Whether it's for a family picnic or a relaxed meal in the garden, a charcuterie board would be the perfect option for a show stopping feast. They take very little time to put together but can pack a lot of flavour. This makes them great for relaxed affairs, and you can swap and change your ingredients depending on your tastes and the occasion.
If you'd like to put together your own DIY grazing platter, read on to discover more about what a charcuterie board is, along with our top tips for creating one at home. We'll cover:
- what is a charcuterie board?
- how to make a grazing platter
- how to eat charcuterie
- grazing platter ideas
what is a charcuterie board?
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The term charcuterie (pronounced shaa-koo-tuh-ree) is a French term that describes the art of preparing and serving meat products, such as salami and ham. A charcuterie board (sometimes called a charcuterie platter, grazing board, or grazing platter) is a selection of meats that have been sliced thinly and served with cheese, olives, fruit, nuts, and various types of bread, all arranged beautifully on a serving platter or wooden board.
Grazing boards are made for sharing and are usually presented in the centre of the table ready for everyone to help themselves. This makes the dish perfect for casual dining, especially for garden entertaining or on picnics.
how to make a grazing platter
The best thing about a sharing board is that they take minimal effort to put together but are packed full of flavour. If you like the look of a grazing platter but you're not quite sure where to start, our tips below will help you prepare your own homemade charcuterie board.
what to have on a grazing board
A charcuterie board is usually a mixture of different cured meats, cheeses, and various other additions that complement the flavours of your charcuterie. There are no rules as to what you can include, and what you choose to put on your grazing board is entirely up to you. So, you can choose all your favourites and mix it up each time you make one.
Meat: A charcuterie platter usually consists of a selection of thinly sliced cured meats. Most charcuterie boards include at least three meats. Salami (such as soppressata, genoa, calabrese), prosciutto, pepperoni, and chorizo are good options. Some people also choose to add a pâté or terrine. Most supermarkets offer a selection of cured meats that would be perfect for your sharing board, but you could also shop with a local butcher, deli, or charcutier.
Cheese: You can add any cheese you like to your grazing board, however it's a good idea to have a mixture of both hard and soft cheeses for some variety. Cheddar, gouda, brie, camembert, feta, and stilton are good choices.
Bread: Most charcuterie platters include at least one form of bread. Again, it's good to include a selection of textures, so you could opt for a sliced baguette or soft artisanal loaf along with crunchy breadsticks, crackers, or crostini. You could also consider making your own sourdough.
Nuts and seeds: Nuts make a great accompaniment to cheese and meat and you can include a selection of all your favourites served in ceramic ramekins. Peanuts, almonds, pistachios, pecans, and walnuts are great options. You could also consider adding a few seeds such as sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Spicy roasted pumpkin seeds would be perfect.
Fruit: Fruit can add a touch of sweetness to your serving platter, so consider including a selection of both fresh and dried fruits such as grapes, berries, pears, apricots, or figs. Olives also make for the perfect accompaniment to a grazing board.
Preserves: A charcuterie and cheese board wouldn't be complete without a few preserves. Fig, apricot, and raspberry jam are good options, along with various pickles and chutneys. You could also add a side of houmous. Sundried tomato and basil houmous would be perfect.
how to assemble a charcuterie board
We eat with our eyes and the key to a good grazing board is in the presentation, so try to mix each element up to create a colourful spread.
The first step is to arrange your meats and cheeses on a ceramic serving platter. If you're catering to the whole family, a large serving platter would be perfect. However, for smaller affairs, such as a charcuterie board for two, a small tray would be ideal. A wooden cutting board or serving board is also a good option and can add a lovely rustic look to your meal.
Sharing a grazing board is a relaxed form of dining, meaning your food doesn't have to be neat or arranged in any special way. In fact, it can add to the rustic and casual atmosphere of the meal. You can simply lay your meats on your serving platter, grouping them by type.
Then, intersperse your cheese. Cutting your cheese into slices beforehand can make it easier for everyone to grab what they want, but you could also consider leaving them in blocks along with a cheese knife so your family and friends can help themselves.
Once you've added your cheese and meat, you can fill in any gaps with your fruits, bread, and crackers. Any extras, such as nuts, olives, and preserves, can be served in ramekins alongside your serving platter.
how to eat charcuterie
Once you've put your grazing board together, it's ready to serve. The best way to do this is by placing your serving platter in the centre of your table, along with your ramekin dishes of pickles, jams, and nibbles. Add a selection of plates and cutlery or cocktail sticks and encourage everyone to help themselves.
Because of its European origins, a charcuterie board works very well with wine, so consider serving your favourite red, white, or rosé in stunning glasses to make the occasion feel special. For an extra touch of luxury, why not serve a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine with your charcuterie?
To find the right wine for your grazing board, choose a bottle from the same place as your food. For example, if you've included a lot of French cheeses or meats, pair it with a French wine.
how long can charcuterie sit out?
Because it contains meat, cheese, and various other accompaniments, most elements of your grazing board will need to be served cold and should only be left out of the fridge for a maximum of two hours.
Pre-sliced meat will need to be put in the fridge once you get it home, however charcuterie meat usually tastes better when served at room temperature. If you've stored your meat in the fridge, then you might want to leave it out on the counter for around 10 minutes before serving.
charcuterie board ideas
Because a grazing board is designed for casual and relaxed affairs, it makes a great option for any occasion when you want something luxurious that can be thrown together within minutes — ideal for entertaining. Below, we've put together our grazing platter ideas for any occasion, including:
Charcuterie boards for: How to make your sharing platter:
charcuterie boards for two
If you've planned a romantic dinner at home, a charcuterie board could be the perfect choice to make the occasion feel special yet relaxed. A grazing board for two will need to be a little bit smaller than the kind of platter you'd put together for a larger group, so you might want to choose a small serving tray rather than a big one.
To keep your charcuterie board small without losing the variety, try to choose two different types of meat and cheese. Then, add your favourite nibbles. You won't need many, and a handful of each would be enough.
To make date night feel more special, why not serve your favourite sparkling wine in stylish champagne flutes and toast to the occasion?
charcuterie boards for breakfast
Charcuterie boards make the perfect lunch or casual dinner, but if you add the right ingredients, they also make the perfect start to your morning. To make your breakfast grazing platter, swap the usual savoury options for a selection of your favourite breakfast foods.
If you like a sweet breakfast, you could cover your serving platter with a range of fresh fruit, pastries, and pancakes accompanied by ceramic ramekins filled with yoghurt and granola, and a jug of syrup or honey. For those who prefer to start their day with something savoury, you could arrange sausage, bacon, and eggs on your grazing board, served alongside a selection of bread and some roasted tomatoes.
charcuterie boards for a picnic
The relaxed feeling of a grazing board makes it the perfect choice for casual outdoor dining, especially a picnic. You can add anything you like for a picnic charcuterie board, but it might be a good idea to pack each element separately and assemble your board once you reach your picnic spot. Our guide on how to have the perfect picnic has plenty of advice to help you pack and serve your picnic charcuterie board.
charcuterie boards for Christmas
A charcuterie board can be the perfect addition to your party food, which makes them great for special occasions such as Christmas. You can add a few seasonal touches, such as fresh cranberries and cranberry sauce, as well as some sprigs of fresh rosemary.
Champagne or prosecco served in stunning champagne flutes will add a touch of festive sparkle to your Christmas grazing platter.
sweet grazing platters
Most charcuterie boards are savoury, but you can also make a sweet grazing platter that is perfect for dessert. You could add ramekins filled with melted milk, white, and dark chocolate along with various other dips, such as salted caramel and peanut butter. Serve them with a selection of fruits, pretzels, biscuits, marshmallows, and chocolates. You could also make your own chocolate truffles or chocolate and nut honeycomb for your dessert charcuterie board.
healthy charcuterie boards
Because they contain a wide variety of different food types, most savoury charcuterie boards are a great balanced meal. But, if you'd like to make a healthier version, then a few simple ingredient changes can make all the difference. To put together a healthy charcuterie board, you can swap some of your meat for leaner proteins such as sliced turkey, prawns, or a few boiled eggs cut into halves.
If you don't want to use low-fat cheeses for your healthy grazing platter, then you could swap some of your dairy options for more varieties of fruits and vegetables. You can also replace your selection of artisanal breads for wholewheat crackers or rice cakes.
vegan grazing platters
Although traditional sharing platters are usually based around meat and cheese, you can easily make a charcuterie board vegan with a few simple swaps. You can get some great plant-based meat and cheese alternatives in your local supermarket that would make the perfect addition to your vegan platter. Then, you can add your usual grazing board nibbles, such as nuts, crackers, fruit, and olives. You might also want to include some crudités.
Most commercially available breads are suitable for vegans, however some can contain additional ingredients such as whey, eggs, or additives that are derived from animals, so it's always a good idea to check the label. You might also like to make your own bread at home.
French charcuterie boards
Charcuterie boards originate from France, so if you'd like to make an authentic version, look for ingredients that also hail from France. For example, you could add a French duck or pork pâté, as well as jambon de Bayonne (a cured ham from the city of Bayonne in southwest France) and saucisson sec (a dry cured sausage that's similar to salami).
For a French charcuterie board, look for French cheeses such as brie, camembert, gruyere, and Roquefort. Then, add a baguette, a small bowl of Dijon mustard, and some nibbles, such as your favourite nuts, fruits, and preserves.
Italian charcuterie boards
Although they originally hail from France, grazing platters are very popular in Italy and commonly contain various Italian meats and cheeses. To make your own Italian charcuterie board, look for cured meats such as prosciutto di Modena, prosciutto di Parma, and pancetta, as well as other meats such as 'nduja.
Serve your meats alongside Italian cheeses with a ramekin filled with small mozzarella balls, or slices of gorgonzola and pecorino. A few extra Italian nibbles such as sundried tomatoes in olive oil and a selection of olives would go great. Present them with some crostini and your favourite loaf of bread, along with a small bowl of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping.
British charcuterie boards
While most people might pick French or Italian meats for their grazing platter, we have a great selection of cured meats right here in the UK. If you'd like to support local British businesses, then why not choose a wild venison salami or chorizo, or some dry-cured mutton?
Although the British charcuterie industry is still in its infancy, these businesses use locally sourced meats, herbs, and spices to create some unique flavours that would make the perfect addition to your British charcuterie board. You could also pair them with a few traditional British foods such as cocktail sausages or fancy Scotch eggs.
These meats go great with local cheeses, so consider matching them to your favourite British variety, such as Cheddar, Somerset Brie, Cornish Yarg, and Stilton.
Whether it's for a date night for two or a garden party, a grazing platter is the perfect option for relaxed dining. These charcuterie board ideas will be great for any occasion. If you're looking for more inspiration, why not take a look at some of our other guides and how tos that will help you prepare and serve a range of different meals and drinks?
You might also be interested in our range of expertly crafted ceramic tableware. We have a wide selection of serveware, including serving platters and ramekins, that would be perfect for arranging your charcuterie on. Mix and match them with our plates for a casual dinner table to impress.
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