The Ultimate Seafood Charcuterie Board is an awe-inspiring platter perfect for the holiday season! This 'Seacuterie Board' is a seafood lovers take on a traditional charcuterie board and is sure to be an exceptional centerpiece for your next gathering!
Boards have been all the rage over the past few years because they are simple to make and you can often please many palates. There has been the breakfast board, dessert charcuterie boards and even butter boards (a trend which I chose to not get on). Why not try a Seafood Charcuterie Board to fancy things up for the holidays?!
Charcuterie boards are my go to when I need a something simple to serve to a crowd. If you are looking for other charcuterie board ideas, try this Sweet and Savory Caramel Apple Charcuterie Board. This dessert board is simple to make and everyone loves this sweet and semi-healthy treat! If you are looking for a vegetarian and healthy option, check out this post on How To Build A Simple Veggie Charcuterie Board. I give you all of my tips and tricks to put together a veggie charcuterie platter that is beautiful and full of options!
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Seafood Charcuterie Board Details
Level of Difficulty: Simple! The only cooking that this board requires is steaming shrimp! The rest of the work is arranging food on the large board.
Time: 20 minutes! This includes the time to steam shrimp!
Flavor: This board has a smoky flavor and a savory flavor!
Ingredients
- Smoked Salmon
- Fish Dip: You can make this yourself or purchase at your local market. I prefer a fresh albacore tuna dip from Big Fish Market in Rehoboth! It has a smoky flavor and is one of my go to dips when hosting.
- Raw Shrimp: Deveined with the shell and tail on. You can buy these fresh or frozen. If using frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. I will teach you how to steam shrimp. If you would rather skip steaming the shrimp, you can purchase steamed shrimp cocktail at your local grocery store.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure that the cream cheese is softened or use a whipped version. The cream cheese will go on the salmon. Try using a flavored cream cheese such as Garlic and Herb or Chive and Onion. Delaware locals, Surf Bagel makes the best Garlic and Herb Cream Cheese!
- Capers
- Lemon Wedges
- Cocktail Sauce: This will go with the shrimp. You can purchase pre-made cocktail sauce or make your own by mixing together ketchup and horseradish. I like to make my own so that I can make it extra spicy!
- Fresh Herbs: The herbs will be used to garnish and build a beautiful board! Use fresh sprigs of dill, rosemary sprigs or parsley. Alternatively, use lettuce leaves.
- Red Onion: This will accompany the smoked salmon. Slice the red onion into thin long strips.
- Meat Products (optional): If serving this board as a meal board, add some deli meats such as prosciutto, salami or Italian Capocollo to your board. You can purchase these pre-packaged from most grocery stores or from the deli.
- Cheese Products (optional): Add in some cheese options to make a more robust meal platter! Blue cheese, aged gouda and sharp cheddar are some of my favorite options.
- Fresh Fruit: Fill in any empty space on your board with fresh fruit such as grapes or raspberries.
- Fresh Veggies: Fresh veggies add a pop of color to your board and can provide different textural bases. Use broccoli, pepper slices or cucumbers.
- Crackers or Bread: This will be used for the tuna dip and to eat with salmon.
Instructions
- Start creating your Seafood Charcuterie Board by adding the seafood. I like to add my largest ingredients first. The seafood will be the largest option and main ingredient. Arrange the shrimp on the board. Add the tuna dip to a bowl. Arrange the salmon. Take your seafood board to the next level by creating salmon roses! Check out how here!
- Then, add any fresh herbs that you are going to use as a garnish. Lay these herbs flat so that ingredients can be placed on top.
- Next, add your accompaniments. Add the cream cheese in a small bowl, capers, lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, red onion and crackers or fresh bread. Group the ingredients together as they will be enjoyed. For example, keep the capers, lemon juice and red onion around the salmon. Place the cocktail sauce next to the shrimp. Place the crackers or bread next to the tuna dip.
- If choosing to add meat or cheese to the board, fill in the board. I like to pre-slice cheese to make it easier for guests to enjoy.
- Finally, add in any fresh fruit or fresh veggies where they will fit!
Add main ingredients. In this case, add all seafood components.
Add fresh herbs or lettuce.
Add accompaniments such as bread, crackers, lemon wedges or red onion.
Fill in remainder of tray with cheese, meat, fresh fruit or vegetables!
How to Steam Shrimp
This is the easiest way to steam shrimp and how I steam my shrimp for all of my shrimp platters. Here is what you will need:
- Shrimp: Use fresh or frozen shrimp with the shell and tail on. If using frozen shrimp, dethaw ahead of time.
- Light Beer: I use whatever light beer I have on hand such as a Miller Lite. I have also used Ales. Alternatively, you can use water.
- Old Bay
- Steam basket or steam pot
- Medium pot: The pot should be able to fit the steam basket on top of it.
- Fill bottom of pot with beer or water.
- Place steam basket or steam pot on top of pot. Add shrimp.
- Toss shrimp with Old Bay.
- Place lid on top of steam basket.
- Turn heat to medium high. Once you see steam escaping from lid, turn heat down to low. Let simmer for 7 minutes. Shrimp should be pink and cooked.
- Remove from heat and allow shrimp to cool.
- Serve with cocktail sauce!
Variations
This board is easy to tailor to your guests preferences and the season. The seafood charcuterie board that I highlighted focuses on ingredients that are simple to get and affordable. Here are some other fun ideas:
- Use Snow Crab Legs! Snow crab claws would be perfect to serve at New Years Eve party.
- Use fresh seafood! If you are lucky enough to live by the water, add some freshly caught fish to your seachuterie platter! Ahi tuna is the perfect seafood to serve raw with soy sauce and ginger.
- To make more filling meal boards, simply cook some fresh fish filets such as rockfish or mahi on the stove top. Cut into bite sized pieces and place on the board. Lemon juice is the perfect accompaniment for freshly cooked fish.
Equipment
Making this Seafood Charcuterie Board is so simple and requires minimal equipment to create an exceptional centerpiece. You will need:
- Large Board or Serving Platter
- Several small bowls
- Small knives/spoons
Be sure to also have cocktail napkins and plates to go with your finger foods!
Storage
Seafood is best served that day that it is prepared. I do not recommend storing leftover seafood. Try to eat everything on the platter the day that it is served!
Top tip
Keep platter refrigerated until serving and be mindful of how long seafood sits at room temperature.
FAQ
Shrimp absolutely belong on a charcuterie board especially a Seafood Charcuterie Board! Shrimp are easy to find at your local grocery store. If you cannot buy them fresh, purchase them frozen with the tails and shells on. Shrimp are also a great option for a charcuterie board because you can purchase them already steamed!
You make a Seacuterie Board by adding seafood items such as fresh fish, fish dip, shrimp or crab legs to a large board and adding all of the accompaniments to the platter. A Seacuterie Board is similar to a cheese board except you are using seafood!
Crackers, fresh bread, lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, capers and red onion all go on a seafood platter! You can also add some cheese, meats, fresh fruit and/or veggies to a seafood platter for guests who do not eat fish.
Related
Looking for other simple meal boards or appetizers? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite drinks to serve for simple entertaining:
📖 Recipe
The Ultimate Seafood Charcuterie Board
Equipment
- Large platter or serving tray
- Small Bowls
- Small spoons and knives
Ingredients
- Smoked Salmon
- Shrimp Raw or Steamed
- Fish Dip
- Cream Cheese
- Lemon Wedges
- Capers
- Crackers or Fresh Bread
- Cocktail Sauce
- Fresh Fruit or Vegetables
- Deli Meats
- Cheese
Instructions
- Begin by adding the main seafood ingredients to the platter. Section the seafood options into different areas of the platter.
- Add any fresh herbs or lettuce as garnishes.
- Add all accompaniments to the board placing them near the seafood they will be enjoyed with (i.e. capers, lemon wedges, crackers and cream cheese with salmon. Cocktail sauce with the shrimp. Crackers with the fish dip).
- If serving, add in deli meats, cheese, fruit or veggies.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve!
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