Are you in absolute awe of the intricate charcuterie boards you see all over Pinterest and Instagram? Do you want the perfect low effort snack for your next Netflix binge? With a few tips and tricks, you can make something that is just as drool-worthy.
Why Charcuterie Boards Are Going To Be Your New Go-To Meal
- Fast.
- Easy.
- Versatile.
- Delicious.
What Is Charcuterie?
Charcuterie ( pronounced shahr-ku-tuh-ree ) is the art of organizing various cuts of cut or cured meats on a tray or board in a beautiful, edible display.
How To Make A Charcuterie Board
The great thing about charcuterie boards is that there is no “right way” to make them. They’re a fantastic way to express your creativity and incorporate all of your favorite snacky foods all in one place.
I promise even the most beginner charcutier will make something appetizing enough to disappear in no time.
Tips And Tricks For Making The Best Charcuterie Tray
- Get The Perfect Sized Board or Tray
- Use Easy To Find Ingredients
- Presliced Or Preportioned Ingredients
- Use A Picture or Template For Reference
- Buy Brightly Colored Fruits And Vegetables
- Use Lots Of Little Bowls
- Place Everything In The Right Order/Add Height Or Dimension
- Combine Flavors
1. Get The Perfect Sized Board Or Tray For Your Charcuterie Board
Part of the awe-factor in a great charcuterie board is the tray that it is served on. Luckily, there is no “right” type of tray or board to serve your spread on.
What Can I Use For A Charcuterie Board?
As I mentioned, there is no right type of board , but there are a few that are more popular options than others. Save yourself some time searching for the perfect board and grab one of my favorites.
Charcuterie Tray With Serving Utencils
Circular Charcuterie Board With Serving Utencils
Rectangular Stainless Steel Tray With Handles
Don’t feel pressured to purchase a special board just to serve charcuterie on. If you have a wooden cutting board or another large serving tray, those make for equally beautiful charcuterie arrangements.
PRO TIP Put your charcuterie board on a lazy Susan to make it easier to share.
2. Use Easy To Find Ingredients For The Best Charcuterie Board
It’s easy to feel influenced or pressured by the ingredients on some of the other charcuterie boards you see on Pinterest or at a friend’s small gathering. DON’T BE.
Some of the best charcuterie boards are made of simple to find ingredients because they’re the most popular. If it’s hard to find some of the unique ingredients like cranberry goat cheese or the perfect smoked prosciutto in your grocery store, stick with the usual cheddar and salami. I promise your guests or family will enjoy it just as much.
3. Presliced Or Preportioned Ingredients
If you’re short on time or have hand mobility issues you may find it difficult to prepare all of the different ingredients for your tray.
If that’s the case, there’s no shame in buying a premade meat and cheese tray in the deli and rearranging on your charcuterie board with some prepackaged nuts, fruits, or crackers.
4. Use A Picture Or Template For Reference To Know What To Put On A Charcuterie Board
Some say that imitation is the best form of flattery. Whether you believe that or not, it’s a great motto to live by when it comes to charcuterie trays.
If you’re not an incredibly creative person (like me) or just can’t seem to make your board look like the vision in your head, use a picture of another board someone has made for inspiration.
My friend Kim has made some amazing boards that I like to use for reference. She even gives step by step tutorials on her YouTube channel . Here are some of her amazing works of art:
If you’re worried this type of display is a little above your skill level, you can even use one of these divider trays to help you portion things appropriately.
Plastic Divider Tray
So you think you have the design all figured out but you’re still a little skeptical about your ability to pick the perfect ingredients? Here is a simple template for a beginner’s charcuterie board .
- 3-4 Types Of Meat
- 2-3 Kinds Of Cheese (one soft and two hard)
- 3-4 Savory Items (Nuts, Pickles, Olives, etc.)
- 2 Types Of Crunchy Snacks (Raw Veggies or Crackers)
- 2-3 Dips (A Variety Of Sweet And Savory)
5. Buy Bright Colored Fruits And Vegetables
To keep things exciting, make sure you’re using a variety of bright-colored fruits and vegetables.
We eat with our eyes first, so incorporate a variety of reds, purples, yellows, and greens to contrast the browns, whites, and pinks of the meat and cheese.
6. Use Lots Of Little Bowls
When you’re beginning to place all of the ingredients on the bowl, consider adding a lot of little bowls for odd-shaped ingredients or sauces.
These bowls can be difficult to work into your design once the rest of your ingredients are added. They also add extra texture and height to your tray.
7.Place Everything In The Right Order/Add Height Or Dimension
While there isn’t correct placement for your ingredients when building the perfect charcuterie board, the order that you put your ingredients on the platter can make all of the difference in how easy it is to assemble.
- Start with bowls
- Add crackers so they don’t fall over
- Add the meat and cheese
- Fill the gaps with random fruit, veggies, and nuts
Collapsable Charcuterie Board
If you’re short on space, this collapsable charcuterie board folds into itself for easy storage.
Tiered Serving Bowls
Add height and dimension to your charcuterie platter by incorporating these tiered serving bowls.
White Divided Serving Dishes
These are great for beginners and you can even put the separate compartments on a wooden tray to add color to texture variety to your presentation.
Small Chalk Boards For Displays
If you are offering a variety of ingredients or things that may be unique to an event, label them with these cute little chalk board signs.
8.Combine Flavors
A great charcuterie board has a variety of textures and flavors to keep you coming back for more.
When shopping for your ingredients ensure you’re grabbing an assortment of flavors such as sweet, savory, spicy, and salty.
Also, shop for a variety of textures. Offer a variety of soft, hard, chewy, and crunchy.
Charcuterie Board Ideas
Are you at a loss for inspiration when making a new and exciting charcuterie board? Here are some ideas to help nudge yourself along to make the perfect spread for your next family gathering or movie night.
- Meat and Cheese Charcuterie Trays
- Dips and Spread Assortments
- Fruit and Cheese Spreads
- Breakfast Charcuterie Boards
- Low Carb Charcuterie Platters
- Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Boards
1. Meat And Cheese Charcuterie Trays
Meat and cheese charcuterie trays are the most popular option. They usually consist of:
- Meat
- Cheese
- Crackers or Bread
- Nuts
These can be customized with your favorite meats and cheese or whatever you happen to have in your kitchen already.
2. Dips And Spread Assortments
If you have trouble deciding on one kind of dip or spread, a dip and spread trays are perfect for you. They are great for watching sporting events and movies. They usually include:
- Chip Dip
- Hummus
- Guacamole
- Queso
- Brie
- Chips
- Crackers
- Bread
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Celery
If you want to kick it up a notch, try it with my peach chutney , cranberry chutney , or Sugar-Free Jam .
3. Fruit And Cheese Spreads
Fruit and cheese spreads are great for evenings filled with wine and friendship or even a Sunday brunch with the family. Here is what you might include in one of these trays:
- Cheddar Cheese
- Swiss Cheese
- Munster Cheese
- Brie
- Grapes
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Chocolate Truffles
Feel free to customize these to fit your tastes and budget. The more variety you have, the more exciting your charcuterie tray will be.
4. Breakfast Charcuterie Boards
Does your family love to graze on the weekends? Do holiday mornings have everyone in the kitchen begging for food when you’re trying to prepare the big meal?
Breakfast charcuterie boards are a lifesaver for just these occasions. Here are some things to make the perfect charcuterie platter:
- Waffles or Chaffles
- Pancakes
- Toast
- Sausage Links
- Bacon Strips
- Granola
- Fruit
Feel free to have small dipping cups of syrup or whipped topping to make it even more delicious.
5. Low Carb Charcuterie Platters
Charcuterie trays are a dream come true for anyone eating low carb. It’s basically a tray of low carb foods spread out in front of you to munch on to your heart (or macros) content. Include these things on your next tray to keep things low carb:
- Pepperoni
- Salami
- Cheddar Cheese
- American Cheese
- Provolone Cheese
- Keto Bread
- Low Carb Crackers
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Keto Truffles
Serve delicious low carb dips like Sugar Free Jam or Low Carb Marinara sauce to keep things exciting.
6. Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Boards
What’s better for a holiday celebrating love than snuggling up with someone special and a tray full of delicious, totally indulgent food? Make your next date night or Valentine’s dinner special with some of these ingredients:
- Chocolates
- Gummies
- Candies
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Chocolate Sauce
- Whipped Topping
How Many People Does A Charcuterie Board Feed?
Charcuterie boards can feed one or two people all the way up to a whole family gathering. It all depends on how big your board is and how high you pile everything.
If you’re wondering about an average serving size so you don’t over (or under) buy for your charcuterie platter, here is a general rule of thumb:
- For an appetizer or snack portion, plan on around 3oz of meat and cheese with a handful of fruits or veggies per person.
- For the main course, double that. Six ounces of meat and cheese with a handful of fruits and veggies or crackers for dipping is ideal.
More Delicious Appetizer Ideas
- Jalapeno Popper Casserole
- Salmon Cream Cheese Dip
- Korean Chicken Wings
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Taco Meatballs
If you found this list of tips and tricks to help you make the best charcuterie boards helpful, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest so they can make the perfect one too.
5 Tips To Help You Make The Best Charcuterie Boards
Equipment
- CUTTING BOARD
- 4 OZ RAMEKINS
Ingredients
Dips And Spreads
- ▢ 8 oz Dips or spreads such as jelly, tzatziki, marinara, or ranch
Cheese And Meat
- ▢ 8 oz Cured or chilled cooked meats such as salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, or ham
- ▢ 8 oz Soft cheese such as brie, mozarella, feta, or gorgonzola.
- ▢ 8 oz Hard cheese such as cheddar, provolone, or gouda
Fruit And Vegetables
- ▢ 8 oz Strawberries
- ▢ 4 oz Blueberries
- ▢ 4 oz Raspberries
- ▢ 4 oz Sweet peppers
- ▢ 4 oz Cherry tomatoes
Breads And Crackers
- ▢ 8 oz Crackers
- ▢ 1/4 loaf Artisan bread
Filler Ingredients
- ▢ 8 oz Mixed Nuts
- ▢ 4 oz Olives
- ▢ 4 oz banana peppers
- ▢ 8 chocolate truffles
Instructions
- On a large platter or cutting board, start by placing several small bowls or ramekins for dipping sauces or wet ingredients.
- Add crackers or bread in small portions in clusters around your board.
- Add clusters of meat next to your crackers to fill in open spots.
- Continue to fill in around your meat with slices of various cheeses.
- Finish filling in empty gaps on your board with a variety of fruits, vegetables, or sweet treats.
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5 Tips To Help You Make The Best Charcuterie Boards
Ingredients
Dips And Spreads
- 8 oz Dips or spreads such as jelly, tzatziki, marinara, or ranch
Cheese And Meat
- 8 oz Cured or chilled cooked meats such as salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, or ham
- 8 oz Soft cheese such as brie, mozarella, feta, or gorgonzola.
- 8 oz Hard cheese such as cheddar, provolone, or gouda
Fruit And Vegetables
- 8 oz Strawberries
- 4 oz Blueberries
- 4 oz Raspberries
- 4 oz Sweet peppers
- 4 oz Cherry tomatoes
Breads And Crackers
- 8 oz Crackers
- 1/4 loaf Artisan bread
Filler Ingredients
- 8 oz Mixed Nuts
- 4 oz Olives
- 4 oz banana peppers
- 8 chocolate truffles
Instructions
- On a large platter or cutting board, start by placing several small bowls or ramekins for dipping sauces or wet ingredients.
- Add crackers or bread in small portions in clusters around your board.
- Add clusters of meat next to your crackers to fill in open spots.
- Continue to fill in around your meat with slices of various cheeses.
- Finish filling in empty gaps on your board with a variety of fruits, vegetables, or sweet treats.
5 Tips To Help You Make The Best Charcuterie Boards https://twosleevers.com/the-best-charcuterie-boards/
Keto Taco Seasoning is incredibly simple to make, wonderfully flavorful, and best of all, low carb! Gather up some of the spices you likely already have in your spice rack and take your next taco night to the next level.
Why You’re Going To Love It
- Fast. In a matter of minutes, you can have a flavorful low carb taco seasoning that will fit your keto lifestyle.
- Easy. Measure, Mix, and Store. That’s it.
- Delicious. Tastes just as good (if not better!) than the storebought variety. You may never buy premixed spice blends again.
- Budget-friendly. If your family enjoys weekly taco nights, making your own blend of spices can save a ton of money over time.
Does Taco Seasoning Have Carbs?
While you might think to yourself “It’s just a bunch of spices mixed together, it has to be low carb, right?”
Wrong.
Unfortunately, a lot of the prepackaged spice packets and mixes are full of preservatives and fillers to keep it fresh that can contain a surprising amount of carbohydrates.
But, there’s good news! You can still enjoy all of the delicious flavors of low carb tacos with taco seasoning if you take just a few minutes to make your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cumin
- Cayenne
- Chili Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Dried Cilantro
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
How To Make Keto Taco Seasoning
I wish I felt like I could write more about how to make Keto Taco Seasoning, but it’s so simple, all I have for you is two steps:
- Measure out the separate spices and place them into a bowl.
- Mix them well and store them in an airtight container.
That’s it. Measure, Mix, Store, Enjoy!
What To Use It For
I know that it’s called Taco Seasoning, so that’s a given, but there are so many other things that you can utilize Keto Taco Seasoning for. Here are some of my less obvious favorite dishes to sprinkle this into:
- Sprinkle some into the breading for your Keto Chicken Tenders .
- Stir some into your Instant Pot Pinto Beans for a southwestern kick.
- Use it to spice up my Keto Chili .
- Mix it into the ground beef for your next Air Fryer Burger .
How Long Does It Last?
Homemade taco seasoning doesn’t last as long as the seasoning packets you would purchase at your local grocer. In my opinion, that’s a great thing! It simply means that your Keto taco seasoning isn’t loaded with preservatives. Who doesn’t love knowing exactly what they’re eating?
That being said, homemade spice blends can still taste fresh for a respectable amount of time if stored correctly. Expect it to last for up to 6 months if kept in an air-tight container.
More Easy Spice Blends
After you try making your own spice blends for the first time, you’ll love how flavorful they are. If it leaves you itching to try your hand at more varieties, here are some more homemade spice blends you can try:
- Egyptian Dukkah
- Lebanese 7 Spice
- Cajun Spice Mix
- Sambhar Masala
- Kafta Kabab Spice Mix
- Ras Al Hanout Spice
- Shawarma Spice Mix
- Dry Sesame Garlic Chutney
- Ethiopian Berbere
- Maharash Trian Goda Masala
- Garama Masala
- Punjabi Garam Masala
- Apple Pie Spice
Keto Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- ▢ 1 tbsp Ground Cumin
- ▢ 1 tbsp Mexican Chili Powder
- ▢ 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- ▢ 1 tsp Paprika
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Cilantro
- ▢ 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
- ▢ 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Measure out the separate spices and place them into a bowl.
- Mix them well and store them in an airtight container.
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Don’t forget to check out my other Ketocookbooks.
Keto Instant Pot, Keto Fat Bombs, Sweets, & Treats , and Easy keto in 30 minutes.
