What meats should be on a charcuterie board?

Whether you’re curating your first traditional charcuterie board or looking for the best meats for charcuterie board, we’ve got you covered. Charcuterie boards can truly elevate a party from low-key to classy and bougie in the blink of an eye. A traditional charcuterie board includes various charcuterie meats, cheeses, and accompaniments, but these days, you can make it whatever your heart desires. A great charcuterie board is more than just a snack. It is a conversation starter, a reflection of your taste, and when done right, it can make you the talk of the town for weeks.

In this blog, we will dive into the world of charcuterie boards, the different types of charcuterie meats you can indulge in, the best meats that will add spark to your platter, and how to build a traditional charcuterie board without any stress!

What Is a Charcuterie Board? 

If your anniversary party is around the corner and you are brainstorming ways to add an edge to your celebration, a charcuterie board is an excellent go-to. A charcuterie board is a beautifully arranged assortment of preserved meats, cheeses, breads, and accompaniments like fruit, nuts, or spreads. Traditionally, a French culinary practice, charcuterie boards are all about cured and prepared meats that have taken the world by storm.

Charcuterie board meats usually include dry-cured delicacies like prosciutto, salami, and bresaola. Unique additions, such as pâté or spiced chorizo, often add an extra zing to the board.

Types of Charcuterie Meats

The charcuterie board meat assortment is nothing short of what you’d imagine seeing on a king’s table. The different types of charcuterie meats all add a special charm to your board, are palate pleasers, and can elevate your celebration effortlessly.   

Popular Types of Charcuterie Meats

From salty and dry-cured to sweet and smoky, there are many types of charcuterie meats to explore. These cold cuts are often the showstoppers on a charcuterie board and will leave the lingering taste of opulence with every bite. Here are the most-loved options that fit perfectly into any charcuterie spread:  

Prosciutto

Delicate, salty, and melt-in-your-mouth, prosciutto is an Italian cured ham sliced paper-thin. It is buttery and pairs best with melon or fresh mozzarella.

Salami

A must-have member of your charcuterie board, salami is a dry-cured sausage that pairs excellently with sharp cheeses and olives.

Chorizo

When we think of Spain, we think of chorizo. Dry-cured Spanish chorizo is smoky, garlicky, and appropriately spicy. It holds its own next to bold cheeses like Manchego and is a palate-pleaser when taken with crunchy almonds.

Pancetta

Pancetta is a cured pork belly with a rich, savory flavor that adds depth and layer to your charcuterie ensemble and pairs well with tangy chutneys and mustard. Devour this heavenly meat with crusty bread, your favorite cheese, and a spicy layer of mustard sauce to experience a festival of flavors!

Bresaola

Bresaola is air-dried beef that is lean, tender, and with just that sweet touch for flavor. It is a lighter remnant for red meat fans, harmonized with arugula, lemon, and parmesan shavings. The next time your board needs an extra power punch, don’t forget to add bresaola to it!

Capicola (Coppa)

Made from pork shoulder, capicola is a marbled, slightly spicy, and intensely flavorful meat that can quickly become your favorite. For a gourmet upgrade, serve it with fig jam, brie, or aged cheddar, and watch your guests be thoroughly impressed.

Duck or Chicken Pâté

This spreadable meat brings creaminess, opulence, and richness to your board. Rich, savory, and a little indulgent, pâté pairs exceptionally with toast points and cornichons.

Venison Sausage

Are you looking for something a little different? Venison sausage has a nice game twist and profoundly distinctive flavors. Slice it thin and serve it with creamy cheese or some pickled veggies to get a good balance in flavor.

Lomo

A Spanish-style cured pork loin. It is leaner and has a more delicate texture with spice, but it is still spicy, more or less. Lomo tastes heavenly with dried fruit or even soft cheese.

Charcuterie Meats List

Looking for traditional charcuterie board meats and how to pair them perfectly? We’ve got your back! Here is a list of meats you can add to your board, including their flavor profile and their pairings:

Best Meats for a Charcuterie Board

When choosing the best meats for a charcuterie board, variety can be your best friend! Playing unpredictably when curating your charcuterie board can surprise your guests (only in the best way, we promise!). Instead of focusing on adding items that everyone knows of, why not add some unexpected gems that can take your party to the next level? The following are some must-have meats for charcuterie board that can elevate your board effortlessly:  

Fan favorites:

• Salami – Hearty, savory, and versatile  

• Prosciutto – Elegant and crowd-pleasing  

• Chorizo – Smoky with a punch of flavor  

Specialty picks:

• Duck pâté – Creamy and luxurious  

• Capicola – Spicy and bold  

• Lomo – Lean and lightly seasoned  

Cooked Meats

A charcuterie board has the potential to become one of the most impressive dishes you can share with your friends. One way to make it extra special is by including cooked meats – this can take your charcuterie board game to a new level! Cooked meats like pre-cooked bacon, sliced ham, teriyaki chicken, and prosciutto will transform a basic meat and cheese charcuterie board into something restaurant-worthy and sure to impress! Not only will it add bold flavor and unique textures, but it’s also the perfect combination of salty + sweet flavors that no one can resist.

Roast Beef

Roast beef brings serious “main character” energy to your board. From smoky pastrami to juicy brisket, it’s the kind of meat that makes people hover by the table. Go classic with thin slices, or load it up with horseradish cream on mini buns. Whatever cut you pick—expect zero leftovers.

Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is not just the perfect comfort food but can be the life of your party! Slow-cooked, shredded, and full of flavor, it is the kind of addition that makes your board feel like nostalgia and a gourmet spread all at once. Pair it with cheddar, pickles, and something crunchy for an instant burst of flavor!

Rotisserie Chicken or Turkey Breast

Rotisserie chicken screams “effortless,” and we are all for it! Spruce up your party with juicy rotisserie chicken or turkey breast and skip the tedious slices of cold cuts. Best served over crispy flatbreads, creamy cheeses, roasted bell peppers, or sliced olives, every bite takes you to a new world!

Sausage

Sausages add bold and savory character to your charcuterie. Classic Italian sausages, bratwurst, boudin, spicy Thai sausages, or merguez all bring something different to the table. Mix it up for variety and serious flavor punch.

Hot Dogs or Bratwurst

Hot dogs or bratwurst—who says you have to pick one? These two classics bring flavor-town to your plate seamlessly. Hot dogs, sliced and served with spicy mustard and pickled cabbage? For sure! Bratwurst, grilled and topped with onions and sauerkraut? Heavenly! These fit right into your background-BBQ themes yet play perfectly with nostalgia wrapped in a warm hug.

Corned Beef  

Did you know that corned beef is not just an American classic but also a crowd-pleaser? Corned beef can be an interesting and unique addition to your charcuterie board and an excellent addition to your setup. Slice it thin for perfect deli-style sandwiches, or make it tender for crunchy tacos; the possibilities are endless!

Barbecued Ribs

Barbecued ribs bring smoky, tender goodness to any summer charcuterie board. All you have to do is grill with your favorite rub or sauce, slice into individual ribs, and serve warm for a Southern-inspired crowd favorite that will shine like a star!

Putting Together a Charcuterie Board

Organizing a charcuterie board is a form of therapeutic art that can elevate your party in minutes. Putting together a charcuterie board is not just throwing some cheese and crackers onto a plate and calling it a day. The real goal is to create a culinary experience that shines with creativity, thoughtful integrations, and complementary additions that uphold flavors, textures, and visual appeal. For a personalized touch, you can also curate your board to appeal to every kind of eater—vegans, vegetarians, meat eaters, and people who need gluten-free options—and make your celebration extra special!

Building a Traditional Charcuterie Board

A traditional charcuterie board often includes:  

• 3–5 types of cured meats  

• A mix of hard and soft cheeses  

• Rustic bread or crackers  

• Fresh fruit (grapes, figs) and dried fruit (apricots, cranberries)  

• Condiments like mustard, honey, or fig jam  

• Nuts and pickled items for crunch and tang  

You can start by placing your meats around the board, switch up their positioning for visual appeal, and build the rest of the items around them.  

Choose a Variety of Meats

Variety is the showstopper for building a standout charcuterie board! When it comes to meats, you can never go wrong with different types on your board. Mix classics like Italian salami, Spanish chorizo, and French jambon to cover all flavor bases. Get creative, and don’t be afraid to step outside the box when choosing a selection of meats for your charcuterie board. It’s the secret to creating an unforgettable spread.

Consider Different Flavors and Textures

Two essentials for a standout charcuterie board: flavor variety and texture. Pair salty meats like salami or prosciutto with sweet touches like dried fruit or olives and add nuts for balance. Then layer in texture—think crunchy crackers, buttery cheeses, and creamy spreads like hummus or artichoke dip. And if you’re ever unsure, more meat never hurts!  

Add Accompaniments Such as Olives, Pickles, Mustards, and Fruits

A charcuterie board is a stunning way to showcase your good taste and surprisingly easy to put together! Although the centerpiece of any charcuterie board should be a selection of cured meats and cheeses – plus your favorite crackers – don’t forget the accompanying goodies. Olives, pickles, mustards, and fruits all make beautiful additions to your board.