Kamil Perry
Meat and cheese trays are a great appetizer and an easy way to entertain guests at parties, family gatherings, or holidays. They can also be called charcuterie boards, party platters, cold-cut trays, or deli trays. To put one together, choose a variety of meats and cheeses with different textures and flavours, such as brie, cheddar, gouda, salami, and peppered turkey. You can also add dips, jams, crackers, fruits, nuts, and other complementary ingredients to enhance the flavour profile and visual appeal. When arranging the tray, start with the largest items first, such as bread and cheese, then add the meats, followed by bowls of dips or olives, and fill in any gaps with crackers, fruits, or nuts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of meat varieties | 3-5 |
| Meat types | Salami, turkey, ham, roast beef, prosciutto, pastrami, corned beef, honey ham, Black forest ham, peppered salami, Genoa salami, pepperoni |
| Number of cheese varieties | 3-5 |
| Cheese types | Cheddar, Swiss, Provolone, Pepper Jack, Havarti, Gouda, Manchego, Brie, Red pepper gouda, Emmental, Jarlsberg, Gruyere, Goat cheese, Blue cheese, Camembert |
| Other items | Crackers, bread, baguette, fruits, nuts, olives, dips, jams, chutneys, sauces, chocolates, candied nuts, veggies, pickles, dark chocolate, mustard, honey, herbs, hummus, aioli, cranberry sauce, sriracha mayo, etc. |
| Arrangement | Graphic design, rows or piles. Surround the cheese with meats, rolling or fanning the slices. Fill gaps with other items. |
| Quantity | For 6 guests, 12-15 ounces of meat and 10 ounces of cheese. |
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What You'll Learn
Meat and cheese tray ideas
Meat and cheese trays are a great appetizer or an easy way for guests to make their own sandwiches. They are perfect for parties, BBQs, or family gatherings. Here are some ideas to help you put together a delicious meat and cheese tray:
Cheese Selection:
When it comes to cheese, variety is key. Offer a range of textures and flavours to create a balanced and interesting selection. Include soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert for a creamy touch, and firm cheeses like Cheddar, Gouda, and Manchego for a sharp contrast. Add some tang with goat cheese or blue cheese. If you want to get fancy, bake a Camembert for a fondue-like centre. You can also provide spreadable cheeses like herb cream cheese or goat cheese.
Meat Selection:
Choose a variety of cured meats or Italian meats such as salami (Genoa, spicy, or peppered), prosciutto, pepperoni, or other cold cuts. If you want to offer a fuller meal, include meats like smoked turkey, pepper turkey, roast turkey, honey ham, or roast beef.
Accompaniments:
Meat and cheese trays can be enhanced with a variety of complementary ingredients. Offer crackers, bread, sliced baguette, breadsticks, rice crackers, crostini, or sliced pita bread as a base for the meats and cheeses. Add bowls of dips, jams, chutneys, or sauces for extra flavour. Some options include mustard trio (grainy, Dijon, honey), fig and balsamic jam, herb-infused cream cheese, roasted red pepper hummus, aioli (basil, horseradish, bacon, dill, truffle), cranberry sauce, or spicy sriracha mayo. Include fresh and dried fruits like grapes, apples, dried apricots, blackberries, or seasonal ingredients like cranberries, pumpkins, or sprigs of rosemary. Mixed nuts, olives, and dark chocolate can also be added for some crunch and sweetness.
Presentation:
Arrange the cheeses in rows or piles, then add bulkier items like bowls of olives or pickles. Surround the cheeses with the meats, rolling or fanning the slices for easy access. Fill in any gaps with crackers, bread, fruits, or nuts. For a party with six guests, plan for 12-15 ounces of meat and 10 ounces of cheese. If providing larger pieces of cheese, offer a different knife for each kind. Label the cheeses if needed and provide toothpicks, small spoons for chutneys, and napkins.
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Choosing the right cheese
When it comes to choosing the cheese for your meat and cheese tray, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is important to use sliced cheeses for a deli tray. Crumbly, soft, or spreadable cheeses like blue cheese, feta, goat cheese, or brie are not ideal for deli-style platters, but rather for charcuterie-style cheese boards. Harder, sliced cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss, or Colby Jack are versatile and pair well with both smoked and deli meats. These cheeses are also easier to pick up with tongs and are less likely to stick together.
If you want to add some variety to your tray, consider including cheeses with different flavours and milk types. You can choose from cow, goat, or sheep's milk cheese, or a mix of soft and hard cheeses. For example, you could include a sharp and complex cheese like Provolone, or add some spice with Pepper Jack, which is speckled with peppers and spices and is a popular choice for sandwiches. If you want to include a cheese that is sweet and mild, Swiss or baby Swiss cheese pairs well with roast beef.
When it comes to quantity, it is recommended to have ten slices of each kind of cheese for a meat and cheese tray. If you are serving larger pieces of cheese for guests to cut themselves, it is a good idea to provide a different knife for each type of cheese.
Lastly, don't be afraid to get creative and choose cheeses that you know your guests will enjoy. You can even include a more exciting or unique cheese, such as Smoked Gouda, to add some extra flavour to your meat and cheese tray.
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Preparing the meat
Firstly, select a variety of meats that you and your guests will enjoy. Cured meats, such as salami, pepperoni, and prosciutto, are popular choices for meat and cheese trays. You could also include sliced deli meats such as turkey, ham, and roast beef. If you want to add a fancy touch, consider options like honey ham or Black Forest ham. For a party with six guests, it is recommended to have about 12-15 ounces of meat in total.
Once you have your desired selection of meats, decide whether you want to roll, fold, or fan the slices. Rolling the meat is a great option if you are serving the meats on their own, as it looks appealing and is easy for guests to pick up. Folding the meat is a better choice if you anticipate your guests making sandwiches, as it sits well on bread or rolls. To fold the meat, simply create 1-inch folds back and forth, like an accordion. If you opt for fanning, slice the meat and lay the slices flat, slightly overlapping, to create a circular fan shape.
When it comes to arranging the meat on your tray, consider the presentation. You can stack folded meats in a pyramid shape, starting with four folds of meat, then adding three folds, then two, and finally one on top. If you have multiple types of meat, you can arrange them in sections on the platter. For example, you could have one section of rolled turkey, another of folded ham, and another of fanned salami. This makes it visually appealing and easier for guests to differentiate between the options.
Meat can be prepared and arranged on the tray a day or two in advance, making it a convenient option for entertaining. However, be sure to wrap the platter well with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator until it's time to serve.
Remember to keep meats and cheeses on separate boards or platters to prevent cross-contamination and the transfer of odors. This ensures that your meat and cheese tray stays fresh and flavorful.
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Tray arrangement
Meat and cheese trays are a simple yet elegant way to entertain guests. They are perfect for parties, family gatherings, or even a casual meal with friends. Here is a guide to help you arrange a delightful meat and cheese tray:
Firstly, select a large serving board or platter. It is recommended to keep meats and cheeses on separate boards to prevent cross-contamination and the transfer of odors. Now, let's get started with the arrangement:
Step 1: Start with the Largest Items: Begin by placing the largest items on the board first. This could include slices of bread, piles of crackers, or larger blocks of cheese. These items will act as a base for the rest of the tray.
Step 2: Add the Meats: Choose a variety of cured meats such as salami, prosciutto, peppered salami, or pepperoni. You can roll or fan out the slices for a visually appealing presentation. If using multiple types of meat, consider alternating the arrangement for variety. For example, you can roll up slices of Genoa salami and fan them out around a ramekin of Himalayan salt or another dip.
Step 3: Include the Cheeses: Select a variety of cheeses with different textures and flavors. Include soft cheeses like brie or camembert, and firm cheeses like cheddar, gouda, or manchego. You can also add some spice with pepper jack cheese or a tangy flavor with goat cheese. Arrange the cheeses in an appealing manner, creating rows or piles. If you plan to serve larger pieces of cheese for guests to cut themselves, provide a separate knife for each kind of cheese.
Step 4: Fill in the Gaps: Once you have arranged the meats and cheeses, fill in any gaps with complementary ingredients. Add bowls of dips, jams, chutneys, or sauces for added interest and taste. Some options include mustard, fig and balsamic jam, herb-infused cream cheese, aioli, or cranberry sauce. Surround the cheeses with items like crackers, breadsticks, sliced baguette, or bread slices.
Step 5: Add Fruits and Nuts: Include fresh and dried fruits, such as grapes, berries, apple slices, or dried apricots. You can also add some nuts, such as Marcona almonds, for a crunchy texture. These items will help balance the flavors on the tray.
Step 6: Final Touches: To complete the tray, add some toothpicks for easy picking, and small spoons for any chutneys or preserves. You can also include some olive oil and seasonings, such as pink Himalayan salt, on the side.
Feel free to get creative and adjust the arrangement to your liking. The key is to offer a variety of flavors and textures that will delight your guests!
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Accompaniments
Meat and cheese trays are a great appetizer and are perfect for parties, BBQs, or family gatherings. They are a simple and easy way to entertain your guests. Here are some ideas for accompaniments to go with your selection of meats and cheeses:
Fruits and Nuts
Add some fresh and dried fruits to your tray to balance the flavors. You can include grapes, dried apricots, apple slices, dried figs, blackberries, and Marcona almonds.
Bread and Crackers
Provide a variety of crackers, sliced baguette, breadsticks, rice crackers, crostini, or sliced pita bread. These act as a base for the meats and cheeses.
Dips and Sauces
Add little bowls of dips, jams, and sauces for extra flavor. You can offer a mustard trio of grainy, Dijon, and honey mustards, or create a fig and balsamic jam by combining fig jam with a balsamic reduction. For a festive touch, add some cranberry sauce. If you want a spicy kick, try a sriracha mayo—a blend of sriracha sauce and mayonnaise.
Olives and Pickles
Include bowls of olives and pickles to add a tangy element to your tray.
Other Ideas
You can also add dark chocolate, candied nuts, or a chocolate dessert board for something sweet. For a fancier touch, provide a small spoon and toothpicks for your dips and sauces.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need cured meats, cheeses, crackers, bread, and complementary ingredients such as olives, fruits, nuts, dips, jams, chutneys, and sauces.
For a party with six guests, plan on 12-15 ounces of meat and 10 ounces of cheese.
Start with the largest items first. Place the bread and piles of cheese on the board first, then add the meats. Surround the cheeses with the meats, rolling or fanning the slices for easy access. Fill in any gaps with crackers, bread, fruits, nuts, and any other items.
Cheese is the star of the show on a meat and cheese tray, so choose a variety of textures and flavors to create a balanced and interesting selection. Soft cheeses like brie and camembert offer a creamy indulgence, while firm cheeses like cheddar, gouda, and manchego provide a sharp contrast. For a bit of tang, consider adding goat cheese or blue cheese.
