Boards Showpiece Boards Monarch Butterfly Charcuterie Board
Showpiece Boards
Monarch Butterfly Charcuterie Board
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A giant monarch landing on the table, its wings perfectly mirrored in orange cheddar, mango and dark bresaola, with black veins you can see from across the room.
- Serves
- 12–15
- Board
- 48 × 30 in
- Prep
- 90 minutes
- Cost
- $100–$130
- Level
- 3 of 5
Get the full plan Shopping list with amounts, placement and timeline.
The book it's in
Build it exactly, with the book
This board is in Charcuterie Lab: Impossible Boards, with 24 more showpiece boards. The book has the full shopping list, the layout, all eight build steps with the trick that makes the shape work, and easy, budget and luxe versions.
Why it works
Getting both wings to match is the hard part of any symmetrical board, and this one solves it with a folded paper template: draw half, cut it, and both sides come out identical.
Lines of black olives and charcoal crackers divide each wing into panels of orange cheddar, apricots, mango, prosciutto, bresaola and chorizo, and mozzarella pearls make the white spots along the edges. A long baguette is the body. It's a striking board for spring parties, showers and garden birthdays.
Timeline
- Day beforeDraw and cut the half-butterfly template, slice the cheeses, and slice the black olives.
- 2 hours beforeLay the template, outline the wings and lay the veins.
- + 2 more stepsThe rest of the timeline and the step-by-step placement are in the full plan.
Questions
How do you make a butterfly charcuterie board?
Use a folded paper template to outline two matching wings in black olive slices, divide them into panels with olive and charcoal-cracker veins, fill the panels with orange cheese, fruit and meats, and add white mozzarella spots. A baguette makes the body.
What makes it look like a monarch?
The colors: bright orange panels divided by black veins, with white mozzarella spots along the edges.
Can I make it ahead?
Cut the template and slice the cheese the day before. Build the wings about 90 minutes before the party. Keep meat, cheese and cut fruit out no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F. For a long party, build half, keep the refill in the fridge and top it up halfway through.
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Want more ideas? Read Themed Charcuterie Board Ideas: 25 Shaped Boards That Make Guests Ask “How?”.