Our Favorite Charcuterie Board Books
Updated: Jul. 03, 2024
Whether you want to create tapas-inspired small plates or extravagant tabletop spreads, we compiled the best charcuterie board books in every category.
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Whether you’re hosting a big bash or an intimate dinner party, one thing’s for sure: No soiree is complete without a cheese board. A mélange of meats, olives, fruits and, of course, cheese, a charcuterie board is equal parts an art and a science—not to mention it can be pretty hard to assemble yourself. If you’re looking for some pointers, you’re in luck: We’re sharing the best cheese board books to ensure a spectacular, conversation-sparking spread.
best for beginners
Beautiful Boards by Maegan Brown
Beautiful Boards has a gorgeous photo for each board that it features, ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store and clear instructions for assembly. This book is a great overall guide to all styles of food boards. It features whimsical themed boards like a Unicorn Board and a S’mores Board. Speaking of dessert boards, you’ll never need a birthday cake again once you try this birthday board.
most versatile
Boards, Platters & More by Taste of Home
With boards for practically every meal and ingredient (looking at you charcuterie butter boards), it’s hard to know where to start. Whether you’re looking for fresh board ideas or styling tips, look no further than Taste of Home‘s own Boards, Platters & More book. It goes beyond the board basics with 50+ ideas, recipes and styling guide for each. And yes, little ones get in on the fun with kids charcuterie board ideas, too. Plus, it covers ways to build boards for practically every holiday (Charcuter-tree, anyone?). Bring on the boards! Next, learn how to make a vegan charcuterie board.
best for cheese lovers
The Art of the Cheese Plate by Tia Keenan
The Art of the Cheese Plate is a great charcuterie board book for flavor pairings and classic charcuterie board recipes. It explains the tasting notes of specialty cheeses, so that you can wow your guests with your cheese knowledge. Some of these specialty cheeses can be difficult to find, but the tasting notes are written in a way that allow for you to make substitutions if necessary. Grab one for yourself and as a cheese board gift for your charcuterie-obsessed bestie. Read more about our best tips for making cheese boards.
best seasonal
Around the Board by Emily Delaney
Around the Board is a great charcuterie board book for seasonal spreads. It contains 50 unique board assortments, focusing on charcuterie board recipes rather than recipes for accompaniments like dips or crackers. If fresh and delicious board recipes are what you’re looking for, this is a great option—just like our fresh fruit boards for summer.
best for large groups
Big Boards for Families by Sandy Coughlin
If you have a house full of picky eaters, Big Boards for Families is your guide to big spreads with lots of customizable bites. It contains over 50 nontraditional boards, including Weeknight Ramen Board and Mediterranean Shakshuka Board. This cookbook prepares you to feed a crowd at holiday gatherings and unique events. Learn how to make our most impressive holiday cheese board.
best for appetizers
Graze by Suzanne Lenzer
Graze focuses on globally-inspired tapas, which is a Spanish take on small plates or appetizers. It features irresistible recipes like Pecorino pizza slivers and lemon-lavender posset and is written in a blog style with countless stories from the author’s life. If you want to expand your cookbook collection, this list of the best cookbooks is sure to come in handy.
best for creativity
That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life by Marissa Mullen
That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life includes a genius method that it uses with each recipe—it also provides clear instructions for assembly that include detailed placements and a simple shopping list. The book also focuses on the importance of charcuterie board making for creative-expression, much like we find in these easy-to-make, gorgeous salami roses! Don’t miss our cheese board ideas for building the best spread ever.
best for vegan
Vegan Boards by Kate Kasbee
Vegan Boards is broken up into two sections—The Boards and The Recipes. This cookbook features recipes like Vegan Beer Cheese Dip and Beet Hummus. Although meat-lovers might not love these meatless boards, it is a great charcuterie board book for guests with allergies and certain preferences. By the way, read up on these foods that you never want to serve vegans.
best for improvising
Platters and Boards by Shelly Westerhausen with Wyatt Worcel
Platters and Boards contains 40 recipes that are structured around different meal times. Its introduction includes a brilliant key on how to build a board “without a recipe,” so it empowers you to be original with your charcuterie board creation. Get creative with these individual charcuterie boards for any occasion. Once you’re ready to get started, check out our list of the best meats for your charcuterie board.
best deck
The Cheese Board Deck by Meg Quinn
Merging the information of a book with the ease of cards, The Cheese Board Deck is an entertaining must. This best-of-both-worlds deck features 50 ideas for everything from a build your own hot dog board to an Italian antipasti platter. We love the convenience of the cards, too. They’re easy to toss in your purse for a trip to the grocery store or display on the counter while styling a board. Genius!
best for expert insight
Savor by Kimberly Stevens
If you’re looking for a charcuterie board book that features recipes for cheese board accompaniments, such as tiny pickles or baguettes, Savor is the one for you! It’s also full of expert tips and ingredients like “aged cheese of your choice” for easy customization. Don’t miss our tips for how to make a charcuterie board perfect for any party.
best for avid hosts
On Boards by Lisa Dawn Bolton
With 52 boards and 52 individual recipes, On Boards features beginner-friendly ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. The author focuses on creating recipes that are low-maintenance so that you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your loved ones. (And, with one recipe for each week of the year, this is a no-brainer for avid hosts.)
best for themed parties
Spectacular Spreads by Maegan Brown
A sequel to Beautiful Boards, Spectacular Spreads is a collection of themed spreads that are large enough to cover a table. They are also dense enough to provide a full meal, so they shouldn’t be served as simple appetizers! It includes helpful details about using leftovers, doing meal prep and maintaining portions sizes. It stands out as a charcuterie board book for its unique themes like Luau Birthday Party and Bruschetta Bash. Get creative with this sweet chocolate charcuterie board.
best for meat-lovers
Easy Charcuterie Boards by Marco Niccoli and Aubrey Niccoli
Easy Charcuterie Boards is a great starting point for the new charcuterie board designer. It includes a handy breakdown of different charcuterie meats and how they are made as well as the essential elements of a charcuterie board. With over 30 board designs, this book sticks to cured meats, artisan cheeses and their best drink pairings. Although it is not designed for unique board arrangements like pancake and waffle breakfast boards, you’ll love its timeless pairing recommendations. Also check out our cheese board pairings to take your spread to the next level for more inspiration.
What to Look for in a Charcuterie Board Book
Diversity is the spice of life—and a non-negotiable when shopping for one of the best charcuterie board books. While these books should offer something slightly more innovative than plopping a few cubes of asiago on a board and calling it a day, these spreads shouldn’t be so challenging that they’re intimidating. (After all, assembling a cheese board should be fun and enjoyable.) You’ll also want to consider the book’s author: Chefs and food experts are bound to offer some insider tips.
Why You Should Trust Us
At Taste of Home, we care a lot about products and delicious, mouth-watering recipes—and charcuterie board books here offer the best of both worlds. We read through dozens of charcuterie boards—and even assembled a few spreads ourselves—to find the best ones worth adding to your kitchen. This roundup was written by Hannah Pugh, Taste of Home’s former assistant editor, who specialized in testing and writing about the latest and greatest products.
How We Found the Best Charcuterie Board Books
To create a comprehensive (and totally cheesy) roundup, we looked for charcuterie board books covering various ingredients, spreads and special occasions. While many of the books seen here were tested and vetted by the Taste of Home team, we also combed through hundreds of reviews to offer a revered reading list. We also frequently update this list to cover the newest items and most accurate prices.
FAQs
Are there rules for charcuterie boards?
While there aren’t any hard and fast rules for charcuterie boards, some guidelines can help you create a delicious and visually appealing spread. Cheese might be the star of the spread, but you’ll want to ensure you have plenty of other ingredients. (Meats? Olives? Nuts? Dried fruit? The sky’s the limit here!) Another tip: Make sure you assemble a board with lots of flavor. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want something smokey, something spicy and something a little sweet.
Is it okay to make a charcuterie board the day before?
It turns out that assembling your cheese board the day before the party is a smart move. Not only does it save you time during that last-minute prep, but it’ll also give its flavors a chance to meld together. (Just be sure to wrap it tightly or cover it well and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.) If your cheese board does involve fresh fruit, you might want to wait until the day of the party to slice and add it.
What are the most common items on a charcuterie board?
What are three cheeses for a charcuterie board?
Ultimately, it’s up to you. While some elements like prosciutto, salami and certain cheeses can be high in fat and sodium, you can balance it out with plenty of fresh fruits and nuts. Or, if you want something healthier, you have our permission to add some carrots and hummus to the mix.
Originally Published: November 12, 2021
