DIY charcuterie boards go well with almost any event — holidays, family gatherings, date nights or even when you want to make a weeknight feel a little more special. But the crackers often paired with charcuterie boards contain gluten. By swapping in Milton’s Gluten Free Crackers, you can make the best gluten free charcuterie board in town without having to sacrifice on taste or flavor!

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. 

What to Include in Your Gluten Free Charcuterie Board

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Figuring out what to put on a charcuterie board can be challenging, especially when you need to keep everything gluten free and find ingredients that complement each other’s flavor profiles. However, the right charcuterie spread can be as delicious as the main course.

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Meats

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Opt for uncured meats to make your DIY charcuterie board a bit healthier. Cured meats have nitrites and nitrates, which some may want to avoid. 

We recommend any of the following meats for your board:

• Pepperoni

• Salami

• Ham

• Prosciutto

• Spanish chorizo

• Any other type of cold meat

If you are avoiding nitrites and nitrates, check the package to find out how the meat was prepared. 

Charcuterie meats are typically savory and salty, which helps balance out the sweetness and crunchiness of the fruits and vegetables. 

Cheeses

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Cheese and charcuterie meats go hand-in-hand. Most people include a few different types of cheese on their charcuterie boards to give guests a variety of flavors and options.

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Popular cheeses include:

• Parmesan

• Asiago

• Gouda

• Colby 

• Cheddar

• Blue cheese

• Feta

• Goat cheese

There are plenty of options when it comes to picking out cheeses. When selecting, think about including a blend of hard, semi-soft, soft and crumbly cheeses.

Fruits and Vegetables

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We recommend including both fresh and dried fruits on your board. They will round out the flavors with sweet and sour notes to complement the crackers, cheese and meats.

Try adding:

• Berries

• Grapes

• Dried apricots

• Apples

• Dates

• Dried cranberries

• Figs

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Vegetables are nutritious and often make for convenient and colorful finger foods on a charcuterie board. You can even make dips and spreads out of certain veggies!

Some popular vegetables for charcuterie boards include: 

• Carrots

• Celery

• Pickles

• Olives

• Cucumbers

• Broccoli

• Cherry tomatoes

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Adding hummus or a creamy vegetable dip to your DIY charcuterie board is also a great complement.

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​Milton's Gluten Free Crackers

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Crackers are an important element for charcuterie boards, as they add a satisfying crunch and flavor contrast and provide a great base to pair with the other ingredients. 

To make a gluten free charcuterie board, your choice of crackers is very important. Milton’s Gluten Free Crackers are tastier, crispier and crunchier than conventional crackers. 

Milton’s Gluten Free Crackers are available in 5 delicious flavors:

• Olive Oil & Salt

• Fire Roasted Vegetable

• Crispy Sea Salt

• Everything

• Multi-Grain

• Salt and Vinegar

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Add a few - or all - of our Gluten Free Cracker flavors to your charcuterie board for the best flavor profile!

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Other Tips for Building a Charcuterie Board

You can include some additional ingredients to make your charcuterie board even more versatile. 

For example, some people add dark chocolate, fresh herbs or preserves to add a flavor boost and make the board more aesthetically pleasing. 

Remember to choose at least one hard and one soft cheese for your board. This changes the textures and prevents your board from tasting bland. 

If you include pickled ingredients or salty finger foods, place them sparingly. Avoid overwhelming your guests with salty notes, which will take away from the other delicious flavors.

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Use Milton’s Gluten Free Crackers for Your Charcuterie Board 

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DIY charcuterie boards are fun to make and tasty to eat. If you want the best gluten free charcuterie spread around, include Milton’s Gluten Free Crackers! Count on us for the most delectable gluten free snacks. Find gluten free crackers in a store near you to pick up your Milton’s Gluten Free Crackers today!