If you have time to let this next cut of meat cook all day, it’s worth it. This recipe for Classic Smoked Beef Brisket is fall-apart tender, but we recommend slicing it up into hearty slices to be placed on the board. Or to make your beef pull double duty, try out this Ridiculously Tasty Roast Beef at a holiday dinner, then thinly slice up the leftovers. The cooked meat can be served warm or cold, and for an eye-pleasing presentation, fold the slices in half twice, then stand up on the board. Or, thin slices can be rolled and placed together.
If you’re on a time constraint, don’t worry! There’s plenty of time-saving options when compiling your beef selections. For example, who says beef jerky isn’t festive? This super-lean cut is a great way to add extra protein. Worried about it feeling too casual? Once the jerky is placed on board with the contrasting items, it will look right at home. Plus, store-bought jerky requires little to no preparation.
The best beef options are ones that are delicious, unexpected and can be prepared in advance. Enter stage right: beef bacon. (You read that correctly.) Beef. BACON. Just like pork bacon, beef bacon comes from the belly of the cow and has a flavor similar to brisket. You can cure your own, but we recommend purchasing pre-smoked beef bacon so only the final quick roast in the oven is on your to-do list.
Oven roasting helps to give the beef its full flavor and is actually one of the simplest hands-off methods to cook beef. If you’re a newbie at roasting, use our temperature chart to ensure an even bake (no overdone brown centers). For even more roasting and baking tips and tricks, click here.
The best beef options are ones that are delicious, unexpected and can be prepared in advance.
Head to any grocery store and you’ll find a refrigerated case with what seems like a hundred different types of cheese. So what’s “gouda”?
Be sure to give your guests different tastes and textures with at least three different cheeses. Try using one sharp (like cheddar), one soft (like brie), and one blue cheese (for a little bit of funk). These cover all your bases and any other cheeses are extras! Can you really ever have too much cheese?
STAGE TWO: CHEESE
Meat and cheese may be the stars of the show, but bread options are the unsung heroes of a charcuterie board. Offer your guests different types of sweet and savory breads and crackers. Or, include slider buns so guests can use meat and cheese options to create delicious two-bite sandwiches.
While the holidays are the time to go “all out,” there’s no need to make a mad dash to a pricey specialty foods store to create your charcuterie board. This is the best time to be sneaky and use up those leftovers! Try to incorporate extra items like cranberries, leftover cheeses, leftover martini olives, etc. Add in other fresh finger-friendly fruit like grapes or strawberries. Another popular option is to add nuts, such as peanuts, almonds or cashews. The sky's the limit—you could even toss in some Christmas candy. To offer your guests a variety of tastes, follow the Four ‘S’ Elements: 1) Savory, 2) Salty, 3) Sweet, 4) Sauces & Spreads.
Yes, that’s right, we said sauces & spreads to not only dip and spread on your breads and crackers, but also the meat. In fact, you can even use meat in a dip. Check out this easy recipe for Smoked Beef Brisket Pâté, which requires just four ingredients. Don’t be shy about how many sauces and spreads you present either. Not only will the unexpected flavors add to the board, but the bright colors help to spruce up the look of the board. A mole, chimichurri, spicy ranch, or peri-peri sauce are especially great options for a pop of color. You can find a full list of sauce ideas and recipes here.
STAGE 3: BREADS & EXTRAS
Be sure to give your guests different tastes and textures with at least three different cheeses.
A carefully crafted charcuterie board can make any holiday party feel special, but a specially selected wine pairing can take it to the next level. Louis M. Martini wines are a great match for any holiday celebration and complement each delicious variety of beef or cheese you choose. Warning: your guests may wonder if you had professional help.
A rich, full-bodied red wine best compliments the rich flavors of beef. Try pairing your beef charcuterie with the Louis M. Martini 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, with grapes grown in the Napa Valley.
Pairing cheese with wine can seem a little more complicated. Like any healthy relationship, these two should balance each other out; you don’t want the flavor of the wine to compete with the flavor of the cheese, and vice-versa.
STAGE 4: WINE PAIRINGS
Large party? Ditch the board and use an entire table or countertop, covered with butcher paper, for buffet-style serving.
Mix it up! Get creative and utilize different colors and textures to appeal to guests’ senses.
Make it ahead! To avoid last-minute stress, prepare your board earlier in the day. Refrigerate up to six hours in advance and set out 20 minutes prior to serving.
Use simple bowls (we recommend plain white) to let the food be the star, and spice up with fun serving utensils!
Dazzle Your Holiday Guests With This Step-By-Step Charcuterie Board Guide with Wine to Match
So, you wanna turn heads at your holiday party this year by making a show-stopping charcuterie board, but have no idea where to start? Don’t sweat it. Crafting a charcuterie board can seem intimidating, but you don’t have to be a chef to build a beautiful, Insta-worthy board. Follow this step-by-step guide and you’ll have a scrumptious masterpiece before the stockings are hung.
The first rule of charcuterie is: there are no rules! Just let your creativity fly and allow the food to speak for itself.
When choosing the perfect board to make your spread shine, there’s no shortage of options. From a standard platter to a slab of marble, this will set the stage for all that bite-sized goodness. Bring in a natural element with a wooden board (just make sure it’s food-safe!). Or if you’re feeling a little crafty, a black chalkboard board makes the perfect backdrop for meats and cheeses. Plus, you can write directly on the board, making it easy for guests to identify what they’re sticking their toothpick into.
Meat options are usually the first to be picked up by curious fingers, so it’s important to make them stand out! We know what you’re thinking, how can you possibly serve meat in a creative way? Fear not. With beef, it’s easy to turn any board into a work of art.
Here, it’s all about flavors and textures. It’s easy to mix and match beef options to satisfy even the pickiest of guests. Exactly how much do you need? We recommend two ounces of beef, collectively, per person. Having multiple cuts of beef will level-up your presentation and make your guests think you’re one of the pros.
California’s most famous cut is the lean, tri-tip. Similar to a sirloin, tri-tip is best for roasting or grilling. Turn up the heat with this crazy-flavorful Grilled Tri-Tip Marinade from Whitney Bond, lifestyle expert, and TODAY Food contributing writer. The meat is marinated in red wine (need we say more?) and gets a perfect char on the grill.
PREPPING YOUR BOARD
STAGE ONE: BEEF
To find the perfect match, remember: opposites attract. For example, we suggest pairing a salty cheese with a sweeter wine, or try a creamy, mellow cheese with a bright, more acidic wine. The Louis M. Martini 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon mentioned previously not only pairs great with red meat, but also stands up to a sharper richer cheese like cheddar or manchego. Though, no matter the flavors you decide to incorporate on your board, Louis M. Martini offers a variety of wines to help you achieve a perfect pairing. Check out their full list of offerings here.
Whether you’re a beginner or you consider yourself a holiday cooking pro, crafting a show-stopping charcuterie board is simple enough for anyone to create. Wow your guests and get creative with beef recipes from beefitswhatsfordinner.com and wine pairings from Louis M. Martini! Want help with your holiday cooking? Check out this exclusive offer from Ibotta on beef and red wine so you can save a few dollars while decking out your table (and the halls!). Happy holiday prepping!
CHARCUTERIE BOARD PRO TIPS
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If you don’t want to go the fancy route- though, we would argue this is the time to be fancy- a large cutting board will do the job. Then, lay food-safe greenery like fig leaves, fresh sage or rosemary, or even olive branches if you want to go the extra mile. This will contrast beautifully with the spread and make the board feel fresh.
Once the board is prepped, we’ll build out our base—meat and cheese.
For more modern beef recipes visit beefitswhatsfordinner.com
For more info on Louis M. Martini’s renovation and their wines visit louismartini.com
Meat and cheese may be the stars of the show, but bread options are the unsung heroes of a charcuterie board. Offer your guests different types of sweet and savory breads and crackers. Or, include slider buns so guests can use meat and cheese options to create delicious two-bite sandwiches.
While the holidays are the time to go “all out,” there’s no need to make a mad dash to a pricey specialty foods store to create your charcuterie board. This is the best time to be sneaky and use up those leftovers! Try to incorporate extra items like cranberries, leftover cheeses, leftover martini olives, etc. Add in other fresh finger-friendly fruit like grapes or strawberries. Another popular option is to add nuts, such as peanuts, almonds or cashews. The sky's the limit—you could even toss in some Christmas candy. To offer your guests a variety of tastes, follow the Four ‘S’ Elements: 1) Savory, 2) Salty, 3) Sweet, 4) Sauces & Spreads.
Yes, that’s right, we said sauces & spreads to not only dip and spread on your breads and crackers, but also the meat. In fact, you can even use meat in a dip. Check out this easy recipe for Smoked Beef Brisket Pâté, which requires just four ingredients. Don’t be shy about how many sauces and spreads you present either. Not only will the unexpected flavors add to the board, but the bright colors help to spruce up the look of the board. A mole, chimichurri, spicy ranch, or peri-peri sauce are especially great options for a pop of color. You can find a full list of sauce ideas and recipes here.
Get CASH BACK on your new holiday menu by using this exclusive Ibotta offer from Louis M. Martini.
And use this Ibotta offer to bring down the cost of your essential beef menu items.
For more modern beef recipes visit beefitswhatsfordinner.com
For more info on Louis M. Martini’s renovation and their wines visit louismartini.com