How to Make a Simple Charcuterie Board Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 oz Prosciutto (thinly sliced, fan into half‑moons)
• 4 oz Soppressata (sliced into bite‑size pieces)
• 4 oz Salami (folded and stacked, then sliced into triangles)
• 4 oz Summer Sausage (remove wax paper, slice thinly, keep one chunk for display)
• 4 oz Beef Sticks (served in a small jar)
• 8 oz Brie (whole wheel, cut a small wedge for display, keep a knife in the cheese)
• 4 oz Bleu Cheese (cut a small wedge, crumble the rest into ¼‑½ inch pieces)
• 4 oz Fontina (cut into small rectangles or squares)
• 4 oz Aged Cheddar (cut into medium dice; may crumble slightly if very sharp)
• 4 oz Asiago (pre‑cut into triangles)
• 1 medium Pear (sliced thinly)
• 1 cup Grapes (seedless, washed)
• 0.5 cup Dried Plums (pitted)
• 2 tbsp Capers (drained)
• 0.5 cup Cornichons (small pickled gherkins)
• 0.25 cup Fig and Orange Spread (tart fruit spread)
• 2 tbsp Whole Grain Mustard (spicy, grainy)
• 2 tbsp Honey (for a touch of sweetness)
• 8 pieces Artisan Rye Crackers (place around the perimeter)
• 8 pieces Butter Crackers (place around the perimeter)
• 8 pieces Wafer Crackers (place around the perimeter)
• 0.25 cup Almonds (scatter in gaps)
• 0.25 cup Spicy Pistachios (scatter in gaps)

Instructions

1. Choose Your Base

   Select a sturdy cutting board or wooden platter that fits the number of guests; wipe it clean and place it on a flat surface.

   Time: PT2M

2. Prepare the Meats

   Fan the prosciutto into half‑moons, roll the soppressata into bite‑size bundles, fold and stack salami into triangles, slice summer sausage thinly (keep one chunk for display), and arrange beef sticks in a small jar.

   Time: PT10M

3. Slice and Arrange Cheeses

   Cut a wedge from the brie and insert a cheese knife for display. Slice fontina into rectangles, crumble bleu cheese into ¼‑½ inch pieces, dice aged cheddar, and keep Asiago triangles as is. Arrange cheeses symmetrically around the board, leaving space for other components.

   Time: PT8M

4. Add Fresh and Dried Fruit & Veggies

   Slice the pear thinly, wash grapes, and scatter dried plums. Place capers and cornichons in small bowls. Distribute fruit and veg evenly, balancing colors on each side of the board.

   Time: PT5M

5. Place Spreads

   Spoon fig‑orange spread, whole grain mustard, and honey into separate small bowls. Position the bowls near the crackers for easy access.

   Time: PT2M

6. Arrange Crackers

   Lay artisan rye, butter, and wafer crackers around the outer edge of the board, tucking some under meats or cheeses to keep them from breaking.

   Time: PT3M

7. Add Nuts and Final Touches

   Scatter almonds and spicy pistachios into any gaps, add extra tongs or small forks, and place a few decorative knives beside the cheeses.

   Time: PT2M

8. Final Review

   Step back, adjust any items for symmetry, ensure each flavor component (sweet, salty, spicy, umami) is represented, and cover any remaining cheese with plastic wrap for later replenishment.

   Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

250

Protein

12 g

Carbohydrates

18 g

Fat

15 g

Fiber

2 g

Ingredient Substitutions

• Instead of Prosciutto: Thinly sliced ham, Parma ham
• Instead of Soppressata: Spicy salami, Chorizo
• Instead of Salami: Pepperoni, Genoa salami
• Instead of Summer Sausage: Hard salami, Bologna
• Instead of Beef Sticks: Pepper sticks, Meat jerky
• Instead of Brie: Camembert, Triple‑cream cheese
• Instead of Bleu Cheese: Gorgonzola, Roquefort
• Instead of Fontina: Gruyère, Provolone
• Instead of Aged Cheddar: Sharp cheddar, Manchego
• Instead of Asiago: Parmesan shards, Pecorino
• Instead of Pear: Apple, Fig
• Instead of Grapes: Red currants, Blackberries (seasonal)
• Instead of Dried Plums: Dried apricots, Raisins
• Instead of Capers: Olives, Pickled onions
• Instead of Cornichons: Dill pickles, Pickled jalapeños
• Instead of Fig and Orange Spread: Fig jam, Orange marmalade
• Instead of Whole Grain Mustard: Dijon mustard, Spicy brown mustard
• Instead of Honey: Agave nectar, Maple syrup
• Instead of Artisan Rye Crackers: Whole‑grain crackers, Seeded crackers
• Instead of Butter Crackers: Saltine crackers, Water crackers
• Instead of Wafer Crackers: Thin crispbreads, Rice crackers
• Instead of Almonds: Cashews, Pistachios
• Instead of Spicy Pistachios: Roasted peanuts, Seasoned cashews

Equipment Needed

• Cutting Board
• Chef's Knife
• Cheese Knife
• Small Bowls
• Serving Spoons
• Tongs (optional)
• Small Jar (optional)

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

• Fan and arrange meats without tearing them.
• Slice cheeses appropriately and keep a portion wrapped for later.
• Balance sweet, salty, spicy, and umami flavors across the board.

Chef Tips from the Video

• Keep a few cheese pieces wrapped to replenish the board throughout the event.
• Use seasonal fruit for the best flavor and visual appeal.
• Arrange items by color gradient for a professional look.

Troubleshooting

Storage

Refrigerator: Cover uncovered cheeses with plastic wrap and store the board (or components) in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Freezer: Not recommended; textures of fresh fruit and crackers degrade.

Room temperature: Serve within 2 hours of assembly; keep away from direct sunlight.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Slice all meats and cheeses 1‑2 hours before serving; keep them covered.
• Prepare fruit and veggie portions in advance and store in airtight containers.
• Portion spreads into small bowls and refrigerate until needed.

Frequently Asked Questions