Smoky BBQ Bourbon Companion (Printable)

A bold spread featuring smoky meats, creamy cheeses, dark chocolate, and bourbon elements for a rich flavor balance.

# 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 (optional, for brushing meats)

→ 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 (see information)
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:

01 - If desired, lightly brush smoked meats with bourbon and gently warm in a skillet or grill for 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with brown sugar bourbon rub immediately before serving.
02 - Distribute smoked brisket, pulled pork, and sausage slices evenly on a large wooden board or serving platter.
03 - Arrange triple cream brie, smoked gouda, and crumbled blue cheese around the meats, allowing space for easy serving.
04 - Scatter dark chocolate pieces and candied pecans among the meats and cheeses to provide texture and flavor contrast.
05 - Add clusters of seedless red grapes and thin apple slices along with small bowls of fig or cherry preserves to the board.
06 - Fill remaining gaps on the platter with toasted baguette slices and rustic crackers for variety.
07 - Decorate the arrangement with fresh rosemary sprigs and optionally add pickled onions or gherkins for brightness. Serve immediately with neat bourbon or a smoky cocktail.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks impossibly elegant but takes just 35 minutes from start to board, making you feel like a culinary genius without the stress
  • The combination of smoky, sweet, rich, and slightly bitter flavors teaches your palate something new with every bite
  • It's the kind of thing that works for an intimate dinner or a crowd, and people genuinely feel celebrated when they sit down to it
02 -
  • Dark chocolate and smoked gouda is a pairing that sounds strange until you taste it, then it becomes essential. The first time someone pairs these together, they understand that rules about savory and sweet are meant to be broken.
  • Warming your meats right before serving changes everything—cold smoked meat is good, but warm smoked meat that releases its aroma is what makes people lean in and pay attention to what they're eating.
03 -
  • Slice your baguette and toast it the morning of, then store it in an airtight container so it stays crisp. This small preparation step means less stress right before guests arrive.
  • Buy your smoked meats from a butcher who smokes them in-house if possible—the depth of flavor is noticeably different and worth the small premium you'll pay.
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