In charcuterie boards, gluten-based food items like bread and crackers are their own stars. Although normally this is not a problem, those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease might accidentally eat them, though. So, weβre devising a gluten-free charcuterie board for moments like that.
This tutorial guides you through the nitty-gritty of building an epic gluten-free charcuterie board - from planning what food items to shop to styling a charcuterie board.Β
What Does it Mean When Food is βGluten-Free?β
In definition, a gluten-free diet means excluding food containing gluten while maintaining the standard set of nutrition a body needs to function.Β
Gluten is found in the likes of wheat, barley, rye, and triticale - in charcuterie language, this refers to crackers and bread. Replacing them with food items that wouldnβt disrupt the classic taste and flavors of charcuterie is all the rage right now.Β
So far, here are some grains and starches that are gluten-free. One or two items from the list could inspire you to use them as gluten substitutes for your next charcuterie meal.Β
- Amaranth
- Arrowroot
- Buckwheat
- Corn β cornmeal, grits, and polenta labeled gluten-free.
- Flax
- Gluten-free flours β rice, soy, corn, potato, and bean flours
- Hominy
- Millet
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sorghum
- Soy
- TapiocaΒ
- Teff
How to Make a Gluten Free Charcuterie Board
What Youβll Need:
Serving Tools
- Wooden board: The board should be big enough to fit every food element you selected but small enough to create an abundant illusion.Β
- Cheese knife
- Small bowls and saucers
- Forks
- Include tiny spoons for dips.
- Parchment paper: If you have items that might stain your board like berries, you may place a sheet of parchment paper beneath the items.Β
- Prepare toothpicks or thongs on the side in case some of your guests donβt like picking their food with bare hands.Β Β
- Napkins
Food
Always check the productβs packaging label (ingredient/allergen list) for any signs of gluten ingredients. Some manufacturers might have processed their products in the same factories where gluten-based products are produced as well.Β
Meat (pick at least 2-3)
- Salami
- Prosciutto
- Soppressata / capicola
- Bacon
- Bresaola
- PatΓ© / terrine
- Any cured meats
Cheese (pick at least 1 hard and 1 soft cheese)
- Soft goat cheeseΒ
- Hard goat cheese
- Sheep milk cheese
- Almond milk βcheeseβ
- Brie
- Camembert
- Cheddar
- Gouda
- Parmesan
- Gruyere
- Feta
Fruit
- Fresh fruit (apples, pears, grapes, berries, etc.)
- Dried fruit
- Preserves or jams.
Nuts (pick at least 2-3)
- Hazelnuts
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Brazil nuts
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Macadamia nuts
- Pistachios
The best gluten free crackers for charcuterie board (pick at least 2-3)
- Crunchmaster gluten free crackers
- Schar gluten free crackers
- Snack Organisation Rice crackers
- Nairn's gluten free crackers
- Nairn's gluten free oat cakes
- Good Thins gluten free Rice crackers
- Gluten free Flatbreads
- Toasted gluten free breads
Sauces and dips (pick at least 2-3)
- Olive oil
- Honey
- Hummus
- Jams
- Chutneys
*This recipe serves roughly around 7-8 people.
How to Prepare/Arrange a Gluten Free Charcuterie Board?
Below is a quick step-by-step process on how to prepare and arrange a gluten-free charcuterie board.Β
Shopping prep:
1. Make your selection according to the number of options recommended for each food category. For example, for the sauces and dips options, you get to choose 2-3 of any recommendations below the category.Β
Note: Of course, these are just food ratio recommendations. If the number of food elements for each category isnβt your vision, feel free to rebel against it.
2. Remove your purchases from their package. Refrigerate your meats and cheeses in the meantime. Wash your fruits. Apples and the like are sliced into dice. Leave bite-sized fruits like grapes as it is.
3. When arranging a charcuterie board, always try to arrange the food 30 minutes or less before the actual arrival of guests. Arranging the food way early lessens its freshness. If you try to preserve it by refrigeration, the food might turn too cold for consumption.Β
Arranging the charcuterie food items:
1. Place your soft and hard cheeses on each quarter of the boardβs space. Cut your hard cheeses beforehand so theyβre already bite-sized.
2. Place your meats on the board with balance in mind. Make sure meat is accessible from all angles. Organize them to your liking but make it interesting by creating shapes.Β
Here are some tips on arranging meats:
- Create triangles by folding meats.Β
- Create a fan effect by laying slices of meat on top of each other.
- Roll the meat in loose loops and stack them together.Β
- Pepperonis looked cute when sliced halfway into the circle and rolled, creating a spiral-like shape.Β
3. Pour jams and other sauces in dipping bowls. Place them wherever you like inside the board. Add meat and fruit around them to create a unique food visual.
Note: you may also leave a dipping section outside the charcuterie board if you think the bowls take up too much space.
4. Itβs time to place your gluten-free crackers and bread on the board, again with βbalanceβ in mind. Use large-sized slices of bread and crackers to create a fan-like effect. Fill the narrow spaces with small-sized crackers.
If your crackers and bread arenβt gluten-free, dedicate a small section outside the board. Use plates for this gluten section and label them if you can. This reduces the risk of contaminating your other charcuterie ingredients with gluten.
5. Next, place fruits and nuts on the board. Ensure that each corner of the board has accessible fruits and nuts. Contrasting dark-colored fruits with light-colored ones makes an interesting color palette.
6. At this point, almost all of your food items are placed on the board. Continue to create a bountiful effect by placing the extra food items on empty spaces.
7. Refill the board as needed. If one item is running low, add some more. The key is to make your board always look crowded and varied.Β
Gluten Free Charcuterie Kit from Platterful
Now that you know how to create a gluten-free charcuterie spread, Iβll let you in on a little secret. Did you know that you could ship a box full of charcuterie ingredients right outside your door? Yes! And itβs exactly what you think it is - a gluten-free charcuterie board delivery!
Itβs easier to get creative with charcuterie when you have all the time in the world (that means not worrying about shopping). You now have that pleasure through Platterfulβs gluten-free charcuterie kit. A charcuterie kit customized specifically for the gluten-free audience.Β
Platterfulβs large charcuterie kit includes:Β
- 3 cheeses
- 2 meats
- 1 gluten-free cracker pack
- 2-3 spreadables
- 3+ other accompaniments (dried fruits, olives, candied nuts, chocolate, pickled things, etc.)
- An instructional sheet and a video tutorial to help you build a drool-worthy board
Available in bulk and standard size, get yours now!