Frederic Melton
A charcuterie board is a snack board filled with various meats, cheeses, crackers, nuts, fruits, vegetables, sauces, and spreads. When selecting cheeses for a charcuterie board, it is important to have a mix of hard and soft cheeses, as well as salty and sweet options. Some popular cheese options for a charcuterie board include cheddar, gouda, brie, manchego, blue cheese, and goat cheese. To add texture and flavor to the board, dried fruits, nuts, honey, and briny olives can be paired with the cheeses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheeses | 3, 5, or 7 depending on the party size |
| Types of cheese | Firm or semi-firm, spreadable or soft, blue or funky |
| Firm or semi-firm cheeses | Aged white cheddar, Gouda, Edam, Gruyère, Dubliner, and/or Manchego |
| Spreadable or soft cheeses | Brie, Camembert, and/or soft goat cheese |
| Funky or blue cheeses | Gorgonzola, Stilton, Roquefort, or goat Gouda |
| Salty cheeses | Aged cheddar, parm, pepperjack, or other peppery cheese |
| Sweet cheeses | Apple manchego, mustard-flavored cheese |
| Pairing | Salty and sweet cheeses can be balanced with something sweet like honey, jam, or dried and fresh fruits |
| Crunchy | Nuts, crispy chickpeas, crackers |
| Salty | Olives, cornichons |
| Color | Seasonal fruits like apples, pears, or grapes |
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What You'll Learn
Soft cheeses: Brie, Camembert, goat cheese
Soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and goat cheese are excellent choices for a charcuterie board. They offer a creamy texture and pair well with other ingredients. Here are some tips and ideas for including these cheeses on your board:
Brie
Brie is a classic French cheese that adds a rich and creamy element to your charcuterie board. A double or triple cream Brie, such as Brillat Savarin, provides an especially indulgent experience. You can serve it baked, wrapped in puff pastry with sweet or savoury accompaniments. For instance, Boarderie's baked Brie charcuterie board pairs French Brie with another artisan cheese, such as truffle moliterno, and wraps them in puff pastry with fillings like fig and orange or chocolate, espresso, and raspberry. Alternatively, you can serve Brie at room temperature as part of a larger board with a variety of cheeses, meats, crackers, and accompaniments.
Camembert
Camembert is another soft cheese that melts beautifully, making it ideal for baking. Create a baked Camembert by drizzling honey over the cheese, topping it with pistachios, and garnishing with rosemary. Serve this alongside crackers, fruits, and other charcuterie items. Like Brie, Camembert also pairs well with sweet and savoury ingredients, so feel free to experiment with different combinations.
Goat Cheese
Goat cheese, or chèvre, offers a tangy and creamy flavour profile. It is incredibly versatile and pairs well with both sweet and savoury items on your charcuterie board. Flavoured goat cheese logs, such as those offered by Montchevre®, come in a variety of flavours like garlic and herb or honey. These can be paired with meats, crackers, nuts, and spreads. You can also include plain goat cheese, allowing your guests to top it with their choice of jams, honey, or other accompaniments.
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Firm cheeses: Cheddar, Gruyère, Manchego
When creating a charcuterie board, it's important to have a mix of hard and soft cheeses, as well as salty and sweet options. A good rule of thumb is to choose three cheeses with different textures and flavours.
Firm cheeses, such as Cheddar, Gruyère, and Manchego, are excellent choices for a charcuterie board. Cheddar, a classic English cheese, becomes firmer and crumblier with age, developing a sharper, earthier taste. It pairs well with sliced apples or grapes, and you can cut it into bite-sized cubes or wedges. White cheddar, in particular, is known for its bold bite. For something unique, try the Queen Bee Porcini Cheddar by Beehive Cheese, which has an earthy, sweet flavour thanks to the addition of porcini mushroom dust.
Gruyère, a Swiss cheese, is another popular choice for charcuterie boards. It has a slightly sweet, nutty flavour and a creamy texture. It melts well, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches or fondue.
Manchego, a semi-soft sheep's cheese from Spain, is known for its earthy flavour. It pairs well with spicy or smoky meats, like chorizo, and can be served with apple slices or mustard for a unique flavour combination.
When selecting firm cheeses for your charcuterie board, consider the overall flavour profile you want to create. Cheddar, Gruyère, and Manchego all offer distinct tastes and textures that can be enhanced by various accompaniments, such as fruits, crackers, and meats.
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Salty cheeses: Aged cheddar, Parmesan, feta
When creating a charcuterie board, it's important to vary your milk types and firmness. Salty cheeses like aged cheddar, parmesan, and feta are great options to add some flavour to your board.
Aged cheddars are a good choice for a beginner to cheese pairing. A smoked aged cheddar can add a unique flavour to your charcuterie board. If you want to elevate your cheese plate, you can add some condiments.
Parmesan, or Parmigiano-Reggiano, is a dry-aged granular cheese from Italy. It has a nutty, fruity, and savoury flavour, and a hard, dense texture. It is a versatile cheese that can be used in soups, grated over pasta, stirred into risotto, or shaved over a salad. You can also bake it into bite-sized pastries, like Apricot Parmesan Puff Pastry Pinwheels, or add it to a dip with herbs like a Baked Ricotta with Parmesan.
Feta is a salty and tangy cheese that works well on a charcuterie board. Whipped feta, in particular, is a great option as it has a creamy, spreadable texture. You can make it by blending feta and cream cheese with a drizzle of olive oil or heavy cream. It can be served on its own, or with toppings like Kalamata olives, minced cucumber, and olive oil.
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Spicy cheeses: Pepperjack, apple manchego
When creating a charcuterie board, it is important to vary your milk types and firmness. A good rule of thumb is to include cow, sheep, and goat cheeses ranging from soft to firm. If you're new to cheese pairing, it's best to start with one cheese, like a cheddar, manchego, or blue, and pair it with olives, nuts, meats, honey, jam, crackers, or bread.
If you're looking to add some spice to your charcuterie board, consider including Pepperjack or Apple Manchego. Pepperjack, also known as Pepper Jack, is a semi-soft cheese with a smooth texture and a slightly tangy taste. It originated in the United States and is often associated with Mexican cuisine. The addition of spicy peppers, such as jalapeños and other chili peppers, gives it a distinctive spicy flavor and a marbled appearance. The level of spiciness can vary depending on the brand and recipe, with some brands offering a milder flavor profile while others pack a fiery punch. Pepperjack is a versatile cheese that can be shredded, melted, or grated, making it a bold and popular choice for those who enjoy a kick of heat.
Apple Manchego is a unique pairing that presents a sweet and savory combination. The apples and cheese are cut into matchsticks, making it hard to distinguish between the two, adding an element of surprise to each bite. The buttery texture of the Manchego cheese, made from sheep's milk, pairs perfectly with the tart, crisp apples. This pairing is often used in salads, creating a simple yet impressive dish that is perfect for entertaining. The addition of chives provides a complementary color and a subtle herbal note, enhancing the overall flavor and visual appeal of the dish.
When building your charcuterie board, consider including other cheeses such as a super-aged Gouda, a triple crème Brie, or a goat cheese log, as suggested by some sources. You can also add fruits like strawberries, apple slices, or tangerines to complement the spicy cheeses and provide a balance of flavors and textures.
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Sweet accompaniments: Honey, jam, fruit
When creating a charcuterie board, it's important to have a mix of hard and soft cheeses as well as salty and sweet options. Sweet accompaniments like honey, jam, and fruit can help balance out the salty and funky cheeses on your board.
Honey is a classic pairing with cheese and can add a nice touch of sweetness. You can also try different types of honey, such as wildflower or clover, to add unique flavours to your board. Jam is another great option for a sweet accompaniment. Fig jam, in particular, is a popular choice that can add a touch of elegance to your charcuterie board. If you want to get creative, you can also try other fruit spreads like tart cherry spread or peppered jelly.
Fruit is an essential part of any charcuterie board, providing a juicy sweetness that balances salty and crumbly cheeses. Seasonal fruits like apples, pears, and grapes are always a good choice. You can also try other fruits such as strawberries, tangerines, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. If you want to add a more exotic touch, try pairing your cheese with some mango or pineapple. Dried fruits are also an option, such as dried apricots, raisins, or cranberries.
When selecting your sweet accompaniments, consider the types of cheese you have chosen for your board. For example, Brie and goat cheese pair well with sweet accompaniments, while Cheddar cheese is versatile and can go with both sweet and savoury options.
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Frequently asked questions
If you're new to making charcuterie boards, it's best to start with one cheese and pair it with other foods before trying to fill a whole board. Cheddar, manchego, and blue cheese are all good options.
Popular cheeses for charcuterie boards include brie, camembert, goat cheese, gorgonzola, stilton, roquefort, cheddar, gouda, edam, gruyère, dubliner, and manchego.
It's recommended to have a mix of hard and soft cheeses, as well as salty and sweet options. Most people include 2-3 types of cheese per person on their charcuterie board.
Some good pairings for cheese on a charcuterie board include crackers, nuts, dried fruits, honey, jam, olives, and cured meats such as salami, soppressata, and saucisson sec.
