How To Price Charcuterie Boards for a Better Party
The classic charcuterie board consists largely of a selection of gourmet meats and cheeses, as well as a variety of fruits and breads or crackers (and maybe sauces). Its brilliant colors and mouth-watering flavors make it a natural centerpiece for the party table.
If you’re having a party and you’re trying to figure out how to price charcuterie boards, you’ll need to take into account the types of ingredients you use to make them.
The charcuterie board’s cost also depends on the number of people multiplied by the board’s contents.
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How to Price Charcuterie Boards for a Party?
The short answer to this question is, how much a charcuterie board costs depends on the types (and quality) of ingredients you choose for the board.
For example, some cheeses, like brie, and some meats, like prosciutto, may cost more than a more “common” cheese, like cheddar, or meat, like salami.
That said, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $150 per board (or more) if you buy one from the local deli. However, it may feed very few people.
This means you must either buy additional boards to accommodate all the guests at your party, or you must make the charcuterie boards yourself.
Although the second option can also cost a bit of money if you have invited a large number of people to your party, it’ll still cost less to do it yourself, rather than have the deli make it.
How Much Is a Charcuterie Board for 30 People?
To answer this, you must first know how many people a standard board will feed. You can expect a 15-inch board to feed around 12 people.
Another average you should know is this: Most people will eat three or four ounces of cheese from the board and about two ounces of meat.
This basically means you’d need at least two 15-inch charcuterie boards, plus one that equals about seven or eight inches to feed 30 guests at your party.
Given that some people will eat more than the minimally-expected amount, you may want to have at least three 15-inch charcuterie boards, or possibly four, if you are serving only appetizers and not dinner.
More to the point: Budget chefs, if they know how to shop correctly, can put together a single board for about $30, according to The Penny Hoarder.
If you buy ingredients for at least three boards, you’re looking at $90 to feed 30 people. For ingredients for four boards, you’ll pay around $120.
What Does a Charcuterie Board Include?
As we mentioned, you can fill your charcuterie boards with a variety of meats and cheeses. You can even find vegetarian and vegan boards that substitute vegetables, fruits, nuts, and vegan meats for the “real thing.”
However, for the main purposes of this article, we will assume that you’d like to create a more traditional board. For this board, The Knot recommends that charcuterie makers include a variety of cheeses, meats, fruits and vegetables, dips, something with a crunch, and some garnishes.
We would also suggest some different types of breads for your board as well.
- For cheeses, you could try: brie, feta, gorgonzola, fontina, Swiss, cheddar, parmesan, mozzarella, and Asiago.
- For meats, go with: salami, prosciutto, ham, soppressata, mortadella, and calabrese. Some charcuterie fans also enjoy pates.
- For produce, include these items: grapes, sliced strawberries, apple slices, pineapple wedges, kiwis, dates, dried apricots, pickles, tomatoes, cucumbers, a variety of peppers, and olives.
- For the dips, go with: spinach dip, hummus, dill dip, honey mustard, and caramel or sweetened cream cheese (for the fruits).
- For something crunchy, add: crackers, dried baguette and bagel slices, almonds, and walnuts.
- For breads, you could try: pumpernickel, rye, wheat, gourmet rolls, and sweet breads, like pumpkin.
- For garnishes, try something simple: mint leaves, basil leaves, lemon or orange twists, or edible flowers for some color.
It’s worth remembering that when charcuterie came into existence, there was no modern refrigeration. Curing meat was one way to preserve meat, which is why charcuterie platters include so many kinds of cured meats.
Back then, various ways existed to keep meat from going bad, including immersing the meat in salt or butter. Smoked meat was also popular for the same reason.
What Is a Charcuterie Board?
According to Serious Eats, “charcuterie” is a French word that comes from combining the French words “chair” with “cuit,” which mean “flesh” and “cooked,” respectively. Charcuterie has been popular in France since the 15th century.
Additionally, although many cultures have some version of cured meats, the French are particularly noted for it. This has to do with how French chefs view the process as a whole.
They use gourmet meat cuts that are popular in their region of France, along with an excellent assortment of cheeses, nuts, and other quality ingredients.
The process for them starts and ends with the finest quality ingredients French gourmands can find, preferably in their local areas.
This is why it’s now common to find so many different kinds of ingredients on a charcuterie plate, depending on where you go in France.
Knowing this gives you some creative leeway for creating your charcuterie board, which can help you as you try to answer the question: “How much do you spend on a charcuterie board?”
FAQs about How To Price Charcuterie Boards
What other items can I put on a charcuterie board?
If you want to make a board that really stands out, try adding ingredients like truffles, chocolate-covered almonds, and chocolate dip. If you’re trying to figure out how to price charcuterie boards, you’ll need to figure out your base price and then make an estimate if you add these sweet additions.
What goes on a vegetarian/ vegan board?
You can start with many of the items that we have already on this list, minus the meats. If you really want the taste of meat, try substituting plant-based meats. You’ll find those in the vegan deli section of the grocery store. For color and variety, add in more vegetables and fruits, like artichokes, sundried tomatoes, celery sticks, berries, and more nut varieties.
Can I make my charcuterie board before the party?
Yes, you can. You’ll want to arrange all of the ingredients on the board, minus the breads and crackers because they could get soggy overnight. Wrap the pre-assembled board very well with plastic wrap and store in the fridge. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eOn the day of the party, take the board/s out 30 to 45 minutes ahead of the party. At that time, add your breads and crackers to the boards. For freshness’s sake, it’s best to make your charcuterie boards 24 hours or less before your party.
More FAQs
How much should you charge for making a charcuterie board?
The cost of making a charcuterie board can range from $15 to $50 per person, depending on factors such as the quality and quantity of ingredients, presentation, and sourcing. The price may increase if high-quality cheeses, meats, and other items are included.
Can you make money selling charcuterie boards?
You can make money by selling charcuterie boards, depending on the effort you put in and the demand in your local area. Many charcuterie business owners have successfully generated over $100,000 per year from local demand, with some even earning $1 million and beyond.
How much food do I need for a charcuterie board for 20 people?
The amount of food required for a charcuterie board for 20 people depends on whether it is being served as an appetizer or the main course. If it is an appetizer, 3 oz of cured meat per person is enough. However, if the charcuterie is the main course, 6 oz per person is recommended. Including additional non-meat items will help stretch the platter further.
Why are charcuterie boards so expensive?
Charcuterie boards are often expensive due to the use of quality ingredients such as premium meats, artisanal cheeses, and gourmet accompaniments, which come with a higher price tag because of their superior taste and production methods.
How are charcuterie boards calculated?
Charcuterie boards are calculated by considering the following quantities per person: 2 to 3 ounces of cheeses, 2 to 3 ounces of meats, 2 to 3 tablespoons of nuts, 4 to 6 ounces of crackers or bread, 4 to 8 ounces of vegetables or crudites, and ½ cup of dips.
How much food do I need for a 40 people charcuterie board?
You will need approximately 100-150 ounces of food for a charcuterie board serving 40 people, assuming it is not meant to be a full meal. However, if the charcuterie board is intended to be a complete meal, then you should plan for around 250 ounces of food, which translates to about 5 ounces per person.
Are charcuterie boards profitable?
Charcuterie boards can be profitable for business owners as long as they closely monitor expenses related to goods, labor, and delivery.
How much cheese do I need for 100 people?
The amount of cheese needed for 100 people is 37.5 pounds for the main meal and 12.5 pounds for a snack or appetizer.
How much charcuterie do I need for 50 people?
The amount of charcuterie needed for 50 people depends on whether it is being served as an appetizer or as the main course. If it is an appetizer, 3 oz of meat per person is enough. However, if charcuterie is the main course, you should plan for 6 oz per person. To make the platter stretch further, consider adding various non-meat items.
How much charcuterie do I need for 150 people?
You should plan to provide around 450-600 ounces (28.125 – 37.5 pounds) of meat and 600-750 ounces (37.5 – 46.875 pounds) of cheese for 150 people.
How many people does an 18 inch charcuterie board feed?
The 18-inch charcuterie board can feed approximately 20-25 people as an appetizer. It features a variety of accompaniments including 5 cheeses, 2 types of meats, cornichons, garlic stuffed olives, grapes, berries, nuts, honey, bacon jam, and more, making it a delightful addition to any party.
How much cheese and charcuterie for 10 people?
The amount of cheese and charcuterie needed for 10 people is typically 2 ounces per person. It is recommended to serve cheese at room temperature.
How many pounds of meat and cheese do I need for a charcuterie board?
You will need about 3oz each of meat and cheese per person for a charcuterie board. This amounts to approximately 4 slices of salami or prosciutto and 3-4 slices of cheese. If you are serving charcuterie and cheese as an entree, it is recommended to increase the quantity to 6oz each of meat and cheese per person.
How much cheese do I need for 50 guests?
You will need 18.75 pounds of cheese for 50 guests.
