Meat Gift Sets for the Holidays: How to Choose the Perfect Charcuterie Gift
Some gifts end up in a drawer. A box of good cured meat ends up on the table, shared, talked about and finished. That is why meat gifts have become a go-to for the holidays, especially for the people on your list who are hard to shop for.
Here is how to choose a meat gift set, who it works for, and what to know about ordering and shipping.
Why meat makes a good holiday gift
- It gets used. Cured meat is something people actually enjoy, not one more thing to find a place for.
- It is made to be shared. A charcuterie set turns into a board at a holiday party, a family dinner or an office gathering.
- It is ready to serve. Sliced, fully cured meats go straight from the package to the plate. No cooking, no prep.
- It feels personal. A small-batch product from a family business says more than a gift card.
Who a meat gift set is perfect for
The host
Bringing a charcuterie set to a holiday dinner beats another bottle of wine. The host can open it that evening or save it for the next day.
Dad, and anyone who "doesn't need anything"
Meat lovers are easy to please and hard to shop for. A box of spiced basturma, Balkan-style Suho Meso and beef prosciutto is something they would rarely buy for themselves.
Clients and teams
A food gift works across tastes and is easy to send to several addresses. If you are ordering for a team or for clients, see our wholesale options for larger orders.
A mixed holiday table
Not every guest eats pork. Our sets are pork-free: beef cuts and hickory-smoked turkey, so they work for a wider table.
How to choose the right set
Papa's Charcuterie Board: the easy crowd-pleaser
Papa's Charcuterie Board brings together four of our signature meats, sliced and ready to plate: Beef Prosciutto, Basturma, Suho Meso and Turkey Breast. It goes from the lightest slice (turkey) to the boldest (spiced basturma), so there is something for everyone.
- 1 lb ($49): 4 oz of each meat, serves 6 to 8 as an appetizer.
- 2 lb ($89): 8 oz of each meat, serves 12 to 16.
Holiday Meat Set: the big gift
For the serious meat lover, the Holiday Meat Set ($139) is our most generous box: sliced Basturma, Suho Meso and Beef Prosciutto, plus Beef Sudjuk and hickory-smoked Beef Sticks, with a Papa Did It tote bag included.
A whole cut: for the one who loves to slice
Some people enjoy the ritual of slicing as much as eating. A whole piece of Basturma or Suho Meso (from $33.99 per pound) lets them cut it paper-thin or thick, their way.
What is inside: meet the meats
- Basturma: spice-crusted beef, air-dried and hickory-smoked. The boldest slice in the box.
- Suho Meso: Balkan-style dry-cured beef made with salt, air and time. Clean, pure beef flavor and our best seller.
- Beef Prosciutto: whole-muscle beef, dry-cured, air-aged and finished over hickory. Silky and lightly smoky.
- Turkey Breast: hickory-smoked and lean, the lightest slice on the board.
- Beef Sudjuk: a dry-cured, spiced beef sausage with a firm bite.
Curious how the beef cuts compare? Read Basturma vs. Beef Prosciutto vs. Suho Meso.
Make it a complete gift
A meat set is a great base. If you are handing it over in person, add one or two simple things to round it out:
- An aged cheese and a mild one
- A jar of fig jam or honey and a grainy mustard
- A loaf of dark bread or a box of good crackers
- A bottle of dry red wine or a few dark beers
Ordering and shipping
We ship from New York across the US. Every order is vacuum-sealed and packed in an insulated box with ice packs. Delivery time depends on your location and the carrier, so order early in the season, especially for gifts that need to arrive before a specific date.
Free shipping currently starts at $80 in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, at $120 across the East and Midwest, and at $150 in the West. Check the cart for the threshold in your area.
When the box arrives, keep the meats refrigerated and check the package for storage dates.
FAQ
Are the meats ready to eat?
Yes. Every meat is fully cured or smoked and ready to serve straight from the package.
Are your gift sets pork-free?
Yes. Our boards and sets are made with beef and turkey, with no pork.
Can I send a gift directly to someone else?
Yes. Enter the recipient's address at checkout and we will ship it straight to them.
How many people does a board serve?
As an appetizer, the 1 lb Papa's Charcuterie Board serves 6 to 8 people and the 2 lb board serves 12 to 16.