How to Make a Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie boards are not only gorgeous, they contain a combination of flavors and nibbles for a simple no-fuss party snack!

It’s not difficult to prepare a meat and cheese board that everyone will rave about! Adding various flavors from simple everyday ingredients takes very little prep and just minutes to build!

I’ve included a few tips below to make sure your next party platter is the talk of the event!

This post is sponsored by Walmart and SheKnows Media.

Weekends around here are for hanging out with friends, enjoying drinks and sitting around the table with a glass of wine telling stories. It’s truly my preferred way to spend a Friday night.

Preparing a Charcuterie board is not only fun, it always looks gorgeous and it’s quicker and easier than ordering a pizza!

What is Charcuterie?

First off … how do you pronounce charcuterie? [shahr-koo-tuh–ree].

Charcuterie is the art of preparing meats which are often cured or smoked such as bacon, ham or salami. A charcutier is a person who prepares charcuterie and while the term is loosely translated in English to “pork butcher”, any kind of meat can be used.

A charcuterie board is commonly seen on menus pretty much everywhere these days and it’s the perfect way to enjoy some nibbles with friends and family!

Preparing a Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board most often consists of a variety of meats and cheeses and often fruit or nuts; essentially a meat and cheese board!

It’s very easy to prepare a charcuterie and you can find absolutely everything you need at Walmart!

The gorgeous wood board in the photos on this post was purchased at Walmart (it’s a part of the Pioneer Woman Collection) along with all of the ingredients! If you’d prefer, Walmart also has a great selection of plates to create the perfect Charcuterie platter!

As you begin thinking about making the perfect charcuterie board, you will want to start thinking about different colors and textures to make it vibrant and interesting.

Red and black berries, dried apricots, fresh herbs, pickles, olives and various dips can add lots of color.

The board should look full, don’t be afraid to pile and stack them while thinking about varying the different items throughout.

Meat: I estimate about 3-4 slices of meat per person when building a board. I try to include a variety of flavors and textures for example a sliced pepper salami, a rolled prosciutto and thoughtfully piled ham.

Cheese: Choose a variety of cheeses; about 1 or 2 oz per person as an hors d’oeuvre. Look for various hard and soft cheeses from mellow to sharp. Cheeses are easiest served already sliced.

Bread and Crackers: Again variety is key, I like to include buttery flaky crackers, grain crackers and thinly sliced and toasted baguettes.

Fruit & Nuts: Both dried and fresh fruit will add gorgeous color and lots of flavor to your charcuterie board! As you are purchasing fruits, keep a variety of colors in mind for a beautiful board. Nuts should be shelled and salted.

Pickles, Olives and Dips: Adding small bowls filled with dill pickles, olives, jellies, mustards and delicious dips is a great way to add some zip and flavor to your board.

Most of the items can be prepared, washed and/or sliced ahead of time meaning this easy appetizer can take just minutes to prepare.

A beautiful meat and cheese board with various flavors takes very little prep and just minutes to build! I was able to find all of
the items I needed at Walmart. Below is the list of some of my favorite additions!

Cheese

Sliced Monterey Jack Cheese
Sliced Cheddar Cheese
El Cortijo Manchego Wedge Cheese
Bel Gioioso Parmesan Cheese Wedge

Meat

Peppered Salame
Salami
Prosciutto
Ham

Fruit

Dried Apricots
Assorted fresh berries
Cherry tomatoes
Grapes

Crackers/Bread

Marketside French Baguette sliced and toasted
Ritz Crackers
Everything Pretzel Crisps
Artisan or Seeded Crackers

Other

Planters Nuts
Marketside Spinach Dip
Marketside Onion Dip
Great Value Black Olives
Mini Dill Pickles

The next time you need an easy and totally fuss free party snack, creating a charcuterie board is not only loved by everyone… it’s so pretty!

I am excited to have partnered with Walmart & SheKnows Media to bring you this post. While I was compensated, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Working with great brands I love allows me to keep bringing you the great recipes you love!