From boards to boxes to cups and cones, charcuterie is all the rage these days. The charcuterie board remains the most common, but there’s something special about a charcuterie box: gorgeous ingredients arranged thoughtfully and either taken on a picnic, to a gathering or given as a gift, they’re simply perfect. We’re sharing our best tips and tricks so you’ll know how to make a charcuterie box, too!
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Uses for Charcuterie Boxes
Charcuterie boxes are what I like to call “gourmet convenience”. A specially curated selection of meats, cheeses, and accouterments that are then given to a special loved one, friend, or neighbor turn a simple gift into something thoughtful and meaningful.
Last year I moved to a new neighborhood and gave each of my closest neighbors a Christmas charcuterie box. I filled them with a salami rose, Brie wedges, sliced havarti cheese, crackers, halved mini bell peppers, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, a little jar of honey with a dipper, some tiny star cookies, and a few chocolates.
Guess who became quick friends with her neighbors after that? 🙋♀️
There are many times when a charcuterie box makes the perfect gift. Here are a few of our favorites:
- A birthday gift for anyone special to you. Charcuterie is universally loved, and receiving something made especially for you is touching.
- An anniversary would be extra special with a small charcuterie box for two and a nice bottle of wine. I gave two boxes to my parents for their 65th wedding anniversary last year, using boxes shaped like a 6 and a 5. They were so surprised and thrilled! (Below is a photo of them in their B&B with their charcuterie boxes – aren’t they sweet? I used numbered boxes with lids since I was transporting them, but they’re available a little cheaper without).
- Corporate/work gatherings – Although the point of this post is to teach you how to make a charcuterie box, it’s possible to order them, too. If you have a small team, you could make them yourself, or outsource it if you have a larger group. It could also be a fun activity where everyone makes them!
- Family reunion – Make a small box for everyone in your family, tailoring each box to their preferences. You could include a small note to each person in their box, telling them why you’re thankful for them. Kids could get less sophisticated options if you have pickier eaters; pepperoni and cheddar cheese cubes with a few extra cookies should do the trick!
- Neighbors – If you move into a new neighborhood like I did, take my cue and drop off a small box to your closest neighbors. I was here six months when Christmas arrived, so I took the opportunity to knock on doors and meet anyone I hadn’t crossed paths with yet. It was a great way to meet people and helped to build good relationships with my neighbors. And if you’re not the newest person on the block, consider taking one to someone who just moved in!
- As a thank you – Charcuterie boxes are a great way to show gratitude, especially if you tuck a little note inside the box. I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t thrilled to get one!
Charcuterie Box Sizes
Choosing the right size will be a breeze once you know how to make a charcuterie box. But just in case, here are some guidelines:
- A small 6×6 box is ideal for one person, which makes it perfect for gift-giving, an appetizer on a cozy night in, or a romantic picnic.
- 8×8 boxes serve two, which is great for an appetizer on a cozy night in or romantic picnic.
- Larger 10×10 boxes will serve four to six people, which is ideal to bring to a small dinner party, game night, or as a gift.
- 12×12 boxes will feed 8-10 people and should work for almost any occasion.
Don’t let the box sizes “box” you in though (that was bad, I know)! What I mean is that an 8×8 box can still make a great gift for one person, especially because you can fill it with some of their favorite extras. An extra few chocolates here and some more grapes there and you can fill that size easily without breaking the bank.
You can find boxes with or without lids, and with or without clear little “windows” on top. Amazon has many different options, but I highly recommend getting the ones with windows – they’re far more attractive. You can even opt for a Snackle Box!
What about utensils?
Since you’re the one making the box and you know who it’s for as well as where you’ll be gifting the box, it’s entirely up to you whether or not to include utensils. I make them often so I keep little wooden spoons and forks on hand, but they’re widely available. In a pinch, add a plastic spoon and/or fork – you can even tie it up with a ribbon. Search Amazon for “disposable charcuterie utensils” and you’ll find many options!
Ingredients for Charcuterie Boxes
A charcuterie box or board has these main elements:
- Cured meats, such as prosciutto, salami, chorizo, etc.
- Cheese, such as brie, cheddar, havarti, etc.
- Accoutrements, such as crackers, bread, olives, nuts, jams, honey, etc.
- Garnishes such as fresh herbs or edible flowers (these are optional)
You can explore our sections on charcuterie meats, cheeses, and accoutrements if you’re unsure how to choose what should go in your box or need more specific ideas.
How to Make a Charcuterie Box, Step-by-Step
These steps are just guidelines. The most important thing to remember is not to put anything too delicate on the bottom or it might get crushed. Leave your prettiest items for the top since that’s the first thing you see when you open the box.
- Start with the foundation: Set your box on a sturdy surface and place a layer of parchment paper inside. You might need to cut the paper to fit; cut it to the shape of the box with an extra few inches on each side.
- Condiments: Little jars of honey or ham are nice and sturdy so consider putting them in next. They’re also super cute though, so you can save them for the top if you’d like.
- Crackers: They can go in first unless you have very delicate crackers. I like to lay them on their side for a more appealing look.
- Next is Meat and Cheese: Put your least appealing meats and cheeses in first, with whichever you deem the best-looking on top. Fold the meats and slice the cheese before adding them to the box for a prettier look.
- Fruits and Olives: Arrange your colorful fresh fruits and olives next. You may want to put olives into a small plastic charcuterie cup.
- Aww, nuts: Add small containers of nuts or you can scatter them throughout the box. They’ll fill in any gaps nicely.
- Add Herbs and Edible Flowers: Finish with a few sprigs of fresh herbs or edible flowers. Herbs like rosemary or thyme look great and smell nice, and edible flowers are dainty and so pretty! I buy dried edible flowers from Freshly Preserved since they last a long time.
As you assemble your charcuterie box, consider the balance of flavors, colors, and textures of your ingredients. Most importantly, enjoy the process – it’s fun!
Wrapping and Decorating Your Charcuterie Box
Now that you know how to make a charcuterie box, it’s time to learn some different ways you can make it even better! I usually only wrap mine if I’m giving it as a gift, but I have added some decorations here and there depending on the occasion. Here are some ideas for you:
- Use regular twine, baker’s twine, or ribbon to “wrap” your box.
- Tie some sprigs of rosemary or lavender with any of the above.
- Add a bow, just like a traditional gift.
- Add a little gift card, either inside or outside of the box.
- Make a custom label with to, from, and a personal message.
- Add stickers or some doodles directly on the box.
- Include a small charcuterie board, set the box on top, and use shrinkwrap with a bow to wrap it all together. The photo below is of the same charcuterie box in the photos of this post, but it’s been opened and arranged on a board:
Can you make a charcuterie box in advance?
You definitely can, but just remember that its quality will be best if it’s made just before.
The best way to make one in advance is to slice your cheeses, fold the meats, and decide what order you’ll be placing everything in the box beforehand. Fruit is best sliced the day of, and bread should be sliced just before assembling.
Keep everything in small, separate bags in the refrigerator, with the exception of the crackers as their texture doesn’t hold up well in the fridge. If everything is organized and you’ve decided what order to put them in the box, assembly will go quickly!
How to Store and Transport
If you’re traveling a short distance – say, half an hour or less – you can carefully pack up your box(es) for delivery without needing ice. The best way I’ve found to transport them if I’m going a longer distance is with an ice pack or two underneath, preferably in an insulated cooler.
Charcuterie boxes will shift fairly easily while you’re driving, so you might want to wrap the box with plastic wrap if you don’t have a lid. You can also add a rubber band or a ribbon (which looks so pretty)! When you arrive, take a minute to check its contents to make sure nothing has shifted.
That’s everything you need to know about how to make a charcuterie box! You might want to check out How to Make a Charcuterie Board, or swing by our home page to get even more ideas!
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