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Game Day Charcuterie Boards Are Simple, Fun & Delicious
When it comes to game day, there's nothing quite like gathering with friends and family to cheer on your favorite team. And what better way to enhance the experience than with a mouthwatering tailgate charcuterie board?
Gone are the days of basic chips and dips; now, it's all about creating a spread that delights the senses and keeps everyone fueled throughout the game.
Step 1: Choose your ingredients and gather supplies
One of the best parts of making a charcuterie board is that anything goes. Have some leftovers in the fridge? USE IT. Slap it on a pretty platter and put it on your board. But here is what I typically recommend for a tailgate charcuterie board.
Ingredients for a savory tailgate charcuterie board or graze table:
Choose 2-3 items in each list. So you’ll have 2-3 meats, 2-3 cheeses and so on. Click the image to download the grocery list.
Meats
Prosciutto Hard Dried Salami Italian Dried Salami Coppa Turkey Deli Meat Ham Deli Meat
Cheeses
Fruits
Veggies
Dips
Nuts
Extras
Garnish - put stems of the garnish in dips
Your favorite tailgating food
Step 2: Prep food for your game day charcuterie board
For meats, try making a charcuterie rose and folding the meat to resemble a ‘river.’ You can find how to do a meat rose here!
For the cheeses, try cutting each cheese differently. You might crumble the extra sharp cheese and cut the softer cheeses (except for brie) into triangles. Don’t forget to wash your fruit and veggies. Prep the fruits as you would like to eat them. For instance, the oranges or grapefruit would look great sliced!
Step 3: Clear a space on your counter and lay out your butcher paper
Pro tip: put parchment paper or plastic wrap down first before the butcher paper! It protects your table and makes for an even easier clean up.
Make sure that you keep in mind those cute four-legged friends if you have a lower table.
Step 4: Plate your charcuterie food
Each time I create any type of charcuterie platter, board or table, I do it in a specific order. Each of these items can go on either the butcher paper and or platters that you have laid out.
Place any bowls or platters on the butcher paper to ‘map’ out where you would like to see some of your items.
Plate any ‘main dish’ items. Like the buffalo dip and chips, mini sausages, etc. first.
Plate your cheeses and meats.
Plate your fruits and vegetables.
Plate your crackers or any other dry goods (like nuts) that you have.
Garnish with herbs.
Pro tip: use the smaller items, like nuts, popcorn etc to fill in the weird ‘gaps’ that are in between items.*
And the crowd goes wild. YOU DID IT!
The art of creating a tailgate charcuterie board lies in its versatility, visual appeal, and combination of flavors. By selecting a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and accompaniments, you'll be able to craft a spread that satisfies every palate.
As you and your guests indulge in these delectable treats during the game, you'll find that the tailgate charcuterie board enhances the overall experience and adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the day's festivities. So, gather your favorite ingredients, follow these steps, and get ready to impress everyone with your remarkable tailgate charcuterie board at your next game day event!