Charcuterie Board Ideas: How to Create the Perfect Platter

What is Charcuterie?

Charcuterie (pronounced shar-koo-tuh-ree) is the traditional art of preparing and assembling cured meats and meat products.

Originating from France, the word itself comes from "chair" meaning flesh and "cuit" meaning cooked.

Historically, charcuterie was developed as a method of preserving meats before refrigeration was available, using techniques such as curing, smoking, and drying.

At Cobble Lane Cured, we honour this tradition by sourcing high-quality British meats from trusted local producers and farmers. Our charcuterie is carefully cut, cured, smoked, and hung to perfection, ensuring each slice is packed with flavour.

Want to know more about how we craft our delicious charcuterie?

Read Our Story

How to Make a Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board can be the perfect centrepiece for your event or gathering. Whether you're hosting a Christmas party, a family get-together, or simply enjoying a relaxed evening with friends, a beautifully arranged charcuterie board allows everyone to gather round the table and tuck into their favourites while chatting.

It's easy to assemble, looks impressive, and is guaranteed to be a hit.

Step 1: Choose your tray

Start by selecting your serving tray. This could be a rustic wooden chopping board, a slate platter, or even a ceramic serving tray. The choice is yours—just make sure it's large enough to accommodate all your delicious ingredients.

Wooden Chopping Board
Slate Platter
Ceramic Serving Tray

Step 2: Select your ingredients

The meats are undoubtedly the stars of any charcuterie board. At Cobble Lane Cured, we offer a mouth-watering selection of British charcuterie, each with its own unique flavour profile guaranteed to be the pièce de résistance of any charcuterie board:

Bresaola
Lean, air-dried beef with a delicate, slightly salty flavour
Sliced Coppa
Rich, marbled pork shoulder with a savoury, peppery finish.
Sliced Lomo
Tender pork loin, subtly spiced and air-dried for a delicate taste.
Fennel and Garlic Salami
Aromatic and savoury, with a hint of sweetness from fennel.
N1 Soppressata Salami
Robust and spicy, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of heat.
Salt and Pepper Salami
Classic flavours, simple yet deliciously satisfying.
Pancetta
Rich, salty, and perfect for pairing with milder ingredients.
Nduja
Spicy, spreadable salami, ideal for adding a fiery kick.
Bastardo
Bold and flavourful, with a distinctive character.
Saucisson
Traditional French-style salami, mild and versatile.
Kabanos Smoked Snacking Sticks
Smoked Snacking Sticks Smoky, savoury, and perfect for nibbling.

When selecting your meats, consider combining milder options like Bresaola and Lomo with stronger, spicier choices such as Nduja or Soppressata. This balance ensures there's something for everyone and that the flavours are not too overwhelming for those with more sensitive palates.

Step 3: Complementary Ingredients

The meats are undoubtedly the stars of any charcuterie board. At Cobble Lane Cured, we offer a mouth-watering selection of British charcuterie, each with its own unique flavour profile guaranteed to be the pièce de résistance of any charcuterie board:

Cobble Lane Cured Charcuterie Board -
Cheese
Brie, mature cheddar, blue cheese, goats cheese, or Manchego
Cobble Lane Cured Charcuterie Board -
Olives
Green olives, Kalamata olives, or stuffed olives.
Cobble Lane Cured Charcuterie Board -
Fruit
Grapes, figs, apple slices, dried apricots, or berries.
Cobble Lane Cured Charcuterie Board -
Bread & Crackers
Fresh baguette slices, sourdough bread, breadsticks, or artisan crackers.
Cobble Lane Cured Charcuterie Board -
Extras
Nuts, chutneys, honey, pickles, or mustard.

Flavourful combinations to try

Cobble Lane Cured Charcuterie Board -
Spicy and Sweet
Pair our spicy Nduja with creamy Brie and sweet figs.
Cobble Lane Cured Charcuterie Board -
Salty and Savoury
Combine Pancetta with mature cheddar and tangy pickles.
Cobble Lane Cured Charcuterie Board -
Smoky and Fruity
Enjoy Kabanos sticks alongside smoked cheese and fresh grapes.

Step 4: Arrangement Tips

Presentation is key to a visually appealing charcuterie board. Here are some quick tips to make your board a showstopper: Start by placing larger items like cheeses and bowls of olives or chutneys first.

Arrange meats in loose folds or rolls rather than flat slices for visual interest
Fill gaps with smaller items like nuts, dried fruits, or berries
Add fresh herbs like rosemary or basil for a pop of colour and freshness

Step 5 (Optional): Drinks Pairings

Our charcuterie boards stand out on their own, but depending on the occasion you might like to serve drinks. Here are our suggestions:

Wine Pairings

Bresaola: Light to medium-bodied red wines
Nduja: Full-bodied reds
Coppa and Lomo: Crisp white wines
Salamis: Medium-bodied reds

Other Beverages

Craft beers
Non-alcoholic options like sparkling water with citrus
Traditional Italian aperitifs

Our Cobble Lane Charcuterie Board: A Tried and Tested Favourite

We know what it’s like. Sometimes you’re short of time, or inspiration and you just want a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. In that case try our signature Cobble Lane Charcuterie Board. A tried and tested board which can be replicated easily.

Here's exactly what you'll need:

  • Cobble Lane Meats: Bresaola, Fennel and Garlic Salami, Nduja, and Kabanos Smoked Snacking Sticks.
  • Cheeses: Brie and mature cheddar.
  • Extras: Green olives, grapes, figs, artisan crackers, and a pot of chutney.
  1. Arrange your board by placing cheeses and chutney pots first, then add folded slices of Bresaola and Fennel and Garlic Salami.
  2. Spoon Nduja into a small bowl for easy spreading, and scatter Kabanos sticks around the edges.
  3. Finish by filling gaps with olives, grapes, figs, and crackers. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs for a finishing touch.

Enjoy your delicious Cobble Lane Charcuterie Board—perfect every time in just 3 steps!

Pro Tips
  • Remove meats from the fridge 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavours
  • The shelf life of our products is 6 weeks unopened, but most items will keep for 5-7 days after opening when stored properly
  • Allow 50g meat per person for appetisers or 100g for a main course.
Ready to make your own charcuterie board?
Then purchase one of our hampers below
Introducing our curated starter selection of Great British charcuterie perfect for those who appreciate premium, artisan flavours. This versatile pack...
The Cobble Lane Family Selection Box offers a selection of our finest British charcuterie, beautifully boxed and ready for gifting....
Why not go large with our massive Hibernation Pack? This impressive selection of Great British charcuterie offers over £134.00 of value,...

Don’t worry - all of our products have a shelf life of at least 6 weeks which means that you can plan your event well in advance.

You’ll never be ‘bored’ of a charcuterie board!?