Man cannot eat charcuterie alone. Bread and crackers will add the stability you need to every bite. These simple transporters will enable your guests to transfer all of your yummy ingredients to their tummies. But you don’t need to feel like you have to offer a bakery alongside your board. One or two options of bread, along with some crackers, will be plenty.
BREADS
Choose a bread that is not loaded with strong flavors.
Try serving baguettes—long, narrow loaves of French bread with a crisp crust. Sliced baguettes are perfect as a base for layering and can be served either toasted or untoasted. French sourdough, Asiago Ciabatta or Raisin-Pecan Rye for a sweeter option. Don’t forget about Pumpernickel for your spreads.
Two to four breads and/or crackers, depending on the size of your board. Offer a variety of different textures, flavors, shapes and sizes to give your guests different choices. Breads are best for dips and spreads while crackers are best for cheese and meats.
CRACKERS
Crackers are one of the most important ingredients in making a charcuterie board.
You’ll want to pair your cracker selection with the cheese you’re planning for your charcuterie board. The classic cracker choices for a charcuterie board are:
CROSTINI’S
Crostini’s are made by thinly slicing a baguette. The baguette slice is brushed with olive oil and toasted until it has crisped up. Crostini’s are one of the most popular cracker choices for charcuterie boards that go well with brie cheese, fig jam, prosciutto, and arugula, along with boursin, salami, and walnuts, Goat cheese with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey
WATER BISCUITS
Water biscuits are a crumbly cracker that has a hint of salt flavor. Water biscuits are a fragile cracker, therefore when you bite into it, it makes a bit of a mess.
Water biscuits go well with sharp cheddar with thinly sliced pickles gruyere cheese with whole grain mustard and pecans.
ARTISAN CRACKERS
Artisan crackers are a classic cracker for a charcuterie board. You can make your own artisan crackers using your favorite additions – dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, pistachios, dried apricots, etc. Artisan crackers go well with brie cheese, almonds, drizzled honey smoked gouda, prosciutto, red pepper jelly.
PARMESAN HERB CRACKERS
Parmesan herb crackers have a hint of cheese flavor, along with a few poppy seeds and sesame seeds for a full-flavored cracker. Parmesan herb crackers pair well with chardonnay wine for your charcuterie dinner. Parmesan herb crackers go well with Parmesan cheese, whole grain mustard, and thinly sliced pickles, Blue cheese with thinly sliced apples and walnuts go quite well.
SALTINES
Saltines are buttery and crispy crackers with a hint of sea salt flavor that go well with pimento cheese with thinly sliced pickles, sharp cheddar with whole grain mustard, and thinly sliced pickles, gruyere cheese with red peppy jelly and pecans.
*RITZ
Try offering a buttery, flaky cracker such as Ritz crackers.
*TRISCUIT
The ultimate grain cracker is available in many different flavors.
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