How to create an impressive charcuterie board without busting your budget

The rising cost of living is threatening to take grazing platters off the table with meat, cheese and cracker prices all jumping, but some simple swaps can create a top-notch charcuterie board.

Charcuterie boards and grazing platters have become the latest victim of inflation, with some meats, cheeses and crackers as much as 25 per cent more expensive than a year ago.

It’s bad timing for many Aussies, who have fallen in love with charcuterie boards – particularly since the pandemic encouraged more at-home socialising.

For the unacquainted, charcuterie (pronounced “shahr-ku-tuh-ree”) is traditionally the art of preparing and assembling cured meats and meat products, but it has since evolved to also include foods such as cheeses, artisan bread, olives, fruit and nuts.

In the year to June, the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the average price of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased 5.9 per cent – well ahead of the 2.4 per cent increase in the year to June 2019, before the pandemic.

Analysis by grocery app Frugl reveals many charcuterie board items have experienced even higher price jumps.

This includes South Cape brie 200g, with an average price 16.9 per cent higher in July than a year earlier, Spring Gully gherkins 550g up 17.1 per cent, Don Danish salami 200g up 5.9 per cent and Arnotts’s Jatz crackers 225g up 7.8 per cent.

The price of many charcuterie board items have jumped sharply in 2022.

Frugl chief executive Sean Smith says a lot of suppliers have been absorbing rising costs for the past few years but are now in a position where they have to pass these on to consumers.

“Extreme weather events like excessive flooding have really impacted fresh produce seasons in Australia, but on top of that increasing transport and fuel costs have really impacted the

prices of perishable food like salami, brie and gherkins,” he says.

“We would hate to see charcuterie boards disappear but inflation is encouraging Australians

to get more creative with their grazing platters.

“Swapping out the traditional brie with a flavoured cream cheese or replacing raspberries for in-season fruit like pears are great ways to still have your favourite social snack.

“Specials are a great way to save a few dollars so check the Frugl app or look for in-store promotions to fill your charcuterie board with different products at a lower price.”

Frugl Grocery chief executive and managing director Sean Smith. Picture: Supplied

Charcuterie boards and grazing platters have had a resurgence in popularity, with Coles supermarkets noting a 20 per cent growth in demand for specialty cheeses every year for the past three years.

“We experienced a spike demand for specialty cheeses during the pandemic when customers were spending more time at home and becoming more adventurous with their grazing boards, choosing trending flavours like truffle and fruit mix,” a Coles spokeswoman says.

“Today, goat and buffalo cheese have higher demand than traditional cows cheese.

“Cooking cheeses have also increased in popularity due to Covid lockdowns (and online trends) such as the baked fetta trend on TikTok.”

Supplied Careers Charcuterie board. Picture: Supplied

ITEMS ON OUR BOARD

South Cape brie 200g: $7 average in July (up 16.9% year on year)

Don Danish salami 200g: $8.50 (up 5.9%)

Always Fresh pitted Kalamata olives 220g: $5.73 (up 6.1%)

Spring Gully gherkins 550g: $4.80 (up 17.1%)

Arnotts’s Jatz crackers 225g: $3.45 (up 7.8%)

Simply Wize Grissini bread sticks 100g: $5 (up 25%)

Driscoll’s fresh raspberries 125g: $6.53 (up 11.6%)

Passionfruit: $1.67 (up 9.9%)

Source: Frugl

TIPS FOR SAVING

1. Purchase foods with a longer shelf life, such as biscuits, nuts and dried fruit, and stockpile the pantry so costs are spread across multiple platters.

2. Shop for perishable items about 5pm on the day you’re planning a platter – they may be marked down by as much as 50 per cent.

3. Use the Frugl app to track what is on special at different supermarkets, and be open to shopping across supermarkets.

4. Try new charcuterie treats. For example, swap biscuits or fruit for carrot sticks, or try a home brand biscuit rather than a brand name, or pick a less expensive cheese. As long as you have the staple spreadables, a biscuit, fresh element, hero cheese and one indulgent treat, your board will still be delicious.

5. Choose fresh products in season.

6. Share the cost with friends and divvy up the board essentials.

Source: Frugl chief executive Sean Smith

Originally published as How to create an impressive charcuterie board without busting your budget