A good cheese and charcuterie board is one of my favorite things to set out when we’re entertaining. It’s also something that’s so easy to keep at the ready for all kinds of events.

You’ll need the basics first: cheeses and meats. I always aim to have at least 2-3 of each on our boards.

Cheeses

My 3 top cheese types:

Firm. Select a firm cheese like a cheddar or a manchego. I love going with a good cheddar since it’s something people are familiar with. Everyone knows and loves it for the most part. You can find all sorts of different twists, too. Try aged cheddar or truffle cheddar. White cheddar or horseradish cheddar. The sky’s the limit!

Soft. An herbed goat cheese or a good Brie are great soft cheeses. Keep in mind that not everyone enjoys goat cheese. It’s often the one I have left over after parties and I’ve tried all kinds. Isn’t that funny? If you’re serving it, I’ve found it works well to have a spreader and a few crackers nearby. Brie can be topped with jam or served on its own with crackers.

Wild card. I love a good smoked Gouda or a Havarti with dill. Play around and have fun with these cheese selections. You can also ask your local cheesemonger or grocery store folks for their recommendations. They may have a bestselling blue cheese to add to your board or something else you’d never think to try.

Charcuterie

My 3 top charcuterie picks:

Prosciutto. This is the cheddar of charcuterie. It’s a favorite and tends to be on the milder side. It also goes well with just about any cheese.

Capicola. This one is my favorite – especially then spicy version. It has a great flavor and goes well with a good cheddar.

Salami or pepperoni. This third meat is also sort of a wild card. Salami or deli pepperoni are good options. I used deli pepperoni below. See what’s selling best according to your local deli counter folks. Oh, and always buy charcuterie at the deli counter when you can. It’s less expensive, the scale is more accurate, and it’s much fresher.

Accoutrements

Now that you have your cheeses and meats, you can move on to the items that go alongside them. Pick up a few different crackers – pepper crackers, rice crackers, nut and grain crackers all work well. You can buy toasted crostini at the store or make your own by thinly slicing up a baguette, tossing it in a little olive oil, and toasting it under the broiler.

You’ll want to include some dried fruit (apricots or cranberries are great) and fresh fruit (figs and grapes are favorites of ours). Include a few nuts (like the truffle Marcona almonds from Trader Joe’s we used for this board that I can’t get enough of) and olives from your local olive bar. You can also add pickled veggies for that little something extra.

The tools

For your tools, you’ll need a board and a good set of cheese knives. A set of cheese knives should be attractive, but also get the job done. Make sure you read the reviews if you’re buying online. I’ve gone through several that are more for looks than for use.

The best part about a good cheese and charcuterie board is that most of these items have long shelf lives, making a good cheese and charcuterie board the perfect entertaining staple. Happy hosting!

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