How To Feed A Loon

  • About Us
  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Asian
    • Breads and Doughs
    • Cajun / Creole / Louisiana
    • Breakfast / Brunch
    • Comfort Food
    • Delectable Desserts
    • Entrees / Mains
    • Instant Pot
    • Italian
    • Pizza
    • Rubs, Spices and Sauces
    • Soups & Salads
    • Sides
    • Seafood
    • Southern
    • Mexican / Tex-Mex / Cal-Mex
    • Thanksgiving
    • Vegetarian
  • Videos
    • Recipe Videos
    • Web Stories
  • Work With Us
  • Contact
  • **Premium Access**
  • Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Summer Favorites
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Premium
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Summer Favorites
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Premium
×
Home » Recipe Index » Appetizers

How To Make a Charcuterie Board

Published: Nov 7, 2021 · Modified: Mar 2, 2025 by Kris Longwell · This post may contain affiliate links

141 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Bluesky
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

When done right, this presentation is a true show-stopper.

So festive and just beautiful.  We love everything about this display of delicious nibbles. Make the grissini, marinated olives, and easy homemade hummus ahead of time. Go with quality meats and cheeses, and your guests will be raving.


NOTE: If you liked the video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel. Remember to click the ‘bell’ icon so you’ll never miss a new video!

How To Make the Perfect Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie is a French term referring to cooked meats.

But when done right, it’s so much more than that.

Technically, a charcuterie board doesn’t include cheese. But come on folks, we need cheese. And more!
A charcuterie board that is covered with cubed cheese, a meat flower, hummus, olives, and bread sticks.

Choosing the Right Board

Everything about a charcuterie board should spark excitement and conversation.

The board is no exception.

We are in love with a company called Original Edge. They create stunning boards (and furniture, too) at such affordable prices.

In fact, contact them via email and mention “How To Feed a Loon” for 15% off your order.

Just look at this board.

A large piece of wood that has been finished for using as a charcuterie board.

Using a combination of homemade goodies with quality purchased meats, cheeses, and nuts is ideal.

We recommend having a couple of different types of bread.

Toasted slices of a fresh baguette are a nice touch.

Homemade grissini (Italian breadstick) is gorgeous, whimsical, and delicious. Perfect!

A small glass jar filled with tall grissini, also known as Italian breadsticks.

What Can Be Made Ahead of Time?

As mentioned, using a combination of homemade items as well as good-quality purchased ingredients makes a perfect board.

And the great thing is all three of our homemade items can be made up to several days in advance.

Marinated olives are a wonderful addition to the perfect board.

EXPERT TIP: If making these olives in advance, be sure to keep them in an air-tight container or jar in the refrigerator. However, the oil might congeal while it’s chilled. This is normal, but you’ll want to allow the olives and oil to come to room temperature before serving. Be sure to use a slotted spoon to transfer the olives from the oil into a container.

A charcuterie board with meats and cheeses and a white bowl in the middle filled wth marinated olives.

You’ll also want to include some sort of a dip.

We think the perfect accompaniment to the grissini is our easy homemade hummus.

EXPERT TIP: As hummus sits out, it may get a little dry on the surface. Before your guests arrive, give the hummus a stir with a small spoon, and then add a thin layer of quality olive oil and a sprinkle of ground black pepper.

A small white bowl filled with homemade hummus topped with olive oil and ground black pepper.

How To Make a Meat Flower

Making a flower out of Italian meats may seem strange, but they are a gorgeous addition to your charcuterie board.

Start with large slices of pepperoni and then grab a shot glass or small, short bottle. Add the pepperoni along the top of the glass, overlapping. Continue to add more pepperoni until you’ve added about 20 slices.

Turn the glass over and use your fingers to fan the pepperoni. See the video for visual reference.

A pile of large pepperoni that has been formed into a flower shape sitting next to a wedge of brie.

We go with three types of meat. Pepperoni, salami, and prosciutto.

For the cheese, we recommend a soft cheese, such as brie, a semi-soft cheese, such as smoked gouda, and a block of hard cheese, such as gruyere or pecorino.

Round out the board with an assortment of nuts, such as almond slivers and candy pecans.

EXPERT TIP: Check out the gourmet cheese section of your supermarket. In addition to quality cheese, there is usually a great variety of crackers, nuts, olives, and more. Get creative!

A charcuterie board filled with cubed cheeses, meats in the shape of a flower, bread sticks, and a bowl of hummus.

Ready to make the most stunning and delicious centerpiece in town? Go for it!

And when you do, be sure to take a photo of it, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon!

A charcuterie board filled with cubed cheeses, Italian meats in the shape of a flower, and a bowl of hummus.

The Perfect Charcuterie Board

Making the perfect charcuterie board is not difficult at all. Using a combination of homemade goodies as well as quality meats, cheeses, and nuts is ideal. The grissini and olives can be made several days in advance, the hummus can be made several hours in advance of serving.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American / French
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Preparing the grissini, olives, and hummus: 2 hours hours
Total Time: 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 564kcal
Author: Kris Longwell

Video

Equipment

  • A board for serving (see NOTES)

Ingredients

  • 24 grissini (Italian breadsticks) click the link for the recipe
  • 2 cups marinated olives click the link for the recipe
  • 2 cup easy homemade hummus click the link for the recipe
  • 8 oz soft cheese i.e., brie
  • 8 oz semi-soft cheese i.e., gouda
  • 8 oz hard cheese i.e., gruyere or pecorino
  • 8 oz pepperoni sliced
  • 8 oz salami sliced
  • 8 oz prosciutto thinly sliced
  • 1 baguette sliced
  • 2 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 cup assorted nuts

Instructions

Do ahead

  • Make the grissini and marinated olives.
  • Several hours before serving, make the hummus.

Assemble the Board

  • Use a shot glass and small jar to make the meat flowers with pepperoni and salami (see video for reference).
  • Brush olive oil on the baguette slices and toast until lightly browned.
  • Arrange all of the board components on your board.

Notes

See the video near the top of the blog post for visual guidance.  If you like the video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel! 
We recommend letting the dough for the grissini proof overnight in the fridge.  Remember this when you are making your schedule for planning your party.  The grissini can be made days in advance.  
We highly recommend Original Edge for charcuterie boards (and more).  Contact them via email (originaledgetables@gmail.com) for ordering.  Mention "How To Feed a Loon" and get 15% off your order. 

Nutrition

Calories: 564kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 1610mg | Potassium: 316mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 391IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? Take a Picture!Mention @HowToFeedALoon or tag #HowToFeedALoon!

More Appetizers

  • A close-up view of crispy coconut shrimp on a white plate next to a colorful bowl of Thai sweet chili sauce.
    Crispy Coconut Shrimp
  • An overhead view of two smoked pork wings that are fully cooked and slathered with homemade barbecue sauce.
    Smoked Pork Wings
  • An overhead view a bread wreath with a ramekin in the center filled with marinara sauce and is surround by festive herbs.
    Cheesy Skillet Rolls (Pull-Apart Bread Wreath)
  • An overhead straight-down view of a small white bowl filled with fresh mango salsa with tortilla chips and limes wedges surrounding it.
    Homemade Mango Salsa

Comments

  1. Miles Hartley says

    June 26, 2022 at 1:54 pm

    5 stars
    As usual, special, which we all love. Your recipe is appreciated. The timeline is especially nice because it allows me to have scrumptious warm food for a daytime.

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      June 29, 2022 at 9:49 am

      Thank you, Miles!!

      Reply
5 from 1 vote

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Welcome!

Kris & Wesley (The Loon) live for fun, food, and fabulousness. "How to Feed a Loon" is a celebration of just that. Come join us on this joyous culinary ride.

More about us

Summer Favorites

  • Grilled BBQ Chicken with visible grill marks resting on a metal sheet pan with a small white bowl of homemade BBQ sauce with a spoon in it nearby.
    Best-Ever Grilled BBQ Chicken
  • A pork burger topped with creamy coleslaw on a homemade pretzel bun with Carolina mustard sauce oozing from the underneath the patty with kettle chips scattered around the burger.
    Pork Burgers with Pretzel Buns
  • An overhead view of two white bowls that are both filled with a serving of a turkey burrito bowl and they are surrounded by smaller bowls of salsa, pico de gallos, cheese, and corn salsa.
    Turkey Burrito Bowl
  • An overhead view of a large fajita skillet that is filled with a serving of veggie fajitas and surround by festive bowl of cheese, limes, sour cream, and a stack of charred flour tortillas.
    Best-Ever Veggie Fajitas
  • An overhead view of sliced best-ever pork tenderloin topped with a cranberry reduction on a large white platter with sprigs of parsley and a large serving fork next to the sliced meat.
    Best-Ever Pork Tenderloin
  • A close-up view of sautéed white beans and spinach on a white dinner plate resting next to sliced pork tenderloin.
    Sautéed White Beans and Spinach

Popular Recipes

  • best-ever chicken salad recipe
    Best-Ever Chicken Salad
  • A white soup filled with roasted tomato basil soup next to sliced grilled cheese sandwiches.
    Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
  • Mahi Mahi tacos on a wooden table in a taco holder
    Amazing Mahi Mahi Tacos
  • A lemon wedge being squeezed onto a platter of chicken francese
    Chicken Francese
  • Southern Shrimp and Cheesy Grits recipe
    Southern Shrimp and Cheesy Grits
  • Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder on a platter with a side of gravy
    Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder

Footer

↑ back to top

Explore

  • Recipe Index
  • About Us
  • Subscribe

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 How to Feed a Loon • This website contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on a product link, we may receive a commission in return. How To Feed a Loon is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

141 shares

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.