Let me tell you a little secret…Andrew Shull and I have some sort of a charcuterie board at least four nights a week.
We can’t stop.
It’s been going on about 18 months now.
Sometimes, we pull our board out and just add a little salami, good quality Parm and a few crackers…and then other nights, we pull out multiple things, add jam plus some nuts and create a whole spread. If there is a board on a menu at a restaurant? We get it. We’re hooked, friends. Hooked.
The other night, I had some couples over for dinner and created this board, so I thought I’d snap a few pics and share my favorite things on my board…
Mmmmmm…I like love this stuff so much!!! Okay, here’s what’s on this particular board:
1: Grapes (I also like using raspberries or blackberries when in season)
2: Sliced Salami (or a good quality sausage is nice too)
3: Marcona almonds (we switched this up and sometimes used spicy nut mixtures as well)
4: Rosemary Crackers (from Trader Joe’s)
5: A different variety of salami (my friends joke with me because I love any sort of sausage/salami/pepperoni/basically any sort of meat)
6: Pepper Jelly (we love this one from Trader Joe’s but we also like blackberry pepper jellys too…you really cannot go wrong!)
7: Garlic & Herb Boursin Cheese
8: Stilton with dried cranberries
9: Pepperoni (Andrew sometimes gets us grilled chicken to put on our board, but I prefer the salami-type meats)
10: Sriracha Cheddar Cheese
11: Pepper Jack Cheese
12: A good quality honey (this one is made not far from our house)
13: Wheat Crackers
14: Rosemary sprigs to make the board smell nice and because they’re pretty
The only thing missing here was my goat cheese (fantastic with the honey and jam!). We also really like the sweet potato crackers from Costco as well for our boards.
So…that’s on my board. What’s on yours?! I’m always looking for new ideas!!!
Lauren says
Couldn’t agree more, cheese boards are my weakness! You should follow @cheesebynumbers on Instagram, she has lots of great ideas and varieties for cheese boards!!
Erika Slaughter says
Hello NUMBER SIX!!! I’m still thinking about that pepper jelly…SO STINKIN’ GOOD!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
There’s so much on your cheese platter – it’s no doubt one of the best with all of the delicious options (I’m a sucker for crackers on a cheese board, of all things, lol)! 🙂
–
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Sara says
I love a little bowl of fig jam and also olives, not really together though ? I could eat a charcuterie board for dinner every night!
jamie says
two of my daughters got married this year. for one of the showers i had my daughter’s soon to be father-in-law and my husband make boards. they purchased the wood, engraved names, dates, etc. then we covered them in all the delicious things for the shower. it was a SURPRISE, so as the guests started eating items off the boards my daughter discovered these beautiful boards they will have and use forever!
Cherry says
This is such a sweet idea! HOW VERY SPECIAL!
Kristi says
Yum! I love this!! Does this replace your brownie then?! ??
Mix and Match Mama says
Ha! It should! We eat it as our appetizer, so no, it doesn’t.
Sarah says
I love charcuterie! It’s my new fave too! Traders joes is the best for mixing and matching all sorts of meats, cheeses, and crackers. My last board I added olives, Brie, and slices of watermelon radish and/or fig to add some extra pretty!
Meg says
Seconding the trader joes love! I won’t go anywhere else for my charcuterie set up. My personal favorites are the spanish meat trio (comes with salami, prosciutto, and chorizo), the raisin rosemary crisps, the double creme brie, italian truffle cheese, unexpected cheddar, everything crackers, italian breadsticks, i could go on and on!
i also always have homemade jam on my board – either fig or my current staple, date apple jam! soooo good with the cheddar 🙂
Narci says
This was delicious. Those almonds were fantastic, and I’m still thinking about the pepper jelly! Yum!
Diana says
Looks delish. I add marinated mushrooms and stuffed olives!
Sarah N says
We LOVE to make boards too. We always add thin sliced Granny Smith apples and pears as a cracker substitute with the cheese and meats. We do crackers too, but the fruit adds a nice switch up between crackers. YUM. Love this post…
Sara F says
Yes!! Thin sliced apples with a sharp cheddar and pepper jelly… so delish! We actually made this combo into a sandwich the other night: Asiago bagel from Panera that we got to go. Then we used bacon slices, sharp cheddar cheese, a little apple wood smoked Gruyere (from Aldi), thin sliced apples, pepper jelly, and put it in a panini press! I also had some grilled chicken chunks on mine, but my hubby did not… both were delish and it was quick to throw together for dinner bc we used leftover bacon from another meal.
Jill says
Shay I am cracking up because my husband and I do the same thing!!! About 4 nights a week lol. Though we’re going on about 6 months, so you’re a bit ahead of us 😉 Love all your ideas, too. Also, I’m the reader who asked about doubling your mushroom risotto recipe recently. I did, and it was just as delicious as I remembered it 🙂
Jordan says
Trader Joe’s unexpected cheddar is UNBELIEVABLE. Would be a perfect cheese to add to this plate!
Trish says
Too funny as my husband and I just went to a class at our local grocery store about this very subject!! The chef put all breads/crackers on a separate dish. He had half a wheel of parmesan for everyone to snack on as well. On the board was Brie and two other cheeses (blanking now), salami, turkey, French ham, prosciutto, grapes, raspberries, pâté (not my cup of tea though), olive tapenade, almonds, dried apricots and…butter!
AManda wilson says
Yes!!!! I love this!! I like Olives with mine and Beef Jerky. The best beef jerky and pepperoni in the world is Wilhauk. Pickles to on a board or pickled anything!!
Anneka Muller says
I have recently discovered Aldi has a great selection of artisan meats, cheeses, and sometimes crackers. I’ve been shopping there for boards recently.
Abbie says
Favorite thing is a cheese/charcuterie board! Sometimes I also add a little cup of hummus and carrots or peppers to dip in.
Have you ever tried the pesto gouda at Trader Joes??? One of my all time favorite cheeses! They don’t have it all the time though, I can usually find it in spring or summer.
Simone Sojda says
I love the fig crackers at Trader Joe’s paired with the truffle white cheddar!
Mother Henn says
We love a good board at our house too…..can easily make a meal out of it on the regular!
Kelly Buffington says
This will be my go-to for all holiday related events this year! I feel like it’s the sheet pan dinner’s uncooked cousin;).
Amy says
There is a blueberry covered goat cheese log at Trader Joe’s that is amazing. My family gets it regularly, and they even have a cranberry covered one for the holidays! Perfect for a charcuterie board!
Martha says
My friends and I have started enjoying these boards too – so many options! I like to add thin granny smith apple slices and prosciutto into the mix and one of my friends always has dried apricot pieces on her boards. Another idea you might like Shay is an oil tasting night. We are lucky enough in my small town to have a local shop that carries all kinds of different flavoured oils and I’ve set up a tasting station before that included 3 or 4 different flavoured oils (apple, mushroom & sage, etc) with pieces of bread to dip and taste. So good!
Laci says
I love all the things!!!! Pepper jelly (ok cheese is too) haha the way to my heart!!
Nancy says
where is your actual board from? I’ve been looking for one.
Mix and Match Mama says
Williams-Sonoma!
Tracy says
Shay – Pioneer Woman has some beautiful boards that are budget friendly (available at Wal-Mart!). 🙂
Ashlee says
We do this too! Here are some things we also add… Olive tapenade, prosciutto, pickled okra, mild blue cheese (by itself we are not huge fans but with honey it is so good, we are hooked!), and assorted entertainment crackers from Whole Foods.
Kristen says
Trader Joe’s has a fig butter that that is so great. They also have a goat cheese with Cranberries. Also love thinly sliced Pears on my board. I’m obsessed with charcuterie!!! Roll Tide!
Laura Fuller says
I’m going to make this. My husband would LOVE IT.
Shelly says
Add some truffle oil to the honey to make truffle honey- so good, and pairs so well with cheeses!
cassie // Hi Sugarplum says
And now I’m starving. And headed to Trader Joes!!
Stephanie says
I found some darling Christmas tree lavosh crackers for my board. I also use fig orange spread and homemade cranberry jalapeño freezer jam! Right now our Costco has Rainforest Crisps that are perfect crackers for boards !
Gale Johnston says
Stephanie, where did you find the Christmas tree lavosh crackers? Also I would love the recipe for the cranberry jalapeno freezer jam. Sounds yummy!
Chelsey says
Oh my gosh, you are speaking my language. I love a good charcuterie board! Now my pregnant self is craving one haha I will have to whip one up before dinner tonight!
Sara says
We love charcuterie boards too. Speaking of…if you ever stay at La Cantera in San Antonio, they have a walk-up counter in the lobby where you can create your own board and take it with you! It’s incredible!! 🙂 We also like to do picked okra, different types of olives, pickled beets, prosciutto wrapped cantaloupe, bacon wrapped figs if we’re feeling super fancy, and we always have smoked gouda cheese 🙂
Jennifer says
You should check out @ainttooproudtomeg on Instagram. So good!
Tessa says
This is my LOVE LANGUAGE!!!!
talia says
I love brie cheese with fig jam. Also, a spicy mustard!
Diana says
http://sevenlayercharlotte.com/2014/11/20/cheese-and-fruit-tray-how-to/
I’ve done this one several times. I always get asked to bring it. People think it’s amazing, but it isn’t mine. It is Lindsay’s creation. She has so many inspiring ideas. Many thanks to all the bloggers out there who share their wonderful ideas.
Diana
Abby Conaway says
Oh! I love a charcuterie board! Last year for Christmas my Dad made an amazing board for me- I just love loading it up with goodies! Everything you mentioned sounds delicious! I always put out olives and pickes too! Oh- and apples!
I make a kid friendly version for my 3 year old and she loves it too! She always asks for “snack suppers!” ?
Kara says
Looks nice, but just seems like so much to put back away! Does this replace dinner?
Mix and Match Mama says
Depends on how big the “board” is! Sometimes, it’s just a bite which is a great app…but other times, it’s substantial and can be a meal.
Deanna Zehr says
We are also board obsessed in our house! I always include some olives and something pickled, liked asparagus or okra. Yum!
Yley Allen says
Too funny- My husband and I do the same thing at least once a week. I have to have sliced apples and brie with candied pecan(or walnuts) drizzled with honey. That’s definitely my weakness. I usually do the nut thin crackers to keep it gluten free, and I agree with you 100% on the salami/meats. I love all that stuff- especially prosciutto! Yum ?
Jill says
Love this! It’s our go to meal as well. So easy, yummy and pretty! Love all that you do, plus fig jam from Whole Foods with Brie well as honey, stuffed olives, sometimes pickles, sliced apples, candied pecans, dried apricots, etc. Love the savory, spicy and sweet choices! Always impresses guests and so easy to put together.
Ashley L says
You need truffle honey from Whole Foods. It was amazing!!!
Pam G says
My family is hooked, too. We had our first one from room-service at a DC hotel, and it was amazing! Honey, fresh jam, bread, cheeses, salami and pickled okra. Yum!! We feel so healthy eating it!!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I am a charcuterie novice but I am loving experimenting with them!! What do you use the honey for?
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Alexis deZayas says
Bringing this post with me on my next trip to Trader Joe’s and recreating this ASAP!
Melissa says
Jalapeno, feta or blue cheese stuffed olives. Jalapeno are my favorite. Fig jam with sharp white cheddar on crackers is delightful.
Kelly Brick says
You need to try the Creamy Toscana Soaked in Syrah, Cotswold double gloucester with onion and chive, Unexpected Cheddar, St. Andre Brie and the Chianti Salami from Trader Joe’s. They are all SOOO good!! Another favorite is to put pepper jelly over mascarpone cheese and serve with mini brioche toasts. Oh man, now my mouth is watering.
Kristy says
We do this at our house every Sunday night. My girls call it “Snack Dinner”. We mix up the meats, cheeses, veggies, fruits, and extras each week. I love it because I get all my veggies washed and cut for the week for Sunday night’s dinner… then I don’t have to worry about it for school lunches and such during the week!
Elizabeth says
Yum!! Your cheese board looks amazing! My husband and I are huge fans of charcuterie too. In Croatia they had the most amazing boards, and sometimes instead of having meals we would just have charcuterie! We just couldn’t get enough. A hard sausage or salami is a must for me– I like prosciutto too. We also always do a soft cheese if we have hard cheeses on the board, and also one “stinky” cheese. So overall, it would look something like this: crackers, a sharp cheddar, a gorgonzola or blue cheese, a brie or goat cheese, some grapes, honey, fig jam, and sliced apples. The best!!
Jennifer Furrey says
I’m so lame in that I just had to google charcuterie because I keep seeing people make these on IG and I’m like “What in the world is this and why is it so trendy??” But now I feel better because everyone is just using a fancy term for a meat and cheese platter….which I have made before!
melissa says
Castelvetrano olives are the best! They are mild and add something a little different from cheese/meat/nuts/fruit!
Dania says
Brie, prosciutto, baguette, smoked Gouda, olives, figs or fig spread, crisps from Trader Joe’s (the fig/olive are my fave but the Raisin Rosemary and Pumpkin/Cranberry are good too! All are especially awesome with goat cheese). Some veggies….cucumber, baby carrots.
Jaren says
Do you follow thebakermama on Instagram? She’s from Dallas and her boards and stories are SO MUCH FUN!!! I know you will love it!!
Taylor Calame says
Sun dried tomatoes and whole roasted garlic cloves. Pistachios. Dried cherries. Fresh cherries when in season.
Lauren says
I’m not sure if you can get it there, but our favorite pepper jelly is made in our hometown. It’s called Wisham’s and it’s DELICIOUS. My favorite is the cranberry pepper jelly for the holidays!
Tracy says
Doing this for Christmas day! Great post & comments. 🙂