. I love all your suggestions for the charcuterie board. I had a small gathering last week and used your ideas for a smaller version. Everyone loved it. The best part was sitting around outside and no one having to go back inside to get more food as it was right there in front of us. I can’t wait to try out my new board next month with 10 guests. You’re the best! T
It seems you would have to have plates for everyone to put their food on so people couldnt double dip! How do you eat the dipping sauces without people dipping ? Such a large board so there would have to be a good amount of people!
Yes, you can set out small plates. Look back at some of my other charcuteries, there are often small plates. Yes, this is for a lot of people! Most people know to not double dip … :) ENJOY!
Do you know the brand of your board? I can’t find it anywhere I would LOVE this for family gathering.
Yes! Courtland Brown Hand-Carved Round Trays :)
Hello, I was able to purchase the board from Pier 1 to use for my charcuterie board. I notice in your photos sometimes you have parchment paper and other times not. Did you use beeswax and mineral oil on your Pier 1 platter?
I used parchment when I first got the tray, but then seasoned it well with beeswax and mineral oil. :)
How much did u pay for it
My board was around $100 :)
I loved your board… I have been looking every where for a board that size…
What is the name of the broad ? I’m looking for it on pier one , cant find it thank you
It’s Courtland Brown Hand-Carved Round Trays brand!
How big is your board? I’ve been checking online and haven’t found anything as big or as beautiful as yours!
Hi, Kris. My board is 28 inches round (by 2 inches high). It’s a big one! :)
I bought the wine barrel top from pottery barn that is also a lazy susan so it will spin. I do mine in this. Big hit.
Great idea!
Thank you so much!
I haven’t found anything this big, but I do know a millworker, so I might have him do one for me! yay! =]
Where did you get your big beautiful board??
Pier 1, Trish! :)
Lovely!! Thanks so much!