How to Create a Charcuterie Buffet

With Thanksgiving right around the corner I’m sure most of us have food on the brain!  Holiday menus dance in our heads like sugarplums and we dream of all the turkey legs, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie that will be piled high on our plates soon!  But equally as fun as the huge, holiday meal are the nibbles to graze on while we await the main event!  Charcuterie boards are so on-trend and are a casually elegant way to serve up nibbles at any event, party or holiday celebration!  Not only are they easy to prepare…they look so beautiful without much effort and they can satisfy the tastes of all your guests!  Today I’m thrilled to have collaborated with my friends at Amalfi Decor to bring you some festive ideas for how to set up a charcuterie buffet…a fun way to take the concept of the charcuterie board and give it a twist! If you’re planning to have guests in for the holidays, a charcuterie buffet might be just right for you!

Charcuterie for the holidays!

charcuterie (shahr-cute-uh-ree) is a French work for any smoked, dry-cured or cooked meat.  in a charcuterie display you might see favorites such as bacon, ham, pate, sausages and often several selections of cheeses, fruits, and condiments piled loosely onto boards or trays…

adding these gold & crystal Amalfi Decor stands was an easy way to add elegance to my rustic display!

who says desserts stands are only for holding cake?

keep easy-to-grab selections on the pedestals…

and leave anything requiring a knife on the cutting boards…

mix it up!

a variety of condiments are lovely for complimenting the meats & cheeses…

i love to include chutney or fig spreads…

and mustard is a wonderful compliment to the meat…just pick your favorite!

be sure to incorporate a selection of spreadable meats and cheeses…

and something crunchy to layer them on!  these crackers look fun stacked in a terrarium…something unexpected is an easy way to make a memorable spread!

variety of flavors…

dried & fresh fruits, olives and pickles make sweet & tart accompaniments and add color!

i used bundles of herbs & small frames to hang on the rough lumber backdrop…

a fun and inexpensive way to add rustic and natural elements to the buffet.

the glass top, tiered server is so gorgeous and perfect for serving meats & fruits!  being able to pile the selections directly on the surface give it that beautiful & casual look!

and this beauty with the mirrored top is exquisite…i love how it reflects the goodies!

little plates and napkins are helpful for guest to grab their favorites, but you may want to consider tiny appetizer forks too.  i used an old spice container to hold mine…

little details and natural elements are what make a charcuterie display so much fun…and delicious too!  when you make it unique to you…it will always be a winner!

check out Amalfi Decor to see the amazing selection of cake stands, trays, and so much more to make your party shine!

have holiday fun with a charcuterie display!

if you’re thinking of creating a charcuterie board or buffet you can be as creative as you want!  but here are some simple suggestions to get started~

meat options~

hard:  salami

cured:  proscuitto & chorizo

spread:  pork rillettes

rich:  pate

easy cheese options~

aged:  gouda or aged cheddar

firm:  parmigiano-reggiano or gruyere

creamy:  brillat-savarin or brie

crumbly:  chevre

blue:  gorganzola

fill in your platter with fruits~

melon, figs, grapes, dried fruits or fresh berries

add more flavor~

olives, pickles, herbs and chutney

condiments~

a variety of mustard, oil, and even honey makes a lovely accompaniment

add some crunch~

toasts, crackers and nuts

amounts and temperatures~

serve meats and cheeses at room temperature and plan for approximately 2-3 ounces of charcuterie per person.  if appetizers are a stand-in for a meal plan on 5 ounces per person

enjoy!

you can see more of my fall party ideas with Amalfi Decor servers here!

and you can grab the direct links in the post (above) for the stands you see!