4 Simple Types of Produce To Elevate Your Charcuterie Game

A tasteful meat and cheese selection is a hallmark of good charcuterie, but without accompaniments, all you’ve got is, well, a plate of meat and cheese.

Not only will some colorful produce spark the wow factor, but it will also give your guests some uniquely satisfying flavor combinations to experiment with as they feast.

Finding the right produce to include isn’t hard. Try making these simple additions to your meat and cheese board and let us know what you think! And remember, you don’t need to include everything we mention. Bring together some of your favorites or pick and choose a few new ones to try and allow the flavors and textures to speak for themselves.

Fruit

The delicate sweetness of the fruit that you include will balance out the saltiness of the meats. Apple and pear slices are a perfect base for your meats and cheeses (but wait until the last minute to slice them so they don’t brown), and grapes are almost always a staple because they cleanse the palate and pair perfectly with cheese and nuts.

Fresh

Make it simple and use what’s in season. In the winter months display some apple or pear slices, grapes, or figs. In the summer months go for the berries, peaches, or cherries.

Dried

Dried fruits contain more sugar than fresh fruits, so if you choose to use them, do so sparingly. Figs, dates, and apricots are all popular dried fruit choices to sweeten up your salty board and throw in some additional character.

Veggies

Healthy and crunchy. Even more gratifying textures and colors. The refreshing flavor of seasonal vegetables will fulfill another element of savory satisfaction, but when it comes to veggies, don’t forget about the dippers. Choose some sturdier options that won’t bend easily when dipped into whatever you may choose to serve on your platter.

Raw

Some nice, go-to options include cherry tomatoes, carrots, celery slices, bell peppers, sweet peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, or cauliflower. Do you see how many diverse eye-catching color combinations you can make here?

Roasted

Jars of roasted vegetables, such as peppers, are a tasty treat on a charcuterie board that also pair well with meats and cheeses. They’re easy to find in the grocery store, and they’re also incredibly simple to make.

Choose a veggie or so, peel or slice as needed, toss in olive oil, salt, and pepper, place in a roasting tin and roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Didn’t know you could be so fancy, huh?

Pickled Foods

Pickled foods act as a natural palate cleanser and add a nice tanginess to compliment your richer meats and cheeses. Practically any vegetable can be pickled, including carrots, cucumbers, and peppers. Our favorite inclusions to a charcuterie board are olives and pickles.

Olives

Olives pair really well with salty, cured meats. Check out your local grocer’s olive bar for unique varieties of quality olives or grab a nice jar of kalamata olives from the aisle.

Pickles

Sweet, sweet and spicy, dill, they’re each a good compliment, so don’t worry about making the wrong choice. And have you seen cornichons (the tiny French pickles)? They are just too cute!

Nuts

Plain, roasted, or candied nuts--you can’t go wrong here. Whether you prefer the earthy, tangy flavor of walnuts or the woody, piney taste of pistachios, pick one or two of your favorites and quickly add a harder texture in between your numerous soft foods. Nuts fill in those small spaces perfectly.

It’s Almost Time To Produce Your Board

These four manageable accompaniments will have your company eating with their eyes as soon as they walk in the door. But no charcuterie board is complete without the bread, crackers, and spreads, right?

Don’t worry, we’ve compiled a list of some great options that are just as effortless to pick up on your next grocery run. Stick with us and check out our next article on The Best Types Of Bread, Crackers, and Spreads For Your Next Charcuterie Board.