First, What Exactly Is Charcuterie?
Charcuterie is our go-to holiday appetizer for pleasing a crowd. It feels celebratory, generous, and endlessly customizable. Even if not everyone is a meat eater, there is truly something for everyone on a well-curated board. Whether your charcuterie skills have never been tested or you are a prosciutto pairing pro, these tips will help you build a board that feels festive, balanced, and ready for the season.
Charcuterie, pronounced [shahr-koo-tuh-ree], is traditionally the art of curing and smoking meats. Today, it is a full-on flavor playground. Meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and snacks all come together for endless pairing possibilities
Buy the Right Amount Of Charcuterie
How much charcuterie do you need per person? When building your board, plan for between 3-4 slices of meat per person and 1-2 ounces of cheese. For folks who aren’t into meat, you may “budget” up to 4 ounces of cheese for them. This may not seem like a lot, and that’s the idea. Charcuterie is an amuse-bouche (we love any excuse to use that word). Its job is to pique your guests’ appetites for the meal to come. If your board is too robust, it becomes the meal – which is just fine, if that’s what you’re intending.
Why Presentation Matters With A Charcuterie Plate
With charcuterie, how it looks is half the fun. You don’t have to go creating cheese rosettes, but you do want to think about what you’re serving on and plan for any additional items you’ll need. If you’re serving olives with pits, for example, make sure you have a bowl nearby for putting seeds. If you have a particularly soft cheese, you may serve it in a shallow bowl to keep it from running into the other snacks.
Start With Fruit. Always.
Figs, dates, apricots, and mango bring natural sweetness and rich holiday color to the board. Their deep reds, golden tones, and sunny hues instantly make everything feel festive and abundant. These are usually the first things people reach for, whether they are pairing them with cheese or sneaking a few straight from the board.
Think of dried fruit as the holiday sparkle. It sets the mood.
A Little Creaminess Goes a Long Way
Balance all that sweetness with something soft and creamy. Brie, camembert, or a whipped cheese spread adds richness without weighing things down. Stuffed dates are another crowd favorite. Creamy, sweet, and just fancy enough to feel special.
This is where the board starts feeling indulgent but still snackable.
Crunch Is Non-Negotiable
Every great charcuterie board needs texture. Roasted nuts, Figgy Pops, and SuperBerry seeds bring the crunch and keep flavors from feeling one-note. Crunchy elements help balance creamy cheeses and chewy dried fruit so every bite feels interesting.
Plus, snacks within snacks are always a win.
Fresh Pops Make It Feel Festive
Fresh kiwi slices, berry blends, and a little greenery instantly wake up the board. These bright pops of color make everything feel fresh, inviting, and holiday ready. Tuck in some rosemary sprigs or fresh herbs for an effortless festive touch.
It is like decorating, but edible.
Remember Dietary Considerations When Building A Charcuterie Board
While serving everything on the same tray makes for an abundant presentation, it may not be a good idea depending on your guest list. If you have vegetarians in the house, they’ll likely appreciate having the meat served separately. The same is true for folks who may be lactose intolerant.
Now for the Fun Part
A holiday charcuterie board usually shines with:
-
2 to 3 meats
-
2 to 3 cheeses
-
A mix of dried and fresh fruit
-
Crackers or bread
-
Nuts and crunchy snacks
-
Something briny
-
A spread or dip
The magic is in mixing textures, colors, and flavors. Buy great organic ingredients, let them shine, and have fun with it.
Build a Holiday-Ready Board With These Picks
Meat: Prosciutto, Peppered Salami, Spicy Soppressata, Smoked Country Ham, Serrano Ham, Jamón Ibérico, Pate
Cheese: Gouda, Camembert, Aged Cheddar, Brillat-Savarin, Manchego, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Blue Cheese
Nuts: Pecans, Walnuts, Marcona Almonds, Hazelnuts
Fresh Fruit: Kiwi, Berry Blends, Apples, Pears
Dried Fruit: Figs, Dates, Apricots, Mango, Superberry blend
Spreads and Dips: Honey, Hummus, Tapenade, Baba Ganoush
Fun Extras: Figgy Pops, Cornichons, Kale Chips, Coconut Chips
The best part? There is no wrong way to do it. If it looks colorful, feels abundant, and makes people hover around the table longer than planned, you nailed it.
