A classic cheese board is a common go-to for entertaining, but perhaps it’s starting to feel a little overdone. There’s no shortage of acceptable alternatives, but we’ve narrowed it down to our five top picks.So, if you’re looking to step up your entertaining game and dazzle your guests, try your hand at one of these.
Mediterannean Mezze Platter
A mezze platter is quick, delicious and easy to assemble. Dips and vegetables reign supreme here, so be sure to include plenty of grilled eggplant, dried figs, carrot sticks, hummus, stuffed olives, dolmades and bread with olive oil. If you want to take it up a notch, carve out the inside of a capsicum and fill it with zesty tzatziki – impressive and edible!
Fruit And Cured Meat Medley
There’s no denying that charcuterie and fruit go hand in hand (just ask prosciutto wrapped melon). You can include anything from dried apricots and grapes, to chorizo and salumi. You can add other bite-sized snacks like roasted nuts, pickles, bread and honey. Perfection.
Vegan Feast
Vegan platters are a great way to ensure that there’s something for all your guests to enjoy. In the absence of meat and cheese, the stars of the show are fruits, vegetables, nuts and assorted dips like hummus. You can even venture into the nut-cheese territory if you’re feeling adventurous (most probably won’t be able to tell the difference!) Finish it off with some sundried tomatoes, marinated olives and veggie sticks and voila!
Crudité Creation
The name sounds very fancy but it’s really just a glorified veggie platter. The best vegetables to slice up are cucumber, capsicum, carrot and celery. Pair it off with a zesty dip like tzatziki and it’s sure to be a winner.
Scandi Smorgasbord
A Scandinavian platter is certainly unique with dishes like smoked fish/salmon, pickled vegetables, rye bread and boiled eggs. You could even add a potato salad if you’re looking for something heartier.
FAQs
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!
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!
What can I serve instead of a cheese board? ›
The Vegan Board
Just like a cheeseboard, minus the *real* cheese. Stock up on hummus in every flavour and venture into nut-based 'cheese' territory. I guarantee some guests will gobble it down as if it were the real deal. Add in the usual suspects (olives, vegetable sticks, nuts), et voila!
What are the 5 ingredient charcuterie? ›
Often, chocolate or sweets are included, too. However, the simplest board will always have five key ingredients: fruit, nuts or olives, cheese, meat, and a carb like toasted bread or crackers.
What is replacing charcuterie boards? ›
In place of the cheese and meats on a charcuterie board, a butter board is softened butter spread out on a wooden board and then covered in herbs to serve over bread.
What to put on a charcuterie board besides cheese and meat? ›
Believe it or not, it's super simple to create an impressive presentation of cured meats, specialty cheeses and all the colorful complements. Get creative with olives, antipasti, fresh fruit, nuts, spreads, crackers and more.
What are the cheapest ingredients for charcuterie? ›
Some of my favorite affordable ingredients include:
- Colby-Jack pre-sliced cheese squares.
- Grapes.
- Honey roasted almonds.
- Prosciutto.
- Salami.
- Bagel chips.
Charcuterie Board Ideas
Here are a few ideas to get you started: Cured meats: Prosciutto, genoa salami, chorizo, sopressata, ham, and cured sausages are all classic choices for a charcuterie board. Cheese: Choose a variety of textures and flavors. A few options are soft brie, burrata and camembert.
What finger foods go on a charcuterie board? ›
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.
What is the rule of thumb for a charcuterie board? ›
Depending on the size of your board, you should have one each of cow, sheep, and goat options with soft rind, firm, and hard cheeses in the mix. Flavors should range between nutty and mild to funky and unique. Rule of thumb: 1 cow, 1 sheep, 1 goat; 1 soft, 1 firm, 1 hard.
Here are the best cheeses for your charcuterie board
Hard cheese: chunks of parmesan, aged gouda, asiago. Firm cheese: gruyere, comte, manchego, colby, cheddar. Semi-soft cheese: havarti, butterkäse, muenster. Soft cheese: burrata, mascarpone, stracchino.
