How to Make the Perfect Cheese Board

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Ever wondered how to put together your own perfect cheese board? It’s actually quite easy! Learn how to assemble a cheese board from start to finish with these simple step by step instructions. Perfect for holidays, ladies nights, or everyday entertaining, charcuterie boards are a fun, versatile, delicious addition to any gathering!

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Is it just me…or is there something about a good cheese board? It’s the perfect appetizer for any occasion! Not only are they beautiful to look at…and delicious to eat…(who doesn’t love all things cheese?)…but they’re also so fun to put together.

And best of all, they have something for everyone! From different types of cheese to sweet and savory snacks to crackers and cured meats, the best cheese boards leave no guests behind.

With the holidays fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to brush up on our cheese board ideas and refresh our charcuterie skills. I know it can be a little intimidating to put together the perfect board… but with my step by step instructions, you’ll be a cheese board queen (or king) in no time at all!

How to assemble a cheese board:

1. Start with the board. Cheese boards are typically assembled on a slate or wooden tray (this is the slate tray I used) which may be square, rectangular, or round. You can also use a plate, platter, cutting board, or even a baking sheet. Any flat surface will work.
2. Gather the other “tools” you’ll need. I use these mini glass bowls for condiments and these mini spoons to serve them with. I also use this simple set of cheese knives.
3. Select the cheeses. Try to include a variety of flavors and textures by selecting cheeses from different families (see below).
4. Add some charcuterie…aka cured meats. Prosciutto, salami, sopressata, chorizo, or mortadella are all good options.
5. Add some savory. Think olives, pickles, roasted peppers, artichokes, tapenades, almonds, cashews, or spicy mustards.
6. Add some sweet. Think seasonal and dried fruits, candied nuts, jams, preserves, honey, chutney, or even chocolate.
7. Offer a variety of breads. Sliced baguette, crostini, bread sticks, and a variety of crackers in different shapes, sizes, and flavors.
8. Finish it off with some garnishes. This is a great way to give your cheese board a seasonal touch. Use edible flowers, fresh herbs, or additional fruits to give your board the look and feel you want.

What I included on this cheese board:

CHEESE: Roth Kase Raw Private Reserve, Sartori Merlot Bellavitano, Wisconsin 5-Year Cheddar, St. Mark’s Bloomy Rind, Bri Du Pommier, Bayley Hazen Blue [Fresh mozzarella, Asiago, or Parmesan are also delicious!]

MEATS: Prosciutto di Parma, Genoa Salami

FRESH FRUITS: Snapdragon apple slices, red grapes [depending on the season, you could also include strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, or any other seasonal fruits!]

DRIED FRUITS: Dried apricots, Dried Montmorency Cherries

NUTS: Honey Roasted Almonds, Roasted Cashews, Pecans [pistachios, walnuts, or marcona almonds are also good options!]

SAVORY: Murray’s Garlic Stuffed Olives, Trois Petits Cochons Cornichons

DIPS: Whole Grain Garlic Mustard, Honey, Fig jam

BREADS: Breadsticks, Peppercorn & Poppy Water Crisps, Multigrain Flax Seeded Flatbread

More Cheese Recipes You’ll Love

These are some more of our favorite ways to enjoy cheese!

• Swiss Almond Cheese Ball
• Cranberry Pecan Baked Goat Cheese
• Mushroom Marsala Baked Brie
• Brown Sugar Walnut Baked Brie
• Pumpkin Pecan Baked Brie
• 3 Ingredient Cheese Spreads
• Baked Brie with Wine Soaked Blackberries
• Cheese Fondue

The Perfect Cheese Board

Ever wondered how to put together your own perfect cheese board? It's actually quite easy! Learn how to assemble a cheese board from start to finish with these simple step by step instructions. Perfect for holidays, ladies nights, or everyday entertaining, cheese boards are a fun, versatile, delicious addition to any gathering!

5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 24

Calories: 128kcal

Author: Cathy Trochelman

Ingredients

• 1 wedge brie cheese
• 1 wedge blue cheese
• 1 wedge aged cheddar
• 1 wedge alpine cheese
• 1 wedge flavored cheese
• 1 apple sliced
• 2-3 bunches grapes
• 1/3 c. olives
• 1/3 c. cornichons
• 1/3 c. dried apricots
• 1/3 c. dried cherries
• 1/4 cup whole salted cashews
• 1/4 cup whole almonds
• 1/4 cup whole pecans
• 2 ounces prosciutto
• 2 ounces salami
• 2-4 Tbsp. whole grain mustard
• 2-4 Tbsp. honey
• 2-4 Tbsp. preserves
• bread slices crackers, and breadsticks

Instructions

• Start with the board. Cheese boards are typically assembled on a slate or wooden tray, which may be square, rectangular, or round. But if you don't already own one, don't feel like you need to go out and buy one. You can also use a plate, a cutting board, or even a baking sheet. Any flat surface will work.
• Select the cheeses. Try to include a variety of flavors and textures by selecting cheeses from different families (see below).
• Add some charcuterie...aka cured meats. Prosciutto, salami, sopressata, chorizo, or mortadella are all good options.
• Add some savory. Think olives, pickles, roasted peppers, artichokes, tapenades, almonds, cashews, or spicy mustards.
• Add some sweet. Think seasonal and dried fruits, candied nuts, preserves, honey, chutney, or even chocolate.
• Offer a variety of breads. Sliced baguette, bread sticks, and a variety of crackers in different shapes, sizes, and flavors.
• Finish it off with some garnishes. This is a great way to give your cheese board a seasonal touch. Use edible flowers, fresh herbs, or additional fruits to give your board the look and feel you want.
  

Notes

Tips:

1. Offer a variety of savory and sweet ingredients. The truth is everyone likes their cheese a little different. Some like it savory, some like it sweet, and some like a combination of both. The best cheese boards have something for everyone.
2. Offer a variety of textures. Because eating is such a sensory experience, a variety of textures makes any cheeese board more interesting.  Consider ingredients with various textures such as creamy, crunchy, crumbly, gooey, and crisp.
3. Use cheese markers to label cheese so everyone knows what they're getting.
4. Bring cheeses to room temperature before serving in order to bring out their true flavor.
5. Don't forget the knives, spoons, toothpicks, etc.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 257mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g