Charcuterie boards have been popular for awhile now, so it’s always fun to find new ways to keep them fresh and exciting! (Just in case you’re not familiar, a charcuterie board is simply a large cutting board that’s usually displayed with a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, breads, crackers, spreads, veggies…basically whatever you want!)
Charcuterie boards are party-perfect because of the variety of food options they offer. You really can’t go wrong when you present your guests with so many different foods to snack on. Plus, they’re so easy to prepare – there’s usually no cooking involved!
If you’ve ever browsed around at pictures of charcuterie boards, you might have felt a little overwhelmed at the number of ways they can be assembled. That is where the 3-3-3-3 rule comes into play!
The 3-3-3-3 Rule
When you’re trying to simplify your charcuterie board, keep the 3-3-3-3 rule in mind. This equates to:
- 3 meats
- 3 cheeses
- 3 starches
- 3 accompaniments
3-3-3-3 Options
Now, let’s get down to the details of your charcuterie board! While there are officially no rules to constructing a charcuterie board, it makes it a whole lot easier to have some place to start. Here are some suggestions for you:
Meat
- Salami
- Prosciutto
- Smoked sausage
- Pancetta
- Mortadella
- Chorizo
- Capicola
Here is a more detailed look at how to choose meats for your charcuterie board!
Cheese – you will want a mix of hard, soft, and semi-soft cheeses. Here is a more detailed look at your cheese choices.
- Brie
- Gouda
- Manchego
- Camembert
- Cheddar
- Parmesan
- Buffalo Mozzarella
- Goat
- Feta
- Gruyere
- Provolone
- Gorgonzola
Starches
- Crackers
- Sliced baguette
- Mini toasts
- Pita crackers
- Naan crackers
- Crostini
- French sourdough
- Asiago ciabatta
- Rye bread
Accompaniments – This is where things can get really creative!
- Dried fruit (apricots, raisins, dried cranberries, etc.)
- Jam/spread (apple butter, apricot jam, fig spread, raspberry jam, honey, mustard, bruschetta, hummus, etc.)
- Fresh fruit (grapes, apples, pears, figs, etc.)
- Olives
- Veggies
- Many charcuterie boards feature nuts – typically almonds, cashews, walnuts, etc. To change things up a little bit, we suggest trying True North® Almond Pecan Crunch!
Side note – True North® Almond Pecan Crunch offers a savory and sweet addition to your charcuterie board. These tasty nut clusters combine roasted almonds, pecans, cashews, a dash of sea salt and just a hint of sweetness. They’re much more exciting than plain nuts, and they will add a fun twist to your charcuterie board!
If you are looking for further instructions on creating the ultimate charcuterie board, this site has some really great information (especially concerning the presentation of your board).
Now it’s time to get shopping and designing the charcuterie board of your dreams! Don’t forget to pick up a bag True North® Almond Pecan Crunch – it will add a whole new dimension to your charcuterie board game!
