Goat Cheese Charcuterie: Perfect Pairings For Your Board

Goat cheese is a versatile and delicious addition to any charcuterie board, pairing well with both sweet and savoury ingredients. The creamy texture and tangy flavour of goat cheese complement a variety of foods, from cured meats to crackers and bread.

For a sweet charcuterie board, consider adding honey, chocolate, and fruit. Dried fruits like figs and berries, or fresh fruits like apples and grapes, add a juicy, sweet element to the board, while the natural sweetness of the fruit also complements the tangy flavour of the goat cheese.

For a savoury charcuterie board, cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, and soppressata are a must. The creamy goat cheese pairs beautifully with these savoury meats, creating a delicious and satisfying combination.

Nuts, seeds, and crackers can also be added to provide a crunchy texture and depth of flavour to the board. Almonds, walnuts, pecans, and pistachios are great choices to pair with goat cheese, offering a satisfying contrast in flavours and textures.

So, whether you're creating a sweet or savoury charcuterie board, goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be paired with a variety of delicious foods.

Fruits and vegetables

Fruits

• Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are excellent choices, providing a burst of colour and a sweet flavour that complements the cheese.
• Grapes: Both green and red seedless grapes are a good option, offering a natural sweetness and a crunchy texture.
• Citrus Fruits: Oranges and grapefruit add a zesty, refreshing flavour to the board.
• Dried Fruits: Dried apricots, cranberries, and dates provide a sweet and chewy texture that goes well with goat cheese.
• Figs: Fresh or dried figs not only taste great with goat cheese but also add an elegant touch to the board.

Vegetables

• Carrots: Colourful and crunchy, carrots are a versatile vegetable that can be paired with various dips on your charcuterie board.
• Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes, in particular, are a great choice, providing a juicy and refreshing flavour. They pair well with goat cheese and other cheeses.
• Peppers: Sweet and crunchy peppers add colour and a satisfying crunch to your board. Roasted peppers can also be included for a smoky, sweet flavour.
• Pickled Vegetables: Pickled cucumbers, onions, carrots, or peppers bring a tangy and acidic element that balances the creaminess of the goat cheese.
• Leafy Greens: Arugula, spinach, or watercress can be added as a bed for the goat cheese, providing a refreshing and peppery element to the board.

Nuts

There are several types of nuts that pair well with goat cheese. For example, almonds, walnuts, and pecans can add texture and depth to the board. You can also try pistachios, hazelnuts, or almonds. To make it even more interesting, you can use crushed or candied nuts.

If you want to get creative, you can make a goat cheese log by combining goat cheese with pecans, herbs, and cranberries. This can be served with crackers or as part of a beautiful meat and cheese board.

Crackers and bread

To elevate your charcuterie board, pay attention to the arrangement and presentation of the crackers and bread. Place them in different areas of the board to create a visually appealing layout. For a rustic touch, arrange the crackers in small piles or stacks, allowing your guests to easily grab a handful. If you're feeling creative, try making homemade crackers using simple recipes with ingredients like flour, olive oil, and herbs. This adds a unique, personal touch to your charcuterie board.

When choosing bread for your charcuterie board, opt for crusty, hearty varieties that can hold up to the weight of the toppings. Baguettes are an excellent choice, providing a classic base for your goat cheese and other accompaniments. For a more rustic feel, tear the bread into chunks rather than slicing it, or lightly toast the slices for added texture. If you want to offer a variety of bread options, consider including a warm pita bread, sliced into triangles and warmed in the oven.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of crackers and bread to find the perfect combination for your taste preferences. You can even get creative by adding unique flavours or ingredients to your crackers, such as rosemary, olive oil, or sea salt. Remember, the crackers and bread are the foundation of your charcuterie board, providing a canvas for the delicious toppings and allowing your guests to create their own bite-sized masterpieces.

Meat

Prosciutto is a popular choice for charcuterie boards, with its delicate texture and salty flavour pairing well with sweet fruits and aged cheeses. It can be folded into rosettes, cut into ribbons, or served as plain sheets. Salami is another classic option, particularly dry salami, which keeps well at room temperature. Bresaola, a lean and mild alternative to prosciutto, is also salty with a hint of spice, and pairs well with aged cheeses.

Chorizo, a Spanish pork sausage seasoned with smoked paprika, can add a bright red colour to the board. It can be sweet or smoky, depending on the spice blend, and pairs well with goat cheese and other cheeses like Manchego. Pâté is another option, a smooth and savoury ground meat mixture that can be spread on toast or crackers.

When selecting meats for a charcuterie board, it is important to offer a variety of textures and flavours. Spicy, salty, dry, and soft meats will keep things interesting for your guests. Fold, roll, or slice the meats to create different shapes and presentations.

Honey

Goat cheese has a tangy and creamy flavour, and honey adds a touch of sweetness that balances and subdues the tanginess of the cheese. This combination is simply irresistible and is a popular choice for both sweet and savoury charcuterie boards. Honey-covered goat cheese pairs well with various fresh or dried fruits, such as figs, grapes, apple slices, or berries. The natural sweetness of the fruit complements the honey and creates a delightful contrast of flavours.

When creating a charcuterie board, consider adding different types of honey to enhance the experience. Raw honey, which has not been pasteurised or finely filtered, retains all its nutrients and the unique flavour profiles contributed by the flowers the bees pollinated. Look for honey named after flowers, such as orange blossom, lavender, or clover, as these tend to have more complex and memorable flavours.

To elevate your charcuterie board, include a variety of textures and flavours. Add crackers, pretzel crisps, crostini, or sliced baguettes to provide a solid foundation for stacking the goat cheese and honey. You can also offer different types of nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans, to create a satisfying crunch and depth of flavour. Don't forget to add some cured meats like prosciutto, salami, or soppressata for a savoury touch.

When serving honey with goat cheese, you have a few options. You can drizzle the honey over the cheese just before your guests arrive or serve a jar of honey on the side of the cheese plate. If you want to impress your guests, consider leaving a piece of honeycomb whole on the cheese plate. Your guests can then cut off pieces of honeycomb to eat with the cheese.

Frequently asked questions