Cheese & Charcuterie Board Basics (Print-Friendly Version)
Build a show-stopping cheese and charcuterie board with affordable, crowd-pleasing pairings and easy arrangement tips.
# Ingredients:
→ Cheeses
01 -
Brie cheese, cut into wedges
02 -
Goat cheese, log or round
03 -
Aged cheddar cheese, sliced
04 -
Manchego cheese, sliced or cubed
05 -
Blue cheese, broken into chunks
06 -
Gruyere cheese, sliced or cubed
07 -
Mozzarella cheese, balls or slices
→ Cured Meats
08 -
Salami, thinly sliced
09 -
Prosciutto, thinly sliced
10 -
Chorizo, sliced
11 -
Sopressata, sliced
→ Accompaniments
12 -
Seed crackers
13 -
Water crackers
14 -
Baguette, sliced
15 -
Green grapes, washed and in small clusters
16 -
Strawberries, hulled and halved
17 -
Figs, fresh or dried, halved
18 -
Pears, sliced
19 -
Green and black olives, mixed
20 -
Cornichons or dill pickles
21 -
Pickled vegetables, drained
22 -
Roasted almonds
23 -
Walnuts
24 -
Fig jam
25 -
Apricot preserves
26 -
Honey
27 -
Dark chocolate squares
28 -
Fresh herbs (optional, for garnish)
# Steps:
01 -
Unwrap all cheeses and bring to room temperature for 30–60 minutes. Slice, cube, or wedge cheese varieties for visual and textural variety. Portion cured meats into thin slices or small sections.
02 -
Select a clean wooden, marble, or slate board appropriate for your guest count. Place bowls for items like olives, nuts, and jams at varied positions to create natural height.
03 -
Distribute cheeses evenly across the board, ensuring spacing for accessibility. Leave some cheeses whole, while others are pre-sliced or cubed.
04 -
Fold or fan sliced meats and place them around and between cheese selections, avoiding overcrowding and creating curved or flowing lines.
05 -
Nestle a variety of crackers and baguette slices into open spaces between cheeses and meats, fanning or stacking for easy self-serve.
06 -
Add grape clusters, place strawberries and figs, and nestle pear slices into remaining gaps to add vibrancy and balance.
07 -
Place olives, cornichons, and pickled vegetables in small bowls or groupings to keep moist items contained.
08 -
Sprinkle almonds and walnuts throughout. Nestle in bowls or dollops of fig jam, apricot preserves, and honey. Arrange dark chocolate squares for a touch of sweetness.
09 -
Garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Place small spoons with jams and provide cheese knives for each variety. Refrigerate if assembling ahead, then allow 30 minutes at room temperature before serving.
# Notes & Tips:
01 -
Offer at least three distinct cheese styles for variety in taste and texture.
02 -
Use separate knives for each cheese to prevent flavor transfer.
03 -
Label unfamiliar cheeses to guide guests.
04 -
Balance budget by selecting one premium cheese and complementing with high-quality basic options.
05 -
Avoid overcrowding; white space on the board enhances presentation.
06 -
Rotate accompaniments seasonally for freshness and visual appeal.