Charcuterie boards are a tradition that originated in France in the 15th century. The literal meaning of the word is “cooked flesh.” The process was a way to preserve and share food for the families. In today’s world, there’s still something magical about a well-crafted charcuterie board—it’s not just food, it’s an invitation to linger, graze, and connect.
Two pieces of advice for all you adventurous ones. First is the rule of three – three meats, three cheeses, three starches, and three accompaniments. Secondly, it’s important to balance your flavors – savory vs. sweet, crunchy vs. soft, and so on. This will help ensure that all your guests can find their own favorite combinations.
Whether you are personally curating your own boards or ordering directly through our catering department, this rustic yet refined spread transforms any wine night, family gathering, or holiday festivity into memorable moments.
If you’re up for an adventure, then we have included a list below of the items available in our store that we use for our boards. Just remember, the best tool you have is your own creativity.
If you’re looking to make the holidays easy, then click here to visit the Country Market’s website and place your order online. Our boards include:
Country Market Cheese Board – Serves 12-16 people $79.99
Country Market Charcuterie Board- Serves 12-16 people $124.99
The ingredients of well-appointed charcuterie and cheese boards
Begin by selecting from your favorites and try something new. Our suggestions include:
Cheeses (choose 3-4):
- 6 oz soft cheese – MouCo Camembert, an award-winning Colorado soft-ripened cheese
- 6 oz semi-soft cheese – Dilano Black Lemon or Reypenaer Gouda, or Smoky Park Provolone
- 6 oz hard cheese – Certeza Manchego, Bella Capra Goat Cheddar, or Alpine Gruyere
- 4 oz blue cheese, and consider – Point Reyes Blue Cheese, AmaGorg Gorgonzola, or seasonal Wensleydale with Cranberries
Cured Meats:
- 4 oz of Modena 1821 Bellantani or Applegate Prosciutto
- 4 oz of soppressata or salami. Elevations Meats offers a variety of salamis, including a black truffle option. Boar’s Head also offers a variety of cured and uncured artisanal flavors.
- 3 oz River Bear Capicola or Elevation Meats Dry Chorizo
Smoked Fish
- In addition to meats and cheeses, a charcuterie board can include a sampling of smoked fish. We offer smoked salmon from Villa Tatra in Pinewood Springs, as well as from The Honey Smoked Company and Ducktrap.
Fresh Elements:
- 1 cup of green and red grapes
- 1 cup red, black, or blue berries
- 1 pear or apple, sliced
- 4-6 fresh figs or dried apricots. We carry Aurora organic figs and pitted dates
Crunch & Texture:
- Assorted crackers (8-10 oz) – Olina’s Bakehouse Cranberry and Pumpkin Seed add color and texture to your platter, and their Gluten Free Fig and Sunflower Seed Artisan Crackers are great for friends who are GF. Another choice is 34 Degrees Cracked Pepper to kick it up a notch from the routine.
- Izzio Artisan Bakery’s baguettes add a home-made touch with their take-and-bake selections, a few minutes in the oven, and you have aromatic, fresh bread.
- ½ cup mixed nuts such as Blue Diamond almonds, or Aurora Natural’s hazelnuts or Brazil nuts.
Accents:
- ¼ cup olives or cornichons adds visual interest as well as flavor. Try Ficacci Olive Company’s mixed olives. And don’t be afraid to warm your olives just a bit with a little olive oil, a bay leaf, and some peppercorns. Or try Mountain Girl – a Colorado company – for pickled green beans, asparagus, or garlic to add some panache.
- 2-3 tbsp honey. The best charcuterie boards blend savory and sweet flavors. Try St. Michael’s Farm flavored honeys for a bit of subtle wow.
- 2-3 tbsp grainy mustard or jam. Our suggestions include Braswell’s red or green pepper jelly or St. Dalfour Fig Royale Fruit Spread.
- Fresh rosemary sprigs make a beautiful garnish, and they smell incredibly fragrant.
Instructions
- Prep the cheese: Cut a few slices from each cheese to show guests how to serve themselves. Leave the rest whole for visual appeal.
- Start with bowls: Place small bowls on your board for olives, honey, and mustards—these anchor your design.
- Add cheeses: Space your cheeses evenly around the board, varying shapes and heights for drama.
- Arrange meats: Fold the prosciutto into ribbons and roll the salami into loose curls. Tuck meats around and between cheeses for volume.
- Fill with fruits: Cluster grapes and berries to add pops of color. Arrange sliced pears or figs in small groupings.
- Add crunch: Stack crackers like cards, fan breadsticks, scatter nuts to fill any gaps.
- Final touches: Drizzle honey artistically, add rosemary sprigs for color, and ensure every space looks abundant and intentional.
Serving Suggestions
Serves: 8-10 people as an appetizer
Perfect pairings: Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, or sparkling wine. For non-alcoholic options, try sparkling water with citrus or festive mocktails.
Pro tip: Prepare your board 30 minutes before guests arrive, allowing cheeses to come to room temperature for optimal flavor.
Make it yours: Incorporate local specialties—artisan cheeses, regional honey, or house-made pickles—to tell your own delicious story.
And if you’re too busy to make your own charcuterie board, click here to order from Country Market for your family, social, or business gathering and let our catering department design one for you with your favorite foods.
Bon appétit!