Cobi’s Perfect Every Time Charcuterie Board & No-Cook Cocktail Party
Entertaining Made Easy
It’s all about creating a feast for the eyes!
The key to a great Charcuterie Board is abundance. You can create a visual (and literal) feast by really loading your board with a variety of tastes and textures. Fresh and dried fruit, salty seasoned nuts, briny olives and cornichons, and of course, delicious cured meats and cheeses! I usually put a selection of sturdy crackers on a separate board since these are the vehicles but the toppings are the star of the show.
Below I detail my exact cheeseboard formula which can easily be copied step-by-step. But please feel free to riff too! It’s hard to go wrong once you have the basic building materials. Just make sure you have a variety of colors and flavors to keep things dynamic and pretty!
I have made this appetizer on everything from a wood board, silver tray, and a white platter. The size I typically use is 11” x 18” but you can adjust your quantities for something bigger. Just remember you want to pile high so purchase accordingly!
Most everything on my board is from Trader Joe’s. I have found they have the best prices without sacrificing quality.
You’ll Need
Salami
Most stores have assortment packages of salami and cured meats. I always buy an assortment plus whatever else looks good. Here is a photo of what I used for this board– two types of salami plus chorizo and prosciutto. I always buy two of each pack so I can restock as the evening goes on.
Cheese
I usually like to stick to three different cheeses, there is actually such a thing as too many! The typical rule of thumb is to have one of each texture (soft, medium, hard) and if you’re feeding a large crowd you can add a blue or flavored cheese. For example on this board I used Goats Cheese (soft), Brie (medium), and Manchego (hard). If you already have a favorite cheese, use it! There is no right or wrong here.
And if you aren’t sure, ask! Get to know your cheesemonger. Even Trader Joe’s has employees who really know their stuff and lots of stores get specialty cheeses at different times of year. It definitely pays to ask questions, you might just find your new favorite cheese that way!
Cornichons
These mini pickles add a wonderful sharp, salty flavor to your board. One jar will do the job but I always buy two. You never know when that one guest comes and eats them all up before anyone else even has a chance to see them! They can be expensive so I always buy them at Trader Joe’s as they have the best price by far. They also last a long time so any you don’t use can live in the pantry (or in the fridge if opened) and be used on your next board.
Nuts
Ok, these are ridiculously good! Trader Joe’s Marcona Almonds with Rosemary are one of my favorites and I use them on almost every board I make. They also have a lovely Spicy and Sweet Pecans. Again, there is no right or wrong so use whatever you love or even a mix of both.
Crackers
Choosing an assortment of crackers, making sure you have different shapes and sizes, will ensure an interesting look.
Olives
I like to offer an assortment of olives. I find my local grocery store’s olive bar gives me lots of choices. You can buy the olive cocktail mix or mix and match your favorites. I put them in a small dish, on a tray with my crackers artfully scattered around them (see above picture).
Fruit
Grapes are a cheese board standard for a reason, they are a match made in heaven! As you’ll see in the video, I use a large bunch of grapes as an anchor on my board and build from there. Definitely don’t skip the grapes!
Blueberries are delicious with cheese and add a deep blue pop of color that you can’t get from anything else. They also fill a lot of empty space and look wonderful spilling over the board.
Likewise, strawberries are a great addition too. I like to leave some whole and slice in half as well.
Now onto the dried fruit! I always, always include dried apricots on my boards. They are a wonderful addition and add a unique texture and color.
Dried Medjool Dates are also great and add a sweeter flavor.
Chocolate
I always include something chocolate. Chocolate covered almonds in a dish always does the trick but you could also experiment with chocolate coffee beans or some dark chocolate squares.
Spreads
Fig spread (sort of like a jam) is fabulous on cheese and is my go-to spread for every board I make. It pairs especially well with a soft goat’s cheese but honestly, I have yet to find a cheese that it doesn’t taste wonderful with. Dalmatia Fig Spread is the gold standard (plus the jar is so pretty you can present it as-is).
Decoration
Fresh Rosemary: I love to include a sprig of rosemary, it just looks so pretty! (Note: I forgot to add mine in the video but you’ll see it in the photos)
Edible flowers: I often put edible flowers on my brie, I think they look beautiful. If you can’t find them, a drizzle of honey on top of the Brie is lovely too!
And there you have it! That’s everything you need to make a beautiful, crowd-pleasing Charcuterie Board! Scroll up to the beginning for my how-to video with full assembly instructions.
More Ideas
If you are having a cocktail party with Hors d’oeuvres you can round out the evening with a lovely shrimp cocktail tray. This is my favorite dish for it. I love the unique design. I bought mine years ago and always use it for my shrimp cocktail or veggies and dip. I lay some arugula down and arrange the shrimp. Investing in a good assortment of trays really makes entertaining fun and easy!
And you can never go wrong with a fresh baguette sliced thin, sprinkle Maldon Sea Salt Flakes on top and serve with a Chili Oil. I must warn you this goes really fast! I always buy 2-3 large baguettes and refill as needed (best to pre-slice to make your life easier!)
And voila! A low-stress, high-success, no-cooking-required cocktail party.
Just add wine!
All my Love,
Cobi
*This article contains Amazon links to products I use and love! As an Amazon Affiliate, these links mean if you purchase through me I receive a small commission. Thank you for your kind support.
