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    Home » APPETIZERS

    Small Charcuterie Board - Easy and Simple

    Published: Oct 9, 2022 by Rebecca Taig · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Print Recipe

    A small charcuterie board is a perfect appetizer to serve when hosting any intimate gathering or date night. Easy, simple, and elegant, this mini charcuterie board serves up to 4 people and is guaranteed to impress your guests.

    A Small charcuterie board with crackers, cheese, fruit, and chocolate. A vase with pink roses and babys breath are in the corner.

    Charcuterie Boards are a great choice when hosting because they are simple to make and provide an array of choices. Whether you have dietary restrictions or are looking to create something festive, charcuterie boards can easily be customized to fit anyone's needs or palate.

    In this post, I share my step-by-step photos and tips to help create your very own beautiful and simple small charcuterie board. It serves 2-4 people, is easy to travel, and can be made in under 15 minutes depending on your choice of items.

    If you are a charcuterie board fan, check out my Patriotic Charcuterie Board, Fall Harvest Charcuterie Board, and How to Make a Salami Rose post for more creative options.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Components of a Charcuterie Board
    • Instructions For Assembling a Small Charcuterie Board
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQ
    • Recipe

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for a small charcuterie board.
    • Salami: For the best quality, look for uncured organic salami.
    • Mascarpone Cheese Drizzled with Honey: This creamy cheese serves as a dip for the crackers and pairs well with dates and pistachios.
    • White Cheddar: A sharp hard cheese that pairs well with most flavors.
    • Mini Brie: A soft creamy cheese. The brand Supreme makes mini brie bites with an edible rind. You can find these types at your local health food stores, such as Sprouts or Whole Foods.
    • Sea Salt and Rosemary Crackers: Salt and savory, choose your favorite options.
    • Red and Black Raspberries: I love the subtle sweetness you get from the berries, which go well with the chocolate.
    • Dried Figs: Dried or fresh figs are both great options.
    • Pistachios: Pistachios are a great choice with the food items on this board, but you could also use almonds or pecans.
    • Fig Jam: Our favorite fig jam.
    • Bacon-Wrapped Dates: Love adding mini appetizers to charcuterie boards for contrast and flavor.
    • Peanut Butter Cups: Justin's peanut butter cups. Simply, the best.
    • Dark Chocolate: Choose your favorite percentage and brand.
    • Fresh Rosemary and Baby's Breath: For garnish at the end.

    Components of a Charcuterie Board

    Cheese

    For a small charcuterie board, you will want 2-3 varieties of cheese, preferably with different textures and flavors. Typically you'll choose one hard cheese, one soft cheese, and an optional cheese spread. Keep in mind the other food flavors to pair, when selecting your cheese.

    Cheese Options

    • Hard Cheese: Manchego, Parmesan, Aged Gouda, Asiago, White Cheddar, Gruyere, and Colby.
    • Soft Cheese: Brie, Havarti, Mozzarella, Muenster, Goats Milk Cheese, and Blue Cheese.
    • Cheese Spread: Burrata, Mascarpone, or Ricotta.

    Meat

    You only need 1-2 meat options for a small charcuterie board. For this charcuterie, I went with only one option to keep things simple. I recommend choosing organic and uncured meat options which have fewer nitrates, preservatives, and additives.

    Meat Options

    • Uncured Salami: Salami is a great choice that pairs well with most options.
    • Uncured Prosciutto: Slightly salty in flavor with a buttery thin texture. Pairs great with fig jam.
    • Bacon: Adding mini appetizers that are bacon-wrapped items is both a meat option and a delicious filler. Bacon-wrapped dates are a great addition.

    Crackers

    Choose one to two bread options which could include crackers, pretzels, or a toasted baguette. My favorite brand of gluten-free crackers to use is Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers. They have a variety of flavors to choose from.

    Jam and Spreads

    Dips and jams help balance out the salty dry meats and cheese, creating a delectable combination of flavors. You will need only 1-2 options for this board.

    Options include blackberry jam, fig jam, apricot jam, raw honey, whipped ricotta, mascarpone cheese, and red pepper jelly.

    Fruit and Nuts

    You can use a combination of both dried and fresh fruit. For this simple charcuterie board choose 2-3 fruit options and 1-2 nut options will be sufficient.

    Fruit Options

    • Dried Figs, Dates, Dried Apricots, Fresh Berries, Grapes, Pear, and Apple.

    Nut Options

    • Pistachios, Almonds, Pecans, and Walnuts.

    Fillers and Garnishes:

    This part is completely optional but elevates even a small and simple charcuterie board. After assembling your board, go back and fill open spaces with mini appetizers and garnishes. I love incorporating my bacon-wrapped dates and mini blackberry brie tarts.

    Filler Options

    • Chocolate, Bite-Sized Appetizers, Honey Comb, Olives, or Cornichons.

    Garnish Options

    • Fresh Rosemary, Thyme, and Edible Orangic Flowers.

    Instructions For Assembling a Small Charcuterie Board

    A small round wooden charcuterie board with fig jam and mascarpone cheese. Pink flowers are across from the wooden board.

    Start by placing any small bowls, dips, or jams onto the board, adjacent to one another to create balance. Fill the bowls with your choice of items.

    A small wooden round charcuterie board with fig jam, mascarpone cheese, cheddar cheese and mini brie. A vase with pink roses are across from the board.

    Add the cheese around the bowls on each opposite side.

    A small round wooden charcuterie board with marscapone cheese, fig jam, brie, cheddar, and a salami rose. Across from the board is a vase of pink roses.

    Add the meat to the board. For this board, we use one meat option, and for symmetry, place the salami rose across from the bowls.

    A small wooden round charcuterie board with marscapone cheese, fig jam, cheddar cheese, brie, crackers,fruit, and nuts. A vase of pink roses are across from the board.

    Fill in the gaps with crackers, fruit, and nuts, grouping each item on opposite ends of the board to help create balance. If you have a mini appetizer, save this for the middle or add additional crackers.

    A small wooden charcuterie board with fruit, cheese, nuts and chocolate with pink roses.

    Finish the board by adding additional fillers and garnishes to any open spots.

    Expert Tips

    • Add a salami rose. Want to learn how to create a salami rose? Check out this post!
    • Start with the largest items first and work your way down to the smallest.
    • Add mini appetizers to create an added element of surprise.
    • What wine to pair? Serve this board with chilled rosé, Champagne, prosecco, pinot noir, or syrah.
    • Fave fun! There is no right or wrong way when it comes to assembling a charcuterie board.
    A picture of a salami rose on a charcuterie board with bacon wrapped dates, figs, rosemary, pistachios, crackers, and chocolate.
    A close up picture of bacon wrapped dates with cheddar cheese, babys breath flowers, fig jam, pistachios, crackers, and dried figs.

    FAQ

    What are charcuterie boards?

    A charcuterie board is an appetizer with assembled meats, cheese, fruits, nuts, and crackers.

    How far in advance can you assemble a charcuterie board?

    Charcuterie boards are best assembled on the same day for optimal freshness. Place leftovers back in their original packaging or store them in glass Tupperware.

    How many people does a small charcuterie board feed?

    A small charcuterie feed around 2-4 people.

    How long can a charcuterie board sit out?

    Serve the charcuterie board right away when guests arrive. The charcuterie board should not sit out longer than 2 hours.

    Recipe

    An aerial photo showing all of the items on my simple charcuterie board.

    Small Charcuterie Board - Easy and Simple

    Recipe Author : Rebecca Taig
    Diet :Gluten Free
    A small charcuterie board is a perfect appetizer to serve when hosting any intimate gathering or date night. Easy, simple, and elegant, this mini charcuterie board serves up to 4 people and is guaranteed to impress your guests.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 1006 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    Cheese

    • 4 ounce white cheddar
    • 4 ounce mini brie
    • 4 ounce mascarpone cheese with honey drizzle

    Meat

    • 4-8 ounces salami

    Crackers

    • 1 cup almond flour crackers

    Fruit

    • 4 ounces dried figs
    • 2 ounces red raspberries
    • 2 ounces blackberries

    Nuts

    • ½ cup unshelled pistachios

    Jam

    • ¼ cup fig jam

    Fillers

    • 4-6 bacon wrapped dates
    • 4-6 squares chocolate

    Garnishes

    • fresh rosemary
    • fresh baby's breath

    Instructions
     

    • Start by placing any small bowls, dips, or jams onto the board, adjacent to one another to help create balance. Fill the bowls with your choice of items.
    • Add the cheese around the bowls on each opposite sides.
    • Add the meat to the board. For this board, we use one meat option, and for symmetry, place the salami rose across from the bowls.
    • Fill in the gaps with crackers, fruit, and nuts, grouping each item on opposite ends of the board to help create balance. If you have a mini appetizer, save this for the middle or add additional crackers.
    • Finish the board by adding additional fillers and garnishes to any open spots.

    Notes

    Start with the largest items first and work your way down to the smallest.
    Add mini appetizers to create an added element of surprise.
    What wine to pair? Serve this board with chilled rosé, champagne, prosecco, pinot noir, or syrah.
    Fave fun! There is no right or wrong way when it comes to assembling a charcuterie board.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4peopleCalories: 1006kcalCarbohydrates: 99gProtein: 27gFat: 56gSaturated Fat: 27gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 1646mgPotassium: 605mgFiber: 8gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 947IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 369mgIron: 2mg
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