Building a Charcuterie Board

Featured on WDTV First at 4 with Holly Baratta.

Basic Charcuterie Board

Perfect for gatherings, holidays, or a casual night in, this board includes a variety of textures and

flavors that balance salty, sweet, creamy, and crunchy.

What You'll Need:

1. Cheeses (choose 3):

Aim for a variety of textures and milk types.

• Soft cheese: Brie, goat cheese, or Camembert

• Semi-hard cheese: Cheddar, Gouda, or Fontina

• Hard or aged cheese: Parmigiano-Reggiano, Manchego, or aged Asiago

2. Olives:

Offer a small assortment, such as:

• Kalamata

• Castelvetrano

• Green olives stuffed with garlic or pimentos

3. Crackers & Bread:

Provide a mix for texture and flavor:

• Plain water crackers or butter crackers

• Whole grain or seeded crackers

• Sliced baguette or crostini (optional)

4. Fresh Seasonal Fruit:

Choose what's in season for the best flavor. Examples include:

• Grapes, figs, apple or pear slices (fall/winter)

• Berries, cherries, or melon (spring/summer)

5. Dried Fruit:

A small handful of:

• Apricots

• Dates

• Dried cherries or cranberries

• Figs

Assembly Tips:

1. Start with the cheese:

Place the three cheeses evenly spaced on the board, cutting a few slices to get guests

started.

2. 3. Add olives in a small bowl to avoid spills and to separate brine from other items.

Arrange crackers in small stacks or fanned out near the cheeses.4. Fill in with fruit:

Tuck clusters of grapes or slices of fruit around the board for color and freshness. Scatter

dried fruits in small piles or along edges.

5. Garnish (optional):

Add a few sprigs of rosemary or thyme for a decorative touch.

Serving tip:

Take the cheeses out of the fridge 30–45 minutes before serving to bring them to room

temperature for the best flavor and texture.

Let me know if you'd like to add meats, spreads, or a shopping list version!