Summer Crackers Charcuterie Board

A simple Summer Crackers charcuterie board idea filled with a variety of crackers, cheese and dips. In this recipe I share which crackers were used and the dips or topping ideas that pair well.

Best Bread And Crackers For Charcuterie Board

Selecting the best crackers for a charcuterie board involves considering both flavor and texture to complement the various cheeses, fruit, vegetables or meats. Here are some popular types of crackers that work well:

Salticrax: Salticrax is a popular South African cracker known for its simplicity and versatility. These crackers have a distinctive square shape and a slightly salty, savory flavor. The texture is crisp and crunchy, providing a satisfying bite.

Best Pairings: The simplicity of Salticrax makes it an excellent base for various toppings and pairings, making it a staple for snack platters and charcuterie boards.

Seeded / Multigrain Crackers: Crackers with seeds and grains have more of a nutty texture and flavor, so don't worry if you don't have nuts on the board! There's enough crunch.

Best Pairings: Complements hard cheeses and great for dips.

Gluten free crackers: For those with dietary restrictions, gluten-free crackers made from ingredients like rice flour or nut flours provide an alternative without sacrificing flavor. It's always good to have some sort of healthy component to your charchuterie boards, it also helps with diversity.

Best Pairings: Great with aged cheddar, gouda, creamy roasted red pepper dips and salami.

Sesame Seed Crackers: Crackers with sesame seeds add a delicate nuttiness and a satisfying crunch.

Best Pairings: Goes well with creamy cheeses, hummus, or smoked salmon.

Rosemary or Herbed Crackers: Infused with herbs like rosemary or thyme, these crackers add a fragrant and savory component to the board.

Best Pairings: Enhances the flavors of soft cheeses and charcuterie.

Fruit, Nut And Crackers For Charchuterie

Fruit and Nut Crackers: Crackers with dried fruits and nuts baked in provide a sweet and savory balance. Nuts of all varieties are always a great idea and complement the soft cheeses. They add a touch of sweetness to the board!

Breads For Charcuterie Board

Flatbreads: Crispy flatbreads, such as lavash or artisanal flatbread crackers, provide a larger surface area for layering toppings. Perfect for scooping up any dips on the board and for wrapping around slices of cured meats or pairing with spreads.

Crostini / Bruschetta: Both crostini and bruschetta are excellent choices for any charcuterie board. Crostini which translates to 'little toasts" in Italian works well with a variety of toppings, both savory and sweet. They are great for serving with cheeses, cured meats, spreads, and even fruits. Their small size makes them perfect for bite-sized appetizers.

Bruschetta is an Italian dish that traditionally consists of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with diced tomatoes, fresh basil, and olive oil. The bread used for bruschetta is typically thicker than crostini, and it has a rustic, hearty texture. Bruschetta bread is well-suited for toppings with a more substantial texture. It pairs excellently with chunky tomato bruschetta, tapenades, or creamy cheese spreads. It's a heartier option that can stand up to bold flavors.

Baguette Slices or Crostini: Thin slices of baguette or toasted crostini add a rustic and crunchy element to your charcuterie board. Works well with a variety of cheeses and spreads.

What To Eat With Crackers

Cheese: Crackers pair well with a variety of cheeses, from soft and creamy to hard and sharp. It complements the flavors of mild cheeses like brie and cream cheese, as well as stronger cheeses like mature cheddar and gouda.

Dips and Spreads: If you're wondering what to serve crackers with in terms of dips, you can try these easy and delicious dip recipes.

Cold Cuts and Charcuterie: Crackers provides a neutral canvas for showcasing the rich flavors of various cold cuts and cured meats. Pair them with slices of salami, prosciutto, or smoked salmon for a wonderful combination!

Pickles and Olives: Crackers showcase the briny and tangy flavors of pickles and olives. Arrange a selection of pickled vegetables or a variety of olives alongside your crackers of choice for a well-rounded taste experience.

Creamy Spreads: Most cracker's can be somewhat bland on their own so a good idea is to flavor them with creamy spreads such as goat cheese, herbed cream cheese, or a savory pâté. The contrast between the crunchy cracker and the smooth, creamy spread is a winning combination.

Sliced Vegetables: For a fresh and crunchy element, pair crackers with thinly sliced vegetables like cucumber, radishes, or bell peppers. The combination of textures adds a refreshing touch to the overall experience.

Smoked Fish: Crackers work well with smoked fish, such as smoked trout or mackerel. Top the cracker with a small piece of smoked fish and a dollop of cream cheese for a refreshing appetizer.

Fruit Compotes: Explore sweet and savory pairings by serving crackers with fruit compotes or chutneys. You can try these fruit combinations Strawberry Compote and my Homemade Cranberry Sauce for starters. Fig or apricot compote, for example, can definitely provide a delicious contrast to any salty crackers.

Build Your Cracker Chachuterie Board

The truth is, once you've decided on the types of crackers and the dips to go with or cheeses, cold meats, fruit, vegetables, pickes and so forth, you're halfway there. Work from the outside in and fill gaps with goodies like blueberries, nuts and in this case pretzels. Always arrange the dips on either side of the board.

Topping Ideas For Crackers

The simple and humble cracker is very versatile and there's a variety of delicious toppings that you can add. Here's a start;

Cheeses: Soft cheeses like brie, camembert, goat cheese and try the harder cheeses like cheddar, gouda and parmesan. Don't forget about good 'old' blue cheese like a Gorgonzola!

Cured Meats: Prosciutto, Salami, Chorizo and Capicola

Dips and spreads: Hummus, Guacamole, kale hummus and Beetroot Hummus

Smoked salmon, olive tapenade and more in that variety.

Fresh Vegetables: Cherry tomatoes, Cucumber slices, Radishes and Avocado slices

Pickled Items: Pickles (dill or sweet), Pickled onions, Pickled jalapeños and pickled beets.

Fruits: All and any fresh and dried fruit. From figs and peaches to berries including stoned fruit.

Nuts: Almonds, Walnuts and Pecans

Herbs: Fresh rosemary, basil, chives (especially when they flower).

Sweet Additions: Honey, Fruit preserves, jams, figs and dates.

Creamy Spreads: Whipped feta, cream cheese and rcotta with lemon zest

Last but not least, balsamic glaze and chocolate always transform any food!

More Charchuterie Board Recipes

• Charcuterie Fruit Platter
• Italian Antipasto Charcuterie Board
• Breakfast Charcuterie Board

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