Grilled Bites Charcuterie Board

Transform your summer gatherings and casual Friday nights into unforgettable culinary experiences with a magnificent Grilled Charcuterie Board featuring savory mini skewers. This innovative approach takes the classic charcuterie concept to the next level, infusing it with irresistible smoky flavors from the grill. Imagine succulent mini skewers of seasoned meats and vibrant vegetables, complemented by creamy, melty brie, perfectly toasted baguette slices, tangy pickled vegetables, and an array of delightful dipping sauces. It’s a feast for the eyes and the palate, designed for effortless entertaining and guaranteed to be the centerpiece of any party or a cozy family dinner.

The beauty of this grilled charcuterie board lies in its versatility and ease of preparation. Whether you’re hosting a grand backyard barbecue or enjoying an intimate evening at home, you can customize the number and variety of mini skewers to perfectly suit your guest list. These bite-sized delights are not only perfect as elegant appetizers for a large crowd but also substantial enough to form a complete and satisfying meal for a smaller family gathering. Get ready to impress with a spread that combines gourmet appeal with the relaxed charm of outdoor grilling.

Grilled mini skewers, melted brie, and various sauces on a beautifully arranged charcuterie board

This culinary adventure is proudly brought to you in collaboration with our friends at Dresden & Company! Their exceptional range of spices, glazes, and pottery truly elevates the experience of crafting and presenting such a delightful spread. Their products are instrumental in achieving the vibrant flavors and stunning presentation you see here.

The Art of Grilled Charcuterie: A Summer Entertaining Essential

When the warmer months arrive, my thoughts invariably turn to two of life’s greatest pleasures: entertaining loved ones and the irresistible aroma of food sizzling on the grill. This grilled charcuterie board masterfully unites both passions, offering a sophisticated yet accessible way to host. Unlike traditional charcuterie boards that often focus on cured meats and cheeses, this rendition introduces a dynamic grilled element that adds depth, warmth, and a wonderful char to every bite. While a couple of standard-sized skewers can easily constitute a full meal, the beauty of mini skewers lies in their perfect portioning for appetizers, allowing guests to sample a variety of flavors without feeling overwhelmed.

One of the standout advantages of this grilled charcuterie concept is the convenience it offers. The various skewers can be prepped well in advance, minimizing last-minute stress. All that’s left is to fire up the grill just before your guests arrive, ensuring everything is served fresh and hot. Enlisting the help of a friend or family member to assemble the mini skewers makes the process even quicker and more enjoyable, transforming meal prep into a shared activity. You’ll be amazed at how effortlessly this impressive board comes together, leaving you more time to relax and enjoy the company of your guests.

Crafting Flavorful Mini Skewers: Meats and Veggies

For the chicken skewers, we’re creating a luscious marinade with honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, and olive oil, perfectly seasoned with Dresden & Company’s Honey Pepper Spice Mix. This blend infuses the chicken with a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and a hint of peppery warmth, ensuring each cube is packed with flavor and incredibly tender after grilling. For the vibrant vegetable skewers, including bell peppers and zucchini, as well as the sweet cherry tomato skewers, a simple yet potent mix of olive oil and Dresden & Company’s Herbed Spice Mix works wonders. This herbaceous blend highlights the natural sweetness and earthy notes of the produce, creating brightly flavored and beautifully charred bites.

No charcuterie board, grilled or otherwise, is complete without a decadent cheese offering. For this board, we’re taking a wedge of creamy brie and elevating it to new heights. Brushed with Dresden & Company’s exquisite Cherry Apple Rosemary Glaze, then lovingly wrapped in foil, the brie is placed on the grill until it reaches a perfectly melty, gooey consistency. The glaze imparts a subtle fruity and aromatic sweetness that beautifully complements the rich, buttery cheese. The result is an incredibly flavorful, warm brie that’s ideal for spreading generously onto slices of crisp, toasted grilled baguette.

The Perfect Accompaniments: Sauces and Pickles

Beyond the star skewers and the luscious brie, the right accompaniments complete the charcuterie experience. I’ve carefully selected a range of dips and pickled delights to enhance every bite. A bowl of giardiniera, with its vibrant mix of Italian pickled vegetables, offers a tangy, piquant counterpoint that perfectly cuts through the richness of the grilled meats. For dipping the honey-pepper chicken skewers, a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce is an absolute must. Its familiar flavors provide a comforting and delicious option that everyone loves. Basil pesto, with its fresh, herbaceous notes, is fantastic for drizzling over the grilled vegetable skewers, adding an instant burst of garden-fresh flavor. And for the robust bratwurst skewers, a hearty whole-grain mustard provides that classic, slightly sharp, and perfectly textured pairing. Feel free to explore other additions like fresh fruits, crunchy nuts, olives, or even a different variety of artisan crackers to further personalize your board.

Follow these simple, step-by-step instructions to effortlessly assemble this spectacular Grilled Charcuterie Board, setting the stage for your next memorable summer dinner party or festive gathering. The careful orchestration of flavors and textures ensures a harmonious and incredibly satisfying spread.

Collage showing steps for preparing mini skewers and grilled charcuterie ingredients

Crafting Your Grilled Charcuterie Board: A Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Prepare Skewers for Grilling: Begin by soaking approximately 50 small (6-inch) wooden skewers in water for a minimum of 30 minutes. This essential step prevents them from charring or catching fire on the grill, ensuring your food cooks evenly.
  2. Marinate the Honey Pepper Chicken: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 2 teaspoons of Dresden & Company Honey Pepper Spice Mix. Measure out ¼ cup of this flavorful marinade and set it aside; this will be used later for basting. Transfer the remaining marinade to a large plastic bag along with one pound of cubed chicken breasts. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the chicken to absorb all the delicious flavors.
  3. Season the Herbed Veggie Skewers: In a spacious bowl, combine 1 cup of large diced bell peppers, 1 pound of ½-inch sliced zucchini, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 2 teaspoons of Dresden & Company Herbed Spice Mix. Toss gently to ensure all vegetables are evenly coated.
  4. Season the Herbed Tomato Skewers: In a separate large bowl, combine 2 cups of fresh cherry tomatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and ½ teaspoon of Dresden & Company Herbed Spice Mix. Gently toss to coat the tomatoes.
  5. Prepare the Bratwurst Skewer Ingredients: Slice ½ pound of bratwurst sausages into approximately 1-inch pieces. Cut 1 cup of red onion into large, grill-friendly pieces.
  6. Assemble the Mini Skewers: Once the wooden skewers have sufficiently soaked, begin assembling your variety of mini skewers:
    • Chicken Skewers: Thread 3-4 pieces of marinated chicken onto about 15 skewers.
    • Bratwurst & Onion Skewers: Alternate sliced bratwurst and red onion pieces, with about 2 pieces of bratwurst and 3 pieces of onion per skewer, for 6-9 skewers.
    • Herbed Veggie Skewers: Thread 2 slices of zucchini and 4 pieces of bell peppers onto 15 skewers.
    • Herbed Tomato Skewers: Place 3 cherry tomatoes onto 10-12 skewers.

    Arrange the assembled skewers on plates, ready for grilling.

  7. Raw mini skewers of marinated chicken, sliced bratwurst with red onion, zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes on two serving plates

  8. Prepare the Cherry Apple Rosemary Glazed Brie: Place an 8 oz round or wedge of brie cheese in the center of a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Liberally brush the brie with 1 tablespoon of Dresden & Company Cherry Apple Rosemary Glaze. Carefully wrap the foil tightly around the brie, ensuring no cheese can escape during grilling.
  9. Slice the Baguette: Slice one fresh baguette into approximately ½-inch thick rounds. These will be grilled to a perfect toastiness, ideal for scooping up the melty brie or enjoying with the skewers.
  10. Grill Everything to Perfection: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
    • Start by placing the more robust veggie and bratwurst skewers on the grill first.
    • Follow shortly after with the more delicate tomato and chicken skewers.
    • Position the foil-wrapped brie on the top rack of the grill, where it can gently melt without direct exposure to high heat.
    • Brush the reserved ¼ cup of chicken marinade over the chicken skewers as they cook to enhance their flavor and keep them moist.
    • Finally, add the baguette slices to the grill.

    Follow this grilling timetable for each item:

    • Baguette slices: 1-2 minutes per side, until lightly golden and crisp.
    • Brie (in foil): 5-7 minutes, until soft and gooey.
    • Chicken skewers: 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through with nice char marks.
    • Tomato skewers: 3-4 minutes per side, until lightly blistered.
    • Bratwurst skewers: 7-8 minutes per side, ensuring they are cooked through and browned.
    • Veggie skewers: 7-8 minutes per side, until tender-crisp with appealing grill marks.

    As each item finishes cooking, remove it from the grill. For the skewers, you can loosely cover them with a large piece of foil to keep them warm while you finish grilling the remaining items.

  11. Assemble Your Stunning Charcuterie Board: Artfully arrange all the grilled mini skewers around a large charcuterie board. Place the grilled baguette slices strategically around the board. Unwrap the warm, melty brie from its foil and position it prominently in the center or on a dedicated spot. Complement your board with small bowls of your chosen accompaniments, such as basil pesto, BBQ sauce, and whole grain mustard for dipping. I also added an extra bowl of Dresden & Company Cherry Apple Rosemary Glaze on the side—it’s simply divine drizzled over the warm brie! A bowl of giardiniera adds a bright, pickled element to cleanse the palate. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful array of flavors!

Overhead view of a vibrant grilled charcuterie board with various mini skewers, melted brie, sauces, and pickled vegetables

For an impeccable presentation, I used Dresden & Company’s Charcuterie Platter to arrange the mini skewers, sauces, grilled baguette slices, and giardiniera. The grilled brie, along with additional baguette slices and a ramekin of Cherry Apple Rosemary Glaze, was elegantly displayed on Dresden & Company’s Charcuterie Plate. Their craftsmanship truly makes the food shine.

To ensure a seamless outdoor dining experience, the Dresden & Company Hometown Helper Basket is an ideal companion. Fill it with napkins, forks, and other utensils, making it a stylish and practical addition to your backyard picnic spread.

Also showcased throughout this post are Dresden & Company’s Coupe Plates and Bowls. These pieces are not only perfect for prepping the various ingredients for this charcuterie board but also serve beautifully for everyday use. Their pottery is proudly made in America and boasts a heavy-duty, vitrified construction. This means their pieces are incredibly strong, designed to withstand the rigors of daily use, and completely safe for microwave, dishwasher, and oven use.

Melted grilled brie with cherry apple rosemary glaze in foil, served alongside toasted baguette slices

Grilled mini skewers with a side of basil pesto and toasted bread on a rustic plate

Close-up of golden brown grilled baguette slices in a decorative bowl

A beautifully presented grilled charcuterie board with mini skewers, baguette, sauces, and a basket of napkins for a summer gathering

Elevate Your Board: Additional Skewer Ideas

While our current selection of mini skewers is fantastic, the beauty of a grilled charcuterie board is its endless customizability. Feel free to expand your repertoire and impress your guests even further by incorporating these equally delicious skewer recipes, easily adapted into their mini versions. Each offers a unique flavor profile that will beautifully complement the existing lineup:

  1. Chipotle Lime Chicken Fajita Skewers
  2. Chimichurri Shrimp Skewers
  3. Tomato Basil Chicken Skewers
  4. Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
  5. Rosemary Sage Pork Skewers

Grilled Charcuterie Board with Mini Skewers: The Full Recipe

Overhead image of grilled skewers on charcuterie platter

Grilled Charcuterie Board with Mini Skewers

A traditional charcuterie board is given a smokey twist in this Grilled Charcuterie board recipe, filled with delicious mini skewers of meats and veggies!

Servings: 50 skewers

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Author: Whitney Bond

Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack

Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Honey Pepper Chicken Skewers

  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp Dresden & Company Honey Pepper Spice Mix
  • 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into cubes

Herbed Veggie Skewers

  • 1 cup bell pepper, large dice
  • 1 lb zucchini, ½ inch slices
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp Dresden & Company Herbed Spice Mix

Herbed Tomato Skewers

  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp Dresden & Company Herbed Spice Mix

Sausage Skewers

  • ½ lb bratwurst sausages, sliced into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 cup red onion, large dice

Cherry Apple Rosemary Glazed Brie

  • 8 oz brie cheese, wedge or round
  • 1 tbsp Dresden & Company Cherry Apple Rosemary Glaze

Accompaniments

  • 1 baguette, sliced into ½ inch slices
  • ¼ cup basil pesto
  • ¼ cup BBQ sauce
  • ¼ cup whole grain mustard
  • 1 cup giardiniera, pickled veggies

Instructions

  1. Soak 50 small (approximately 6 inch) skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
  2. Combine honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 2 teaspoons Honey Pepper Spice Mix in a small bowl for the chicken marinade.
  3. Measure out ¼ cup of this marinade and set aside for basting the chicken skewers later.
  4. Add the cubed chicken and the remaining marinade to a large plastic bag, seal, and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  5. In a large bowl, combine bell pepper, zucchini, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 2 teaspoons Herbed Spice Mix for the veggie skewers, tossing to coat.
  6. In a separate large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and ½ teaspoon Herbed Spice Mix for the tomato skewers, tossing gently.
  7. Assemble the chicken skewers by threading 3-4 pieces of chicken onto 15 skewers.
  8. Assemble the bratwurst skewers by alternating 2 pieces of bratwurst and 3 pieces of red onion onto 6-9 skewers.
  9. Assemble the veggie skewers by threading 2 slices of zucchini and 4 pieces of bell peppers onto 15 skewers.
  10. Assemble the tomato skewers by placing 3 cherry tomatoes onto 10-12 skewers.
  11. Place an 8 oz round or wedge of brie in the middle of a large piece of aluminum foil.
  12. Brush the brie with 1 tablespoon of Cherry Apple Rosemary Glaze, then wrap the foil tightly around the brie.
  13. Preheat your grill over medium-high heat.
  14. Begin grilling by placing the veggie and bratwurst skewers on the grill first, followed by the tomato and chicken skewers.
  15. Brush the reserved ¼ cup chicken marinade over the chicken skewers as they cook.
  16. Grill the chicken and tomato skewers for 3-4 minutes per side. Grill the bratwurst and veggie skewers for 7-8 minutes per side.
  17. Place the foil-wrapped brie on the upper rack of the grill for 5-7 minutes, allowing it to melt gently.
  18. Add the baguette slices to the grill, grilling for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly toasted.
  19. Remove all grilled items from the grill. Arrange the mini skewers on a charcuterie board with small bowls of basil pesto, BBQ sauce, and whole grain mustard for dipping.
  20. Serve a bowl of giardiniera on the side or directly on the platter to complement the grilled elements.

Notes

  • The assembled skewers can be prepared up to 4 hours in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator before grilling.
  • To create a gluten-free grilled charcuterie board, omit the grilled baguette and substitute the soy sauce in the chicken marinade with tamari.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 96kcal (5%)
Carbohydrates 8g (3%)
Protein 5g (10%)
Fat 6g (9%)
Saturated Fat 2g (10%)
Cholesterol 14mg (5%)
Sodium 303mg (13%)
Potassium 116mg (3%)
Fiber 1g (4%)
Sugar 2g (2%)
Vitamin A 198mg (4%)
Vitamin C 8mg (10%)
Calcium 20mg (2%)
Iron 1mg (6%)
Did you make this recipe?Tag @WhitneyBond on Instagram and hashtag it #WBRecipes!