Charcuterie Party Planning: A Step-by-Step Guide to Deliciousness

Charcuterie boards are a timeless yet sophisticated way to feed your party guests. Not only can you fill your boards with tasty treats, but the visual appeal of a well-set charcuterie board is hard to match for the price.

However, charcuterie boards can also be a bit overwhelming, particularly because they contain so many different elements. But never fear: we’re here to break down the process so you can host your next party without breaking a sweat.

Step 1: Get a head count. Like any party, the number of guests you invite will determine how much food you need. As a general rule for charcuterie boards, plan on 5 oz of food per person if the charcuterie is the entire meal. If you plan to have an additional entrée, you should be good with only 2-3 oz per person.

Step 2: Be realistic with your budget. Charcuterie ingredients can add up fast, especially if you opt for high-end meats and cheeses. However, it's possible to create a delicious spread without breaking the bank. So set a reasonable budget, and don’t forget to consider any extra serving dishes you may need.

Step 3: Select your boards (or platters). If you already have a good selection of dishes that complement one another, wonderful! If not, be sure to buy boards and platters that go well together or fit with a theme.

For example, if you plan to utilize your favorite wooden cutting board, you can easily round out a rustic theme with natural wood slices and a rustic wood stand. For a more modern touch, opt for marble or slate slabs and white dishes.

Step 4: Follow the 3-3-3-3 Rule. Your charcuterie board should have 3 meats, 3 cheeses, 3 starches, and 3 accompaniments to provide balance and interest.
For meats, popular options include salami, chorizo, prosciutto, and capicola. Be sure to choose a good mix of textures and flavors so the meat doesn’t seem one-dimensional.

Your cheese should also have a nice variety of textures and sources. Mix things up with goat and cow cheeses in sliced or spreadable forms in different colors.
Next, pick out three delicious bases for the meats and cheese. Think crackers, breadsticks, crostini, pita, or various breads.

Lastly, round out your spread with 3 veggies, fruits, or dips. We love how grapes, berries, and sliced apples pair with cheeses, but you can also go for dried fruits. Olives and marinated artichoke hearts are popular veggie options, and jams and mustard are popular dips. It depends on whether you want your board to lean sweet or savory.

Step 5: Assemble! Depending on your artistic flair, this will be the easiest or hardest step. Charcuterie is all about visual appeal, so you want balance in color and flavor.
Start by placing out any small bowls you’re using for dips or spreads appealingly. Then, layer your main ingredients onto your charcuterie board, leaving enough room for guests to grab items easily.

You can lay out your ingredients in straight lines, curve them around a platter, or segment them into sections—just choose whatever feels easiest to you. To complete the look, fill in any gaps with crackers, fruits, and veggies.

And you’re done! Be sure to keep your boards refrigerated until just before guests arrive, then place them around the dip bowls on your table or counter. We have a feeling your next party will be quite a success!