How To Perfect A Cheese Board -- Ideas For Any Occasion

The Anatomy Of The Perfect Cheeseboard For Your Next Soiree

By Esther Lombardi

A cheeseboard is one of my favorite parts of most holidays and special get-togethers. With its delectable combination of high-quality meats, cheeses, and accouterments, it really is a memorable experience.

You could add anything you want, but here are some ideas for what to include on your perfect cheeseboard.

3 Meats

For a cheeseboard, I use a combination of meats that we all know and love. I often include prosciutto, hard salami, saucisson, and dry salami. Try to avoid deli meats, since specialty meats will offer better quality and overall flavor.

3 Cheeses

The options for show-stopping cheeses you’ll love are infinite, ranging anywhere from cow and sheep to goat cheeses. Some favorite classic cheeses include white cheddar, brie cheese round, and stilton. While you probably have your own favorites, consider including sharp cheddar, with brie that’s rich and creamy. For soft cheese, consider Camembert or feta. For semi-soft cheese, consider burrata, Havarti, and mozzarella. For firm cheese, try Asiago, Gruyere, and Manchego. For aged cheese, try sharp cheddar, white cheddar, and Gouda.

3 Starches

I’m a big fan of crackers and bread. I love to include a variety of crackers that are crunchy and salty, with pretzel chips, flatbread crackers, and wheat crackers. For bread, I include pita, baguette, and even hard breadsticks.

3 Accompaniments

Cheeseboards are wonderful because of the flavors I’m able to combine in one place. While the main focus is on meat and cheese, sweet and salty treats will add to the experience. I like to add one type of fruit, one type of nuts, and one sweet snack.

So, I can add grapes, pears, and apples, combined with almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts, or other favorite nuts. Then, add some dried apricots, chocolate-covered almonds, or other snacks to create the ultimate sweet and savory experience. You can even add veggie sticks, olives, biscotti, or even granola bits to mix it up a little bit.

Tips For How To Make A Cheeseboard

A cheeseboard can be whatever you want it to be, but remember that it’s not just about you. You’re probably creating your cheeseboard for a party, get-together, or event. So, consider including a variety of options, so every one of your guests have something to enjoy. Here are a few additional tips:

Start with the cheese to make it the focal point of your cheeseboard.
Make sure that you don’t serve cheese straight from the fridge. Let it warm up to ensure you get the most flavor. Unwrap it when you’re ready to serve your cheeseboard.
Add small bowls of mixed nuts next.
Building off the base, add varieties of meat to your cheeseboard.
Add your starches next, starting with the larger pieces and bread and then adding smaller items like crackers.
Place fruit on your cheeseboard to add that sweet flavor. Use seasonal fruits when possible.
Include utensils like cheese knives.
Add sprigs of thyme and rosemary as garnishes.

Of course, you really don’t have to wait for that party or event to enjoy a cheeseboard. When you have all the fixings, you can quickly put together a cheeseboard yourself and have your very own celebration. Or just relax with some choice sweet and salty delectables with family or a few friends.

Here are some products to make crafting your perfect cheeseboard easy as pie.

Wisteria Gold Cheeseboard with Knife – $225

Calla Lily Midnight Amethyst Small Cheeseboard with Knife – $750

Almonds

Great Almonds originate from a family-owned and operated farm. The farm is located in one of the most scenic California valleys, with sustainable processes to help reduce water consumption and carbon footprint.

SHOP ON ETSY – $13.99+

Dads ULTIMATE Wisconsin Cheese and Sausage Gift

Includes:

Bacon Oven-Baked Cheese
BBQ Sticks
Buffalo Wing Cheese. (NOT spicy!)
Draw-String-Cheese Whips
Fresh & Squeaky Cheese Curds
Garlic Summer Sausage
Spinach & Artichoke Cheese
Smooth and Creamy Aged Gouda
Super-Sharp Cheddar ($13 Value)
Super-Sharp Cheddar. ($19.50 Value)
Teriyaki Sticks

SHOP ON ETSY – $99.50

Gourmet Meat & Cheeses Gift Sets

Includes:

Crackers (1oz)
Chocolate Truffles (2pcs)
Chocolate Covered Cherries, Blueberries, Cranberries and Apricots (4oz)
Garden Vegetable Swiss Cheese Round (4 oz)
Salted Deluxe Mixed Nuts (3 oz)
Summer Sausage (9oz)
Sharp Cheese (4oz)
Pepper Jelly (5oz)
Roasted Garlic Cheddar square (6 oz)
Savory dill mustard (1.4 oz)
Smoked Salmon (3.25oz)
Smoked Pate (3.25oz)
Spiced Almonds (1.5oz)
Stone ground mustard (1.4 oz)
Sweet ‘N’ Hot Mustard (2oz)
Usinger’s Beef Salami with garlic (5 oz)
Usinger’s Beef summer sausage (5 oz)
Usinger’s famous Thueringer Sausage (12 oz)
Wisconsin white cheddar with onion and garlic cheese round (4 oz)
Dark Stain Tray (assorted designs on platform of tray)
4 oz. Heart of Wisconsin Old Hickory Cheese Bar
4 oz. Heart of Wisconsin Swiss Blend Cheese Bar
4 oz. Heart of Wisconsin Zesty Cheddar Bar
4 oz. Heart of Wisconsin Pepper Cheese Bar
5 oz. Garlic Sausage
5 oz. Mesquite Sausage
5 oz. Original Sausage

SHOP ON ETSY – $49.45+

Meat & Cheese Gift Baskets

Includes:

Beef sausage
Cheddar cheese round
Chocolate chip cookies
Cranberry medley trail mix
Parmesan Focaccia crackers
Pepper cheese triangle
Pimento stuffed olives
Smoked almonds
Summer salami
Swiss cheese triangle

SHOP ON ETSY – $44.90+

Personalized Bamboo Cheeseboard Set

If you’re looking for something that is personal with all the essential specialty knives, slates, and markers you might need, this is it. There is even a wine opener. This beautiful bamboo cheeseboard is the perfect choice for a small party or combined with other cheese boards. It’s also a great wedding gift or an any-occasion celebration gift.

I particularly love the personalized touches, which make this board something special that they will remember you by. It’s also a great way to make sure you keep track of everything brought to that party or potluck. And, honestly, you can’t beat the price.

SHOP ON ETSY – $39.99+