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Easy Charcuterie Board for Beginners: 5 Simple Steps

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A simple, no-fuss guide to building a beautiful and delicious charcuterie board in about 20 minutes. Perfect for any occasion, from game day to a quiet night in.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 ounces Brie or Camembert (soft cheese)
  • 3–4 ounces Gouda or Cheddar (semi-hard cheese)
  • 3–4 ounces Manchego or Parmesan (hard cheese)
  • 2–3 ounces Prosciutto
  • 2–3 ounces Genoa Salami or Soppressata
  • 2–3 ounces Spanish Chorizo (optional)
  • 1 cup Crackers (water crackers or plain rice crackers)
  • 1/2 Baguette, sliced
  • 1 cup Grapes
  • 1 Apple or Pear, sliced
  • 1/4 cup Dried Apricots or Figs
  • 1/4 cup Almonds, walnuts, or pecans
  • 2 tablespoons Honey or Fig Jam
  • 1/4 cup Cornichons or mixed Olives
  • 1 ounce Dark Chocolate (70% or higher, optional)
  • Roasted red peppers or marinated artichoke hearts (optional)
  • Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place small bowls for dips, spreads, olives, or wet ingredients on the board first. Space them out evenly to create visual balance.
  2. Cut hard and semi-hard cheeses into slices or cubes. Leave soft cheeses like brie whole. Arrange cheeses in different spots around the board, leaving space between each.
  3. Fold prosciutto into loose ribbons or rosettes. Lay salami flat in small piles or fan out in a line. Place meat near semi-hard cheese or spread out for variety.
  4. Arrange crackers and bread slices in empty spaces between cheese and meat. Fan out crackers in small clusters and place breadsticks diagonally for height. Fill gaps to create a full look.
  5. Fill remaining gaps with fruit, nuts, pickles, and chocolate. Scatter grapes in small bunches, place nuts near cheese, and tuck dried fruit near hard cheese. Drizzle honey over brie or serve fig jam in a small bowl. Add fresh herbs for color if desired.

Notes

Bring cheeses to room temperature before serving for best flavor. Pre-cut hard and semi-hard cheeses for easier serving. Keep crackers away from wet ingredients to prevent sogginess. The board can be prepped a day ahead; assemble 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: charcuterie board, easy appetizer, party platter, cheese board, beginner charcuterie, game day snack, no-cook recipe

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/easy-charcuterie-board-for-beginners-5-simple-steps/