How to Make a Seacuterie Board for Your Next Gathering

Throwing a party, but tired of making the same old charcuterie boards and snacks? Want to "wow" your guests with something not only delicious, but wholly unique?

Enter the seacuterie board: your new party staple.

What's a Seacuterie Board?

What's a seacuterie board, you ask? We'll tell you! A seacuterie board is a fresh take on your classic charcuterie board - just with the use of seafood rather than your usual red meats and cheeses.

You may also be thinking - wait, no cheese?! And we understand your concern. But we'll also cover creative ways to incorporate dairy/cheesy items into your seacuterie board, that perfectly pair with your seafood snacks!

And our seacuterie board would, of course, not be complete without the addition of some of the best Texas olive oils in the game!

What Type of Seafood Do I Need?

Most of the seacuterie boards we've seen have been full of lobster, crab legs, and caviar - and to that we say, no thank you! We strove to make a delicious seacuterie board without breaking the bank, and the results were fabulous.

Being in Texas, we also wanted to create a seacuterie board with ingredients you could buy wherever you are - even if that's far from the ocean.

For our seacuterie board we opted for shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon (or lox), and a crab dip to cover our seafood bases. Here are a few other seafood suggestions that won't put you over budget:

• Tinned Fish - These bad boys are very hot right now thanks to TikTok trends. They add a whole new level of sophistication to a meal, plus they have little to no prep time, while remaining completely delicious. Many also come in adorable packaging, which adds a stylist touch to your seacuterie board (and we sell some in our store!).
• Fish Roe - Technically, caviar is fish roe, aka fish eggs. However, caviar is specifically fish eggs from the sturgeon family Acipenseridae. Roe can refer to any fish eggs, some of which are just as delicious, yet not nearly as expensive. We think orange tobiko, or flying fish roe, is a delicious option (you usually have it on sushi) that would make a great addition to your seacuterie board without breaking the bank.
• Canned Tuna - Right now you might think that sounds like a strange choice. Who wants a can of tuna? But you can turn that tuna into a delicious dip (we'll tell you more soon).
• Spicy Garlic Shrimp - Although we opted for shrimp cocktail this time around, a cooked shrimp dish is also a delicious addition to a seacuterie board. We love this spicy garlic shrimp dish! Try serving with some cocktail picks to make eating even easier.
• Fish Jerky - Yes, this is exactly what it sounds like. It's jerky - made from fish! You can get options like salmon and tuna, but often not at your local grocery store. Try Amazon or Thrive Market for options! This jerky adds a unique flavor and texture when compared to your other seafood snacks. And who doesn't like variety?

What Dips Should I Have For My Board?

We genuinely believe a seacuterie board is only as good as it's dips (and Texas extra virgin olive oils). Our usually charcuterie boards are full of gourmet goods like jams and mustards; however with a seacuterie board, we believe dips are far superior (especially when filled with cheesey goodness). Here are some of our favorite dips to incorporate into your board:

• Creamy Crab Dip - This creamy crab dip is our new obsession. Of course fresh crab would be ideal, but this dip is still wonderfully delicious with a store option (we used Chicken of the Sea), or even imitation crab! The key to using grocery grab is incorporating other fresh ingredients, and this dip is right on the money.
• Tuna Melt Dip - Tuna melt sandwiches have us yearning for a nice diner meal. But have you ever considered bringing it back in the form of a dip? It's not only insanely easy to make - but affordable! Just mix some canned tuna with a little delicate EVOO, mayo, lemon juice, and salt and pepper, place in a baking dish, top with shredded cheddar cheese, bake, and presto! You've got yourself a simple and yummy dip.
• Lemon Garlic Olive Oil Dip - We firmly believe that citrus and seafood are a match made in heaven. No seafood dish is quite right without a dash of lime juice or some lemon zest. We think our lemon garlic dip paired with a robust first cold pressed olive oil (like our Texas Miller's Blend) make the ideal dip for shrimp cocktail, crab legs, lobster claws, and the like. Did we mention how good it is with bread too? Honestly, we haven't found something it doesn't go well with! And if you want more lemon-garlicy dips for your seafood, give our Garlic Lover's Aioli a try!
• Creamy Arugula Walnut Pesto - Remember how we said that we would find lots of ways to incorporate cheese into a non-charuterie board? This creamy arugula walnut pesto is a dream come true that it not only insanely delicious, but pairs so well on our seacuterie board. On a cracker with some smoked salmon and tomato? YUM.

What Else Should I Add?

Like a traditional charcuterie board, a seacuterie board needs items besides proteins and spreads to make it fully complete. You can never go wrong with veggies and crackers, but here are some additional items that will put more of the SEA in seacuterie:

Dried Seaweed - We LOVE dried seaweed in general, just to snack on, but it makes a wonderful addition to a seacuterie board. Add a little to your bite of lox and crackers, or crumble some onto a dip, and you've added a whole new level of oceanic to your bite.

Kelp Chips - These chips are a delicious way to add a little more seafood flavor in your bites. Use them in your dips, or pile on some toppings, and you've got yourself a wonderful bite packed with flavor.

Vegan Caviar - Yes, you did read that right. There are numerous companies out there now making "caviar" out of seaweed! It's a great way to add a little extra seafood flavor and texture to your dish, without costing as much as traditional caviar. Plus, it's definitely a conversation piece!

Stuffed Olives - Okay, yes, stuffed olives are a departure from the seafood theme, but it's nice to have some briney, non seafood options to incorporate into your board! We loved some feta cheese stuffed olives to add a little more cheese to the mix, or jalapeno stuffed olives for a nice kick!

Now What?

Now it's time to get shopping, prepping, and partying! We hope you and your guests grow to love seacuterie boards as much as we do! And it's perfect for so many occasions.

A lox, cream cheese, capers, mini bagel touch make it a great option for a brunch party.

Some shrimp cocktail, fish roe, and tinned fish are great for that classy cocktail party you've been meaning to throw for ages!

We can't wait to see your seacuterie creations. If you make one, don't forget to tag us on Instagram!