DIY Charcuterie Board

Happy Day, my Friends!!

I hope that this post finds you doing well!

One of my favorite pastimes is woodworking. And not only woodworking but making my own charcuterie board. Because I still struggle with saying the word…lol…I posted a link below for the correct pronunciation.

In the past few years, charcuterie boards have become very popular. With that popularity also comes a price tag. Being a crafter, I just knew that I could make my own board and how easy it was.

Charcuterie Meaning

A little history on charcuterie boards before I share with you one of the easiest projects I have ever done.

Charcuterie is a French word, translated to “pork-butcher shop”. It is what is now known as the art of preparing and arranging cured meats on a board. I think locally, it is also what we would call a cheese board.

But over the years, we have added more things to a charcuterie board, like cheeses, crackers, and fruits. Many even create artworks of dessert charcuterie boards.

My own journey into the charcuterie world was a couple of Christmases back when I put together my first board. I used what we had on hand, which was a large cutting board, and it worked beautifully. But I wanted to make my own board.

Let’s Make a Charcuterie Board

SUPPLIES:

• wood of choice
• handles or leather strap
• old coffee or tea
• vinegar, 0000-grade steel wool, jar
• butcher block oil

The first step will need to be done a day or two in advance. Take a jar and place 1-2 pieces of 0000-grade steel wool in it, which you can find at any hardware store like Home Depot. Cover the steel wool with regular vinegar and let sit at least 24 hours. This will become your food safe stain.

The next step is choosing your wood. I have made several now and some of my wood came from a hardware store, pine and precut round wood, and some from antique stores, a beautiful piece of black walnut.

Having a small woodshop outside, I can cut my wood to the shape that I want. If you don’t have a way to cut your wood, you may choose the round pieces or if you are going to make a rectangle board, most hardware stores will cut the wood for you.

Another option is if you like to go antiquing sometimes you can find a good piece of wood that is the right size. I found my black walnut at a store in West Jefferson NC and did not have to cut it at all, it was perfect!

Continuing the Process

Once you have the wood to your preference, apply a coat of the coffee/tea and let it dry.

Once dry, apply a generous amount of the now-ready stain to the wood. This will give the wood a beautiful and natural look. I like to apply two coats and it dries very quickly.

The last step, before applying the handles or leather straps, will be to apply two coats of the butcher block oil to your wood, per instructions on the bottle.

The final step will be adding the handles or leather straps if you choose to use them. Your charcuterie board is now ready to show off!!

You can really get creative with making your own charcuterie board and they are easy to make. I’ll share below a recent video of working on one.

If you have or plan to make one, please share your photos below with us. We would love to see your handiwork.

Blessings, Amanda!!