Benefits of Charcuterie Boards - Board & Bread, Prosper, TX (2024)

FAQs

What are charcuterie boards good for? ›

THEY CAN BE A MEAL.

On a hot summer day, light meals like charcuterie can feel rejuvenating, leaving you refreshed after a long day of fun. For gatherings, a properly packed charcuterie board can keep everyone full long after they leave your event.

Many ingredients used in charcuterie boards are high in sodium, including deli meats, dry sausages, cheeses, salted nuts, pretzels and crackers. The recommendation for daily sodium intake for adults is 2,300 milligrams or less. To reduce the sodium load on your board, add more fresh or dried fruits and raw veggies.

Creating Interest with the 3-3-3-3 Rule

Choose three cheeses, three meats, three starches, and three accompaniments for a perfect and balanced board, every time!

“Charcuterie came about primarily as a means for survival,” explains Chef Josh. “The drying of meat, curing, salting, brining…these were all done as necessary ways for people to make a food source that was extremely valuable to them and lasted for extended periods of time.

Saturated fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. The meats and cheeses served on Charcuterie boards are LOADED with saturated fat and cholesterol. Saturated fat refers to fat molecules which have become covered with hydrogen atoms (they're saturated with them).

Diabetes-friendly charcuterie board: Balanced and flavorful

Choose lean protein options like grilled chicken or turkey breast, lean deli meats, or low-sodium roasted turkey. Choose low-fat cheeses like mozzarella, low-fat cheddar, or feta. Include a variety of fresh, non-starchy vegetables high in fiber.

In general, a good charcuterie board will have 2-3 types of meat, 2-3 cheeses, 1-2 fruits, 1-2 crackers, nuts, bread, pickles, mustard and a dip or spread. The deliciousness of your board depends on the quality of your ingredients. Buy USDA Organic when possible and look for meats that are free from nitrates.

Here are the best cheeses for your charcuterie board

Hard cheese: chunks of parmesan, aged gouda, asiago. Firm cheese: gruyere, comte, manchego, colby, cheddar. Semi-soft cheese: havarti, butterkäse, muenster. Soft cheese: burrata, mascarpone, stracchino.

Charcuterie is divided into three types: forcemeats, sausages and salumi, an Italian word for “salted meats,” which includes preserved whole cuts of meat. Forcemeats are spreadable mixtures of meat and offal (organ meats) like rillettes, pâtés and terrines.

A charcuterie board is a selection of preserved meats and sometimes cheeses laid out on a board or platter. Sliced bread, crackers, fruit, pickles, spreads and nuts often round out the board for variety and contrasts in flavor and texture.

Why do I need a charcuterie board? ›

They're a safe option

I mean, you have something for everyone without the fuss. Again: meat, cheese, crackers, spreads, veggies, fruit; it's like a build-your-own snack adventure. Picky eaters can make their plate into their ideal choice, creating a laid-back and stress-free food environment.

Add savory and sweet accompaniments.

For example, mustard, briny foods and nuts near salami and sopresseta, and sharp cheeses like parmesan. Pair sweet accompaniments like fresh fruit, jams, and candied nuts, near the brie cheese or goat cheese. Cheddar cheese pairs well with savory and sweet.