Mexican charcuterie board: not just nacho & taco platters

Hosting a Mexican fiesta? Whether it’s for Cinco de Mayo or Taco Tuesday, you’ll definitely impress your guests with a Mexican charcuterie board.

What is a Mexican charcuterie board?

A Mexican charcuterie board is a food board (although not necessarily a charcuterie board in the strictest definition) that focuses on the theme of Mexico. It’s a creative way to incorporate Mexican cuisine and decor.

What goes on a Mexican charcuterie board?

The most common foods associated with Mexico are tacos, burritos and nachos. When making a taco, burrito or nacho board; don’t just make a bunch and pile it on a board. Otherwise, it can turn into a big sloppy mess.

Instead, make small amounts on separate boards, make them into bite-sized versions…or display them in a deconstructed manner (i.e. separate the ingredients) so your guests can assemble them the way they like.

To make your food board more well-rounded, here are some ideas of other food items that you can include:

sliced/seasoned meats: chorizo, taco meat (ground beef or turkey), grilled chicken
cheeses: cotija cheese, nacho cheese, manchego, panela, queso fresco, etc.
tortillas and chips: flour tortillas, corn tortillas, tortilla chips etc.
vegetables: sliced, lettuce, bell peppers, etc.
nuts: Japanese nuts (used in Tostilocos), cashews, pecans, etc.
dips & salsas: guacamole, nacho cheese dip, salsa fresca, etc.

decor

Besides the food, the decor is a big part of what gives extra life to your food board. It makes the theme more obvious.

colors, patterns and textures

Colors have different meanins in different countries and cultures. Here is a common color palette used in Mexican decor and the meaning of each of the colors in Mexico and Latin America.

red – represents love, passion and the blood of those fighting for Mexican independence (one of the colors of the Mexican flag)
yellow – represents maize, which Mayans believed was the staple food of life
orange – represents enthusiasm and emotion
green – represents hope and growth (one of the colors of the Mexican flag)
blue – represents the cardinal direction South in Aztecan culture and sacrifice in Mayan culture
purple – represents mourning or death (a prominent color for Dia de Los Muertos)
white – stands for purity (one of the colors of the Mexican flag)

Hungry for more charcuterie platters? Find out everything you must know about food boards here!

Kristina Reynolds is the Founder & CEO of Glutto and an alumna of the University of California, San Diego. She writes articles & posts for Glutto Digest with insights from fellow industry experts. Furthermore, she is the author of The Fittest Food Lovers: How EVERY BODY Can be Incredibly Fit and Still Enjoy Food, a collaborative philanthropic book with proceeds going to charities that fight world hunger.