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A Cheese & Charcuterie Board is perfect for parties, date nights, or family dinners. The key is balancing sweet, savory, and salty flavors with the right ingredients. Here’s everything you need to know to build an impressive board!

A cheese & charcuterie board on a wooden platter features assorted cheeses, crackers, green grapes, strawberries, nuts, dried fruits, a small jar of honey with a dipper, and mustard—all set atop a blue surface.

Honestly, nothing makes entertaining easier than a gorgeous cheese board. I remember the first time I hosted a dinner party and spent hours stressing over complicated appetizers. Then a friend showed me how simple it was to create something stunning without turning on the stove—and I’ve been hooked ever since.

What I love most is the flexibility. Running to the store at the last minute? No problem. Grab whatever looks good, arrange it beautifully, and watch your guests think you spent hours preparing. The secret is that there are no rules—just select quality ingredients, create variety in textures and flavors, and let the ingredients speak for themselves.

This type of appetizer also brings people together in a unique way. Everyone gathers around the board, builds their perfect bite, and suddenly conversations flow naturally. Whether it’s a casual weekend gathering or an elegant holiday party, a well-composed cheese and charcuterie board sets the perfect tone, creating a feast of tasty appetizers.

Ingredient Notes
The Ultimate Cheese & Charcuterie Board Guide Recipe
How to Make a Cheese & Charcuterie Board
What to Serve with Cheese & Charcuterie Board
Presentation Styles: Find Your Approach
Expert Tips
Seasonal Board Inspiration
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Similar Recipes to Try
More Appetizer Recipes To Try

What Are The Best Cheeses For A Cheese Board?

It’s best to have a mix of different types of cheeses on your cheese board. There are four basic categories of cheese: soft, firm, aged, and blue. Here are a few ideas to personalize your cheese board according to your favorite flavors:

Soft: Camembert, brie, ricotta, burrata
Firm: Gouda, parmigiano-reggiano, manchego
Aged: Goat gouda, aged cheddar, gruyere
Blue: Roquefort, gorgonzola, stilton

My other tip? Buy what you like! I love a sharp cheddar always and forever. I know I like goat cheeses with herbs or fruit. I always like a good Swiss. It doesn’t have to be anything too fancy or expensive. Wanting to try a new cheese? Most cheese sections have a little basket of small odds and ends of cheeses that are inexpensive because of the small portions. This is my favorite way to test out a new-to-me cheese without committing to a whole chunk.

What Meats Go On A Cheese Board?

You don’t need meat on your cheese board, but if you want to pack a little protein into the snack, there are tons of options. Dry-cured salami, sopressata, prosciutto, and mortadella are all savory options that are great for stacking on a cracker with some cheese. They’re also finger-food-friendly… AKA, perfect for cheese boards! No clue what those are? Try chopped ham or pepperoni on your next cheese board.

This classic cheese board has a little something for everyone! I like to fill my cheese boards with sweet, savory, and salty elements to round out the flavors and textures.

Ingredient Notes

Cheeses: Look for a mix of textures and milk types. Sharp cheddar and Jarlsberg offer familiar, crowd-pleasing options, while goat cheese provides tangy creaminess and Stilton adds bold blue cheese flavor. Visit a cheese shop for samples and recommendations.

Crackers: Select options with different shapes, flavors, and textures—buttery water crackers, seeded crisps, and sturdy flatbreads. Having a variety of crackers ensures there’s a perfect balance.

Condiments: Whole grain mustard, fig jam, and honey are essentials. These add flavor complexity and help balance rich cheeses and meats.

Nuts: Marcona almonds, cashews, pecans, and pistachios add crunch and richness.

Fruits: Thinly sliced apples, grapes, raspberries, and cherries provide sweet, fresh contrast.

Accompaniments: Hummus makes a great staple for veggies or crackers, adding variety to your board.

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The Ultimate Cheese & Charcuterie Board Guide

By: Melissa Griffiths

A Cheese & Charcuterie Board is perfect for parties, date nights, or family dinners. The key is balancing sweet, savory, and salty flavors with the right ingredients. Here's everything you need to know to build an impressive board!

Prep: 20

Total: 20

Servings: (Serves 2-50)

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Ingredients

▢ cheeses – sharp cheddar, goat cheese, Jarlsberg, and Stiltons are great places to start
▢ crackers – look for a wide variety of shapes and textures, some buttery, some seedy, etc.
▢ fruit – thinly sliced apples are always a great idea, and so are grapes
▢ extras – seasonal fruit, dried fruit, nuts, and something fun , (I have coconut chips on this one)
▢ condiments – a whole grain mustard, some kind of jam, and honey are all musts
▢ board – wood board, marble slab, cookie sheet, it all works
▢ cheese knives

Instructions

Arrange the cheeses first (the most important ingredient, after all), and then place the rest of the crackers, nuts, fruit, and other items around the cheese.
cheeses – sharp cheddar, goat cheese, Jarlsberg, and Stiltons are great places to start, crackers – look for a wide variety of shapes and textures, some buttery, some seedy, etc., fruit – thinly sliced apples are always a great idea, and so are grapes
Finish with a garnish (seasonal items, dried fruit, and even other organics like leaves, herbs, or whole apples work great), and enjoy!
extras – seasonal fruit, dried fruit, nuts, and something fun, condiments – a whole grain mustard, some kind of jam, and honey are all musts, board – wood board, marble slab, cookie sheet, it all works, cheese knives

Notes

Don’t think too much; just go for it and have fun.
When eating a cheese board, making flavor combos on your cracker is half the fun. Add cheese, mustard, a slice of apple, and a drizzle of honey to your cracker. The combinations are endless but half of the fun of eating from a cheese board.

Nutrition

Serving: 11, Calories: 1kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g

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How to Make a Cheese & Charcuterie Board

Step 1: Choose 3-5 different cheeses with varying textures and flavors. Include at least one soft, one hard, and one that’s unique or bold. Remove from refrigerator 30-60 minutes before serving.

Step 2: Place cheeses on your board first, spacing them evenly as anchor points. Add small bowls for condiments like mustard, jam, and honey, positioning them strategically around the board.

Step 3: Fold or roll sliced meats and arrange near cheeses. Fan out crackers in groups, creating variety in placement. Fill larger gaps with stacks or piles of different cracker types.

Step 4: Thinly slice apples or pears and arrange them in rows. Add grape clusters, berries, or seasonal fruit. Scatter dried apricots, figs, or cranberries throughout for color and sweetness.

Step 5: Tuck nuts into remaining spaces, creating small piles or clusters. Add fun elements like coconut chips, dark chocolate pieces, or marinated olives for unexpected touches.

Step 6: Finish with fresh herbs, edible flowers, or seasonal elements like whole figs or small apples. Place cheese knives near each cheese and step back to admire your masterpiece!

What to Serve with Cheese & Charcuterie Board

This board shines as a standalone appetizer, but pairs beautifully with:

Crisp white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
Light red wine (Pinot Noir or Beaujolais)
Sparkling wine or champagne
Craft beer or cider
Warm bread or baguette slices
Roasted vegetables for a heartier spread
Fresh salad greens with vinaigrette
Soup for a complete light meal

Presentation Styles: Find Your Approach

There are two main philosophies for cheese board presentation:

Disheveled Style – Organic, abundant, casual look with ingredients naturally scattered Orderly Style – Organized sections with intentional placement and clear organization

Both approaches work beautifully. The key is to pack your board full—abundance is the goal. Use every inch of space and create height by layering and stacking ingredients.

Expert Tips

Invest in variety over quantity: Rather than buying three pounds of cheddar, select smaller portions of four different cheeses. Variety in textures, milk types, and flavor profiles makes the board more interesting and ensures every guest finds something they love.
Create height and dimension: Don’t just lay everything flat. Stack crackers, fold meats into ribbons, and place some items in small bowls. This three-dimensional approach makes your board look professionally styled and more abundant.
Think odd numbers for visual appeal: Arrange items in groups of three or five rather than even numbers. This creates a more natural, organic look that’s visually pleasing and easier on the eye.
Include something sweet, something savory, something crunchy: Balance is key. Pair sharp cheeses with sweet jams, creamy cheeses with crunchy nuts, and rich meats with fresh fruit. These contrasts make each bite more exciting.
Label your cheeses for guests: Small cards or tags help guests navigate unfamiliar cheeses and spark conversation. Include the cheese name and perhaps one descriptor like “nutty,” “tangy,” or “creamy.”

Seasonal Board Inspiration

Adapt your cheese & charcuterie board throughout the year:

Spring – Fresh berries, edible flowers, goat cheese, honey

Summer – Stone fruits, fresh figs, lighter cheeses

Fall – Apples, pears, aged cheddar, spiced nuts, cranberries

Winter – Dried fruits, hearty cheeses, pomegranate, rosemary

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Room Temperature

Once assembled and served, the board should not sit out longer than 2 hours (1 hour if room temperature exceeds 90°F). Hard cheeses tolerate room temperature better than soft cheeses.

Refrigerator Storage

Leftover cheeses should be wrapped individually in wax paper or cheese paper (not plastic wrap, which traps moisture). Store in the refrigerator’s cheese drawer or vegetable crisper for up to one week. Crackers should be stored in airtight containers to maintain crispness.

Freezer Storage

Hard cheeses like cheddar and Jarlsberg can be frozen for up to 6 months, though texture may become slightly crumbly. Soft cheeses and charcuterie don’t freeze well.

Make-Ahead Tips

Assemble the entire board up to 4 hours before serving. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Remove 45 minutes before guests arrive to bring cheeses to room temperature. Slice fresh fruit just before serving to prevent browning. Pre-portion condiments into serving bowls the day before to streamline assembly.