If you are wondering what the Best Dips For Charcuterie Board are, let me share some of my favorites. charcuterie boards are a regular feature in our home and there is plenty I have learned over the years of creating them.
Charcuterie boards are great for snacking at parties are family get-togethers. We generally create one every Sunday night for the game night as a matter of tradition. These are epic charcuterie board and are meant to feed a large crowd. Let me share a little about how we put our boards together.
Components of the perfect charcuteries board
Be sure to have a variety of textures, colors, and flavors on your board. This means there is something for everyone and there is a wide variety for those who like to mix it up.
- Soft cheeses- This list would include brie cheese, blue cheese, goat cheese, mozzarella, etc. Gorgonzola Dolce is my favorite cheese in this group.
- Hard Cheeses or firm cheese- This would include manchego, parmesan, aged gouda, cheddar, etc. Be sure to bring these cheeses to room temperature.
- Salumi- There are a really good variety of delicious meat options out there. Calabrese, Genoa, any type of peppered salami, Spanish chorizo, and pepperoni are our favorites.
- Olives- I love kalamata olives but my family doesn't. I always offer black and green olives too. Place these in small bowls around the board.
- Vegetables- We generally use cherry tomatoes and cucumbers. You can choose any fresh veggies you like.
- Fresh fruit- I use anything from grapes to strawberries (or any other berry), to apples. The fruit always gives a variety of colors that I love on a board. I like to use fruit as it lightens the meat and cheese platter up a bit.
- Dried fruit- We use dried apricots and cherries, but you can use any fried fruits your crowd is into.
- Crackers- I wrote a post all about my favorite crackers for charcuterie boards, check it out!
- Chocolate- It might seem like an unnecessary addition, but I love dark chocolate on every board I make. Especially dark chocolate truffles!
Dips for a charcuterie board
Let me share a few of my favorite dips to use on my charcuterie boards. Why add dips to your board? They add texture, flavor, and a nice variety to an otherwise slightly bland board. They are also inexpensive and a great filler for your board. There are different dips you can use, but let me share a few of my favorites.
Consider these options for your next party.
Jams, jellies, and preserves
The first is the jams, jelly, and preserves. I realize this may not seem like a dip, but in our house it is. Fig jam is one of our favorites, but I also like raspberry jam as well. My husband always requests spicy pepper jelly over cream cheese.
There is not much that goes better with cheese and crackers than a good jam. The sweet flavor and salty combination are the ones we love!
Hummus
Next up is hummus. I know this isn't for everyone, but I really love this creamy dip. Red pepper hummus is what I used in the photos and this board, but you can use any type you like. I even have this beet hummus recipe that is beautiful and tastes amazing. Drizzle with a touch of olive oil and it is ready to serve.
Tapenade
Another option if you don't want the whole olive is tapenade. I am a huge fan and love to add it to almost all my boards. I bought this one at my local grocery store. It is always a hit.
What is a tapenade? Traditionally it is a mixture of pureed or chopped olives, capers, and anchovies. In the United States, it is typically a little less exciting. Some I have seen are only olives and olive oil! Go for the original, it is so much better.
Milk or cream-based dips
Last up, I like to have some type of milk-based dip. On this board, I used a spinach artichoke dip. There are a lot of other dips you can use also- French onion dip, tzatziki, and creamy whipped feta dip.
Boards to use for charcuterie boards
I have several boards I use for my charcuteries boards. The first couple is larger boards I use for feeding a crowd. The large circle one is a big board my brother made for me. I love it and use it often. The next one is a rectangular board I bought at Marshall's. You can create an impressive spread on either of these.
Marshall's and TJ Maxx are great places to find boards.
Probably my favorite place to buy boards is World Market. The great thing about buying boards here is there is a such wide variety of sizes and shapes.
I prefer using a wooden board to create on, but there are also marble boards, slate boards, and everything in between.
How to craft the perfect charcuterie boards
I have shared step-by-step photos of how I created this board. They are simple to do with a little instruction.
Place your small bowls first. I like to use at least 3-4 on my boards. Use different shapes and different sizes. The added height and texture make the boards more interesting.
Next, use the salami and cheese to create movement across the board.
Once I have the bowls in and the salami and cheese placed, I start filling in with vegetables, fruit, and crackers or bread.
I like to make sure it looks full and up together.
Another thing I like to do is fill the empty spaces with fresh herbs. It isn't necessary, but it sure adds a pretty touch to finish it off
Charcuterie board ideas
I have several other charcuterie board ideas to share as well- this is a small charcuterie board that is perfect for date night. Or how about this fall-themed board? I realize these next couple technically aren't charcuterie boards, but what about a breakfast board? Or a hot cocoa board? This red, white, and blue board is a fun 4th of July board.
So, what are you waiting for? Start crafting some amazing boards.
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