26, 2024
Our Test Kitchen experts share their best tips on pairing cheese for charcuterie boards.
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Love having guests over, but dont have time to make one of oureasy potluck dishes?
Your secret weapon will be acheese board.
Before you conjure images of your mothers sliced cheddar cheese on a simple platethink again.
What were going to show you is nothing like that!
Cheese can be expensive and you dont want to overbuy.
Plan on serving about 3-4 ounces of cheese per guest (thats 2 pounds for eight guests).
Theyll probably be delighted to answer your questions.
Cheese for charcuterie boards should be varied.
Dont be afraid to include some of your personal favorites.
After all, youre buying!
Consider your crowd as you make your choices as well.
You may want to get adventurous and introduce them to new options, or stick with the classics.
double-check to check outour favorite charcuterie board booksto inspire your next soiree.
If youd like to skip all the prep, opt for acharcuterie boxinstead.
Our recommendations:Goat cheese, Brie, Camembert, feta
Few people will pass up a goodgoat cheese.
Its creamy, tart and mild in flavor.
you might roll it in chopped herbs for color or nuts for texture.
Camembert or Brie are good focal points for your board because they come in small wheels.
They have earthy notes and you’ve got the option to eat the rind.
Another flavorful soft cheese?
Feta; its a great salty, tangy option.
Pairs well with:Fruits.
Spreads like blackberry and raspberry preservers also lend a sweet touch to these cheeses.
Feta pairings look a bit different.
Think of fruits like watermelon and cantaloupe or cucumbers and tomatoes.
Olives also work very nicely with feta.
If you love mozz, try burrata cheese.
Not interested in mozzarella?
Havarti has a sharp flavor but a creamy, soft texture to pair with just about anything.
Get creative with theseindividual charcuterie boards for any occasion.
Pairs well with:Meats and fruits.
For cheeses like mozzarella and burrata, try pairings like salty prosciutto, marinated tomatoes or cantaloupe.
A fresh herb like basil or greens like arugula also lend slightly peppery notes to these semi-soft cheeses.
Accompaniments for Havarti include soppressata, apple slices and figs.
It tastes similar toParmesan.
If Asiago isnt your thing, Manchego might be a good option.
Its a nutty, buttery, aged sheeps milk cheese.
Gruyere offers a delicious nutty, slightly sweet taste.
Pairs well with:Fruits and meats.
Opt for figs, grapes or sun-dried tomatoes for cheeses like Asiago and Manchego.
In all honesty, it took me some time to come around to this one.
Blue cheese is pungent and tastes sharp and salty, with blue veins.
Youll know it when you see itor smell it!
Not a fan of the super-strong blue cheeses?
Cheddar blue is a hybrid, offering a more mellow option.
Pairs well with:Dried fruits.
Aged white cheddar andgoudaare good options, too.
To really amp up the flavor, consider a smoked gouda as well.
Pairs well with:Meats.
The salty varieties of salami accompany the intense flavors of aged cheeses like cheddar and Gouda so well.
Try peppered salami for even more intense flavor, or keep it classic with thick cut Genoa salami.
Explore lesser-known cheese options and find a new favorite by joining one of thesecheese of the month clubs.
Include a variety of colors, shapes and textures and a mix of sweet and savory flavors.
Also check out ourcheese board pairingsfor more inspiration.
Dont miss our tips for how to make acharcuterie boardperfect for any party.
Start by placing your cheeses on your board first.
Spread them out to serve as focal points youll build from.
Once youve created your base, arrange the meats.
Thesemini jam jarsmight be a great addition to your cheese board, too).
Dont forget any utensils you might need, including the rightcheese knives.
As a final touch, add a few garnishes such as sprigs of rosemary or thyme.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Hosting family and friends for the holidays?
Put together a festiveholiday cheese boardor cozy up for a night of Christmas movies with a sweethot chocolate board.
Up Next:How to make the bestbreakfast charcuterie board.
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