Cheese Board

Putting together a cheese board is easier than you think. Check out these tips and trick for assembling a beautiful and delicious cheese board.

We love serving a few other simple appetizers with our cheese boards like these vegetable pinwheels , bacon wrapped water chestnuts and mini crab cakes. 

Just scrolling through social media you can see that cheese boards have become popular. They are beautiful and work well for parties and holidays. 

They can range from super expensive cheeses and caviar to cheese from the grocery store and a couple of crackers. 

Today I’m sharing some tips for how to assemble a beautiful cheese board that will wow your guests and won’t break the bank. 

How to assemble a cheese board

Cheese and charcuterie boards can be so fun to put together. I try to think of my guests and also the season to determine what ingredients to use. 

Board

There are different types and shapes of boards or trays to use. Typically wooden or slate boards seem to be the most popular. You will just want to find a flat surface, I’ve even used a baking sheet. 

Cheese

The amount of cheese needed will be based on your guests. For a small to medium size group, start with four to five different cheeses. 

I like to choose two soft and two firmer cheeses. Look for different textures and tastes for a good variety. The ones I chose for this tray include:

• Mild Gouda
• Cheddar cheese with a bite of pepper
• Blue cheese
• Brie

Tip: Take the cheese out of the refrigerator an hour before your guests arrive so they have time to soften. This makes the cheese much easier to spread and slice. 

Charcuterie

Charcuterie is a fancy word for meats. Choose a few of your favorites like salami, Prosciutto, sopressata and more. 

Sweet and savory

These are the extras for the board like nuts, olives, dried fruit, berries, bread, toast and crackers. 

Wine

I also enjoy pairing wine with the cheese board. Cheese and wine just seem to go together. 

During the warmer months, a nice sparkling wine or Rose works well

When it’s a little colder, try different reds like zinfandel, petite syrah or cabernet. 

Tips for making the best cheese board

Now that the basics are covered, let’s move on to what takes your cheese board to the next level.  

1. Color: You want to make something that is appealing to the eye. That’s why I love adding things like colorful fruit or even flowers. Things like strawberries, melon and blueberries can really brighten up the board.
2. Texture: While visual is important, texture and taste are what really count. Offering a variety of textures makes a huge difference and sets apart an above average cheese board. Look for crunchy, creamy, smooth and crisp textures. 
3. Labels: I like to use little labels or chalkboard to let guests know the types of cheeses available. 
4. Serving: Make sure to have the appropriate knives, spoons, toothpicks and napkins to serve. 

Ideas for cheese board

Here are a few ideas to add to your cheese board. These are simple but make a big impact.

• Wrap melon with Prosciutto and insert a toothpick to hold together.
• Hollow out large cherry tomatoes and fill them with a mixture of soften cream cheese and herbs.
• Fill raspberries with a dark chocolate chip.
• Serve a bowl of fig jam, honey or jellies.
• Don’t forget the nuts. I love cashews and pistachios for crunch. 

More easy appetizers

• Bacon wrapped little smokies – Little smokies wrapped in bacon and brown sugar. 
• Sausage pinwheels – Cooked sausage and cream cheese wrapped in roll. 
• Chipped beef dip – Creamy dip with chipped beef and onions.  

***If you made this recipe, feel free to leave a comment and star rating below.