Individual Charcuterie Boards - Simply Made Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the 3-3-3 rule for charcuterie? ›

Creating Interest with the 3-3-3-3 Rule

Choose three cheeses, three meats, three starches, and three accompaniments for a perfect and balanced board, every time!

Olives + pickles — green olives or black, stuffed with cheese or garlic, sweet or tart pickles… these are always a nice addition to a cheese board! Sweet things — dried fruit like apricots and cranberries are a go-to in these situations. But, also consider trail mix, chocolate candy, cookies, and mini baked goods.

Briny, pickled or marinated: olives, co*cktail onions, cornichons, dill pickles, pepperoncini. We love green olives stuffed with garlic or feta, and I also like including olive tapenade and bruschetta. Savory Dips and spreads: Whole ground mustard, hummus, ranch, balsamic dip. Veggies – cold cut, if desired.

In general, a good charcuterie board will have 2-3 types of meat, 2-3 cheeses, 1-2 fruits, 1-2 crackers, nuts, bread, pickles, mustard and a dip or spread. The deliciousness of your board depends on the quality of your ingredients. Buy USDA Organic when possible and look for meats that are free from nitrates.

Many ingredients used in charcuterie boards are high in sodium, including deli meats, dry sausages, cheeses, salted nuts, pretzels and crackers. The recommendation for daily sodium intake for adults is 2,300 milligrams or less. To reduce the sodium load on your board, add more fresh or dried fruits and raw veggies.

Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind when making your shopping list for a healthier board… Ingredients: Meats/Protein- Keep your board packed with healthy, lean proteins like herb roasted chicken or turkey, grilled pork tenderloin, marinated tofu or a few hard boiled egg slices.

I like to begin arranging my boards with the cheese first, and I follow the design rule of odds (3, 5, or 7 cheese selections, depending on the size of your board). Space the cheeses apart equally on your board, followed by the meats, then fill in the remaining empty spaces with fruits, nuts, crackers, etc.

What are the most common items on a charcuterie board? ›

Get creative with olives, antipasti, fresh fruit, nuts, spreads, crackers and more. Whether you're looking for game day bites, happy hour apps, picnic-friendly foods for 4th of July celebrations or just a colorful spread for more intimate gatherings, charcuterie caters to every occasion.

Rule of thumb: 1 small salami, 1 large salami, 1 whole-muscle meat. "When choosing meats and cheeses, variety is the spice of life," Sam advises. You could focus on the meats of one region (Italy, France, Spain, or domestic) or create a spread of your favorites. Try new things, take risks, and offer contrasts.

If you're serving 8 – 10 people, you will need 1 – 1 1/2 lbs of meat, and you'll want to pick at least one from each category (more on that below) . Cheeses: It's usually sliced a little thicker, so 3 ounces of cheese per person or 1 1/2 – 1 3/4 pounds for 8-10 people (roughly 3 medium-size hunks) should do the trick.