Andy Montoya
Meat and cheese trays are a great option for parties and get-togethers. The meat and cheese platter is a versatile dish that can be customised to your liking. You can choose from a variety of meats, including classic deli meats like turkey, ham, and roast beef, or Italian meats such as peppered salami, Genoa salami, and pepperoni. For the cheese, it is customary to choose three types, such as gouda, cheddar, or pepper jack, but you can use as many different kinds as you like.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of types of meat | Three or more |
| Types of meat | Salami, Pepperoni, Genoa Salami, Turkey, Ham, Roast Beef, Summer Sausage |
| Types of cheese | Cheddar, Swiss, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, Gouda |
| Accompaniments | Crackers, dips, spreads, fruits, nuts, chutney, preserves, mustard, olive oil, salt |
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What You'll Learn
Italian meats, such as salami and pepperoni
When it comes to meat and cheese trays, you can choose whatever meats you like. However, Italian meats such as salami and pepperoni are a popular choice. Other Italian meats you could include are peppered salami and Genoa salami.
Salami and pepperoni pair well with strong mustard blends, so you could serve a dip made from 3 tbsp of Dijon mustard and 3 tbsp of whole grain mustard. Salami and pepperoni also go well with cheeses such as cheddar, Colby Jack, and Swiss, as well as crackers such as Saltines, Stone Wheat Crackers, or water crackers.
To make your meat and cheese tray extra special, you could add some fresh and dried fruits and mixed nuts to balance all the flavours. Marcona almonds are a great choice. You could also include a spreadable herb cheese spread or goat cheese and chutney or preserves.
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Deli meats, such as turkey, ham and roast beef
When it comes to creating a meat and cheese tray, the world is your oyster. You can pick your favourites, but it's customary to choose three types of cheese for your platter. Deli meats, such as turkey, ham and roast beef, are a classic choice. These go well with a variety of cheeses, such as gouda, cheddar, pepper jack, colby jack and swiss.
Deli meats are versatile and pair well with most cheeses. If you want to add some extra flavour to your tray, consider including a dip or spread, such as mustard, chutney or preserves. You could also add some fresh or dried fruit, mixed nuts, crackers or pickles.
When it comes to crackers, it's best to choose something that won't overpower the flavour of the meats and cheeses. Saltines, stone wheat crackers or water crackers are all good options.
To make your meat and cheese tray look extra special, try folding the meats. Put four folds of meat close together on the tray, then three folds directly over those, then two, then one. Repeat this for each type of meat until you have several stacks.
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Smoked meats, which pair well with cheddar
A meat and cheese tray is a great option for a party. You can choose your favourite meats and cheeses, but it's customary to have three types of cheese. Cheddar is a versatile choice that pairs well with smoked meats and most deli meats.
When it comes to smoked meats, there are several options that pair well with cheddar. For example, Seriously Sharp Cheddar's bold flavour and texture is a perfect match for the spicy, smoky taste of chorizo. You can place chunks of Seriously Sharp Cheddar cheese, diced chorizo, and green olives on small skewers for a fun, festive, and flavorful appetizer.
White Oak Cheddar's subtle sweetness and smooth texture also nicely balance a salty, full-flavoured prosciutto. You can elevate your prosciutto and melon appetizer with a hearty slice of White Oak Cheddar Cheese.
Pepper Jack's subtle heat and creamy texture contrast the slight fattiness of Capicola. You can stuff pickled cherry peppers with a Pepper Jack Cheese cube and a piece of Capicola for a flavorful addition to your meat and cheese board.
Vermont Sharp's slight sweetness and buttery tang pair well with the smoky, garlicky flavour of pepperoni. You can top a pizza crust with marinara, pepperoni, and grated Vermont Sharp Cheddar Cheese for an extra-special pizza night.
In addition to smoked meats, there are several other types of meat that pair well with cheddar. For example, Italian meats such as peppered salami, Genoa salami, and pepperoni are great options. Deli meats such as turkey, ham, and roast beef are also classic choices.
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Fatty meats, such as salami and summer sausage
To make your meat and cheese tray extra special, serve it with a dip or spread and some pickled relishes. A strong mustard blend pairs particularly well with fatty meats. You can make a simple mustard dip by mixing together 3 tablespoons of Dijon mustard and 3 tablespoons of whole-grain mustard.
In addition to fatty meats, you may also want to include some classic deli meats like turkey, ham, and roast beef. These meats are sure to be a hit with your guests and can be paired with a variety of cheeses.
When it comes to crackers, choose ones that don't have too much flavour of their own, such as Saltines, stone wheat crackers, or water crackers. This will allow the flavour of the meats and cheeses to shine through.
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Harder sliced cheeses, such as cheddar or Swiss
When it comes to creating a meat and cheese tray, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is customary to choose three types of cheeses for your platter, but you can use as many as you like. Harder sliced cheeses, such as cheddar or Swiss, work best because they don't stick together and can be easily picked up with tongs. Cheddar is a versatile cheese that pairs well with both smoked meats and most deli meats. If you're looking for a milder option, Colby Jack is a good choice.
When it comes to meat, you can choose from a variety of options such as Italian meats like peppered salami, Genoa salami, and pepperoni, or classic deli meats like turkey, ham, and roast beef. You can also include summer sausage, which pairs well with a strong mustard blend.
To make your meat and cheese tray extra special, serve it with crackers that won't overpower the flavours of the meats and cheeses. Saltines, stone wheat crackers, or water crackers are good options. You can also include dips, spreads, and pickled relishes.
Finally, round out your tray with some fresh and dried fruits and mixed nuts to balance all the flavours. Marcona almonds are a great addition, as are olive oil and pink Himalayan salt.
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Frequently asked questions
Popular options include salami, pepperoni, summer sausage, turkey, ham, and roast beef.
Popular options include cheddar, Colby Jack, Swiss, and Gouda.
Saltines, Stone Wheat Crackers, or water crackers are good options as they don't have too much of their own flavour, allowing the flavour of the meats and cheeses to shine through.
A strong mustard blend pairs well with fatty meats like salami and summer sausage. You can make this by mixing together 3 tbsp of Dijon Mustard and 3 tbsp of Whole Grain Mustard.
