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Use these charcuterie board ideas for a Christmas party, or for simple entertaining at home in front of a movie.
Learn how to build a beautiful board full of color, flavor and different textures.
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Charcuterie boards are perfect for the holiday season.
Whether you need something to take to a party or simply to indulge with over a Christmas movie, a Charcuterie board is going to be a real hit.
They are the ultimate crowd pleaser.
What Is A Charcuterie Board?
A charcuterie board is typically an appetizer of meat and cheese that is served on a wooden board or stone slab.
In French tradition, charcuterie (pronounced as “shahr-ku-tuh-ree”) is the art of assembling cured meats and meat products.
As boards have become more popular, they have expanded to include many other elements. Modern charcuterie boards include elements such as:
- Cheese
- Fruits
- Nuts
- Artisan bread
- Crackers
- Dips
- Even some sweet treats.
Whatever you decide to include on your charcuterie board, the key is to present it beautifully.
The art of creating the charcuterie board is just as important as what you actually place on the board!
What Type Of Charcuterie Board To Use
There are many types of charcuterie boards that you can choose to use. You may wish to use a wood board or slate stone boards.
The size of the board that will also be determined by the number of people being served.
Use multiple boards if you have a large number of people to serve or you want to large variety of foods.
What Elements To Include On A Charcuterie Board
The fun part is actually creating the charcuterie board. Yes of course it’s fun to eat too, but arranging the food items to look beautiful is a great way to wow your guests.
The first thing to consider is who will be eating the board. Will it be adults, children or both?
The food items you include onto the board will be determined by who will be consuming it.
You may wish to separate out the boards to create some specifically for the kids.
Include Various Cheeses:
Start by selecting some cheese to add to the board.
It is important to think about the type of cheese you wish to add and ensure that there is some variety.
- Soft Cheeses such as brie, camembert, fresh mozzarella balls
- Harder Cheeses such as gouda, gruyere and cheddar cheese
- Speciality Cheeses such as blue cheese or a goat cheese log.
Aim to buy 2-3ounces of cheese per person.
Place the cheese on the board and space them out from each other.
It is a good idea to pre-slice harder cheeses. Soft cheese can be placed as whole with a serving knife.
Charcuterie Meats:
It is a good idea to place the meats around the cheese.
Slice the meats and either roll them or fold in rosettes.
Different types of meats to include are:
- Salami
- Proscuitto
- Pepperoni
- Pate or mousse
Charcuterie Fruits:
To achieve a gorgeous charcuterie board that has a beautiful color scheme, adding fruits is a must.
Place the fruits around the cheese and meats.
A mix of fresh fruit and dried fruit can be added. Not only will this provide the pop of color, but it will also provide different shapes and add interest to the board.
Great fruit options to include are:
- Red and green grapes
- Sliced apples and pears (soak in lemon juice prior to placing on the board to help prevent discoloration)
- Strawberries, blackberries and blueberries
- Dried fruit such as mango, apricots and cranberries.
Crackers And Nuts:
Don’t forget to include the crackers and nuts!
Try to offer between 2-6 different types of crackers depending on the size of the board you are using.
Choose different types of crackers to offer a variety of taste. For example a water cracker, seed cracker and perhaps a pepper one.
You might also like to offer some sliced baguette, because lets face it. Who can refuse some nice fresh bread!
You can also use some nuts to fill some of the empty spaces. Nuts such as almonds, cashews and hazelnuts would be great.
Fill The Remaining Empty Spaces:
The empty spaces of your board can be filled with all those little extra’s like cherry tomatoes, dips and olives.
Whether you choose to use green olives or black olives is personal choice. You may wish to include a combination of both.
You may also wish to decorate with some herbs such as fresh sprigs of rosemary, or fresh basil. Not only will the herbs add some fresh color, but they will make the charcuterie board smell divine too.
How To Style A Charcuterie Board
You have all the elements needed to create a delicious charcuterie board, so all you need to do is arrange the items.
It is so much fun to see the board come together and even a reluctant entertainer will be able to create one of these!
Use these step by step instructions to help you prepare a charcuterie board that is perfect to share with friends and family over the Christmas season.
Step 1: Add the delicious cheeses over corners of the board. Spread them out and ensure that as much of the cheese is sliced as possible. Soft cheeses can be placed on the board as a whole but ensure that you have cheese knives available.
Step 2: Add the meat. Instead of placing it in little piles, try and wrap or fold the slices to make it look more appealing. Try and place the meat next to each of the piles of cheese.
Step 3: If you wish to add any small bowls with dips or olives etc, this is the time to place them on the board.
Step 4: Use the fresh and dried fruit to wrap around the meat and cheese.
How Far In Advance Can You Create A Charcuterie Board?
Another great thing about charcuterie boards is that they can be made ahead of time. This is incredibly important when you are preparing for any holiday gatherings.
The board can be created up to 24 hours before you need it, but ensure that you cover it with glad wrap and store in the fridge.
Leave the crackers off the board though until you wish to serve.
Take the board out of the fridge approximately 30 minutes before you wish to serve it, so that it can be brought up to room temperature.
You will want to ensure that board is at room temperature so that guests can enjoy all the wonderful flavors as they are intended.
Charcuterie Board Ideas For A Christmas Party
Still stuck for ideas on how to prepare your board? Use these specific following charcuterie board ideas for a Christmas party.
These boards contain more than the traditional charcuterie board cured meats, and encompass cheese board, dessert boards and great options for kids and adults.
Christmas Styled Boards
Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board
This holiday wreath has been created using cheese, olives, salami, cherry tomatoes, grapes and some edible garnish to finish.
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
This Christmas tree board is sure to be a crowd pleaser. The meats, cheese and fruit are all layered into the perfectly styled Christmas tree.
Simple Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board (Step by Step)
A simple but elegant board using artisan products. This is a real treat for the Christmas season.
Christmas Tree Cheese Board
Simple board using cheese, crackers and nuts.
Festive Christmas Caprese Salad | Maple + Mango
This fun candy cane is created with tomato, bocconcini and fresh basil.
Caprese Christmas Tree
The fun caprese Christmas tree will add a pop of color to celebrations. Consisting of fresh mozarella, tomatoes, basil and glaze.
Christmas Wreath Board
Featuring a meat rose made from salami, selection of other meats, fruits and cheese.
Other Fun Christmas Charcuturie Boards
Santa Charcuterie Board
Create a Santa board with fresh fruit, crackers and a marshmallow dip.
Easy Christmas Breakfast Board Idea - Make and Takes
A board full of pancakes and fun toppings. Perfect for the whole family on Christmas morning.
Dessert Boards
Hot Chocolate Charcuterie
Delicious selection of hot chocolate charcuterie treats.
Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board
A tray of delicious mini desserts that will delight the young and old.
Easy DIY Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board To Make
Marshmallows, candy and toppings all beautifully presented to create a delightful hot chocolate charcuterie board.
DIY Christmas Holiday Dessert Charcuterie Board
Festive red and green board, perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
Adorable Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board
The ultimate hot chocolate bar displayed onto a charcuterie board.
Santa Candy Charcuterie Board
A board full of the very best Santa sweets.
Vegetarian & Vegan Boards
The Craziest Vegan Charcuterie Board (and How to Make It)
This board is loaded with vegan meats, cheese, olives, fruit and nuts.
Vegetarian Charcuterie Board
A variety of cheese, crackers, fruit and dip makes up this delicious board.
Tips For Creating The Perfect Charcuterie Board For A Christmas Party
- Consider Your Guests. Think about who will be eating the board and cater to those people. If there are lots of children, make sure the board isn’t too fancy. Likewise if your guests have refined tastes, then use artisan cheese and crackers. If your guests don’t like fancy food then choose simpler cheeses and meats.
- Use Color: It’s true when they say people eat with their eyes. If the charcuterie board looks interesting then people are more likely to tuck in. Color provides the interest and makes everything pop. If you get stuck, add more fruit. Fruit such as grapes and berries always add interest to a board.
- Arrange The Meats: Rather than just pile up the meat, arrange into flowers or folds. This will also add interest to how the board looks.
- Cut The Cheese: Unless it is very soft cheese, it is recommended that the cheese already be cut into slices. This makes it easier for guests to enjoy immediately without having to worry about using cheese knives.
- Add dips. A few simple dips will help with the variety of taste. Serve them in small pots to add visual interest.
A charcuterie board is simply perfect for a Christmas party. It is easy to prepare, it looks great and it’s an easy way to serve food.
It will be the perfect addition to your Christmas entertaining.
Use these ideas to create a gorgeous Christmas charcuterie board that your guests are going to absolutely love.
Then simply sit back, relax and enjoy!
Need some more Christmas ideas? Check out these easy magical Christmas ideas the whole family can enjoy. You will find more printables, simple recipes, decorations and more.
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