The Ultimate Cheese Board: Meats, Nuts, And More

A well-curated cheese board is a delightful addition to any gathering. While there are no hard-and-fast rules, a good cheese board typically includes a variety of cheeses, meats, crackers, fruits, and accompaniments like dips, nuts, and olives.

Cheese boards are all about variety and contrast. When selecting cheeses, opt for a mix of soft, semi-soft, and firm cheeses with different flavours and textures. Popular choices include brie, camembert, goat cheese, white cheddar, gouda, gruyere, and blue cheese. Consider the tastes of your guests—a crowd of adventurous eaters may enjoy pungent, strong cheeses, while a milder selection may be better suited to a crowd-pleasing board.

Meats are a delightful addition to any cheese board, with Italian cured meats like prosciutto, salami, and coppa being popular choices. As with the cheeses, vary the textures and flavours to create interest.

To complement the cheeses and meats, include some crackers and/or bread. A variety of textures and flavours is ideal, so consider offering a selection of crackers, breadsticks, sliced baguette, and crostini.

Sweet and salty elements are a must on a cheese board. Honey, jams, and dried or fresh fruits can balance out the salty, strong flavours of the cheeses and meats. Olives, cornichons, and other pickled vegetables add a briny, tangy touch. Nuts provide crunch and additional flavour.

Finally, don't be afraid to add a whimsical touch to your cheese board. Something as simple as a bowl of good-quality olive oil for dipping bread or a small bowl of hummus can be a fun surprise for your guests. Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme can also add a festive aroma and a seasonal touch.

Something sweet

Honey is a classic choice for a cheese board, and it pairs exceptionally well with strong cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano and aged cheddars. Honeycomb is another option that adds a unique texture to the board. Jams and preserves are also excellent choices, with fig jam, apricot jam, and blackberry jam being popular options. For a festive touch, consider adding some caramelised onions or fruit preserves like fig or apricot jam. Chutney is another sweet condiment that can be offered alongside the cheese board.

Dried and fresh fruits are also great choices for adding sweetness to a cheese board. Seasonal fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, and berries add a pop of colour and freshness to the board. In the winter, dried fruits such as apricots, dried figs, and cherries can be used, while in the summer, fresh berries and grapes are excellent choices. For a unique touch, consider adding some chocolate to the board, such as dark chocolate chunks or chocolate Easter eggs for an Easter-themed board.

Sweet condiments and fruits are essential components of a cheese board, providing a contrast to the salty and tangy cheeses. They add a burst of flavour and make the board more inviting and indulgent.

Something crunchy

Adding something crunchy to your cheese board is a great way to add texture and flavour. Here are some ideas for crunchy items to include:

Nuts

Nuts are a classic addition to a cheese board and for good reason! They provide a satisfying crunch and pair well with cheese. Try Marcona almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or pecans. You could even toast them first for extra flavour.

Crispy Chickpeas

For a crunchy alternative to nuts, roasted chickpeas are a great option. They're especially good if you're looking for something gluten-free or want to offer something a little different.

Crackers

No cheese board is complete without crackers! Opt for a variety of textures and flavours to complement your cheese selection. Try buttery crackers, thin and mild crackers, seedy crackers, or grainy crackers. You could also include breadsticks, bread slices, or crostini for a change of pace.

Something Unexpected

If you want to get creative, consider adding something unexpected to your cheese board. How about a bowl of extra virgin olive oil for dipping bread, or some crispy fried vegetables? Get creative and add something that will surprise and delight your guests!

Something salty

Salty foods are a great way to add contrast to your cheese board and cut through the richness of the cheeses. Here are some ideas for salty foods to include:

Olives

Olives are a classic addition to a cheese board and are loved for their salty, savoury flavour. You can use green or black olives, or a mixture of both. If you're feeling fancy, you could even fill a small bowl with large, beautiful capers. If you're serving olives with the pits inside, it's a good idea to place a small bowl nearby for guests to discard the pits.

Pickles

Pickles are another great salty addition to a cheese board. Cornichons, or baby gherkins, are a popular choice, as are pickled onions, pickled radishes, and pickled peppers. If you're feeling creative, you could even make your own quick pickle using carrots, cucumber, or radishes.

Charcuterie

Cured meats are a great way to add some salty, savoury notes to your cheese board. Try to include 3-4 options of Italian cured meats, such as prosciutto, salami, chorizo, coppa, mortadella, or sopressata. If you're serving the cheese board as an appetizer, about 1-2 ounces of meat per person should be sufficient.

Nuts

Nuts are a great way to add some crunch and a salty flavour to your cheese board. Try Marcona almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or pecans. Toasting the nuts beforehand will add even more flavour.

Crackers and Bread

While crackers and bread are more neutral in flavour, they are an essential component of a cheese board as they provide a base for all the other salty, sweet, and savoury elements. Include a variety of textures and shapes, such as crostini, breadsticks, crackers, and sliced baguette.

Presentation Tips

When arranging your cheese board, try to fill every little space with nuts, fruit, or other salty snacks so that it looks abundant. You can also add some small bowls of salty snacks like nuts or olives to your board. Don't be afraid to get creative and have fun with it!

Something briny

If you're looking for something a little different, you could try marinated artichokes or roasted red peppers. You could also add a small bowl of tapenade, which is made with olives, or pepperoncini peppers.

Don't forget to include something to catch the pits if you're serving olives with pits!

Something colourful

Adding a pop of colour to your cheese board is a great way to make it look inviting and fun. Seasonal fruits are a great way to do this. In the summer, colourful berries like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and cherries are a perfect addition. Cherries, sliced peaches and apricots are also a great choice. In the fall, apples, pears and grapes are a good option, and in the winter, try mandarins, Cara Cara oranges and pomegranates. Dried fruits like apricots, dried cherries, dried figs or mango are also delicious and add a pop of colour.

If you want to add something a little different, why not try some roasted peppers or pickled vegetables like carrots, cucumber, radishes or cornichons? These add a bright burst of colour and a tangy flavour. You could also add some beetroot dip or pesto to a small bowl in the centre of your cheese board.

Nuts are another great way to add colour and texture to your cheese board. Pecans, walnuts, almonds and pistachios are all delicious options. You could even try toasting them to add extra flavour.

Frequently asked questions