Randy Chandler
A cheese tray is a perfect appetizer for any occasion, be it a holiday get-together, a dinner party, or a casual hangout. It is easy to put together and requires no cooking. The key to a good cheese tray is variety. You can include different types of cheese, cured meats, crackers, bread, fruits, nuts, and dips. You can also add some edible flowers, fresh herbs, or even a fancy jam to elevate your cheese tray. The options are endless!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheese types | 3-5 |
| Cheese textures | Soft, semi-firm, hard/aged |
| Milk type | Cow, sheep, goat |
| Cheese shapes | Spears, wedges, cubes, whole, sliced, rolled |
| Meat types | Salami, prosciutto, sausage, cured meats, dried meats |
| Meat shapes | Folded, rolled, cut into chunks |
| Bread | Crostini, crackers, flatbread, crusty bread, French bread, breadsticks |
| Fruit | Grapes, berries, apples, pears, roasted red peppers |
| Nuts | Walnuts, almonds |
| Condiments | Honey, jam, tapenade, olive oil, balsamic glaze |
| Extras | Olives, cornichons, rosemary, thyme, edible flowers, fresh herbs |
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What You'll Learn
Meats and cheeses
Meat and cheese trays are a great appetizer and are perfect for parties, BBQs, or family gatherings. They are also a good option for last-minute entertaining as they require very minimal prep and no cooking or baking.
When selecting your meats and cheeses, variety is key. Choose an assortment of meats and cheeses with different colours, textures, and flavours. For meats, you can select from cured meats like salami, prosciutto, and summer sausage, or go for deli meats such as Black Forest ham, smoked turkey, or roast beef. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, ask your local deli to slice the meats for you, and consider varieties such as Black Forest ham, smoked turkey, or roast beef. If you're using sliced sausages, arrange them in a fish scale pattern.
For cheeses, you can choose from a wide range of options such as goat cheese, fresh mozzarella, medium cheddar, Manchego, Gouda, cheddar, and Pepper Jack. You can also include a spreadable herb cheese spread or goat cheese and add some chutney or preserves. Ask your deli to provide slices instead of weight, and aim for about eight "sandwich-sized" slices per type of cheese. Stack the cheese slices and cut them diagonally to create stacks of triangles, then separate the slices slightly to create a fan effect.
When assembling your tray, place the cheeses first and then add the meats around them. If you're using rolled or folded meats, stack them to create a pyramid shape. You can fill in any gaps with crackers, and add small bowls of pickled relishes like pickles or olives, and other condiments like mustard or jam.
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Crackers and breads
Crackers and bread are essential parts of a cheese tray. They provide a crunchy texture to complement the soft and creamy cheeses. Here are some tips for choosing and arranging crackers and bread on your cheese tray:
Variety of Crackers
Offer a variety of crackers to your guests by selecting options that differ in size, shape, and texture. For example, you can serve round crackers and long cracker sticks or pita chips with crostini. Crackers containing nuts, seeds, and whole grains add interest and variety. If you want to get creative, try making your own crackers by baking a dough made from flour, water, and herbs or spices.
Placement of Crackers
When arranging your cheese tray, place the crackers around the cheeses and any other items such as meats, fruits, or dips. Fan out the crackers along the edges of the tray to make them easily accessible to your guests. If you are using a smaller tray, you can also put the crackers on the side in a separate bowl or plate.
Types of Bread
In addition to crackers, you can include different types of bread on your cheese tray. Here are some options:
- Crostini: Small pieces of toasted bread that can be topped with cheese or other toppings. To make crostini, slice a baguette, drizzle it with olive oil, and bake until lightly browned.
- Flatbread: Typically made from flour, water, and yeast, flatbread is a chewy and versatile option that can be paired with cheeses and toppings.
- Crusty Bread: This type of bread has a crispy crust and a chewy texture. French bread is an example of crusty bread, with its long, thin shape and soft interior.
- Breadsticks: Long and thin, breadsticks add a crispy texture to your cheese tray and are often served with dipping sauces.
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Fruits and vegetables
When creating a cheese tray, it's important to include a variety of fruits and vegetables to add colour, texture, and sweetness. Here are some ideas for what to include:
Fruits
- Berries: Fresh berries such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries add a pop of colour and a touch of sweetness to the tray.
- Grapes: Red or green grapes are a classic choice and pair well with many different cheeses.
- Stone Fruits: Plums, cherries, peaches, and nectarines are great options, especially during the summer months when they are in season.
- Melons: While watermelon can make crackers and bread soggy, it can be a refreshing option during the hotter months. Cantaloupe or honeydew melon balls are also a good choice.
- Pears: Pears add a touch of sweetness and pair well with hard cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano.
- Apples: Green apples in particular complement a slice of baguette with cheese and a drizzle of honey.
- Dried Fruits: Apricots, cherries, raisins, and cranberries can add a chewy texture and concentrated flavour to the tray.
Vegetables
- Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes are a good option, especially when paired with fresh mozzarella and basil.
- Olives: Grab some from the deli counter instead of canned black olives. Castelvetrano olives are a tasty variety.
- Pickles: Cornichons or other small pickles can add a crunchy texture and a tangy flavour.
When selecting fruits and vegetables for your cheese tray, consider the seasonality of the produce and what will pair well with your chosen cheeses. Remember to fill in any gaps on the tray with smaller fruits, nuts, or crackers to create a full and abundant display.
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Nuts and condiments
Nuts are a great way to add texture and flavour to your cheese tray. You can fill in the gaps on your tray with nuts like walnuts, almonds, pecans, or pistachios. If you want to get creative, you can also use crispy chickpeas, crackers with nuts, or even candied pecans.
When it comes to condiments, there are several options to choose from. Honey is a popular choice, especially when paired with cheeses like blue cheese or brie. You can also add a fancy jam, such as fig or cherry jam, or dried fruits like figs, cherries, apricots, or strawberries. For a more briny option, consider olives, cornichons, or tapenade. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add pickled peppers or pepperoncini.
If you want to add a touch of sweetness to your cheese tray, consider pairing it with something like dried fruit or fresh fruit. Dried figs, cherries, apricots, and strawberries all work well, as do fresh apples, pears, or grapes. These fruits add a pop of colour and can help balance out the salty, funky cheeses.
To make your cheese tray even more inviting, fill every little space on the board with nuts and fruit so that it looks completely abundant. You can also add crackers or bread for your guests to enjoy the cheese with.
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Presentation
When it comes to presenting your cheese tray, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, variety is the spice of life, so get creative and mix different shapes, sizes, colours and textures on your tray. You can use a nice wooden cutting board, a large serving platter, or even a tray or baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
Secondly, let your cheese be the star of the show. Arrange your cheese and meats first, placing them around the platter with some space between them. Cut larger wedges of cheese in half and put them side by side. You can display your cheeses in various ways: spears, wedges, cubes, whole, sliced, or rolled up. Stay away from pre-sliced cheese and slice it yourself to keep it fresh. If you're using softer cheeses, it's a good idea to provide small cheese knives so your guests can slice as they please.
Thirdly, fill in the gaps with your accompaniments. Add crackers, bread, or crostini (small pieces of toasted bread) around the cheese and meats. If you're using a smaller board, you can put these on the side, but they also work well on the platter. You can also add some fresh fruit and veggies for a burst of colour and flavour. Slice larger fruits like apples and pears and drizzle with lemon juice to prevent browning. Scatter smaller fruits like grapes, berries, or dried fruits across the board. Add some nuts to fill in any remaining spaces and provide a crunchy texture.
Finally, add some extra touches to elevate your cheese tray. Small bowls of olives, jams, honey, or chutney can be placed around the cheeseboard for guests to help themselves. If you're serving olives with pits, provide a small bowl for the pits. You can also add some edible flowers, fresh herbs, or sprigs of rosemary or thyme for a festive touch.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese, of course! Aim for 3-5 different types of cheese with a variety of textures and milk sources. You'll also need crackers, bread, or crostini.
Brie, blue cheese, goat cheese, Camembert, Gruyere, and Manchego are all popular choices.
Fill in the gaps with nuts, fruits (fresh or dried), and olives. You can also add meats such as prosciutto, salami, or sausage.
Group items into piles, mixing different shapes, sizes, and colors. Cut or fold the cheese into various shapes such as spears, wedges, cubes, or slices.
Allow for approximately 3 ounces of cheese per person.
