Is the Butter Board Trend Worth Trying?

A friend of mine with two young children has a family tradition: every evening, as they gather around the dining table for dinner, they go around the table and tell each other their “highs” and “lows” of the day.

I think this is a fantastic way to teach children many things, including A) we can acknowledge the lows, learn from them, feel the feels we need to, and move on, B) we will find both highs and lows in every day, and C) sharing our highs and lows with those we care about is something we should do regularly.

In this vein, I will share my highs and lows regarding the butterboard.

I’ve been on the fence about this trend since it came out. 

My first thought was, “Wow! That’s beautiful. And unique. And fun looking! Very creative.” 

Then my next thought followed, “Why would anybody want to do that? Ruin perfectly good butter.”

The high side (positives) of butter boards

• Butter boards are cheaper than charcuterie boards

• Artisan cheeses can cost around $15 a wedge. When you fill your board with many cheeses, you can see how the cost can go up quickly. Considering you can buy an 8 oz block of imported butter for the same $15, butter is relatively cheap by comparison. In addition, you need less of it to cover a board. The accompanying foods can also be reduced since they are spread everywhere rather than piled into neat and organized areas.

• Butter boards are tactile and hands-on

• Making a butterboard is the grown-up version of finger painting, and using a butterboard is the socially acceptable version of playing with your food. Creating beautiful swirls and mixing other foods into softened butter is very hands-on…and just fun.

• Butter boards are great for kids and non-dexterous fingers

• There is no right or wrong way to make a board. And eating it doesn’t take much finesse. But what makes a butter board easier for those who lack dexterity is that the food is designed to be dipped and layered together. Smear whatever suits your fancy onto the board, dip your carrier item into it, and enjoy!

• Butterboards are a single-dish solution for entertaining

• On a butterboard, the main idea is to make the board equivalent to a “one pot dinner.” The ingredients are layered in such a way as to extract the most exquisite tastes from the food pairing.

The low side (negatives) of butter boards

• Butter boards are messy

• You can’t get around the fact that, when you eat from a butter board, you are literally smearing food on your plate and then pushing it around - mushing food together to eat it. Flavors are mixed. Textures are compiled. And you’re probably going to be eating with your fingers. 

• Butter boards can be less hygienic 

• No double dipping allowed! However, as we all know, children (and some adults) can lose control when it comes to a good dip. A way to combat this is to elect to make everyone use a spreading knife or spoon if you have a lot going on.

• Separating flavors with a butter board is challenging

• Because the ingredients are layered on each other, one has no choice but to accept a compilation of flavors as one. If you want options for pairings, you will have to offer up a variety of “boards.” In addition, if you are entertaining someone with allergies, you will need to know beforehand because the ingredients will be mixed in with everything—your guest will not be able to simply skip a single ingredient.

• Most butter boards aren’t considered a balanced meal

• Unless you are very creative and on a keto diet, the balance of fats and carbs to protein is a little high on the non-protein side. However, if you use cheese “crackers” or another keto-friendly carrier and make sure all your toppings are protein, you might be able to squeak by.

Overall, butter boards are a fun and unique way to serve food, but they are not for everyone. If you're looking for a quick and easy meal that's also affordable and kid-friendly, a better board might be a good option. But if you're concerned about potential mess, hygiene, or getting a balanced meal, you might want to consider another option.