12 Best Dips for the Perfect Charcuterie Board

What Makes a Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie is a French word for cured meats. Historically, this was a process to preserve leftover meats. For today's classic charcuterie board, you will find items such as Genoa Salami, capicola, prosciutto, pates, and so many more. So, grab your favorite cured meats and keep reading for cheeses, dips, and extras that will take your board to the next level.

More Items You Want For Your Board

Aside from the variety of your favorite meats, you need different accompaniments to fill out a large board. We all know that what makes the best charcuterie board is a wide variety of soft cheeses and hard cheese, specialty items like olives, fresh fruit, crackers, and dips. Here you will find several charcuterie board ideas with different dips and spreads to make your next party extra special. 

Most Common Spreads for Your Charcuterie Board

Let's start with the most common spreads:

Mustard- anything from dijon mustard, whole grain, or honey mustard are the perfect spread for cured meats and salty cheese. This your go-to for a classic meat board.

Fig Jam- this is widely available in the deli section usually found near the specialty cheeses. My favorite pairing for this is with prosciutto and brie cheese. It has a mild sweet flavor that also vibes with hard cheese like manchego or cheddar with fruit such as pears or apples.

Cherry Spread- another popular item found near the fig jam. This is great for goat cheese, cream cheese, or a mild cheddar cheese.

Quince- a sweet and tart spread similar to the flavor of a pear, perfect to serve with aged cheeses like manchego or Irish cheddar

Savory Dip For Your Charcuterie Board

These sour cream based dips are good for crudités. Fresh vegetables like sliced bell pepper of any color along with carrots, celery, and cucumber are a great fresh balance to the salty meats and cheeses on a classic charcuterie board.

• French Onion Dip- a great addition if you are serving cut vegetables on your board. I like to make it myself with sour cream and onion dip mix which I always have on hand.
• Ranch Dip- the perfect dip for every party. You can use sour cream and dip mix or combine dried parsley, dill, onion and garlic powder, salt, and pepper for an easy homemade version.
• Garden Herb- especially good on a cheese platter

Vegetable Based Dips

These will bring a different element and turn up the flavor for special occasions. These dips are perfect for small toasts and crackers. They compliment the crunchy texture while adding a depth of flavor to go with your specialty cheeses.

• Hummus- you can find tons of flavor options in your grocery store. To make it extra special, drizzle the top with olive oil and a few pine nuts for a fancy garnish. Make sure to serve with pita chips!
• Olive Tapenade- a combination of kalamata olives and other olive varieties with olive oil and spices, this dip is great for slices of baguette and multigrain crackers. 
• Spinach Artichoke- a hearty dip served hot or at room temperature, this will add great body to your big board
• Tomato Bruschetta- fresh tomatoes are combined with garlic, olive oil, and basil for a bright topping on a toasted baguette
• Guacamole- simple with avocado, lime and salt, this dip will break up the heavy flavors of salty meat and cheese

Specialty Sauces to Turn Soft Cheese into a Dip

You can mix any of the below sauces with cream cheese or goat cheeses to create a spreadable dip. It's a fun way to add extra flavor to a traditional charcuterie board. I like this as an option to explore something with a little more creativity.

• Raspberry Chipotle - great for goat cheese topping
• Pepper Jelly- perfect for cream cheese and buttery crackers

Sweet Dips and Spreads

To balance out all of the salty and meaty food from a traditional meat and cheese board, these are great items to serve in small bowls alongside your bigger appetizer board. Both of these sweet dips can be served on a fresh fruit charcuterie board, cookies, and anything with a sweet profile. 

It's the perfect addition to a great appetizer spread.

• Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
• Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Great Charcuterie Board Supplies

Now that you what tasty food items you want to include on your board, let's make sure you have great serving supplies on hand so you can do this over and over again.

• Large Wood Board
• Small Circular board
• Cheese Knives
• Cheese Labels
• Wine Glass Serving Plates

How to Shop For Good Dips

When you head over to your local grocery store (HEB, Trader Joes, or Costco for example) they will probably have some good dip and spread options in the specialty cheese area. Think about the theme you are going for and build from those flavors. 

How to Incorporate Dips on Your Charcuterie Board

The best way to serve dip on a charcuterie board is with small bowls or dipping cups. I love using small dishes to break up the meats and cheeses on the board. They are also a good way to add a little height. 

When you are laying your board, start with bowls and spreads that can be moved around but can't change their shape. You can rearrange meats and cheeses to fit around dishes. Then, finish the board with your filler items like dried fruits, nuts, crackers, etc.

Let's Put This Altogether For Some Board Ideas 

Traditional Charcuterie Board: choose 3 meat products, 3-4 cheeses, 2-3 fresh veggies or fruit, 2-3 crackers, 1 spread and 1 dip like ranch or French onion. 

Italian Board: Italian cold cuts such as coppa and sopressata along with herbed cheeses, parmesan, and bruschetta

Mediterranean Board: build a board that includes hummus, marinated peppers and olives, feta cheese, and stuffed grape leaves (dolmas)

Cheese Board: pick 4-6 soft and hard cheeses and serve with fig jam, quince, honey comb, assorted crackers and fruits like sliced apples, strawberries and grapes

Red Wine and Dessert Board: focus on dark chocolates, chocolate covered nuts or dried fruit, dipped cookies or pretzels, and a dessert dip