How to Set Up a Charcuterie Board Party - Celebrations at Home (2024)

Charcuterie Party Board

Looking for a great outside party idea that makes entertaining easy? How about a charcuterie party cheese board with a twist! We’re making smoked sausage the star of the board, and I’m sharing all the details and what food to eat with it.

Using smoked sausage as our charcuterie of choice makes this party platter hearty and filling enough to be served as a meal.

I cut the meat into appetizer size bites that are perfect for dipping into spicy mustard. Or try our smoked sausage appetizers in bbq sauce. This charcuterie party is good for serving 6-8 people.

Why is it called charcuterie?

Charcuterie is a French word that literally means “cooked meats”. It can be thought of as the art of preparing various meats in order to preserve them and present them in diverse ways. Although the term generally refers to meats derived from pork, you can find some more exotic options made from wild boar, venison, bison, elk, etc.

When serving charcuterie for a party it’s usually presented alongside cheese, bread, condiments, and other accoutrements.

What Else to Serve with a Charcuterie Board

Here are my tips for creating a charcuterie party board. Since this type of food platter highlights the meat, that should be your starting point. All other items should be complementary for a dinner-worthy meal.

Meat

Smoked Sausage. I started with two varieties: spicy cajun style and andouille. Since it’s already fully cooked I simply heat it on the grill or in a skillet on the stove for about 10 minutes to warm it through and give it some grill marks. Then slice it into easy serving sizes and place on the board.

Cured Meats. Other options could include salami, prosciutto, jambon, saucisson, pepperoni, etc.

Cheese

Add two or three types of cheese to compliment the sausage. Just think about what goes well with the meat you’re serving.

• Manchego cheese tastes delicious with these!
• Goat milk brie adds a different texture and flavor.
• Parmigiano Reggiano would also be a good addition to the board layout.
• Soft cheeses like chevre and fresh ricotta are great for spreading.
• Other favorites include gouda or smoked cheddar.

Bread

A French baguette or Italian bread is the perfect vehicle to serve up all the flavors of a charcuterie board. Slice the loaf on the diagonal into slices between 1/4 and 1/2-inch thick. Brush each side with olive oil and lightly grill it on both sides.

Vegetables

Include vegetables that are either raw, pickled, or roasted. Here’s a list of favorites.

• Raw or roasted carrots
• Asparagus
• Sliced cucumber
• Roasted beets
• Homemade tomato confit (yes, tomatoes are technically a fruit)
• Briny olives
• Sweet baby pickles or cornichons

Accoutrements

All the little extras you add to a cheese board will certainly enhance the flavor experience. This is where things can get really fun and creative.

The condiments should complement the cheese as well as the meat, and you get use sweet additions as well as spicy ones.

• Hummus
• Tapenades
• Grainy mustard, honey mustard, or Zatarain’s Cajun Mustard
• Honey
• Jam or preserves
• Quince paste

Crunchy

I believe adding some crunchy components helps bring a charcuterie board to life and give more texture.

Gourmet potato chips always hold a place on our boards, as well as nuts like marcona almonds, walnuts or pistachios.

Fruit

Whether it’s fresh or dried, fruit adds so much to a charcuterie and cheese platter. They help cleanse the palette while adding a sweet touch to the savory and salty components.

• Fresh figs for fall parties
• Dried apricots or dates
• Sliced apples or pears
• Grape clusters
• Fresh berries or pomegranates

All of these items add flavor, texture, and a visual element for a unique charcuterie party. Variety is key!

More Charcuterie Party Ideas

Here are more unique party board ideas to try, and if you want a fun individual portion size, try these appetizer charcuterie skewers!

• Gorgeous brunch cheese board
• Chocolate charcuterie board
• Beautiful dessert fondue platter
• Football party snack board

What to Drink

The beauty of this charcuterie party is that the smoked sausage lends itself well to a variety of alcohol beverages. Beer is a traditional pairing with the sausage. And the bubbles in sparkling wine, Prosecco and champagne help cut through the fats in the meats, making it another perfect pairing.

Wine is always a good idea to serve with cheese and charcuterie! Choose a semi-dry white wine, or a medium bodied red wine.

Charcuterie board set up

A charcuterie board for dinner is all about the presentation! The most pleasing displays always look full and abundant, and items are artfully placed and balanced.

1. First, pick the right size vessel like a platter, wooden serving board, or a tray with sides. You want it to be large enough to hold everything but not so big that it doesn’t look full.
2. Decide what bowls you’ll need for holding dips, condiments, pickles, olives, etc. Start arranging them on the board, thinking about balance and distance.
3. Begin placing the main items like the meat and cheese. If I’m serving more than one of each I like to place them opposite each other. For instance the 2 flavors of smoked sausage are across from each other, as are the 2 types of cheese. If serving three, place them in a triangle.
4. Consider color and try not to place the exact same color of items next to each other.
5. Finally, fill in small gaps with mounds of nuts, dried and fresh fruit, and sprigs of fresh herbs or edible flowers.

Charcuterie board dinner

When I’m making a cheese and charcuterie party board for a fall gathering outside, these are all my considerations for the menu and presentation.

I love changing up the traditional cured meat options and using smoked sausage, summer sausage or kielbasa instead. It’s filling, delicious, and easy to grill and serve. Are you excited about serving a charcuterie board dinner?