The 3 · 3 · 3 Board Formula
How to build a charcuterie board that looks like you’ve done this before.
1
Three cheeses — one soft, one firm, one bold
Think brie, aged gouda, and a blue. Place them first — at 10, 2, and 6 o’clock — and build everything else around them.
2
Three meats — folded, ribboned, rolled
Fold salami into quarters, drape prosciutto in loose ribbons, fan the chorizo. Keep each one in its own cluster.
3
Three accompaniments — sweet, briny, crunchy
Fig jam or honey. Olives or cornichons. Marcona almonds or candied pecans. Small bowls keep the wet things tidy.
4
Fill every gap
Crackers and sliced baguette around the edges, grapes and rosemary sprigs in the holes. A full board reads generous — empty corners read unfinished.
Portions rule of thumb: about 2 oz of cheese + 2 oz of meat per person for a pre-dinner spread. Double it if the board is dinner.