A Keto Charcuterie Board is one way to break up what might tend to become a boring routine and give you an opportunity to broaden your menu choices. Easy to make and fun to eat. What more can you ask for in life?
If you’re a newby to creating charcuterie boards, don’t panic. We’ll give you easy instructions on how to create it without a big fuss. We’ll make suggestions on how to make it keto (yes, this does take a little planning. Most charcuterie boards tend to be carb heavy.) You can make them for brunch, dinner or as an appetizer before dinner. The basics are all the same.
I used to be intimidated by charcuterie boards (how do people make them look so pretty?!), but a friend showed me how she assembles them, and it’s actually so EASY! I thought it would help to give you a tutorial of how to do it. Plus, this version is keto friendly.
I don’t consider myself either a gourmet cook or a creative designer, so if I can do it, you definitely can do it. Just take it step by step and, hey if it’s not perfect, that’s OK. Everyone will still be impressed!
Maybe your first question is: What Is A Charcuterie Board? And a close second is: How do you pronounce Charcuterie?
Most people, when they think about it, consider a charcuterie board as a mixture of sweet and savory flavors. Usually there are cured meats, cheese, and some type of bread or cracker. Think finger foods and fruit. That’s the classic.
But there are variations on the theme: how about a chaffle board. If you’re keto, I’m sure you’ve heard about chaffles. Many of the finger foods are low carb, but then you have the breads and crackers. We’ll work on changing that with keto friendly ingredients.
How do you pronounce charcuterie? The correct way to say it is shar-coo-tuh-ree.
You’ll Love This Charcuterie Board
- Easy and quick to make
- A mixture of textures
- Select you favorite meats and cheese
- It’s all Keto!
- No last minute preparation, make ahead
How to dress A Charcuterie Board
The idea with a charcuterie board is to mix a combination of flavors and textures. It’s all up to you as the artist/creator to choose what you know your family/guests will enjoy and what fits the occasion. What you use and how much will depend on whether it is going to be the meal or just an appetizer or perhaps even dessert.
Make it colorful. Nature has given us such an abundance to choose from. Be adverturous. Try flavors you haven’t tried before. This is a time to have fun, to play with your food.
- Meats – Go for a mixture of texture and flavor. Cured meats work well if the board will be sitting out for a length of time.
- Cheeses – Use a combination of hard cheese, semi-hard or semi-soft cheese, and soft cheeses. Cheddar, brie, gouda, manchego, mozzarella, and goat cheese are all delicious options.
- Low Carb Crackers For Charcuterie Boards – Choices are growing as more and more people realize the value of keto living. Pork rinds are also a fun choice. You can find them in various flavors.
- Keto Fruit – Fresh berries are a natural here. Heirloom cherry tomatoes are tasty and colorful. Visit the local grocer and check out their olive bar.
- Keto Nuts & Seeds – You can find lists of keto nuts on the internet and there are definitely some nuts to avoid.
- Garnishes – Avoid jams and honey (I know, I love honey too). Depending on the season and/or theme, check out fresh herbs to add.
- Other Options – Add more crunch with fresh vegetables and pickles. Your favorite keto dips can all add variety to your board, too. Maybe some fresh pesto.
How To Make A Charcuterie Board
Basic Steps:
- Harder cheeses can be sliced and fanned out on the board. Soft cheeses to spread are served with a knife. Brie can be left in a wheel shape and cut into wedges.
- Meats can be laid out in piles, spread out in lines or curves, or folded and stacked. Some of it depends on how fragile the meat is. Keep slices thin so they can be folded easily.
- Add the crackers in a few places on the board and fan out.
These are the stars of the show. Show them off, but leave room to place the extras.
- Place the olives and mini dill pickles, and other juicy items, in small bowls on the board.
- Arrange the berries in piles to fill any larger empty areas.
- Fill in any remaining blank areas with nuts.
By fanning out the sliced items like the cheese and meats, you make them easier to pick up and assemble.
Tips For The Best Keto Charcuterie Board
The best part about these boards is that you don’t have to follow all the “rules”! For the best taste and presentation, though, keep these tips in mind:
There are really no rules for a charcuterie board. What you want is a presentation that will make everyone’s mouth water. There are some tips that will make it easier though.
- Anchors: These are the stars to be placed in the spotlight. Space out large items like cheese wheels, your meats and other cheeses. By adding a few bowls to hold dips and pickles/olives, you add structures to anchor other foods like fruits and nuts. Not too many though as it can get too boring.
- Variety is the spice of life. Use ingredients with different flavors and textures. Have enough of everything but not too much of one thing!
- Don’t forget utensils. For the most part, this is finger service but you do need spoons for olives or jams, spreaders for soft cheeses, etc.
- Assemble in your final location. Build your board where you’ll be serving it. No one wants to be chasing tomatoes or berries across the room.
- Labels might be helpful. Toothpick labels are a fun way to label various meats and cheeses, especially if you’re introducing something new that folks might not be familiar with.
What size board?
Anything from a platter to a table will work. You want a flat surface but it all depends on how much and how many you will be serving. You can also use several smaller boards if you want to set up serving stations.
How much to serve?
There is really not an easy answer. It can depend on whether it is going to be a meal or an appetizer. An older crowd probably won’t eat as much of each item as a younger group. And if it’s teenagers, anything goes. An easy guide suggested is your board should allow for roughly 3 ounces of meat and cheese per person, if it’s served as an appetizer. Double the serving size to 6 ounces per person if the board is meant to be a main course. It’s kind of like a no RSVP party, it’s anyone guess.
Storage Instructions
Store all perishable items in the refrigerator. Keep crunchy ingredients like nuts and crackers in their unopened packages. If you can, hold off slicing items until closer to serving time to keep them fresher.
What about drinks?
Sorry, again, a lot of this depends on the crowd you’re entertaining. But in my opinion, any charcuterie board demands a great selection of wines to top off the party. And yes, you can do wine on keto if you’re going with fine wines; wines that are aged naturally and no additives used. You might want to stick to the drier wines and definitely avoid the dessert wines. And we’re talking a glass, not a bottle. If you do decide to add the wine, check out what we have to offer here:
We are here to make the World a Better Place for everyone. CONTACT US for more details and to become a larger part of the “Pay It Forward” Online Community that we are all about.
