Create a gorgeous Italian charcuterie board for your next gathering! Think "abundance" as you fill your board to the max. This delicious combination of Italian cheeses, meats, fruits, vegetables, and nuts is sure to be a hit!
Your Italian charcuterie board will bring a taste of the Mediterranean right into your own kitchen! Sweet and savory collide all around in such a beautiful (and most importantly, delicious!) way!
Setting up the board before your guests arrive is just as enjoyable as sharing it. There's something about it that feels like you're an artist creating an absolute masterpiece! Another great appetizer option that is sure to wow your guests is a butter board! While this sure serves a crowd, there are also ways to set up smaller boards for 2-4 people.
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What to put on an Italian charcuterie board
Wondering what is on an Italian charcuterie board? Here is a list by category of what you'll need from the grocery store to put your own version together!
Cheeses
- Parmigiano-Reggiano - Sharp and nutty, this quintessential Italian cheese is a widespread favorite sure to please everyone in attendance.
- Gorgonzola - A blue cheese that pairs with sweet and savory options alike! It's a great versatile option that assists in balancing your board.
- Mascarpone - This sweet cheese can be served out of a ramekin and works like a spread. Be sure to put a utensil in it so people know to utilize it.
- Marinated mozzarella pearls - Marinate your own or buy them pre-marinated! These savory pearls are also served out of a ramekin (just like the mascarpone) and can be left in some of the marinade or it can be drained off.
Meats
- Prosciutto - Thinly sliced, fatty, sweet, and savory! You can't go wrong with this on your Italian charcuterie board!
- Uncured genoa salame - Light and savory, this meat pairs beautifully with your strong savory cheese options.
- Uncured soppressata - This meat can sometimes taste a bit like pepperoni. It can be salty, sweet, or even spicy depending on what you choose!
- Pepperoni - A classic and easily recognizable meat, pepperoni is an American twist on Italian salami. It is slightly spicy and savory. I like to include this for any guests who may not be so adventurous with their meat samplings!
Bread & Crackers
- Oven-toasted garlic baguette slices - Who doesn't love garlic bread? These mini slices pair well with all of the savory options across the board.
- Artisan crackers - Add a simple and lightly salted artisan cracker for people who want to enjoy the flavors of the toppings without the taste of the cracker getting in the way. These are perfect for pairing with sweet cheeses too!
- Flavored crackers of choice - Get creative and select a flavored cracker to go on your Italian charcuterie board!
Fruits
- Grapes - Purple and green grapes are delicious and give your board some Italian charm.
- Pitted dates - Pitted is the way to go so nobody is surprised when taking a bite!
Vegetables
- Olives - Another necessity when creating an Italian charcuterie board. Olives can be served out of a ramekin front and center!
- Tomatoes - Small sized tomatoes of your choosing fit in with your board in both flavor and beauty!
Nuts
Nuts make a great filler for any open spaces visually but more importantly, they pair well with everything! Walnuts, almonds, and even pistachios are great Italian choices for your board.
- Walnuts.
- Almonds.
Spreads
You can add a favorite jam as well as honey to pair with all of the lovely sweet options on your Italian charcuterie board! Fill a ramekin and add a small spoon for your guests to use when adding it to their plates.
- Honey.
When to serve an Italian charcuterie board
- Holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, birthday parties...you name it! Any holiday where you have a crowd gathering calls for a gorgeous charcuterie board.
- Gameday - The big game is on and everyone is meeting up at your place. Set this up on the counter before your guests arrive so they can fill their plates and grab a seat quickly!
- Gatherings - A larger size play date with a lot of parents coming around, a small group from church coming by, welcoming new neighbors, or no occasion and just getting together because...why not? Set up this Italian charcuterie board alongside some beverages to give a variety of options for your guests to snack on while socializing.
Want to try something a little different? Check out this Mexican inspired charcuterie board!
Ingredients
- Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Gorgonzola
- Mascarpone
- Marinated mozzarella pearls
- Honey
- Olives
- Prosciutto
- Uncured genoa salame
- Uncured soppressata
- Pepperoni
- Oven-toasted garlic baguette slices
- Artisan crackers
- Flavored crackers of choice
- Tomatoes
- Grapes (green and/or purple)
- Pitted dates
- Walnuts
- Almonds
How to build an Italian charcuterie board
- Start by cutting your cheeses as needed and place them around the board.
- Anything that is served out of a ramekin goes on the board next such as honey, olives, marinated mozzarella pearls, etc.
- Lay out your pieces of bread and crackers in different places. I like to place them near a cheese they will pair well with! (Example: garlic bread will go next to a savory cheese and plain crackers near a sweet cheese.)
- Fold your meats however you would like and place them around the cheese, crackers, and ramekins.
- Fill in open spaces with fruits and vegetables.
- Find spots here and there for nuts and sprinkle them into little openings to fill voids.
- Add any toothpicks and utensils needed and be sure more toothpicks are placed nearby for your guests to use. Set out plates, bowls, and napkins where they are accessible.
Tips
- It's best to place your cheeses and larger items first then fill in around it all!
- Place utensils for each item on the board with what it is to be used for.
- Be sure that toothpicks, plates, bowls, napkins, etc are easily accessible as close to the board as you can place them to encourage guests to fill a plate!
Italian Charcuterie Board
Create a gorgeous Italian charcuterie board for your next gathering! Think "abundance" as you fill your board to the max. This delicious combination of Italian cheeses, meats, fruits, vegetables, and nuts is sure to be a hit!
Equipment
- Large wooden or marble board
Ingredients
- Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Gorgonzola
- Mascarpone
- Marinated mozzarella pearls
- Honey
- Olives
- Prosciutto
- Uncured genoa salame
- Uncured soppressata
- Pepperoni
- Oven-toasted garlic baguette slices
- Artisan crackers
- Flavored crackers of choice
- Tomatoes
- Grapes green and/or purple
- Pitted dates
- Walnuts
- Almonds
Instructions
- Start by cutting your cheeses as needed and place them around the board.
- Anything that is served out of a ramekin goes on the board next such as honey, olives, marinated mozzarella pearls, etc.
- Lay out your pieces of bread and crackers in different places. I like to place them near a cheese they will pair well with! (Example: garlic bread will go next to a savory cheese and plain crackers near a sweet cheese.)
- Fold your meats however you would like and place them around the cheese, crackers, and ramekins.
- Fill in open spaces with fruits and vegetables.
- Find spots here and there for nuts and sprinkle them into little openings to fill voids.
- Add any toothpicks and utensils needed and be sure more toothpicks are placed nearby for your guests to use. Set out plates, bowls, and napkins where they are accessible.
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