Andy Montoya
When it comes to creating a meat, cheese, and cracker platter, there are endless possibilities and combinations to delight your guests. The key to a successful platter is variety, offering a range of flavors, textures, and colors to make it visually appealing. While cured meats are the star of the show, you can also include other types of cooked meats. Salami, prosciutto, chorizo, and pepperoni are popular choices, along with Italian meats like mortadella, soppressata, and capicola. For cheeses, a mix of hard and soft cheeses is ideal, such as cheddar, parmesan, gouda, brie, goat cheese, and mozzarella. Crackers come in various shapes, sizes, and flavors, with plain crackers preferred to avoid overwhelming the flavors of the toppings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Prosciutto, Salami, Ham, Chorizo, Pepperoni, Genoa Salami, Capricola, Summer Sausage |
| Crackers | 34 Degrees, Brewer’s Crackers, Whole Wheat Crackers, Rice Crackers, Rosemary Crackers, Ritz, Breadsticks, Baguette, Crostini |
| Cheese | Blue Cheese, Gorgonzola, Goat Cheese, Brie, Cheddar, Parmesan, Gouda, Manchego, Havarti, Camembert, Comté, Limburger, Roquefort, Boursin, Humboldt Fog |
| Other Pairings | Olives, Pickles, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts, Honey, Nuts, Fruits, Jams, Marmalade, Chocolate |
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What You'll Learn
Cured meats, such as salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, and chorizo
Cured meats are a popular choice for a meat and cheese platter. Cured meats like salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, and chorizo are classic options that pair well with a variety of cheeses and crackers. These meats offer a range of flavours and textures that can enhance your charcuterie board.
Salami is a versatile cured sausage that can be found in various flavours and styles. It pairs well with almost any cheese and cracker. Genoa salami is a popular choice and goes well with buttery crackers like Ritz. Salami is a hearty and savoury option that adds a depth of flavour to your platter.
Prosciutto is a delicate, dry-cured ham that adds a touch of elegance to your meat and cheese selection. It has a salty, sweet flavour that pairs beautifully with fresh fruits like figs and stone fruits. Prosciutto is best showcased on a simple cracker that doesn't overpower its flavour, such as a wafer cracker or a plain water cracker.
Pepperoni is a spicy, cured sausage that adds a kick to your platter. It goes well with bold, aged cheeses like Gouda and Manchego. These cheeses have strong, distinct flavours that can stand up to the spiciness of the pepperoni. When it comes to crackers, a hearty option like a multigrain or whole wheat cracker can complement the pepperoni and cheese combination.
Chorizo is a smoked, cured sausage with a deep red colour and a distinctive flavour. It pairs well with smoked or strongly flavoured cheeses, such as blue cheese or gouda. To complement the richness of chorizo, consider a nut-based cracker or a cracker with a touch of sweetness, like a fig or olive variety.
When creating your charcuterie board, it's important to consider the balance of flavours and textures. Varying the types of meats, cheeses, and crackers will ensure a delightful tasting experience. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations and include some of your favourite flavours. Remember to include some fresh fruits, nuts, and spreads to round out your platter and enhance the cured meat selections.
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Soft cheeses, like brie, goat cheese, and mozzarella
Soft cheeses like brie, goat cheese, and mozzarella are versatile and pair well with a variety of meats. Here are some specific combinations to consider:
Goat cheese, also known as chèvre, has a tangy and creamy flavour that pairs well with sweet and salty meats. Prosciutto, a dry-cured Italian ham, is a popular choice to pair with goat cheese. Try wrapping slices of goat cheese in prosciutto, or serve them together on a cracker with a sweet fruit preserve such as fig jam. Salami, particularly Genoa salami, is another option that adds a rich, savoury flavour to the tanginess of goat cheese. For a sweeter preparation, pair goat cheese with honey and fresh figs, and if you're looking for a vegetarian option, try roasted beets.
Mozzarella, with its mild flavour and creamy texture, is another versatile cheese that can be paired with a variety of meats. Prosciutto is a classic pairing, as its salty, savoury taste complements the mildness of mozzarella. Salami, especially a mild variety, can also add depth of flavour to mozzarella without overwhelming its delicate taste. For a unique flavour combination, try pairing mozzarella with speck, a smoked Italian ham. The smoky notes of speck enhance the subtle taste of mozzarella, creating a harmonious blend. If you enjoy spice, chorizo is an excellent choice, as its tangy, spicy flavour contrasts nicely with the mildness of mozzarella.
When creating cheese and meat pairings, it's important to consider the balance of flavours and textures. Choose meats that complement the cheese without overwhelming its delicate flavour, and look for combinations that offer a satisfying texture contrast, such as creamy mozzarella with thinly sliced prosciutto. Don't be afraid to experiment with different options to find your favourite pairings.
Lastly, while meat and cheese are classic companions, some creative recipes incorporate meat into the preparation of soft cheeses. For example, goat cheese tarts can be made with pancetta or prosciutto for an added savoury dimension.
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Hard cheeses, such as cheddar, parmesan, and manchego
When it comes to hard cheeses, such as cheddar, parmesan, and manchego, there are several types of meat and crackers that pair well with them.
Cheddar is a sharp-tasting cheese that goes well with buttery crackers like Ritz or Club crackers. Meats that complement cheddar include ham, prosciutto, salami, and pepperoni. For a more complex flavour profile, consider pairing cheddar with crackers that have a sweet and nutty profile, such as Beecher's Crackers or Carr's Whole Wheat Crackers. These crackers can also help balance out the sharpness of the cheddar.
Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a salty and flavourful cheese. To complement its strong flavour, pair it with simple, thin, and crispy crackers that won't overwhelm the cheese. Options include 34 Degrees Gluten-Free Crisps, wafer crackers, or flatbreads. As for meats, prosciutto, salami, and chorizo are good choices that will add a savoury element to the pairing.
Manchego is a Spanish sheep's milk cheese with a strong salty flavour. To balance its saltiness, pair it with nut-based crackers, especially those made with almonds. Simple Water crackers or seeded crackers can also help showcase the flavour of Manchego. Meats such as prosciutto, salami, and chorizo will complement the cheese's salty profile, while dried meats like prosciutto can add a savoury element to the pairing.
When creating a charcuterie board with hard cheeses, it's a good idea to include a variety of crackers, meats, and accompaniments. This can include items such as olives, sun-dried tomatoes, fruits, nuts, and dips. By offering a range of flavours and textures, your guests can create their own perfect bite and explore different flavour combinations.
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Crackers and bread, including baguette slices, crostini, and breadsticks
Crackers and bread are essential components of a charcuterie board, providing the perfect vehicle for various meats and cheeses. Here are some ideas for crackers and bread to use with your meat and cheese combinations:
Baguette Slices
Sliced baguette is a perfect option for serving with cheese, especially if you can get your hands on a par-baked loaf that warms up nicely in the oven. Baguette slices offer a simple yet effective way to enjoy your favourite meats and cheeses.
Crostini
Crostini, or small slices of grilled or toasted bread, are another excellent choice for charcuterie. They provide a sturdy base for your toppings and can be easily customised. For instance, you can try making Olive Tapenade and Brie Crostini or Roasted Grape Crostini.
Breadsticks
Breadsticks are a great addition to your charcuterie board, especially when serving something super saucy or with dips. You can even get creative and turn them into prosciutto "lollipops". Breadsticks add a fun and interactive element to your meat and cheese offerings.
Crackers
When it comes to crackers, the options are endless. You can choose from a variety of flavours, textures, and shapes to complement your meat and cheese selections. Here are some specific suggestions:
- Thin and crispy crackers, such as 34 Degrees Gluten-Free Crisps or similar wafer crackers, pair well with buttery or pungent soft cheeses.
- For strong-flavoured cheeses, opt for multigrain or whole wheat crackers, seeded crackers, flatbreads, or olive oil crackers to balance the intensity.
- Sweet and fruity crackers, such as fig and olive crisps or Craize corn crackers in sweet varieties like Plantain, Sweet Corn, Guava, and Coconut, go well with salty cheeses or strong and pungent cheeses like blue cheese.
- For aged cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano, Gouda, and Manchego, consider flatbreads, wafer crackers, or olive oil crackers.
- Sharp cheeses like cheddar pair nicely with buttery crackers such as Club or Ritz.
- Goat and sheep cheeses, like Chevre or Humboldt Fog, can be served with fruited crackers or herby crackers to enhance their unique flavours.
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Extras, such as olives, nuts, honey, and
When it comes to creating a cheese and charcuterie board, there are endless possibilities for extras to include alongside your chosen meat and crackers. Here are some ideas to elevate your board:
Olives
Olives are a briny and savoury addition to your board. You could include a variety of different types of olives to add interest and texture. Olives can also be used as a tapenade or bruschetta to spread on crackers.
Nuts
Nuts add a crunchy texture to your board and can be a great way to fill any gaps. Try almonds, candied pecans, pistachios, cashews, walnuts, or macadamia nuts. If you want to get creative, you could also include chocolate-covered nuts for a sweet treat.
Honey
Honey is a wonderful way to add a touch of sweetness to your board. Drizzle honey over crumbly blue cheese for a winning combination of sweet and salty flavours. Honey can also be found in cracker form, such as honey oat crackers, which can add a sweet and nutty profile to your board.
Other Extras
In addition to the classics, you can include other savoury dips and spreads such as whole-grain mustard, hummus, balsamic dip, or romesco. Fresh or dried fruit, such as apples, pears, figs, or berries, can also be a great way to add a touch of freshness and sweetness to your board. Don't forget to include an assortment of crackers with different shapes, sizes, and flavours to showcase the cheeses and other extras!
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Frequently asked questions
Cured meats like salami, prosciutto, ham, pepperoni, chorizo, and coppa are popular choices. For a fancier option, consider including pâté.
For a party with six guests, plan on serving 12-15 ounces of meat.
Fold or roll the meat and fan it out, or casually place it on the plate.
