Everyone loves to snack and lately it is all about charcuterie boards! If you’re new to this trend, here’s some things to know:

“Charcuterie” is traditionally a French term for cold, cooked meats. Lately, people have been pairing their favorite salamis, prosciuttos, and other meats with cheeses, fruits, veggies, nuts, and jams. It’s a great way to try new pairings and expand your palette!

Charcuterie is for everyone. Because this snack is so highly customizable, it can be put together at many different price points. Veggies are a great way to fill the board and save some money. If you can splurge, high quality cheeses and fresh herbs for garnishing are the way to go. I like to serve charcuterie boards at dinner parties or other events because it allows guests to be as picky as they like without feeling uncomfortable. If guests have dietary restrictions, they can choose what to eat!

A beginner’s tip: Stick to a color scheme. I find that if I don’t have a plan when grocery shopping for items, I end up with an incohesive look to the board that is harder to style. If you’re new to curating boards, pick a color scheme to ensure cohesiveness when you get home! My go-to is blue (blueberries, blackberries, blue cheese, black grapes, fig jam). Grab some neutral colored crackers and fresh herbs for a hint of greenery to complete your board.

Now that you have ingredients, where do you put them? There’s no need to do excess shopping—you probably have what you need lying around your kitchen. Grab your favorite serving dish, platter, or cutting board to use as the base. My go-to is a wooden cutting board that my son made!

‍They make the best & easiest gift idea. Because charcuterie boards are the perfect hosting tool, they make a great gift idea for friends and family. They’re also non-perishable so you can keep one on deck if you need a last minute hostess gift. In the past I’ve gifted them as wedding gifts with the couple’s last name printed on the wood. Most recently, I gave one as a housewarming gift to my friend who lives in California. I found the cutest California-shaped serving dish and paired it with a charcuterie cookbook—she loved it!

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