How to Build a Gluten Free Charcuterie Board

A growing number of people are enjoying cracker spreads and charcuterie boards as appetizers and snacks at parties, gatherings and events. But what about your gluten free friends? 

Milton’s Gluten Free Crackers are the perfect addition to your modern charcuterie spreads. Learn how to make the best appetizer at your next gathering using gluten free ingredients.

 

What Is a Charcuterie Board?

 

Charcuterie boards, or spreads of preserved meats, cheeses, fruits and crackers, were invented in 15th century France and were mainly popular only among the wealthy, but more people began enjoying them as time went on. Now, you can find them at nearly all group gatherings, from house parties to large galas.

 

The term “charcuterie” means “cold cuts” in French and refers to the type of meats you typically see on charcuterie boards. These might include salami, pepperoni, and other cured or uncured meats.

 

Selecting Your Ingredients

Gluten free charcuterie boards give you a little taste of everything. Here are some of the best ingredients for your trendy, delicious gluten free charcuterie board.

Gluten Free Crackers and Bread

Accommodating folks who can’t have gluten is kind and considerate. Bread and crackers will be your biggest swaps. Anyone on a gluten free diet will enjoy Milton’s Gluten Free Crackers in a variety of delicious flavors. Each of our crackers offers a delightful crunch and unique flavor profile.

Choose from our gluten free flavors:

• Crispy Sea Salt
• Everything
• Olive Oil & Sea Salt
• Salt & Pepper
• Multi-Grain
• Salt & Vinegar
• Zesty Ranch

You can include a few of each flavor to make it diverse and well-rounded.

Cheeses

Charcuterie boards often contain three types of cheeses: hard, semi-firm and spreadable. Hard and semi-soft cheese options include:

• Parmesan
• Gouda
• Cheddar
• Gruyere
• Asiago
• Aged cheese
• Blue cheese blocks

A few of these options come in different forms, so make sure you ask for the right cuts. For example, blue cheese is often crumbled, but you can buy it in harder blocks to serve it with charcuterie spreads.

Spreadable cheese is another great addition to your board. Guests can spread it on crackers or gluten free bread and can even use it to top fruits and meats. Some spreadable cheeses include:

• Cottage cheese
• Quark
• Mascarpone
• Mozzarella slices
• Feta cheese spreads
• Burrata
• Cream cheese
• Goat cheese spreads
• French brie spreads
• Ricotta spreads

Pairing spreadable with semi-firm cheeses makes for a well-rounded charcuterie board. Consider adding dairy-free cheeses for vegan guests. You can find vegan cheeses in the health and wellness sections of most grocery stores.

Meats and Proteins

Cold cuts are the most popular selection for charcuterie boards. You can serve warm meats, too, but use caution there. Some breaded meats contain wheat ingredients. Additionally, certain deli meats, like turkey and ham, are cross-contaminated, so always check the ingredient label.

The most popular meats for charcuterie boards include:

• Prosciutto
• Pepperoni
• Genoa salami
• Pastrami
• Mortadella
• Spanish chorizo
• Italian sausage
• Pancetta
• Smoked meats

Incorporate a few larger smoked meats if you desire. Then, look for thin slices and smaller cuts that easily fit on the board around them. This simple organization can reduce your total preparation time.

Fruits and Vegetables

Both fresh and dried fruits and veggies belong on gluten free charcuterie boards. Consider adding crunchy fresh vegetables like:

• Cucumbers
• Carrots
• Artichokes
• Celery sticks

These provide satisfying textures and mild flavors to the board. Delicious dried fruits and fresh options include:

• Dried apricots
• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Dates
• Plantains

Fruit contrasts the board’s savory ingredients with a delicate sweetness. As you add plant-based ingredients, keep the two C’s in mind: color and crunch. Using fresh herbs also elevates your board, making it look more elegant.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds bring texture to your gluten free charcuterie board. They’re small, crunchy snacks that guests can pair with either sweet or savory board selections.

Some popular nuts and seeds for charcuterie boards are:

• Cashews
• Candied pecans
• Pistachios
• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Sesame seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Peanuts

Always check for guest allergies before including nuts in your gluten free charcuterie board.

Additional Charcuterie Condiments 

Gluten free dips, spreads and jams are like icing on the cake for charcuterie boards. Think about adding dips and spreads such as:

• Hummus
• Jellu/jjam
• Guacamole
• Dijon mustard
• Baba ganoush
• Pimento cheese spread

What Are Some Good Gluten Free Dip Options?

Milton’s also has some amazing gluten free dip recipes such as:

• Smoked salmon dip
• Jalapeno yogurt dip
• Fire roasted corn elote dip
• Guasacaca avocado dip

Your spreads will add flavor and creamy textures to the other ingredients, allowing for limitless flavor combinations. Additionally Milton’s has 

Arranging Your Charcuterie Board

The order of your board items matters. Here are some functional tips for arranging and organizing your gluten free charcuterie board.

Board Selection

Charcuterie boards are often served on wooden surfaces, but you can get creative and use ceramic or plastic options, too. If you’re going for a more expensive look, custom cutting boards are the way to go. You can use a monogrammed board or pick a flowery design.

Laidback parties and gatherings could benefit from a natural-looking board, like a cheese board with raw edges. The wild aesthetic pairs well with fresh herbs and fruit, like you’d see at a picnic.

Layering and Placement

Start by placing larger items first. As larger meat cuts and cheese wedges fill up the board, accessorize them using smaller items like berries and nuts. Aim to create texture across the charcuterie board, filling in tiny gaps and corners with fresh herbs. The finished board should look full and three-dimensional but not crowded.

Pairing Flavors

For savory boards, include a few roasted vegetables and minimal fruit. If your board blends sweetness with salty and savory notes, add plenty of dried and fresh fruits with crunchy fresh vegetables. A good rule of thumb is to pair savory and salty items with high-fat ingredients. Sweet items pair best with slightly salty or starchy options.

For example, our Crispy Sea Salt and Olive Oil & Sea Salt crackers go well with hummus and guacamole due to the higher fat content in these dips. Savory cold cuts and smoked meats accentuate our Jalapeno and Zesty Ranch Gluten Free Crackers.

Pair our Multi-Grain crackers with fruity jams for optimal flavor. The jam’s sweetness will offset the grainy, slightly sweet taste of this cracker.

Presentation Tips

An important step in curating the perfect gluten free charcuterie board is making it aesthetically pleasing. Here’s how you can best present your board.

Garnishing and Decoration

Consider using fresh herbs and edible flowers to decorate your gluten free charcuterie board. These additions make the board look festive, inviting and unique. You can use fresh berries to fill in larger gaps.

Serving Suggestions

Most charcuterie boards are served as appetizers with beverages. Offer non-alcoholic and adult drinks to give your guests a range of choices. Popular selections include cocktails, wine and delicious mocktails made using probiotic and low-sugar sodas.

You can include two boards, savory and sweet, for larger events. If you’re combining them into one, make sure you strike a good balance of smoked, salty and savory meats and cheeses with dried and fresh fruits and veggies.

Storage and Leftovers

You can use leftover charcuterie ingredients in other gluten free recipes. If there are any Milton’s Gluten Free Crackers left over, you can crush them up and use them in pie crusts or as dip toppings.

Refrigerate fresh ingredients like meat and cheese when the event is over. Make sure you use leftover produce before it spoils. Use leftover meats, cheeses and produce to make sandwiches and salads, or top your morning yogurt parfait with any leftover berries. Your options are endless.

FAQs

We’re here to answer your questions about gluten free charcuterie boards.

Are Charcuterie Boards Seasonal?

Charcuterie boards are not limited to any specific season. They are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed year-round. The beauty of a charcuterie board lies in its adaptability—you can tailor the ingredients to match the flavors of any season. 

Are All Cheeses Gluten Free?

No. Check the ingredient label on every cheese product. Some extra-processed cheeses (like low-fat and salt-free cheeses) contain gluten-based ingredients to balance their tastes and textures.

What Types of Gluten Free Crackers Work Best?

Milton’s Gluten Free Crackers are crunchy and flavorful, so they’re the best candidates for your gluten free charcuterie board. Choose from a range of tastes, from our new cracker flavors (Salt & Pepper and Salt & Vinegar) to simple Crispy Sea Salt crackers. You can also use toasted gluten free bread for extra crunch.

Can I Make a Charcuterie Board Ahead of Time?

Yes. Feel free to slice and wedge your cheeses, arrange your meat slices and store fresh fruits and veggies in advance. Preparation will make assembling your board much easier.

How Do I Keep My Charcuterie Board Fresh?

Processed meats and cheeses tend to hold up at room temperature for several hours. However, you can place an ice pack underneath the board if you’re worried. Keep the board away from steaming hot foods to avoid wilting the herbs and altering the fruit and vegetable textures.

Explore Milton’s Gluten Free Crackers for Charcuterie Spreads

Charcuterie boards are just plain fun. To make them, you combine hard cheeses and spreads with crunchy and fresh accessories like fruits and veggies. As you graze the different vegetables, fruits, meats and cheeses, you experience diverse flavors and lots of joy.

Use Milton’s Gluten Free Cracker flavors to enhance your gluten free charcuterie experience. Find our gluten free crackers near you today!