Every charcuterie spread needs a variety of tasty cheeses. We love to include a mix of soft cheeses like chèvre, brie, or mozzarella, and cubed or sliced hard cheeses like aged cheddar and gouda. Whatever you choose, limit yourself to a few favorite options so your board isn’t overwhelmed.

The next crucial aspect of any charcuterie board is meat. In fact, the French word charcuterie refers specifically to “cold, cooked meats.” Thin meats like salami and prosciutto are perfect for grazing, without getting too stuffed, and these cured, salty meats add a delicious flavor and texture to the board. Plus, they can be rolled up or folded into fun shapes for added aesthetic flair. 

Next, you’ll need some crackers to go with all that meat and cheese. Mild crackers like butter crackers, multigrain crackers, and even crunchy breadsticks pair great with the strong flavors already present on the board. Sometimes crackers simply act as a vehicle for the rest of the spread, but that doesn’t mean they should be flavorless or overlooked. 

Now that you have your savory items covered, it’s time to add a little color with delicious fresh produce. For a holiday charcuterie board, some great options are cranberries, grapes, pomegranate, and pears. The rich color in these fruits alone will make your spread pop.

Other winter fruits to consider include clementines, grapefruit, kiwi, and persimmon. Honestly, as long as the fruit has good flavor, you really can’t go wrong. We like to mix it up and have fun trying new combinations, including dried fruits as well.

Once you’ve gathered the essentials, choose one or two spreads to include like pepper jelly and honey butter. The sweetness of these spreads, combined with the savory meats and cheeses on the board make for an exquisite flavor pairing.

 

Your charcuterie boards and hot cocoa bars can be as simple or as elegant as you want them to be, but whatever you include, they’re sure to be a fan favorite at your next holiday get together.

Our beautiful charcuterie board is from our friends over at The Harvest Board. Be sure to give them a follow on Instagram @theharvestboard_ and shop their AMAZING products at theharvestboard.com.