How to Put Together a Simple Charcuterie Board on a Budget

In this post: Looking to arrange a simple charcuterie board for your next get together? These classic charcuterie board ideas are budget and keto friendly. ⇒

You can have both discerning taste and an inclination for the easy way out.

I used to think it was one or the other, but then again, I used to serve an array of hors d’oeuvres in an assortment of serving dishes, straining over the presentation by rearranging the platters over and over into a pleasing pattern that made sense only to me.

I was clearly going more for discerning than easy.

But then I met the current darling of the hosting world, the brilliantly simple charcuterie board. In one genius presentation, it fills all your pre-dinner appetizer needs and does so with flourish and style.

Discerning AND easy.

Why use a china cabinet full of dishes to serve a series of cocktail foods when you can showcase it all on one sumptuous board?

What is a Charcuterie Board?

Now, most of us have an idea what a charcuterie board is, but if we had to put one together, we might still feel inclined to consult a source for inspiration.

In the past few years, they’ve become so ubiquitous, that any platter filled with sections of finger foods can claim to be a charcuterie board. In truth, however, many of those thematic offerings are imposters, or at the very least, are inspired by and derivative of the original.

Charcuterie is actually a French word that refers to cold cured meats, particularly those derived from high quality pork. Hence, the meats are the heart and soul of any charcuterie plate. Naturally, the accompaniments, then, are those things that work best with said meats. They are items you might find in a gourmet deli in Paris, like Hédiard or Fauchon, and they are precisely the things you would buy to picnic in the park.

While pretty much anything could find its way to a present day charcuterie board, the simplest and the best stay true to this original concept.

How to Make it Keto-Friendly

Because of its built in flexibility and diversity, a charcuterie board is adaptable for many different diets. Vegetarians can hone in on the cheeses and nuts, while low-fat proponents can focus on lean meats and fruit. Yet it’s particularly well suited for a keto diet, given many of the components are naturally low carb. It’s nice to provide options for the keto-inclined to use in place of bread and crackers, like parmesan crisps or gluten free crackers.

If you know the dietary preferences of the guests who will be attending your gathering, you can tailor your board to their tastes and needs.

How to Make it Budget-Friendly

The best way to stretch your dollar further in finding the components for your charcuterie board is to shop wisely and buy quality private label brands. Shop online to find the best deals, as well as for the added convenience. Use inexpensive fillers like crackers, nuts and fruit to fill up the holes between the more expensive items like meats and finer cheeses. You can also buy ready made trays from the grocery so that you don’t need to buy large packages of a variety of items.

Charcuterie Board Meats

So what exactly should you put on your charcuterie board? Given that meats are the essential component in a traditional platter, it’s the appropriate place to start.

It’s nice to have a variety of different cured meats to please varying tastes and to add visual distinction. You can try slices of ham or refined prosciutto, rounds of salami or soppressata, and portions of summer sausage. I also like to include turkey cuts for those who don’t eat the cured meats. Other options include pepperoni, pancetta, chorizo, mortadella and capocollo.

Pick 3 or 4 of your favorites and you’re good to go.

Cheese for a Charcuterie Board

Of almost equal importance are the cheeses for your board. I’d include a mix of hard cheese and soft cheese to get a variety of tastes and textures. You can try a wedge of gouda, cubes of cheddar, rolled up provolone or maybe gruyere. Balance these with a log of herb goat cheese, a slice of brie, some parmesan, blue cheese, or mozzarella balls. Other options include manchego, fontina, havarti, camembert, burrata and halloumi.

You can assort the presentation by using rolled slices, piled cubes, singular wedges and put smaller pieces in ramekin cups.

Fruits, Veggies, Nuts and Dips

With the key elements out of the way, this is where you can get really creative, and once again, the name of the game is varying flavor and texture.

You can start with fresh cut vegetables like celery, carrots, and cucumber and then add a few fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries. Or try cherry tomatoes, mango, cherries, or grapes, or possibly even dried fruit like apricots. Tuck in a few avocado slices, too.

Next add nuts and choose between almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, or cashews. Toss in some olives, cornichons, or pretzels and maybe fill a few mini bowls with jams, honey or spinach-artichoke dip. Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme.

The final piece is to add something to put the meat and cheese on, such as baguette slices or different types of crackers, and for a keto platter try parmesan crisps.

How to Arrange It All

With your ingredients selected, it’s time to arrange the display. The first thing you need is a large serving platter, such as a long cheese board or vintage bread board, to host your ingredients. A few small bowls can corral the smaller loose items, as well as seasonings and sauces, while tooth picks and cheese knives will be helpful for serving.

Once you have your board selected, place the bulkiest items first, which will usually be any wedges of cheese and items that will be served in a bowl. Spread them out and next start filling in with slices of meat and the rest of the cheese, moving on to the smaller items as you go. You can make the presentation as tight as you like, leaving the board showing if you prefer, or covering the entire surface. Finish off with your garnish of choice and your platter is done.

Other Ideas

While I’ve outline the basics for a classic charcuterie board, this is not to say there is no place for a thematic snack platter that is an offshoot of the original. The concept of a collective offering of grab-and-go foods actually lends itself well to a variety of events, some which might take advantage of a particular motif. Here are some ideas for thematic snack boards:

• Dessert board
• Breakfast board
• Halloween board
• Holiday board
• Baby or bridal shower board
• Sporting event board

Whether your charcuterie board is the prelude to dinner or is the main event, your guests will be delighted and your party lively. A central food display has the added benefit of bringing everyone together around the festive fare and a well stocked charcuterie board should have something for everyone!