Smoky BBQ Bourbon Platter (Printable View)

A decadent platter with smoky barbecued meats, bourbon accents, creamy cheeses, chocolate, and fresh fruit.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Smoked & Barbecued Meats

01 - 5.3 oz smoked brisket, thinly sliced
02 - 5.3 oz barbecue pulled pork
03 - 3.5 oz smoked sausage, sliced
04 - 1 tbsp bourbon (for brushing meats, optional)

→ Cheeses

05 - 4.2 oz triple cream brie, sliced
06 - 4.2 oz smoked gouda, sliced
07 - 3.5 oz creamy blue cheese, crumbled

→ Accompaniments

08 - 2.1 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa), broken into pieces
09 - 2 tbsp brown sugar bourbon rub
10 - 1.8 oz candied pecans
11 - 1 small bunch seedless red grapes
12 - 1 small apple, thinly sliced
13 - 2 tbsp fig or cherry preserves

→ Breads & Crackers

14 - 1 small baguette, sliced and toasted
15 - 3.5 oz assorted rustic crackers

→ Garnishes

16 - Fresh rosemary sprigs
17 - Pickled onions or gherkins (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Lightly brush smoked meats with bourbon if desired and warm gently in a skillet or grill for 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with brown sugar bourbon rub just before serving.
02 - Place smoked brisket, pulled pork, and smoked sausage slices on a large wooden board or serving platter.
03 - Distribute triple cream brie, smoked gouda, and blue cheese around the meats, spacing them evenly for easy access.
04 - Scatter dark chocolate pieces and candied pecans between the meats and cheeses.
05 - Include clusters of red grapes, apple slices, and small bowls filled with fig or cherry preserves on the board.
06 - Fill remaining gaps with toasted baguette slices and assorted rustic crackers.
07 - Decorate with fresh rosemary sprigs and optionally add pickled onions or gherkins. Serve immediately with neat bourbon or a smoky cocktail.

# Best Practices:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but comes together in under an hour—no one needs to know how easy it actually is
  • The smoky-sweet-salty balance keeps people reaching back for just one more bite, and suddenly the whole board is gone
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble in minutes, making it the perfect excuse to entertain without stress
  • It works for any occasion: a casual Friday night, an impressive date dinner, or feeding a crowd before the big game
02 -
  • Temperature matters more than you'd think—warm meats against cool cheese against crispy crackers creates a textural experience that's completely different from serving everything cold. Don't skip the warming step if you're using bourbon.
  • Arrange everything just before serving. If the board sits assembled for more than 15 minutes, the cheeses can become too soft and the crackers can absorb moisture from the fruit. Timing is everything in charcuterie.
  • The 70% dark chocolate is non-negotiable. Anything lighter tastes like candy next to the savory elements; anything darker becomes bitter. Seventy percent is the golden ratio.
03 -
  • Assemble your board no more than 15 minutes before serving. The longer it sits, the more flavors meld together and lose their individuality—you want guests to taste each element distinctly as they build their perfect bite.
  • Keep a small sharp knife nearby. Not everyone will feel confident reaching for a piece of brie or brisket without it, and having one available makes the whole experience feel more gracious and guest-friendly.
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