How to Build a Healthy Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie Boards (pronounced shaar-koo-tuh-ree) are fun to eat and the perfect appetizer for entertaining. Here are some tips to help you make a healthier charcuterie board that everyone will love.
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Healthy Charcuterie – an Easy Appetizer or Dinner
Who doesn’t love appetizers for dinner? Especially when they are filled with all kinds of bite-sized goodies that you can mix and match while sipping on a glass of wine.
I know I could help empty a meat and cheese tray for dinner along with a big bowl of salad and be completely happy.
Charcuterie boards are typically filled with processed meats and cheeses can be a little bit unhealthy.
Here are some easy tips to enjoy a charcuterie board made with healthy options.
What You Will Need
This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make this Healthy Charcuterie Board. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.
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Ingredient List
How to Build a Healthy Charcuterie Board
There are no set ingredients when it comes to making a healthy charcuterie board. The key is to fill it up with a balance of quality ingredients like nitrate-free meats, artisan cheeses, veggies, and fruits.
Grab a board. It can be made of wood slate, marble or a ceramic plate and pile on an assortment of meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Use a variety of textures and flavors that everyone will enjoy.
The Best Meat to use on a Charcuterie Board
Select any variety of your favorite meats with an assortment of flavors and textures. Think salty, smoky, and spicy.
More importantly, choose meats that are free of nitrates, minimally processed, and low in sodium, especially if you are on a low-sodium diet.
If you can’t find nitrate-free meats, another great option is artisanal meats that are minimally processed or check out carnivore club for high-quality artisanal charcuterie products.
Meat used on this board: Naturally cured salami, pepperoni and prosciutto.
I was also able to find fig salami which is a fun addition to a cheeseboard and perfect for vegetarians.
Thinly sliced deli meats or sliced boneless chicken breasts are a good option if you are looking to cut calories.
The Best Type of Cheese for Charcuterie
Any variety of cheeses with a combination of flavor and textures.
Soft cheeses such as brie cheese, goat cheese, blue cheese or camembert cheese are good choices as well as hard cheeses such as sharp cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, gouda cheese, and Swiss cheese. Spreadable cheeses are also a great addition to a charcuterie board.
The cheese used on this board: sharp cheddar with herbs, mild cheddar
Fresh Seasonal Vegetables
Freshly cut vegetables that are in season will brighten up any board with their refreshing flavors and vibrant colors.
Celery and baby carrots are always a great idea, and so are cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, roasted peppers, hot peppers, cucumber slices, cauliflower, and broccoli.
Vegetables used: carrots and celery sticks.
Try a grilled vegetarian charcuterie board or a falafel platter for some more healthy board options
Fresh Fruit and Dried Fruit
The sweetness of seasonal fruits balances out the saltiness in the meats and cheeses which makes a nice contrast in both taste and appearance. Depending on the season, fresh-cut fruit will add a pop of color to your board.
Once again, different flavors and textures play well together.
Here are some seasonal fruit suggestions; in the fall and winter use figs, pears, grapes, or apples.
In the warmer months, fresh berries, cherries, and peaches are healthy additions. Use dried fruit sparingly since it contains more sugar than fresh fruit.
Fruit used on this board: fresh grapes, dried apricots
Pickled or Brined Foods
Think olives, sweet or dill pickles, pickled jalapenos, pepperoncini, marinated artichokes, or any variety of pickled vegetables for a salty piquant flavor. Try making your own pickles and add them to your board too!
Pickled Foods Used: Greek Olive Mix, Hot Pepper Rings, Baby Dill Pickles
Spreads and Dips
Spreads and dips are a must for dipping those veggies! Healthy dips like hummus, fruit spreads, gourmet mustard, bean dips, guacamole, pizza dip, buffalo chicken dip or pate like this mushroom pate.
Spreads and Dips Used: Homemade Hummus
Nuts
Nuts to add some crunch. Use an assortment of raw nuts that are lower in salt and have no added fats. Nuts in the shell can be a fun addition to the board.
You might even find that you eat less nuts when they are in a shell because you can actually see how many nuts you ate from the shells.
These Maple Glazed Cashews or Sweet and Spicy Pecans also taste great on a charcuterie board, they are slightly sweet and crunchy.
Nuts Used on this Board: Almonds
Bread and Crackers
Any kind will do, my recommendation is whole wheat crackers, French baguette slices, sourdough bread, breadsticks, crostini, or plain and simple crackers.
Don’t forget the gluten-free crackers for your guests with gluten intolerance.
Bread and Crackers Used: Crostini and Cheese sticks
Tips & Tricks
- When setting the charcuterie board up, for sanitary reasons, don’t overcrowd it and make items easily accessible.
- To avoid overeating,don’t eat off of the board, instead grab a small plate and add your favorite items.
Serving Suggestions
Even though charcuterie boards are almost a meal by themselves, make it a full meal by serving your board with an arugula salad, chopped salad, spinach salad, cilantro lime shrimp, or grilled chicken.
Key Take-Aways
- To build a healthy charcuterie board, use nitrate-free meats, artisan cheeses, fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole-grain crackers, and healthy dips like hummus.
- Focus on a balance of plant-based items and minimally processed ingredients for a nutritious and enjoyable option.
Charcuterie FAQs
Yes, it can be healthy when you fill it up with healthy ingredients. Go heavy on plant-based foods such as hummus, fresh veggies, olives, and fruit (fresh or dried). Add lesser amounts of minimally processed or unprocessed meats and cheeses.
Not always. Low-calorie and healthy foods don’t always go hand in hand. Some foods that are low in calories are not healthy and vice versa.
If you are looking for a healthy and low-calorie board, stay away from fatty meats and cheeses and fill your board up with vegetables and other plant-based ingredients.
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How to Build a Healthy Charcuterie Board
Equipment
- Small Forks and Spoons
Ingredients
- 8 ounces thinly sliced meats salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, turkey, ham roast beef
- 2 Carrots cutinto sticks
- 2 stalks Celery cut into sticks
- 1/2 cup hummus homemade or store-bought
- 1/2 cup [Assorted Greek Olives]
- 1/2 cup [Baby Dill Pickles]
- 1/2 cup [Dried Apricots]
- 8 ounces Grapes small bunch
- 8 ounces [Fig Salami]
- 8 ounces cheese assorted
- 8 ounces crackers
- 1 cup Assorted Nuts
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients onto a board or platter and enjoy!8 ounces thinly sliced meats, 2 Carrots, 2 stalks Celery, 1/2 cup hummus, 1/2 cup [Assorted Greek Olives], 1/2 cup [Baby Dill Pickles], 1/2 cup [Dried Apricots], 8 ounces Grapes, 8 ounces [Fig Salami], 8 ounces cheese, 8 ounces crackers, 1 cup Assorted Nuts
- The amount of items on the board depends on how many people you will be serving. The ingredient amounts above are for four servings. One to two slices of meat per person, and a few pieces of cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
one of my favorite things to serve at a dinner party
A beautiful charcuterie board! Making charcuterie boards have become one of my go-tos for entertaining – so easy to customize to tastes and always a crowd-pleaser.
Great