Tips For A Charcuterie Board That Won’t Land You On The Chopping Block

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Charcuterie is a delicatessen or store that sells ready-made pork products such as ham, sausage, and pate. This term can also refer to the specific foods sold in said place. Those who are looking for meat platter ideas usually go to a charcuterie.

If you’re wondering how to say “charcuterie”, it’s pronounced SHAR-q-tuh-ree. The name “charcuterie” can be traced back to the French word for meat (which is charcuterie). Click To Tweet

So, now you have an idea why a meat platter is called a charcuterie board because it’s a board that contains cured or prepared meats. BTW you might want to check out 4th of July Charcuterie Board Guide here.. But, let’s go deeper into meat platter ideas.

What Exactly Is A Charcuterie Board?

meat platter ideas

It used to be that a charcuterie board was just an assortment of cured meats, but these days it’s not uncommon for the term “charcuterie” to refer more generally to any type of meat and cheese platter. It can also include sweet or savory accompaniments as well.

To make it clear, you can’t call it a charcuterie board if it doesn’t include any cured meats. Even if you have tons of cheese, fruits, crackers, and chocolates, without any protein or meat it’s not a charcuterie board.

A meat and cheese platter can include any type of cooked or cured meats. Pulled pork, sausages, and roasted or fried chicken would be a great idea for parties. Pepperoni, tuna salad, and sliced steak are also a great addition to your meat and cheese platter.

Many restaurants in the U.S. are now starting to offer charcuterie boards for appetizers. These usually come with three or four types of cured meats and cheeses and other sweet or savory food without compromising the focus on meat.

Meat Platter Ideas: Arranging A Meat And Cheese Tray

When it comes to party planning, the meat and cheese platter is a must. But how do you make this appetizing? How can you stack these items in such a way so they look appealing to your guests?

meat platter ideas

  • The first thing you need to do is ensure that all meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, and bread are bite-sized. When serving cheese, it is not recommended to serve smelly cheeses. While they may taste delicious, not everyone will appreciate it and might even lose their appetite.
  • Mix your platter with soft and hard cheese. Cut hard cheese into small cubes or slice them thinly. Don’t forget to put a cheese knife near the cheeseboard.
  • Ideally, the number of cheese you’ll serve should be the same as your meat. For instance, you plan on serving four different types of cheese, then place four different kinds of meat, as well.
  • To make it look more appetizing and attractive, mix your board with different flavors, textures, and colors.
  • Alternate meats with cheeses. To make your board look full, place your nuts, crackers, fruits, or other accompaniments you might have between the gaps of cheese and meat.
  • If you’re only expecting a few people over, best to use small boards. Remember that a charcuterie board should always look full.
  • While you might be tempted to arrange your meat and cheese platter early on, do it 30 minutes before your party starts. Or if that’s not possible, you can arrange your board a few hours earlier but be sure to place it inside the fridge.
  • Remove your meat and cheese platter 15 minutes before you serve it. Your cheese will taste better when left at room temperature.

Are Charcuterie Boards Healthy?

In most cases, meat and cheese platters are not that healthy. Why? The main star of this meat and cheese board are processed meats and fatty cheeses which we all know are not that healthy.

But, of course, there is always a way to make your meat and cheese platter healthier.

How To Make A Healthy Meat And Cheese Platter

The key to whipping up a healthy yet delicious charcuterie board is choosing what goes into it. But of course without sacrificing the meat, cheese, and other accompaniments. So for healthier meat platter ideas, below is a list of food that you can use for your next meat and cheese board.

  • Large triangle blue cheese
  • Small triangle gouda
  • sharp white cheddar cheese
  • sliced turkey
  • uncured salami
  • uncured pepperoni
  • hummus
  • green and kalamata olives
  • red and green grapes
  • grape tomatoes
  • blackberries
  • dried apricots
  • fresh blackberries
  • raspberries
  • pita bread
  • whole wheat crackers
  • flaxseed crackers
  • raw pistachios
  • raw almonds
  • raw pecans
  • raw walnuts
  • raw cashews
  • raw honey or honey substitute
  • strawberry chia jam
  • fresh rosemary

So, there you have it. Instead of cured meats go for uncured pepperoni and salami. You can also choose healthier cheeses like the ones mentioned above.

Fresh fruits are also a healthier option. When placing them on the board, don’t forget to follow the tips above.

How To Make a Great Charcuterie Board That Everyone Will Enjoy

The secret to a good charcuterie board, apart from how it was put together, is to have something for everyone.

meat platter ideas

If you are hosting a small gathering, it’s easy to make the right amount of food with just two or three items. If your guest list is big enough then go ahead and use more than three dishes!

People love to mix and match their food, which is why the charcuterie board has a variety of flavors. It’s one of the best parts about it. The important thing is there’s a variety of flavors and options.

Here are some items you should always have on your charcuterie board.

  • Fatty and savory food is a must. Cured meats such as prosciutto, like salami, Spanish chorizo, mortadella, soppressata, and pepperoni should do the trick. Hard cheeses such as gouda, cheddar, parmesan, and of course soft cheeses as well.
  • Other savory treats to add are olives such as kalamata, niçoise, and Spanish green. And don’t forget to add dips like hummus, herbed sour cream, and guacamole. You’ll also need something to go with your dips like raw veggies.
  • For something sweet, start with fresh or dried fruits. Some of the common fruits to include are cherries, peaches, figs, different kinds of berries, and oranges. Fruit preserves or jams, candied nuts, and honey would also make your platter more interesting.
  • Pickled veggies like pepperoncini, cucumbers, and red onions are also a must. You may also want to add mustard and vinegar-based sauces to add diversity to the flavors.
  • A lot of people would also want something salty so adding some smoked nuts, salted roasted nuts and crackers would complete your board.
  • While not everyone enjoys bitter foods, some might like it, so consider adding some fresh herbs or leafy greens.
  • If you have guests who like it hot, add some hot sauce, spicy jam, and pickled or fresh chiles.

What To Do With Leftover Charcuterie Board Ingredients

Okay, it’s not uncommon to have some leftover ingredients for your meat and cheese platter, especially if you bought a lot of stuff. But don’t throw them just yet, there are a lot of things you whip up with these leftover ingredients.

If you have leftover tomatoes, pesto, and mozzarella, you can always make a creamy pesto pasta or a Caprese cheese dip. If you’re craving salad, then your leftover goat cheese and leafy greens will make delicious chicken naan wraps or strawberry salad.

You can easily make a grilled cheese sandwich or a one-pot spaghetti with your olives, prosciutto, and salami. The remaining fruit jams can be used for baked brie or add them to your overnight oats.

Nuts can be used for banana or blueberry muffin toppings. For your fresh fruits like cherry, you can turn them into jam or pie fillings.

You see. there is no limit on how you can use any leftover ingredients from your charcuterie board.

Time To Charcuter-go!

Meat and food platters can make any occasion more special and anyone can enjoy them. It’s all about mixing different flavors, textures, and colors into one board. Click To Tweet

The great thing about meat platter ideas? They are super easy to make, filling, and of course, delicious!

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