How to make the Ultimate Charcuterie Board
How to make the ULTIMATE Charcuterie Board is a easy International recipe that serves 8. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Simply Home Cooked on YouTube.
Prep: 1 hr | Cook: PT0M | Total: 1 hr 15 min
Cost: $175.37 total, $21.92 per serving
Ingredients
- 200 g Smoked Mozzarella Cheese (thinly sliced)
- 200 g Aged Cheddar Cheese (cut into small cubes)
- 150 g Edam Cheese (cut into wedges)
- 150 g Smoked Gouda Cheese (cut into wedges)
- 150 g Fromager d'Affinois (soft cheese, broken into pieces)
- 100 g Garlic & Herb Cheese Spread (served with crackers)
- 100 g Plain Cheese Curds (whole curds)
- 100 g Beecher's Flagship Cheese (crumbles easily, hand‑crumbled before serving)
- 100 g Prosciutto (thin ribbons)
- 120 g Genoa Salami (folded into quarters and fanned)
- 120 g Soppressata Salami (folded into quarters and fanned)
- 100 g Spanish Chorizo (folded in half and fanned)
- 80 g Peppered Salami Stick (sliced 1/8‑1/4 inch thick)
- 80 g Nola Salami (sliced 1/8‑1/4 inch thick)
- 80 g Sicilian Olives (pitted) (served in small bowl)
- 80 g Kalamata Olives (pitted) (served in small bowl)
- 60 g Fig Jam (served in small bowl)
- 60 g Strawberry Jam (homemade or store‑bought)
- 60 g Plum Jam (served in small bowl)
- 30 g Honey (drizzled or in small dish)
- 150 g Red Seedless Grapes (cut into tiny clusters with kitchen shears)
- 150 g Cotton Candy Grapes (cut into tiny clusters)
- 120 g Fresh Strawberries (halved)
- 100 g Blueberries (whole)
- 1 piece Pears (peeled and sliced)
- 1 piece French Baguette (sliced thin)
- 80 g Rosemary Artisan Crackers (whole)
- 80 g Whole Wheat Crackers (whole)
- 80 g Cranberry Hazelnut Crisps (whole)
- 50 g Dried Figs (whole)
- 50 g Dates (pitted)
- 50 g Dried Apricots (whole)
- 40 g Dried Tart Cherries (whole)
- 40 g Golden Raisins (whole)
- 60 g Roasted Pecans (lightly salted, toasted)
- 60 g Roasted Salted Almonds (toasted)
- 60 g Roasted Salted Pistachios (toasted)
Instructions
Prepare the Cheeses
Slice the smoked mozzarella thin, cube the aged cheddar, cut wedges from the Edam and smoked Gouda, break the Fromager d'Affinois into bite‑size pieces, spread the garlic‑herb cheese, keep the cheese curds whole, and hand‑crumble the Beecher's Flagship cheese.
Time: PT10M
Arrange Cheeses on the Board
Place the larger cheese pieces (blocks and wedges) spaced evenly, then fill gaps with cubes, crumbles, and spreads to create visual variety and texture.
Time: PT10M
Prepare the Cured Meats
Lay the prosciutto ribbons flat, fold Genoa and soppressata salami into quarters and fan them, fold Spanish chorizo halves and fan, slice peppered and Nola salami sticks into 1/8‑1/4 inch rounds.
Time: PT10M
Add Olives
Divide the pitted Sicilian and Kalamata olives into two small bowls and place them on the board.
Time: PT5M
Add Condiments
Place fig jam, strawberry jam, plum jam, and honey into separate small bowls or ramekins.
Time: PT5M
Prepare Fresh Fruit
Using kitchen shears, cut tiny clusters from the red seedless and cotton candy grapes; halve the strawberries; wash and add blueberries; peel and slice the pear.
Time: PT5M
Slice Bread and Arrange Crackers
Thinly slice the French baguette with a bread knife and fan the slices; arrange rosemary crackers, whole‑wheat crackers, and cranberry‑hazelnut crisps around the board.
Time: PT5M
Add Dried Fruit and Nuts
Scatter dried figs, dates, apricots, tart cherries, and golden raisins; add toasted pecans, almonds, and pistachios in small piles.
Time: PT5M
Final Touches
Step back and adjust spacing, ensuring each category is visible and easy to reach. Add any extra garnish like fresh herbs if desired.
Time: PT5M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 350
- Protein
- 12g
- Carbohydrates
- 30g
- Fat
- 20g
- Fiber
- 4g
Dietary info: Contains meat, Contains nuts, Contains gluten
Allergens: Dairy, Nuts, Gluten
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Smoked Mozzarella Cheese: Regular mozzarella, Provolone
- Instead of Aged Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar
- Instead of Edam Cheese: Gouda
- Instead of Smoked Gouda Cheese: Regular Gouda
- Instead of Fromager d'Affinois: Brie, Camembert
- Instead of Garlic & Herb Cheese Spread: Herbed cream cheese
- Instead of Plain Cheese Curds: Fresh mozzarella balls
- Instead of Beecher's Flagship Cheese: Feta, Blue cheese
- Instead of Prosciutto: Parma ham
- Instead of Genoa Salami: Italian salami
- Instead of Soppressata Salami: Spicy salami
- Instead of Spanish Chorizo: Mexican chorizo
- Instead of Peppered Salami Stick: Pepperoni
- Instead of Nola Salami: Other stick salami
- Instead of Sicilian Olives (pitted): Green olives
- Instead of Kalamata Olives (pitted): Greek olives
- Instead of Fig Jam: Apricot jam
- Instead of Strawberry Jam: Raspberry jam
- Instead of Plum Jam: Cherry jam
- Instead of Honey: Agave syrup
- Instead of Red Seedless Grapes: Green grapes
- Instead of Cotton Candy Grapes: Red grapes
- Instead of Fresh Strawberries: Raspberries
- Instead of Blueberries: Blackberries
- Instead of Pears: Apples
- Instead of French Baguette: Ciabatta
- Instead of Rosemary Artisan Crackers: Herb crackers
- Instead of Whole Wheat Crackers: Multigrain crackers
- Instead of Cranberry Hazelnut Crisps: Nut‑infused crackers
- Instead of Dried Figs: Dried apricots
- Instead of Dates: Medjool dates
- Instead of Dried Apricots: Dried figs
- Instead of Dried Tart Cherries: Dried cranberries
- Instead of Golden Raisins: Regular raisins
- Instead of Roasted Pecans: Walnuts
- Instead of Roasted Salted Almonds: Cashews
- Instead of Roasted Salted Pistachios: Shelled pistachios
Equipment Needed
- Large Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
- Kitchen Shears
- Small Bowls (4)
- Serving Platter or Board
- Cheese Knives/Spreaders
- Spoon for Jam/Honey
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Uniformly slice and cube cheeses for consistent texture
- Arrange cheeses first, leaving ample space for meats and accompaniments
- Keep meats chilled until placed to prevent bacterial growth
- Toast nuts just before assembling for maximum flavor
Chef Tips from the Video
- Mix textures: soft cheese, hard cheese, crunchy nuts, juicy fruit for a balanced bite
- Use color contrast—red grapes, green olives, golden nuts—to make the board visually appealing
- Provide a small cheese knife for each soft cheese so guests can serve themselves easily
Troubleshooting
Board looks sparse or empty
Add more fresh fruit, extra crackers, or a few more nuts to fill gaps.
Cheese becomes soft or oily
Keep the board chilled until just before serving; place cheese on a chilled platter.
Nuts are too salty
Rinse lightly with water, pat dry, and re‑toast briefly.
Storage
Refrigerator: Cover board tightly with plastic wrap; store up to 2 days. Keep cheese and meat separate from fruit to avoid sogginess.
Freezer: Not recommended; textures of cheese and fresh fruit degrade.
Room temperature: Can sit out for up to 2 hours during serving; after that return to refrigerator.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Slice all cheeses and meats a day ahead and store in airtight containers
- Toast nuts and keep them in a sealed bag
- Prepare jams and honey portions in small jars for quick placement
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of a Charcuterie Board in European cuisine?
Charcuterie boards originated in France as a way to showcase cured meats, cheeses, and accompaniments for social gatherings. Over time, the concept spread across Europe and became a staple for wine and cocktail parties, symbolizing hospitality and culinary variety.
What are traditional regional variations of Charcuterie Boards in French versus Italian cuisine?
French charcuterie often emphasizes pâtés, terrines, and a wide range of soft cheeses like Brie, while Italian boards feature cured meats such as prosciutto and salami paired with hard cheeses like Parmigiano‑Reggiano and olives. Both prioritize balance of flavors and textures.
How is a Charcuterie Board traditionally served in a French wine tasting setting?
In a French wine tasting, the board is arranged on a wooden platter with cheeses placed first, followed by cured meats, fresh fruit, nuts, and small bowls of jams or honey. Each component is meant to complement specific wine notes, and guests use small knives to portion cheese.
What occasions or celebrations is a Charcuterie Board commonly associated with in Western culture?
Charcuterie boards are popular at cocktail parties, holiday gatherings, game nights, and as a pre‑dinner appetizer for birthdays, anniversaries, and casual get‑togethers. Their flexible nature makes them suitable for both formal and informal events.
What makes this Ultimate Charcuterie Board special compared to a basic cheese platter?
This board combines a wide spectrum of textures—soft, crumbly, firm cheeses; sliced, folded, and fanned meats; fresh, dried, and candied fruits; toasted nuts; and multiple condiments—creating a dynamic tasting experience that appeals to all palates.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when assembling this Charcuterie Board?
Common mistakes include overcrowding the board, placing all large items together, not keeping perishable items chilled, and using dull knives that crush delicate cheeses. Follow the spacing guidelines and keep the board organized for best results.
Why does this recipe use sliced wedges for Edam and Gouda instead of full rounds?
Wedges provide bite‑size portions that are easy to pick up and allow guests to control portion size. Full rounds can be cumbersome to handle and may dominate the visual layout of the board.
Can I make this Charcuterie Board ahead of time and how should I store it?
Yes, you can pre‑slice cheeses and meats, store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator, and assemble the board a few hours before serving. Keep the board covered with plastic wrap and add fresh fruit and crackers just before guests arrive to maintain texture.
What does the YouTube channel Simply Home Cooked specialize in?
The YouTube channel Simply Home Cooked specializes in easy‑to‑follow home cooking tutorials, focusing on everyday meals, entertaining platters, and practical kitchen tips for home cooks of all skill levels.
How does the YouTube channel Simply Home Cooked's approach to Charcuterie differ from other food channels?
Simply Home Cooked emphasizes clear, step‑by‑step visual guidance, practical ingredient sourcing, and budget‑friendly options, while many other channels focus on high‑end or gourmet presentations. Dina’s style is approachable and adaptable for home kitchens.
Last updated: August 29, 2026
