Our round-up of a checklist of what you need to buy (or borrow) to create the best unique charcuterie board for a fantastic luxury holiday party this year, including meats, cheeses and more.
essential ingredients for a holiday party charcuterie board
If you weren’t aware, this is the year of the charcuterie board.
What you need to create the best charcuterie board for a luxury holiday party, including meats and cheeses.
Of course, we are longtime fans of the world’s greatest appetizer – who doesn’t want a snacking plate with the best of every food group? – but thanks to last year’s Tik Tok trend, it looks like the rest of the world is finally joining in on the fun.
After all, the joy of charcuterie boards goes way beyond taste. These elaborate plates can function as a kind of edible art, arranged in such a way that they become the centerpiece of the party. (And yes, we do have to credit Tik Tok here too – just check out these amazing videos for some examples.)
What you need to buy (or borrow) to create the best charcuterie board for a luxury holiday party this year, including meats, cheeses and more.
So if you’ve decided you want to jump on board (no pun intended) with this new trend, we are here to help. Though we may not be able to make you salami roses ourselves, we can at least advise you on how to get started – where to look for the best meats, cheeses, and other odds and ends with which to make your edible art. And the rest is up to you. You can pick a theme or region to explore with your plate, or simply choose the items that most appeal to you. And when it comes to the arranging, don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
We know the holidays are coming up, so with that in mind, here is everything you need for your next holiday party’s charcuterie platter.
All you need to know for your next luxury party’s charcuterie platter
1. Mistletoe Cheese Board
In building the perfect charcuterie platter, the first step, of course, is to find the perfect base. There are lots of choices to make here, including the material (wood? stone?) and the size, but since this is a holiday party we’re planning for, we happen to have a board in mind. From Michael Aram’s Mistletoe Collection comes the Mistletoe Cheese Board, which is a snowy white with leafy brass handles. If you want a platter that is as sparkly and festive as this time of year, this is the one to choose. Start here, and the holiday magic will follow.
BUY NOW: $250.00.
2. Meat and Pate from Olympia Provisions
You could build 90% of your charcuterie platter just with the wonders of Olympia Provisions. Famous for their charcuterie, they offer not only first-rate salami, sausage, and deli meats, but also pate, pickles, and more. They even have their own guide to building a charcuterie board, which includes an important piece of information: your platter should provide two ounces of meat per person. Select your own items from their site, or go with one of their kits, like the Royale 10: a staff-picked salami sampler that will let you taste the best salamis from around the world. Then perhaps you’ll want to try their mortadella ($70) (which is decadently flecked with pistachios and black peppercorns) or, for a really big party, their party size pate ($80), which will serve up to 35 guests. When choosing the meat for your platter, remember that it’s important to have a variety of textures – so feel free to mix and match.
BUY NOW: $140.00.
3. Cheese from Bedford Cheese Shop
The cheese may very well be the homecoming queen of the charcuterie board. And that means, you really can’t go wrong! But remember that, as with your meats, you’re going to want to find cheeses with different textures to give your board the right balance. Bedford Cheese Shop is one of the best cheese shops in New York, and they can help you out – simply send them a message, and they will connect you with a cheesemonger to help you find the cheeses that are right for you. Nationwide shipping is of course available. Or if you’d rather keep things simple, you can go with one of their pre-made platters. The Farmstead Cheese Platter ($138 – $168) comes in two sizes, and includes a hand-picked selection of the shop’s artisanal cheeses. It also includes a selection of nuts, fruits, and crackers – less for you to find on your own.
BUY NOW: $138.00 – $168.00.
4. Lady Crackers from Lady & Larder
Lady & Larder is a trusted source for all of your charcuterie platter needs, and so of course they also have the perfect crackers. The “Lady Crackers” are flat and crunchy, seasoned with only sea salt and olive oil – the meat-and-cheese vehicle you need. After all, you don’t want a cracker that has too much flavor, because that’s what the rest of the board is for. And p.s, if you really do want to a pre-made board (less work for you!), Lady & Larder has some great ones to choose from. You can even add some seasonal blooms – the perfect holiday touch.
BUY NOW: $6.00 a box.
5. Spreads and Olives Divina
All good charcuterie boards need a spread or two to keep things interesting. Not to mention, you’ll definitely want some olives to provide that much-needed acid kick. At Divina, you can find both, and in every variety under the sun. Go with classic organic Castelvetrano olives – mild Sicilian olives, cured without fermentation – or choose ones preserved with spices, garlic, or cheese. And though you can’t go wrong with their spreads, we have to recommend this chili fig jam, which has the perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
BUY NOW: $10.99.
6. Fruit and Nuts from Sahadi’s
Pro tip: Sahadi’s is the best place to go for snackable items – and if you buy yourself one of these baskets (which may or may not be intended as gifts), you’ll have everything you need to put on a charcuterie platter. With cashews, almonds, pistachios, dried figs, dried cranberries, and dried apricots (and a couple of dessert nuts – you can save these for yourself), this assortment should have you covered – but feel free to peruse all of Sahadi’s offerings to see what strikes inspiration.
BUY NOW: $84.95.
7. Odds and Ends (and more cheese!) from Murray’s Cheese
Murray’s is another great place to look for all things charcuterie. As well as pre-prepared holiday boards, they have cheese and meat, nuts and fruit, spreads, honey, crackers, pickles and more. If there’s something you wanted that you couldn’t find anywhere else, chances are they have it.There are plenty of suggestions for pairings and combinations. We love delicacies like this spicy nduja, which is a magical spread somewhere between sausage and pate. Encourage your guests to slather it on their crackers for a special treat.
BUY NOW: $11.00.
8. Vegan Holiday Board from Renegade Foods
Vegans, do not despair! You too can participate in the charcuterie fun. This platter from Renegade Foods is entirely vegan, and comes with vegan meats, fruits, crackers, nuts – the whole shebang. If you know you have guests coming who are vegan, it’s a good idea to have one of these beautiful trays on hand.
BUY NOW: $140.00.
9. Charcuterie Wreath
If you happen to live in the DMV area, boy, do we have a surprise for you. This charcuterie wreath is everything that your holiday-loving heart desires. A mix of sweet and savory, it has everything that a charcuterie board should have, and with a little extra holiday flair. If you are lucky enough to live in the area, this could be the star of your next party.
BUY NOW: $75.00.
10. Bonus: Charcuterie Ornament
Okay, this one may not be edible. But you may as well pay a little extra homage this year. Get this little cutie from Food52, and enjoy the delicious trend all season long.
BUY NOW: $16.00.
All you need to know for your next luxury party’s charcuterie platter
That’s our checklist of what you need to buy (or borrow) to create the best unique charcuterie board for a fantastic luxury holiday party this year, including meats, cheeses and more. What do you say, dear reader? Meet you at the market?
