The Perfect Charcuterie Board—Jerky Forward of Course

Charcuterie boards have become a go-to appetizer, and for good reason. These beautiful snack boards have something for everyone – even people with dietary restrictions.

Whether you’re looking to delight your guests or wow your own taste buds, it’s not hard to make the perfect charcuterie board. All you need is a few simple items and a little inspiration!

What Does Charcuterie Mean?

Believe it or not, the term charcuterie has been around for hundreds of years, dating back to 15th century France. It referred to a butcher shop that sold meat and meat dishes. Nowadays, charcuterie refers to a wooden board topped with delicious bite-sized foods. 

When to Create a Snack and Charcuterie Board?

While many people create charcuterie boards for events and gatherings, there are no rules when it comes to enjoying them. When the mood strikes, you have total freedom to make a snack board for any occasion.

If you need some inspiration on when to enjoy a charcuterie platter, here are some fun ideas:

• Family movie or board game nights
• Holiday parties
• Date nights
• Post-work and after-school snacks
• Picnics
• Work events

What Goes on a Charcuterie Board?

If you’re a French purist, you’ll put only cured meats on your charcuterie board. But nowadays, there are no rules! That’s what makes modern charcuterie boards so fun. Put your own playful spin on your snack board by choosing your personal favorite snacks.

Meat

No charcuterie board is complete without meat. Try some of these tasty suggestions for your next snack board:

• Jerky: It doesn’t get easier than jerky. Just open the bag and set it out on your board. 
• Cured Meats: From genoa salami to Spanish chorizo, there’s an abundance of cured meats to choose from.
• Meat sticks: Cured meat sticks come in single-wrapped packages, making them easy to open and cut into devourable slices.

Cheese

Since meat is the heart of your board’s flavor profile, be sure to choose cheeses to complement its taste. Always choose cheese blocks that are easy to slice and don’t dramatically crumble. Here are some suggestions:

• Soft cheeses: Brie, Havarti, goat cheese, muenster and fontina have a softer texture and a mellow flavor to complement meats.
• Firm cheeses: Asiago, Parmigiano, cheddar and manchego all have a robust flavor and firm texture that’s perfect for slicing.

Fruits & Veggies

Get all your food groups by adding fruits and veggies. Go for small fruits and slices to embrace the finger-food style of charcuterie boards, such as:

• Dried fruits: Try apricots, cranberries, pineapple or mango.
• Small fruits: Strawberries, blueberries, grapes or raspberries add some color and flavor.
• Sliced fruits: Choose fruits that won’t leak juice over your board, like apples or pears.
• Dippable veggies: Use carrots, celery, broccoli and cauliflower to go with your savory spreads and dips.

Dips, Jams, and Honey

Level up your charcuterie board with some mouthwatering spreads. Savory dips like hummus, spinach dips and artichoke spread can be paired with veggies and crackers. For some sweet or tart options, try fruit jams, jellies or honey.

Bread or Crackers

Slice up a baguette, make some crostini or pile on an array of your favorite crackers. Not only do these go with your meat and cheese selection, but you can also enjoy them with your array of dips, jams and other spreads.

What to Look for in Charcuterie Board Jerky

Flavor, Flavor, Flavor!

The secret to a show-stopping charcuterie board is to have it burst with flavor. Choose a variety of foods that are sweet, savory, mellow and sharp. You’ll please every palate and feel like you’re tasting every season.

Tons of Texture

Be sure to include an assortment of textures for your guests to relish. Coarse pieces of bread, succulent meats and soft cheeses create an exciting mouthfeel.

Leaves People Wanting More

It’s a special feeling when your loved ones can’t get enough of your charcuterie board. Be sure to ask them which snacks were their favorites so you can put your success on repeat!

For Your Next Snack Board, Try Bold, Tender Jerky

Make your charcuterie board a snack to remember. Golden Island Jerky is tender and packed with mouthwatering flavor. Stock up for your next snack board today!