What Is a Charcuterie Board (and How to Make it Authentic!) - What A Girl Eats (2024)

Charcuterie boards are all the rage right now, but can we get clear on exactly what is a charcuterie board? Few people are actually using the term “charcuterie” correctly, so I’m here to set the record straight and show you how to make an authentic charcuterie board.

What Does Charcuterie Mean?

The word “charcuterie” (pronounced shaar-KOO-tr-ee) is French. It’s a noun and it can have two meanings.

In France, it will be the shop that you visit to buy cured meats, sausages, salami, pâté, galantines and rillettes. While most charcuterie products are made of pork, you’ll find all types of cured meats in a charcuterie.

The second charcuterie definition refers to the actual meat. A charcuterie board is one that is filled with cured meats, pâtés and various other meat products, as well as anything you serve with meat, such as olives, gherkins and pickled vegetables, and of course crackers or crusty bread.

What is Charcuterie vs a Grazing Board?

Since the rise in popularity of these colorful boards over the last few years, the internet has been flooded with “charcuterie” boards that have no place using that name.

A grazing board is a great catch-all term for anything that doesn’t include MEAT.

A hot chocolate grazing board is a nice idea, but you can’t call it a “hot chocolate charcuterie board.” Substitute the word “meat” for “charcuterie” and you’ll see how silly it sounds: Hot Chocolate MEAT Board. Huh?

I’ve seen Christmas cookie charcuterie boards, waffle and pancake charcuterie boards, I’ve even seen VEGAN charcuterie boards – that one really makes no sense!

Even if you don’t speak French, nearly everyone knows what a chauffeur is. Aperitif, baguette, souffle, and vinaigrette are all words we’ve adopted from the French language. Charcuterie should be no different.

So go ahead and make a beautiful Hot Chocolate Board or a gorgeous Christmas Dessert Grazing Board, but just don’t call it a charcuterie board.

So now that we know what a charcuterie board is and isn’t, let’s answer the question, “What is a charcuterie board made of?”

What Goes On a Charcuterie Board

While charcuterie is traditionally served on a wooden board, there’s nothing that says you have to use one. I’ve used cutting boards or even large platters.

Size matters though. Even if you’re making a small board for only six to eight people, use a large platter so you can fill it with the extras. Abundance is what makes a board look really impressive.

This is my favorite olive wood board. But here’s a budget friendly wooden board that would also make a lovely presentation.

See Also

The Guide to a Perfect Charcuterie BoardCharcuterie board for camping: what's the 3333 rule?The Ultimate Guide To Building A Charcuterie Board - Tasting TableCharcuterie Board: What To Put On It? (Including Best Ideas And Recipe

How much meat and cheese per person?

This is entirely subjective. Before you try to figure the amount of charcuterie meats per person, answer these questions:

• Is this going to be the centerpiece of a co*cktail party, or just one component of a larger buffet table?
• Will there also be passed hors d’oeuvres?
• Will it be the only thing to eat at a wine tasting, or served in the middle of the afternoon between meals?

After you’ve decided when and how you’ll be serving your board, figure on 1 to 2 ounces of both meat and cheese per person.

Choosing the meats and cheeses.

Even if it’s a small group, I still like a variety. So that just means I’ll choose smaller amounts of everything.

A blue cheese like Roquefort, Stilton or Gorgonzola, is always a popular choice. A small (or large) wheel of brie or Camembert makes an excellent centerpiece. Goat cheese blends well with prosciutto and fig jam, and a sharp English cheddar, Spanish Manchego, or Dutch Gouda would make your board very continental.

In addition to a variety of sausage and salami, speck, and pâtés, this Smoked Trout Mousse could be served as well.

Prosciutto is a lovely addition to a board. Last year I traveled to Italy and was able to visit an ethical agriturismo that produces some of the best prosciutto in the world. You can read about Antica Corte Pallavicina here. And Christina’s Cucina has a great post on how prosciutto is cured.

What else goes on an authentic charcuterie board?

Most boards usually contain dried fruits, olives, nuts, gherkins, and a sweet spread like honey, or fig jam. To keep it classic, serve the hummus, and other spreads and dips separately.

You’ll also want to include different types of crackers, and perhaps a baguette of bread, depending on the intention of the meal. If the board is meant to substitute for a light lunch, serve a couple of interesting breads. Omit the bread if it’s for a co*cktail party or more elegant event.

Building a Beautiful Charcuterie Board

Designing a beautiful charcuterie board is half the fun!

Start by laying out all the cheeses and meats. I like to have them in varying sizes for visual appeal. Usually Brie or Camembert will come in a rustic box which is a nice anchor.

After I’ve placed all the main components around the board, and I’m pleased with how it looks, I’ll add the extras, like a small bowl of olives and something sweet like honey or jam.

Dried fruit and nuts can be layered next. Add green or red grapes cut into manageable pieces. I like to imagine how many grapes someone might want. They can be layered to look like a bigger bunch.

Think of colors when choosing grapes. With a lot of dark meats, I like to add a pop of green.

Next, tuck crackers in all the empty spaces.

Finally, add sprigs of fresh herbs. BUT nothing should go on a board that isn’t edible, so don’t add holly because it’s festive. It’s also poisonous.

Assembling a charcuterie board is one of the most relaxing jobs, it’s almost like making art, no two are ever alike!