- Food: Cheese Board
- Writer: Nicolas Wilson
- Content-Type: Food Blog
Learn how to put together the ultimate cheese board for your next get-together! It has something for everyone, with a fun range of cheeses, fruits, and spreads.
It is usually my go-to appetizer, whether I’m throwing a dinner party, a happy hour, or a holiday get-together. It’s my top pick for a variety of reasons: it has something for everyone, it’s beautiful and festive, and it’s simple to put together (no cooking required!).
If you’ve never made a cheese board before, it may not appear to be so simple.
What kind of cheeses do you prefer? What do you serve alongside them? I promise that the technique is straightforward, and to get you started, I’ve included my preferred method for assembling a cheese board below.
You don’t even have to spend a lot of money because this method allows you to create your cheese board as sophisticated or as simple as you want. It’ll be a hit no matter what.
Cheeses to Serve on a Cheese Board
Food: Cheese Board (Source: Dinner at the Zoo)I always start by selecting the cheeses while putting together a cheese board. On a board, I prefer to have a range of flavors and textures, so I usually choose three.
Below are some alternatives that can be found in a typical cheese shop or grocery store. Mix and combine cheeses from various categories for a unique experience!
- Aged white cheddar, Gouda, Edam, Gruyère, Dubliner, and/or Manchego are among my favorite firm or semi-firm cheeses.
- Soft or spreadable cheeses: Brie, Camembert, and/or soft goat cheese come to mind.
- Something unusual, like Gorgonzola, Stilton, or Roquefort, or a strong blue cheese like Gorgonzola, Stilton, or Roquefort. Because this isn’t for everyone, I might skip it if I know I won’t be serving experimental diners!
If you choose two kinds of cheese from the same category (which is perfectly acceptable! ), make sure they contrast in some way. I have two soft kinds of cheese on this cheese board – goat cheese and brie – but their flavors are very different.
The brie is lovely and buttery, while the goat cheese is acidic and flecked with herbs. Even though both of these cheeses are soft, my cheese board will have a wide range of flavors.
More Cheese Board Inspiration
After you’ve chosen your cheeses, consider how you might further enhance the texture and flavor of your cheese plate.
What about dried fruits and nuts? Is this a high-end jam? Honey? Olives with a briny texture? At least one item from each of these categories appeals to me:
- Something sweet: To balance off the salty, stinky cheeses, add some sweetness! Place a jar of honey, tart cherry, or fig jam on the table. Fruits, both dried and fresh, are also excellent choices.
- Something crunchy to go with the cheese, such as almonds, crispy chickpeas, and (of course!) crackers.
- I like olives or cornichons as a salty snack.
- Seasonal fruit, such as apples, pears, or grapes, will provide a splash of color. I like to add festive sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme in the fall and winter.
Assembling a Cheese Board
Now comes the fun part: assembling your cheese board!
Any fresh fruits should be washed and larger fruits, such as apples and pears, should be sliced ahead of time. (If you’re concerned about browning, squeeze them with a little lemon juice!)
Before transferring firm and semi-firm cheeses to a serving tray, I like to slice them on a cutting board. They’ll be easier for guests to grab and enjoy.
Fill in the gaps with the additional ingredients after placing the fruits and cheeses on your serving platter or board. Make sure you have a couple of cheese knives on hand for slicing and spreading the softer cheeses when your guests arrive. Enjoy!
How to Put Together a Cheese Board
| 15-minute prep time Serves: 8 |
Discover how to construct the ideal cheese board! It has something for everyone, with a range of textures and flavors. Different cheese suggestions can be found in the post above.
Ingredients
Cheese & Crackers
- 8 ounces white cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces of herbed goat cheese or sheep’s milk cheese
- 8 ounces of brie cheese
- Crackers or Flatbread Crisps
Other Snacks
Food: Cheese Board (Source: Dinner at the Zoo)- 2 apples or pears, sliced
- 8 small bunches of grapes
- 1/2 cup olives
- 1/2 cup almonds
- Tart Cherry or Fig Jam
- Honey, optional
- Roasted Chickpeas, optional
- Rosemary or Thyme, for garnish
Instructions
- Choose the ingredients you choose from the list above and arrange them on a dish.