Charcuterie boards have become increasingly popular appetizers. Charcuterie refers to cured meats, which often include salami, prosciutto, and chorizo. For those with dietary restrictions like gluten intolerance or celiac disease, enjoying charcuterie can be tricky since many cured meats contain gluten. This article will explore what charcuterie meats are naturally gluten-free, and provide recommendations for gluten-free charcuterie board options.
What is Charcuterie?
Charcuterie refers to any type of cured meat. The term comes from the French word “charcuitier” which means a person who prepares pork products like sausage, terrines, galantines, pates, and confit.
Traditional charcuterie meats undergo a curing, salting, and smoking process to preserve the meat and develop flavor. Common charcuterie meats include:
– Salami
– Prosciutto
– Chorizo
– Saucisson
– Smoked ham
– Mortadella
– Duck prosciutto
– Coppa
– Bresaola
Charcuterie boards serve as the perfect appetizer. They allow guests to enjoy a variety of cured meat flavors and textures. In addition to the cured meats, charcuterie boards also contain accompaniments like cheese, fruit, nuts, jams, and crackers.
Does Charcuterie Contain Gluten?
Many traditional charcuterie meats contain gluten. During processing, wheat flour, barley, rye, or other gluten-containing grains often get added as binders and fillers. For example, a classic salami contains the following ingredients:
– Pork
– Pork fat
– Salt
– Spices
– Sugar
– **Wheat flour** (source of gluten)
– Starter culture
– Sodium nitrate
Unless the charcuterie meat is labeled as gluten-free, it likely contains gluten. Individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity must avoid consuming gluten to prevent adverse health effects like abdominal pain, bloating, and fatigue.
Thankfully, several naturally gluten-free charcuterie options exist. Choosing gluten-free cured meats enables those with dietary restrictions to enjoy charcuterie boards.
Naturally Gluten-Free Charcuterie Meats
The following charcuterie options do not contain any gluten in their natural form:
Prosciutto
Prosciutto refers to dry-cured ham that originated in Italy. To make prosciutto, pork leg gets seasoned, salted, air-dried, and aged for months or years. This lengthy process concentrates the pork flavor and produces a silky texture. Imported prosciuttos like Prosciutto di Parma bear a Protected Designation of Origin seal certifying their authenticity. Domestic prosciuttos follow similar traditional curing methods.
Since prosciutto only contains pork, salt, and sometimes spices, it is naturally gluten-free. When shopping for gluten-free prosciutto, check the ingredients to confirm no wheat, barley, rye or gluten-containing grains were added.
Jamon Serrano
Jamon serrano comes from Spain and means “mountain ham.” Like prosciutto, jamon serrano is dry-cured ham made solely from pork legs, sea salt, and air. Traditional jamon serrano matures for at least 12 months to develop its signature sweet, nutty, and savory flavor. This Spanish ham offers a gluten-free charcuterie option.
Speck
Speck is a smoked prosciutto from Italy. Pork legs get cured with salt, spices, and juniper berries before cold smoking. The smoking process gives speck a deeper, richer flavor compared to regular prosciutto. Since speck only contains pork, salt, and spices, it is naturally gluten-free.
Bresaola
Bresaola is air-dried, salted beef originating from Italy. Lean beef eye rounds undergo a dry-curing process with salt, pepper, juniper berries, and wine. Bresaola offers a lighter, more tender texture compared to traditional charcuterie meats. And since bresaola contains beef and seasonings, it provides a gluten-free choice.
Duck Prosciutto
Duck prosciutto comes from cured duck breast. Similar to pork prosciutto, duck legs undergo a salt-curing process before air-drying. Duck prosciutto has a rich, velvety texture. The intense duck flavor balances nicely with other charcuterie board components. Because duck prosciutto only contains duck and salt, it is gluten-free.
Lomo
Lomo, also called lomo embuchado, is a Spanish cured pork loin. Pork loins get seasoned with garlic and paprika before curing in sea salt and drying. The spice rub gives lomo a signature garlic and paprika flavor. Lomo is naturally gluten-free since it only contains pork, sea salt, and spices.
Pancetta
Pancetta is an Italian cured pork belly similar to bacon. Pork bellies get rubbed with salt, black pepper, and spices before curing and drying. Pancetta has a rich, meaty texture that adds great flavor to charcuterie boards. Look for gluten-free pancetta without added wheat flour or grains.
Coppa
Coppa comes from the pork shoulder / neck area. After curing with wine, salt, and spices, coppa gets stuffed into a pork casing and aged for 6 months or longer. The seasoning and aging give coppa a deep, complex flavor. Naturally gluten-free, coppa makes an excellent addition to a charcuterie platter.
| Charcuterie Meat | Main Ingredients | Naturally Gluten-Free? |
|---|---|---|
| Prosciutto | Pork, salt | Yes |
| Jamon Serrano | Pork, salt | Yes |
| Speck | Pork, salt, spices | Yes |
| Bresaola | Beef, salt, spices | Yes |
| Duck Prosciutto | Duck, salt | Yes |
| Lomo | Pork, paprika, garlic | Yes |
| Pancetta | Pork belly, salt, pepper | Yes |
| Coppa | Pork, wine, salt, spices | Yes |
Tips for Building Gluten-Free Charcuterie Boards
When designing a gluten-free charcuterie board, follow these tips:
Select Naturally Gluten-Free Cured Meats
Focus on cured meats like prosciutto, jamon serrano, speck, bresaola, duck prosciutto, lomo, pancetta, and coppa. Always double check the ingredients list and look for a gluten-free label.
Accompany with Gluten-Free Crackers
Instead of regular wheat crackers, look for gluten-free options made with almond flour, rice flour, or legume flours. Rice crackers and nut thins also pair nicely with charcuterie.
Include Gluten-Free Breads
Include sliced gluten-free bread for making mini charcuterie sandwiches. Look for gluten-free baguettes, ciabatta, and flatbreads.
Choose Naturally Gluten-Free Cheese
Most cheeses are naturally gluten-free, including cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, feta, and Parmesan. Just confirm no gluten-containing ingredients got added, like wheat starch.
Serve with Gluten-Free Fruits and Vegetables
Fill out the charcuterie board with fresh fruits like grapes and figs. Marinated vegetables like artichoke hearts, olives, and pickled onions also pair nicely.
Include Condiments
Mustard, jam, tapenades, and hummus make great gluten-free condiments for charcuterie boards.
Avoid Gluten-Containing Grains
Don’t add crostini, pretzels, or wheat crackers, which are sources of gluten.
By following these tips, you can design beautiful gluten-free charcuterie boards for guests to enjoy. The cured meats, cheeses, fruits and gluten-free accompaniments create the perfect appetizer spread.
Gluten-Free Charcuterie Brands
Several brands now offer pre-packaged gluten-free charcuterie for convenience:
Columbus
Based in California, Columbus makes craft charcuterie featuring salami, speck, coppa, and more. Their products are naturally gluten-free and contain premium meats and spices.
Creminelli
Utah-based Creminelli offers award-winning gluten-free charcuterie, including prosciuttos, salami, and sausages. Their meats contain no wheat, fillers, artificial ingredients, or added nitrates.
Olli
This California charcuterie company makes gluten-free wraps and prosciutto crisps for charcuterie boards. Their products are humanely raised and avoid antibiotics or preservatives.
Vermont Smoke & Cure
With an extensive line of naturally gluten-free smoked meats like prosciutto, salami, and bacon, Vermont Smoke & Cure offers high-quality charcuterie.
Tieton Cider Works
In addition to producing gluten-free ciders, Tieton Cider Works in Washington makes charcuterie featuring chorizo, salami, and smoked coppa. Their ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
These brands offer convenient pre-packaged charcuterie options to save time creating your own gluten-free charcuterie board.
Sample Gluten-Free Charcuterie Board
This sample charcuterie board provides inspiration for designing your own gluten-free spread:
Gluten-Free Cured Meats:
– Prosciutto
– Spanish chorizo
– Speck
– Coppa
– Duck prosciutto
Cheeses:
– Parmesan
– Goat cheese
– Sharp cheddar
– Manchego
Fruits and Vegetables:
– Dried apricots
– Fresh figs
– Castelvetrano olives
– Cornichons
– Cherry tomatoes
– Artichoke hearts
Bread and Crackers:
– Gluten-free baguette slices
– Rice crackers
– Quinoa crisps
Condiments:
– Fig jam
– Garlic hummus
– Brown mustard
Feel free to customize your own charcuterie board by mixing and matching your favorite gluten-free ingredients. The savory meats, creamy cheeses, sweet fruits, crispy breads, and zesty condiments combine for a mouthwatering appetizer.
Conclusion
A charcuterie board offers the perfect appetizer for gatherings and parties. Thankfully, individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can also partake by choosing naturally gluten-free cured meats. Opt for meats like prosciutto, speck, bresaola, and coppa which only contain pork or beef, salt, and spices. Accompany the meats with gluten-free crackers, cheese, fruits, vegetables, and condiments. Pre-packaged gluten-free charcuterie options are also available from brands like Columbus, Creminelli, and Vermont Smoke & Cure. With proper planning and the right ingredients, you can design beautiful gluten-free charcuterie boards for all your guests to enjoy.
