Create the Perfect Charcuterie Board Using the 3-3-3-3 Method
By Chimp & Chilli
There’s something irresistibly inviting about a beautifully arranged charcuterie board — that moment when everyone leans in, not quite knowing where to start.
At Chimp & Chilli, we believe great food doesn’t need to be complicated. With the 3-3-3-3 method, anyone can create a perfectly balanced board that looks stunning, tastes incredible and feels effortlessly curated.
What is the 3-3-3-3 Method?
The idea is simple — balance and variety. A well-rounded board should include:
3 Cheeses
3 Meats
3 Accompaniments
3 Extras
It keeps things easy to remember and ensures your guests experience a mix of flavours, textures and colours. Let’s break it down.
3 Cheeses – A Mix of Texture and Taste
Choose one from each category for contrast:
Hard Cheese – Aged Cheddar, Manchego, or Comté for depth and sharpness.
Soft Cheese – Brie de Meaux, Baron Bigod, or Tunworth for creamy indulgence.
Blue Cheese – Shropshire Blue, Stilton, or Gorgonzola for a punch of savoury tang.
Chimp & Chilli tip: Allow cheese to come to room temperature before serving — it unlocks the flavour and texture beautifully.
3 Meats – A Balance of Savoury and Sweet
Vary your selection with cured, smoked, and spiced options:
Classic Cured – Parma Ham, Prosciutto, or Coppa.
Salami Style – Fennel Salami, Saucisson, or Chorizo.
Smoky or Spicy – Nduja, Bresaola, or Chilli-infused Salami.
Arrange meats in folds or ribbons for a natural, abundant look.
3 Accompaniments – Sweet Meets Savoury
This is where your board comes alive. Think of these as the bridge between cheese and meat:
Chutney or Relish – Caramelised onion chutney or fig jam.
Pickles or Olives – Cornichons, marinated olives, or pickled onions.
Fruit – Grapes, sliced pear, or dried apricots add freshness and colour.
Chimp & Chilli favourites: Try our range of regional chutneys and artisan olives for a bit of a twist.
3 Extras – The Finishing Touch
These little details make your board feel complete:
Crunch – Artisan crackers, breadsticks, or crostini.
Texture – Nuts like almonds or walnuts for a satisfying bite.
Something Sweet – Honeycomb, dark chocolate shards or local raw honey drizzle.
Chimp & Chilli tip: Use a drizzle of honey over blue cheese or a shard of chocolate beside cured meat — the contrast is sensational.
Presentation – The Art of Assembly
Start with your cheeses, then add meats, fill the gaps with accompaniments, and finish with your extras. Use a mix of textures, heights, and colours — rustic but intentional is the goal.
And remember: there’s no single “right” way to do it. A great charcuterie board should feel generous and inviting, not overly polished. It’s all about sharing, conversation and a little indulgence.