Summer Charcuterie Board for Cookouts (aka BARBECUTERIE!)

What’s Up, Hungry People

Who else is ready for summertime festivities? With endless cookouts and pool parties on the sunny horizon, why not put the party on a platter and make a charcuterie board?

A… barbecuterie board, if you will.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – charcuterie boards are usually a fancy affair with artisanal cheeses and delicate crackers. But this one’s got a summer twist, combining the best of a backyard BBQ with the snackable style of a traditional charcuterie.

Whether you’re hosting a casual cookout or just craving a variety of flavors in one place, this barbecuterie board has got you covered. It’s a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing way to keep everyone munching happily all day long, with something for every taste bud. So, grab your grill, your favorite summer snacks, and let’s get this summer started the right way!

What’s on My Barbecuterie

Creativity is key when it comes to building a charcuterie board. I love to just go to the store with a few ideas in mind and see what fun stuff I can find to add to my spread.

Here’s What You Need:

• Brats – For an ‘adultier’ board, I used beer brats, but you can swap in regular hot dogs just the same!
• Chicken brats – These are my personal favorite kind of grilling dog.
• Mini rolls – Instead of full-sized buns, cut the brats in half and serve in mini sliced French rolls.
• Spicy brown mustard – A classic brat topping that brings some zing.
• Sliced jalapeño – Spice it up with fresh or pickled jalapeño slices (my favorite are candied jalapeños!).
• Sautéed onion – Before the cookout, sauté onions to golden perfection for extra flavor.
• Jams & jellies – If you’ve never put jelly on your hot dog, you’re missing out!
• Grilling cheese – Halloumi makes for a perfect, grillable cheese that can be sliced and shared.
• Spicy cheeses – Crank up the heat with habanero or pepper jack cheese.
• Sweet cheeses – I served a mango-infused Stilton on my board.
• Moon Cheese & mini wheels – Dry cheeses like Moon Cheese and individually wrapped Babybels add different textures to the board.
• Mini toasts & naan – Serve soft & hard breads for dipping in jelly or making mini sandwiches.
• Crackers & crisps – I used party crackers and bagel crisps to add crunch to my board.
• Summer veggies – Snap peas, carrots, and broccoli are perfect on a summer board.
• Summer fruits – Fresh strawberries and watermelon, along with pineapple and melons, are sweet additions.
• Cornbread – A summertime classic that shouldn’t be left off!
• Cured meats – The only thing needed to classify it as charcuterie (pepperoni & hard salami count!).

And don’t forget your favorite cookout sides like pasta and potato salad are also perfect additions—add what you love and make the board your own.

Let’s Cook

First things first: Cook those brats according to the packaging instructions. If you’re feeling fancy, sauté some onions until they’re golden and tender for that extra touch. Slice the brats once they’re done cooking – no one likes a giant brat taking up all the space on their plate!

Now, grab your veggies, fruits, cheeses, and meats and chop them into bite-sized pieces. You want everything to be easy to grab and snack on. This is a casual, fun setup, not a five-course meal. Serve jams, jellies, and soft cheeses in small bowls so everyone can get a taste.

Assembling the Board

The key to a great barbecuterie board is variety. Arrange your meats, cheeses, and breads so that they’re spread out evenly, with a mix of colors and textures. This way, every bite has a bit of everything. Trust me, no one wants a bite that’s all bread or just cheese.

The best part about this board is that there’s very little prep time – unless you want to do extra steps like sauting onions – and you can cheat a bit with pre-cut ingredients. Heck, I used pre-chopped honeydew and pineapple on my board and just pretended that I spent the extra time prepping. No one will be the wiser unless you tattle on yourself.

Don’t get my wrong, you can absolutely take the extra time to pick out fresh watermelon and cantelope and chop away to your heart’s desire. Save some money AND build muscle at the same time. You do you, it is your board after all.

There’s benefits to both methods, to be sure.

The Sweet Spot

Don’t forget to save a corner of your board for dessert! A few sweet cheeses, like a mango-infused Stilton or blueberry goat cheese, pair perfectly with fresh summer strawberries, grapes, and maybe even a vanilla fruit dip if you’re feeling indulgent.

Thanks to charcuterie’s rise in popularity, fancy cheese is more accessible than ever. So don’t be afraid to experiment with different types that you might not have tried before.

Barbecuterie Tips & Tricks

• Keep It Fresh: If you’re chopping your own fruit, do it as close to serving time as possible to keep everything fresh and juicy. A quick squeeze of lemon can help keep fruit from browning.
• Balance Your Flavors: Pair spicy and sweet items next to each other on the board for a great contrast. For instance, place your spicy cheeses next to fruit slices or sweet jams.
• Make It Yours: Feel free to customize your board with any of your favorite ingredients. Whether it’s a specific type of cheese or a unique condiment, the board should reflect your taste.
• Prep Ahead: You can prep most of your ingredients the night before, except for fresh items like fruits and soft cheeses. This will save you time on the day of your event.

Common Questions About Barbecuterie

• What if I don’t have a large wooden tray?
  • No problem! Use a large cutting board, a few smaller boards, or even a baking sheet covered with parchment paper to create your spread.
• Can I make this board ahead of time?
  • Yes, you can prep most items ahead, but save assembling and adding fresh items like fruit and soft cheeses for just before serving.
• What if I have vegetarian guests?
  • Include plenty of veggies, fruits, cheeses, and plant-based meats. Everyone will find something they like!
• How do I keep everything from getting soggy?
  • Make sure any wet items like fruits are well-drained and placed separately from dry items like crackers.
• Can I add more desserts?
  • Absolutely! Add some chocolate-covered nuts, dried fruits, or even some cookies for an extra sweet treat.

So there you have it, Hungry People – your very own barbecuterie board ready to be the star of any summer gathering. It’s got the variety, the spice, and even a little sweetness to keep everyone happy. Whether you’re grilling up brats or slicing summer fruits, this board is all about bringing the fun to your cookout. Grab your favorite snacks, mix and match to your heart’s content, and let the summer vibes roll!

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