18 Valentine’s Charcuterie Boards Better Than Fancy Dinner Reservations (2024)

FAQs

How many people does an 18 inch charcuterie board feed? ›

Sure to bring the music to the party, this 18" round charcuterie board starts with 5 cheeses and 2 types of meats. It also includes other accompaniments such as cornichons, garlic stuffed olives, grapes, berries, nuts, honey, bacon jam and more. Feeds 15-22 as an appetizer.

A Top 3 hot menu trend and No. 1 in appetizers, charcuterie can change up with new ingredients, keeping the concept fresh. The key to a great charcuterie board is presentation, Café Ba-Ba-Reeba Chef Eric Jorgensen says.

The boards are about abundance, yet simultaneously display excess. Often, foods that you can't imagine eating at the same time are juxtaposed for the sake of creating a visually appealing board. And there's so much of everything.

What is the 3-3-3-3 Rule for Charcuterie Boards? No matter the style of the wood charcuterie board, you can always follow the 3-3-3-3 rule. Every charcuterie board should have three meats, three cheeses, three starch options, and three accompaniments, such as fruit, nuts, or veggies.

The meat and cheeses are the stars, but don't skimp on the filler — this is where the board gets fun. Not only fruit, spreads, nuts and pickles usually cheaper than meats and cheeses, but they also satisfy hungry guests. They make the board last longer and keep people happily munching throughout the party.

Start with your bowls or round shapes.

Begin styling by arranging your bowls or round shapes, like soft cheeses or big bowls/dips, on your board. Don't put them next to each other, though. You'll want them spread out. Also keep in mind, work in odd numbers!

A dessert charcuterie board is basically a board neatly arranged with sweet treats, candies, and fruits–usually individual-sized, finger food-style. The treats can be entirely store-bought, entirely homemade, or feature a mixture of both (which is what I did).

The trend of interactive and DIY charcuterie boards is gaining traction in 2023, offering customers a fun and engaging dining experience. By allowing patrons to customize their own charcuterie boards, you can create a personalized and memorable experience that sets your restaurant apart.

If you are looking for something bigger or to feed a larger crowd, a board around 20 x 12 inches should do the trick. For an idea of how to build a charcuterie board for different sizes, a 12 x 8 inches board will usually hold around two kinds of cheese, one cured meat, and three accompaniments — plus crackers.

What's replacing charcuterie board? ›

You can make a butter board for any season or holiday. It's a great way to express your creativity and surprise friends with something different at your next party. Try a butter board.

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.

But with a few small changes and additions here and there, you can turn charcuterie into a dinner that is balanced, well-rounded, and healthy. We'll show you how to make a registered dietitian-approved board that hits all the main food groups—but still feels distinctly like charcuterie.

Charcuterie is derived from the French words for flesh (chair) and cooked (cuit). The practice of salting and smoking meats to preserve them dates back about 6,000 years to ancient Rome. Charcuterie is rooted in the belief that nothing from the animal should be wasted; not even the heart, lungs, kidneys, fat, or brain.

A large board is generally suitable for serving about 10-20 people, although this can vary based on the quantity and type of food items you plan to display. A larger board provides ample space for a diverse range of meats, cheeses, fruits, and other accompaniments, allowing for an impressive presentation.

A typical board would be meat, cheese, extra (fruit, veggies, crackers). Therefore if you have 50 people you would want 50 ounces of meat, 50 ounces of cheese and 50 ounces of extras. One pound of cheese, one pound of meat, and one pound of a combination of fruit, veggies and crackers= 16 people.

Here is the estimated amount of an ideal charcuterie per person serving: 2-3 oz meat, 4-5 sliced cheeses, and fewer additional accompaniments while presenting as an appetizer. 5-6 oz meat, 6-7 sliced cheeses, and plenty of additional accompaniments while serving as an entire meal.