By Bahareh Niati / Last Modified On August 27, 2023

Charcuterie boards are a popular appetizer for parties and special gatherings, but they often include items unsuitable for those with gluten sensitivities. However, with a few substitutions and careful ingredient selection, it's possible to create a delectable gluten-free charcuterie board that everyone can enjoy.

What is a Charcuterie Board? A charcuterie -- shar-KOO-ta-REE -- (you're welcome!) board, also known as a charcuterie platter or a meat and cheese board, is a popular party platter, that has a variety of cured meats, cheeses, crackers, bread, fruits, nuts, and spreads arranged on a large serving board. The name "charcuterie" comes from the French word for preparing cured meats.

If you need some extra ideas of what to place on your gluten-free charcuterie board, why not use these for inspiration? Dips on charcuterie boards always go down a treat add this 5 minutes tzatziki dip or this easy spinach dip. If you are making a breakfast charcuterie, consider adding gluten-free pumpkin waffles and gluten-free baguettes. To add a sweet and salty flavor, choose this easy gluten-free chex mix with a handful of gluten-free ingredients.

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Table of Contents

Gluten-Free Charcuterie Recipe

In this recipe, we'll show you how to put together a charcuterie board that is both gluten-free and packed with flavor, featuring a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts. We even include recommended products to use too! If you're hosting a party or looking for a great snack, this gluten-free charcuterie board will impress your guests. And we have done all the homework for you.

I love having a dedicated gluten-free charcuterie board if I go to someone else's house for a party or celebration. It means that I know everything on the board is a gluten-free food that I am able to eat, and there is no cross-contamination.

Why You’re Going to Love This Gluten-free Charcuterie

Easy to make - A gluten-free charcuterie board is really not that hard to make, and no cooking is required too! With the tips and techniques, you will have mastered this quickly and be making all types of gluten-free charcuterie boards.

The grocery list is done for you - I have literally listed the ingredients for you, so you don't need to overthink it. Just go and buy the ingredients and enjoy the fun of putting them together.

Tastes so good - I love picking on a gluten-free charcuterie board. I do tend to overeat as I love all things cheese and cured meats.

Ingredients in Gluten-free Charcuterie

Crackers

Choose your favorite gluten-free crackers. We like to use these:

Maine Crisp Buckwheat Crackers (comes in a wonderful variety of flavors to choose from!)
Milton's Baked Crackers Gluten-Free, Crispy Sea Salt
Schar Crackers, Gluten-Free
Simple Mills Gluten-Free Sea Salt Rice & Almond Crackers

Meats

Use different types of meat with different flavors. Ensure the meats complement the cheeses you have selected. Season also comes into play, so if you are making a GF charcuterie in Summer, use lighter meats and, in winter, heartier meats.

Salami
Prosciutto
Pepperoni

Cheeses

Choose a variety of cheeses by including soft, semi-soft, and hard cheeses. I like to add different flavors like nutty, creamy, or sharp. But take into consideration that your cheeses pair well with your meats.

Brie
Gruyere Cheese
Pepper Jack
Mozzarella
Gouda

Fruit and Nuts

This is the fun part where you can use this to add pops of color to your board.

Strawberries
Red and green grapes
Apples
Mixed nuts

Spreads and condiments

The spreads and condiments you select need to be able to be used with the other items on the charcuterie board. So select them carefully.

Fig spread
Honey
Dried fig
Olives
Dill pickles

Equipment Needed for This Gluten-free Charcuterie

Charcuterie Board - The charcuterie board is the main showstopper, so be prepared to invest in a good board. But with that said, you have so many options.

Here's a budget charcuterie board; this acacia charcuterie board has separate compartments for the fruit and cheeses. Alternatively, if you are going to entertain with it often, go for all the bells and whistles with this large charcuterie board set which includes extra accessories like cheese cutters and mini forks.

Charcuterie board accessories - Don't forget to place all the focus on the board and leave guests without charcuterie accessories to use.

Pinch bowls - Choose pinch bowls in white or in colors to add condiments, cheese, or olives in.

If you have any questions about making Gluten-free Charcuterie, please leave a comment, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

How to Make Gluten-free Charcuterie

Choose a large wooden board or platter as the base for your charcuterie board. Layout your cheese first, having 3 focal points depending on your board size. I have selected brie, cheddar Gruyere cheese, Pepper Jack, mozzarella and gouda.
Next, add a variety of gluten-free meats - select a variety of gluten-free cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, and ham. Be sure to place them on both sides of the board so that when it is on a table, all sides are able to access the variety from the board. We have used salami, prosciutto and pepperoni.
Add in the spreads and condiments. Some may be best placed in pinch bowls. We have used fig spread, honey, dried fig, olives, and dill pickles
Add gluten-free crackers and bread - make sure to include gluten-free crackers and bread so that your guests can enjoy the meats and cheeses with something to put them on. See the ingredient list for the gluten-free cracker brands we suggest.
Add fruits, nuts, dried fruits, and vegetables - including fresh fruits, nuts, dried fruit, and vegetables adds color and balance to the board. Examples include grapes, berries, sliced apples or pears, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber. I decided to use strawberries, red and green grapes, apples, and mixed nuts.
Check and fill any open spaces. Add any accessories like a honey dipper and useful serving utensils, and enjoy!

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions in Gluten-free Charcuterie, please see the complete recipe below.

Tips for Making the Best Gluten-free Charcuterie

Keep it simple and visually appealing - With a gluten-free charcuterie and anything in life, simplicity is key.

Pair it with good beverages - It is all good to focus on the charcuterie board, but equally important to pair it with the correct drinks too.

Plan for accessories needed to eat the GF charcuterie board - Again, make sure the correct accessories are available, so guests or family are able to consume the charcuterie as intended. Cheese cutters, mini forks, and knives are always useful.

Make sure to add in foods from each category - Generally, there are a few categories you need to consider, depending on the charcuterie board you are making. Include gluten-free crackers and bread. Offer a mix of salty, savory, and sweet options, including different types of cured meats. Add a variety of gluten-free cheeses, offer some dips and spreads, and add some crunchy options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s Another Name For Charcuterie Board?

Charcuterie boards are also called meat and cheese boards or cheese boards. They have also been known as grazing boards, snack boards, or appetizer platters.

Why Is Charcuterie So Popular?

Charcuterie's popularity is due to the social aspect of the board. It is nice to have it at a function, as people can mingle and enjoy a tasty appetizer. It is also versatile, looks amazing, has health benefits due to all that protein, and is so convenient to make ahead.

How Do You Balance Flavors And Textures On A Charcuterie Board?

So I like to sit down and write a shopping list. I ensure I use all the categories listed above and choose the selection according to different flavors and textures.

For Flavor - Ensure you have salty, savory, and sweet options.

For textures - I like to ensure I have crunchy, creamy, firm, and smooth.

My main focus is on selecting the cheeses and meats, and then the rest of the charcuterie board flows from those decisions. For cheeses include soft, semi-soft, and hard cheeses. I like to add different flavors like nutty, creamy, or sharp. For the meats, I include spicy, salty, and milder-tasting meats, so it caters to all guests.

It is best to stick with the flavors and textures that guests are used to eating to have a balanced array of flavors and textures they'll enjoy.

How To Style A Gluten-Free Charcuterie Board?

There are so many resources on how to style a GF charcuterie board, and I like to keep it simple. I like to divide the board into sections where you have focal points, and then I start designing the platter around it. The styling tips below should help you with the placement but allow your creativity to shine.

Place larger items first - Start placing your larger items first in different locations on the board. Bear in mind you want people to be able to access all the variety from one side if they need to.
Use different heights and textures - When arranging the items on the board, think about the visual appeal of the board. Use different heights and textures to create an eye-catching display.
Color theory - Having pops of color on the board creates visual interest, so try and arrange different colored food items across the board.
Use different shapes - I like to use different shapes for gluten-free crackers. Shapes again add that visual interest.
Slice and decorate things differently - I like to slice my cheese in different ways, depending on how it is consumed. I also like to fold or make a pattern with the meats. Just ensure that how you fold or slice things makes it easy to eat.
Add serving utensils - Where possible, add the serving utensils to the GF charcuterie, so people are able to use them. For example, the honey dipper.
Spread out the same types of foods - Avoid placing the same types of food next to each other.

What Other Charcuterie Board Ideas Can You Make?

We'll truth is anything really goes for these gluten-free party platters. Here are a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing:

Classic Charcuterie Board: This is the board we have made above. But feel free to customize it.
Mediterranean Charcuterie Board: This board has Mediterranean foods such as hummus, olives, feta cheese, marinated artichokes, and roasted peppers. Add gluten-free pita bread, gluten-free crackers, and fresh veggies for a delicious spread.
Vegetarian Charcuterie Board: This board is perfect for vegetarians and includes a variety of cheeses, nuts, fruits, and veggies. Add some dips such as hummus, guacamole, and tzatziki for an extra kick.
Breakfast Charcuterie Board: Yes, you guessed it this board has breakfast foods such as bacon, eggs, and sausage, along with cheese, fruit, gluten-free croissants, gluten-free waffles, or gluten-free pancakes. Add some jam and honey for a sweet touch.
Seafood Charcuterie Board: This board has a selection of smoked salmon, shrimp, and other seafood of your choice, along with gluten-free crackers, cheese, and fruit. Add some capers and lemon wedges for the final touch.
Sweet Charcuterie Board: This board is all about sweet treats such as chocolate, gluten-free cookies, and fruit, along with candy and nuts. Add some cream and caramel sauce to take it to the next level of yumminess.
Themed Charcuterie Board: This board features a theme depending on the season or event, for example, Easter. It is then decorated with easter eggs, peeps, and anything with bunnies or eggs. You can use shape cutouts to make fruit or cheese in the shapes of bunnies.

Yield: 12 servings

Gluten-Free Charcuterie

Name: Gluten-Free Charcuterie
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: Milton's Baked Crackers, Gluten Free, Crispy Sea Salt; Schar Crackers, Gluten-Free; Simple Truth Gluten Free Sea Salt Rice & Almond Crackers; Salami; Prosciutto; Pepperoni; Brie; Gruyere Cheese; Pepper Jack; Mozzarella; Gouda; Strawberries; Red and green grapes; Apples; Fig spread; Honey; Mixed nuts; Dried fig; olives; Dill pickles

Charcuterie boards are a popular appetizer. With a few substitutions and careful ingredient selection, it's possible to create a gluten-free charcuterie board at home.

Prep Time 30 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

Milton's Baked Crackers, Gluten Free, Crispy Sea Salt
Schar Crackers, Gluten-Free
Simple Truth Gluten Free Sea Salt Rice & Almond Crackers
Salami
Prosciutto
Pepperoni
Brie
Gruyere Cheese
Pepper Jack
Mozzarella
Gouda
Strawberries
Red and green grapes
Apples
Fig spread
Honey
Mixed nuts
Dried fig
olives
Dill pickles

Instructions

Choose a large wooden board or platter as the base for your charcuterie board. Layout your cheese first, having 3 focal points depending on your board size.
Next, add a variety of gluten-free meats - select a variety of gluten-free cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, and ham. Be sure to place them on both sides of the board so that when it is on a table, all sides are able to access the variety from the board.
Add in the spreads and condiments. Some may be best placed in pinch bowls.
Add gluten-free crackers and bread - make sure to include gluten-free crackers and bread so that your guests can enjoy the meats and cheeses with something to put them on.
Add fruits, nuts, dried fruits, and vegetables - including fresh fruits, nuts, dried fruit, and vegetables adds color and balance to the board. Examples include grapes, berries, sliced apples or pears, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber.
Check and fill any open spaces. Add any accessories like a honey dipper, and enjoy!

Notes

Ensure you have all the accessories to serve your gluten-free charcuterie board

Gluten-Free Charcuterie

Gluten-Free Charcuterie Recipe

Why You’re Going to Love This Gluten-free Charcuterie