A Charcuterie Board is perfect for hot and cold days alike, and can be made bigger or smaller depending on how many people you’ve got. Read on to find out how to create the ultimate seasonal platter – just in time for summer!

Ever had those days where you think ‘I don’t really feel like cooking a big meal, I just want to snack on a variety of finger foods’? Everyone loves a delicious and pretty spread filled with vibrant seasonal food. Charcuterie boards are great and I love creating them, but I know sometimes it can be tricky to know where to start when it comes to actually putting one together. This post is a step by step guide that will take the stress out of it! 

What is a charcuterie board?

Quite simply, a charcuterie board is a board or platter with finger foods arranged on top of it. You can add seasonal fruits, veggies, cured meats, breads, even chocolate! It’s all about the styling and what you put on it, so focus on the star ingredients and then fill it with extras! You can make it as simple or complex as you want. The trick is to just get creative with it and have fun!

How to make a charcuterie board

You don’t need anything fancy. You can often make do with things you have around your home. Wooden chopping boards, jars, and little bowls all work really well. If you don’t have a suitable chopping board (or if you need to cover a bigger space) you could also use some grease proof paper on your countertop and lay the food directly on that. Try to add some different heights and textures to add interest to the board.

What to add to your charcuterie board

When it comes to which foods to add, it’s really up to you. That’s the beauty of it! Here are some ideas:

• Seasonal fruit – both fresh and dried. These are the perfect opportunity to add a splash of colour to your set up. Grapes on the vine look particularly gorgeous laid out around the edges of your board.
• Colourful and vibrant veggies. Pro tip: Try slicing them length-ways and displaying them in a glass for some varied height!
• Crackers and bread – aka the vehicles to your toppings! Most people will opt to take a cracker or piece of bread and load it up with the rest of the bits on your board, so try to provide a variety.
• Meat. If you’re a meat eater, try adding some cured meat and ham. Or if you want to get extra fancy, you could  add something like my Chicken Satay Skewers with Peanut Sauce.
• Dips. Add these to your little jars and bowls for easy access.
• Cheese is a must – both dairy and non dairy! You can pop some cheese on to cocktail sticks or even just add a large wheel of cheese to the center of your board and provide a knife so that everyone can slice their own.
• Balance the sweet and the salty. If you’re adding something salty, like pickles or olives, be sure to add something sweet, like chocolate!
• Don’t forget the garnishes and extra condiments. Lemon wedges and honeycomb look lush on a charcuterie board!

What are your favourite things to include on a charcuterie board? Let me know in the comments below! 

If you make your own board, be sure to share a photo on social media and tag me @healthnutnutrition #healthnuteats so that I can see your creations! 

If you love this idea and are looking for recipes to include on your board, check out all my Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce recipe and Shake and Bake Buffalo Cauliflower Wings.