Hosting this Fall: Charcuterie Boards

There aren’t many parties or gatherings I host that don’t include a charcuterie board of some kind or another. They are quite simple to create, utilizing a few key categories, but they give the appearance of abundance and thoughtfulness.

When people come over for any occasion, it’s nice to have something for them to snack on throughout the evening. It makes people feel welcome and creates a natural space for conversation and community to happen. And let’s be honest, everyone loves charcuterie boards!

So, when I decided to host a girls night, it was a no brainer. And truth be told, it took less than 15 minutes to throw it all together with zero cooking necessary (which is important to me when I’m hosting semi on the fly like that)! You don’t even need to form an extensive shopping list before you head to the store. Simply think in terms of these eight categories:

1. Cheese
2. Meat (I excluded meat from this particular board, but that would be your other major player typically)
3. Jams/Honey
4. Crackers/Bread
5. Fruit
6. Nuts
7. Chocolate/Sweets
8. Embellishments (flowers, herbs, etc)

You want proportionate amounts of the cheese, meat, and crackers/bread category. The jams and honey should be chosen in conjunction with the type of cheese you’re serving, as they will most likely be eaten together. When putting together a seasonal board like this one, I rarely make a detailed list, rather I see what the store has in stock. Oftentimes they will have exclusive seasonal items, like a cinnamon crusted cheese below. Always, always, always shop those specialty seasonal items – even if it’s just one or two – to make your board fit the season!

Here’s a step-by-step progression of this particular charcuterie board I created. You can see the amount of each item and how quickly it fills up the board (and this one isn’t small!). For a larger group (8 or more) I normally have two board or accompanying plates out for additional items. You could also lay parchment paper down on your table and fill the entire thing up! How amazing would that be?!

How are you planning to celebrate with friends this season?

Photography: Liz Grogan Photography

Styling: Kaitlin Holland