Best Wine & Cheese Boards: How to Make a Mind-blowing Charcuterie Board in 6 Steps by Donna John


Best Wine & Cheese Boards: How to Make a Mind-blowing Charcuterie Board in 6 Steps

Yes, it’s hard to say, but a charcuterie board (shar-kood-eree) is an explosion of flavors and a must for your holiday gathering, a wine party – or any get-together, actually. You don’t need to pronounce it right, but you need to make it right! 

Not sure how to make the best wine and cheese board? No worries, I've got you. I'm going to show you how to make a mind-blowing charcuterie board in just six steps.

Here are the six key ingredients you’ll need to make the perfect charcuterie board:

  1. Cured and dried meats – The meats are the stars of the plate. Think cured ham, salami, pancetta, prosciutto, sopressata, dry chorizo, capocollo, mortadella.
  2. Salty sides – Pickles, like gherkins, black olives and green olives, pepperoncini and even pickled vegetables add the much-needed brininess to the plate. Nuts (Marcona almonds are a favorite) can add some crunch and saltiness.
  3. Bread and/or crackers – While not required, no one has ever been offended when offered bread. Slice up a freshly baked baguette and put out unseasoned crackers (remember, the meat needs to shine here, not the crackers).
  4. Spreads – Mustard, pate, tapenade and hummus are good condiment options that pair well with the bread and meats. You could also add a sweet element with fruit preserves like pear, fig or apricot.
  5. Cheeses – No, this isn’t a meat and cheese platter, but who doesn’t love a bite of cheese, especially if wine is involved. Chevre (goat cheese), burrata, aged provolone, Brie, Gruyere, Gouda, blue cheese and a chunk of aged Parmesan or Grana Padano won’t be frowned upon.
  6. Fruits – Again, not required, but dried fruit works especially well (dates, golden raisins, figs). Want something refreshing? Add a bunch of red, green or purple grapes.

Note: 30Seconds is a participant in the Amazon affiliate advertising program and this post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission or fees if you make a purchase via those links.

Recipe cooking times and servings are approximate. Need to convert cooking and baking measurements? Here are some kitchen conversion charts. Here's how to submit your recipes to 30Seconds.

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community, and follow us on Facebook to get recipes in your newsfeed daily.

Related Products on Amazon We Think You May Like:

30Second Mobile, Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Wine Glasses $9 & Up
Pepperoncini $3 & Up
Gherkins $3 & Up
Black Olives $2 & Up
Green Olives $3 & Up
Tapenade $4 & Up
Mustard $1 & Up
Crackers $3 & Up
Dried Fruits $3 & Up
Fruit Preserves $3 & Up
Pate $7 & Up

This Brown Butter & Thyme Shortbread Recipe Wants to Be on Your Charcuterie Board

This Olive Ceviche Recipe With Prawns & Mango Is a Fusion of Flavors

Mediterranean Marinated Feta Cheese Recipe: Snacking Just Got a Little Better

Best Pickled Eggplant Recipe: Eggplant Is What Peter Piper Really Wanted to Pick

Elisa Schmitz
My guilty pleasure! A platter like this and a glass of wine, and you've got dinner! Donna John Dieter Schmitz
Jan Mostrom
Totally Elisa Schmitz, 30Seconds ! You've got the right idea!
Meredith Schneider
Elisa All Schmitz 30Seconds your right! Best easy dinner! YUM! Cheers!
Elisa Schmitz
Right?! Who needs anything else. This has it all, LOL! Let's share one soon with cocktails, Meredith Schneider and Donna John !
MadhavScindia
That's amazing... Thank you for sharing.
Rosseyes
Currently in this year 2021 I think it's nice to update ourselves and bring things to the table and share ideas and I hope I can do that in the near future there's so many things that we can do with what we have and we're so blessed in this country that we're able to do that carrots and zucchini squash especially acorn squash there's some wonderful ways to prepare and I hope I can share that in your future thank you Donna John your ideas reflect who you are and they seem to be very versatile
Barry Humfrey Geraldton
Thank you so much for Sharing

join discussion

Please login to comment.

recommended tips

6-Ingredient Chewy Italian Almond Cookies (Ricciarelli): Gluten Free & Dairy Free

Raspberry Baked Oatmeal Recipe: The Breakfast You Didn't Know You Needed

Best Italian Restaurant Alfredo Sauce Copycat Recipe: 3 Ingredients + 10 Minutes

Camila Alves McConaughey's Creamy No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake Recipe (5 Ingredients)