A guide to creating the best cheese board with a variety of different cheeses, crackers, fruit and accompaniments. An easy and impressive appetizer for any gathering, and this one always gets rave reviews!
When I’m entertaining, I like to put out an assortment of party snacks including sausage balls, a fresh and colorful veggie tray, and a cheese board.
You can never go wrong with a cheese board, it’s the perfect way to feed a crowd with minimal effort. My version includes plenty of cheese of course, along with some sweet and savory garnishes that truly enhance the flavor of the cheese.
How do you make a cheese board?
Start by arranging your pieces of cheese on a large platter or board. You can keep some of the pieces whole, slice others, or even make a pile of cheese cubes. Arrange crackers, honey or jams, fruit, bread and nuts around the cheeses. Garnish with fresh herbs such as rosemary or parsley, then serve and enjoy.
What should go on a cheese board?
The most important part of a cheese board is, of course, the cheese! You want offer a variety of types of cheese, to provide plenty of different flavors and textures including one from each of the following categories.
- Soft: Brie, Camembert, Boursin, Goat, Burrata
- Hard: Parmigiano-Reggiano, Manchego, Comte, Gruyere, Mimolette
- Aged: Vintage Cheddar, Grana Padano, Gouda
- Blue: Cambozola, Stilton, Roquefort, Gorgonzola.
You should also serve crackers or bread alongside your cheese.
- Breadsticks: I like to offer sesame breadsticks, olive oil breadsticks or cheese straws on my board.
- Crackers: Put out a few different types such as water crackers, buttery crackers, multigrain crackers and flatbread crackers.
- Bread: Try adding some sliced baguette, toasted crostini or even strips of focaccia to your platter.
Fruits, nuts and spreads are also cheese board essentials.
- Fruit: I prefer to use a mix of both dried and fresh fruit. Good fresh fruit options include berries, apples, grapes and pears. For dried fruit, try dried apricots, pears or cranberries.
- Nuts: Use a few varieties for the best results. I always include candied pecans because I think they pair well with most cheeses. Other great options are roasted almonds, cashews and pistachios.
- Spreads: It is very common to offer sweet spreads with cheese such as fig jam, berry jam or honey. I also like to put out savory options such as olive tapenade.
Tips for the perfect party tray
- Most cheeses taste best after they’ve had a chance to sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
- The platter can be prepared up to 8 hours before you plan to serve it. Cover everything tightly with plastic wrap, then store in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
- It’s helpful to label the cheeses so that your guests know what they’re eating!
- Be sure to put out plenty of serving implements such as knives and spreaders so that it’s easy for people to serve themselves.
- Many grocery stores have a higher end cheese selection these days. I find that you can locate a better assortment of cheeses in the deli area instead of the dairy aisle.
What can you put on a cheese platter besides cheese?
A standard cheese board contains cheeses, crackers, fruit and nuts. You really can take this concept though and turn it into more of a charcuterie or snacking board with a variety of additions.
- Meats: Add in some cured meats such as salami, pepperoni, prosciutto or coppa.
- Vegetables: Use fresh or pickled veggies including cucumber, cherry tomatoes, cornichon pickles or pickled green beans.
- Antipasto: Make it Italian style with roasted Roma tomatoes, marinated mushrooms, grilled artichoke hearts and roasted bell peppers.
No matter what you choose to put on your cheese platter, it’s sure to be a huge hit!
More recipes you might enjoy
Cheese Board Video
The Best Cheese Board
Ingredients
- 8 ounces aged cheese cheddar, gouda
- 8 ounces blue cheese gorgonzola, stilton
- 8 ounces soft cheese goat cheese, brie
- 8 ounces hard cheese parmigiano-reggiano, comte
- 1 cup fresh fruit berries, sliced apples or pears
- 1/2 cup dried fruit apricots, cranberries
- 16 ounces assorted bread baguette slices, breadsticks, crackers
- 3/4 cup nuts candied pecans, almonds, pistachios
- 1-2 small jars honey or jam
- fresh herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Arrange all the ingredients on a large board or platter. Garnish with fresh herbs. Let the cheese sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, then serve.
- If you want to make this platter in advance, assemble everything on the board except the bread products and fresh herbs. Cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. Remove from the refrigerator, uncover, and add bread and herbs. Let stand for 20 minutes, then serve.
This cheese board is amazing and I was able to copy it after shopping at Trader Joe! Thanks for the inspiration
I switched up a few ingredients but followed the basic layout. The cheese in triangle shapes really looks professional. Usually I’m intimated by these boards but your directions were very easy to follow. Thank you
Such a beautiful spread that does not disappoint! Served this for my husband’s birthday and there wasn’t anything to clean up; an instant hit!
Absolutely gorgeous and inspiring. So many great ideas here. I can’t wait for my next cocktail party!
I could live off cheese and this board is calling my name!
What a gorgeous cheese board – to be honest – it looks very easy but isnt really – thank you for the tips! Very helpful!
I love the cheeses you chose for this board and all the flavored crackers. Just such wonderful flavor combinations here.
Cheese boards are my absolute favourite things to make during the weekend, and this one looks right up my alley!! Bookmarked to make over the long weekend, thanks so much for the recipe 🙂
This really is the best cheese board! Love the hints and tips to create one … you really took the intimidation out for me. Thanks!!
I’m always so intimidated by the idea of making a cheese board but you’ve laid it out step by step for me! I”m going to get everything on this list and make it this weekend!
Such great tips for putting together a cheese board! Definitely perfect for entertaining. I love all the flavors and colors you packed into yours. Looks so good!
This looks perfect for this weekend’s festivites! I can’t wait to impress my guests with this simple cheese board.