DIY Charcuterie Box

Charcuterie box the on the go graze box filled with cheese, meats, fruit, chocolates, nuts and crackers. These boxes are perfect for a picnics, date nights or gifting.

Ever want to make a charcuterie board but not want to share? Why not make charcuterie boxes? This week my sister and I hosted a winter picnic at a local farm in their heated greenhouse. We had the idea to make a charcuterie board box. These boxes were perfect to make ahead of time and have for each of our guests.

Bonus we didn’t have to worry about people touching all the cheese or double dipping.

What is in a charcuterie boxes?

Rule of thumb for a charcuterie box is besides cheese I add something sweet, something salty, something crunchy, something fruity and something spreadable. I usually put in cheese, crackers, candies, cured meats, nuts, fresh fruit, dried fruit, jam and honey. The options are endless

These would also make good a charcuterie gift box. If you wanted to drop off a gift for a friend these are easy to put together. I always find when life events happen people gift casseroles or heavier foods but I tend to want to pick or snack during those times. This would be a great alternative to a lasagna or baked ziti.

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What cheese to put in the charcuterie box?

The best cheese to add to a charcuterie is a hard cheese, semi soft cheese and soft cheese. Here are some of my favorites:

• Mild or Sharp Cheddar
• Parmigiano-Reggiano 
• Gouda
• Pepperjack
• Colby Jack
• Havarti
• Manchego
• Brie
• Goat Cheese
• Blue Cheese

What meat to put in the charcuterie box?

Cured meat is the best meat for these type of boxes or boards. Here are some of my favorites.

• Salami
• Capocollo
• Sopressata
• Pepperoni
• Prosciutto
• Chorizo

Grab some salami slices and a champagne flute and make some salami roses to impress your guests.

Fruit

• Grapes
• Strawberries
• Blackberries
• Raspberries
• Apples
• Dried Apricots
• Raisins or Dried Cranberries
• Dried Cherries
• Dried Pineapples

Sweets

Adding something sweet to your cheese board balances out the salty and savory. I liked to include both fruits and some additional sweets like chocolates.

• Dark Chocolate Salted Caramels
• Chocolate Covered Pretzels
• Yogurt Covered Pretzels
• Brookside Dark Chocolate Acai Blueberry or Pomegranate
• Chocolate Covered Raisins
• Chocolate Covered Cranberries
• Cookies
• Peanut Brittle

Crackers

Crackers are essential! They are the vessel for your cheese. I like to grab a variety of crackers from pita crackers to whole wheat or crackers that contain nuts, seeds or dried fruit.

My advice is if you are packaging your boxes the night before either to wrap your crackers in cling wrap or package them separately. You don’t want your crackers to get stale or soggy. You could even slip them into the boxes the day of your event or gifting.

How do you package a charcuterie box?

• Paper cookie/pastry box with window
• Parchment Paper
• Clear Condiment Cups with Lids
• Honey
• Mini Wooden Honey Dipper Sticks

The best place to buy cheese for charcuterie boards or boxes

The best and most affordable place to buy fancy cheese for charcuterie boxes or boards is Aldi and Trader Joes. Not only do they have great prices they have a large variety of basic and specialty cheeses.

You can also find mini brie wheels and already cubed or sliced cheeses.Trader Joe’s and Aldi also has a great selection of cured meats and crackers.

Tips for cutting your cheese

Start by lining your boxes with parchment paper. This will help keep your box from getting oil stains. For the best looking boxes you don’t want all your cheese to be cut uniform. I prefer to cut some cheese into slices, cubes or wedges. If you have a harder cheese you can crumble it. Also think about how someone will eat the cheese. The less slicing they have to do themselves the easier it will be to eat.

Prepping your fruit

Before assembling your box make sure to wash and thoroughly dry out all your fruit beforehand. I like to dry out the fruit on cookie sheets lined with paper towels.

Assembling your box

These boxes are easy to make ahead of time. I like to start out by adding in the focal point which for these boxes was the salami roses. Then I add in the cheeses. The cheese I cut into wedges I placed each triangle in the opposite direction giving it some visual interest. Placed that in the center and add cubes or cheese through out.

Start to fill in the boxes with grapes, crackers and finished it off with chocolates and a pop of color with the strawberries. I like the box to look integrated and organic. Place on top a small container of almonds and jam.

I always make a few boxes without nuts and will finish off those boxes with a different color bakers twine. Let guests know there is a nut free option.

What’s a cheese board without wine? Pick up some small bottles of wine and either tuck them into the boxes or tie them to the top with some ribbon or bakers twine.

Looking for other appetizers?

• Steak and Cheese Wonton Cups
• Jalapeño Popper Biscuit Pockets
• Pizza Monkey Bread
• Antipasto Kebabs

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