Effortless Cheese Boards
I've never read the famous book by Dale Carnegie about how to make friends, but I have to imagine he has a whole chapter dedicated to charcuterie boards. Regardless of what you call it - the adult lunchable or a TikTok girl dinner - bringing something beautiful and delicious to share will make you the hero of every summer gathering.
And it doesn't have to be complicated. Here are our absolute favorites for your next picnic or wine tasting!
Cheeses Everyone Will Love
- Emmi Roth Gruyère Cheese: This is a classic cheese that everyone loves. It's nutty, sweet, and slightly salty.
- Boursin Cheese With Garlic and Herbs: This cheese is so creamy and flavorful with the perfect mix of garlic and herbs.
- Beechers’ Aged Cheddar: This cheddar has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor.
- Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog: This goat cheese is creamy, slightly lemony and mildly goaty.
- Montchevre Blueberry Goat Cheese: The blueberries add a touch of sweetness that complements the tangy goat cheese.
- Castello Creamy Havarti: This cheese is so creamy and mild.
- Appel Farms Gouda: This cheese has a rich, smoky flavor.
- Fromage d'Affinois Brie: This cheese is so creamy and buttery. It's a little milder than traditional brie, which makes it perfect for pairing with fruit or crackers.
Charcuterie Favorites
- Brooklyn Cured Sliced Sweet Soppressata: This is one of my favorite salamis. The sweetness of the soppressata is perfectly balanced.
- Olli Napoli Salami Applewood Smoked: This salami has a nice smoky flavor that's not too overpowering. It's perfect for adding some depth to your cheese board.
- Creminelli Prosciutto: This prosciutto is sliced thin and has a delicate flavor. It pairs perfectly with a creamy cheese like brie.
- Creminelli Salame Sliced Varzi: I love the thin slice of this one.
- Coro Original Salami: This local favorite has a classic flavor that everyone loves.
The Perfect Cracker
- Raincoast Rosemary Raisin Crackers: These crackers are my absolute favorite because they're so flavorful and crunchy. The rosemary and raisin flavors pair perfectly with any cheese on the board.
- La Panzanella Croccantini Original Mini Crackers: These mini crackers are perfect for snacking on their own or pairing with a creamy cheese. They have a light and crispy texture that's so satisfying.
- Simple Mills Gluten-Free Crackers: These gluten-free crackers have a great crunch and are perfect for pairing with any cheese or charcuterie. They're made with simple ingredients and have a delicious flavor.
- 365 Water Crackers: These classic water crackers are a staple for any cheese board. They have a light and crispy texture that pairs perfectly with any cheese or charcuterie.
- 34 Degrees Original Crisps: These thin and crunchy crisps are perfect for adding some texture to your cheese board. They have a great flavor that's not too overpowering.
- Blue Diamond Nut Thins: These nut-based crackers are gluten-free and have a great crunch. They're perfect for pairing with any cheese or charcuterie and adding some nutty flavor to the board.
- Rustic Bakery Olive Oil Sel Gris Flatbread Bites: These flatbread bites are so flavorful and have the perfect amount of salt. They're great on their own or paired with a creamy cheese.
It's Good to be Extra
- Fresh Fruit: Seasonal fruits such as cherries, peaches, strawberries, and apples are a great addition to any cheese board. They add a touch of sweetness and freshness that complements the savory flavors of the cheeses and meats.
- Dried Fruit - Joolie Dates or Dried Apricots: Dried fruits like chopped dates or dried apricots add a nice chewy texture to the cheese board. They also add a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs well with the salty and savory flavors of the cheeses and meats.
- Honey - Regular or Hot: Honey is my go-to for my charcuterie board. Hot honey adds a little bit of heat for those who like a little spice.
- Jams - Fig Spread or anything Girl Meets Dirt: Jams like fig or anything from Girl Meets Dirt add a nice sweetness and tanginess to the cheese board.
- Nuts - Marcona Almonds, Candied Walnuts, Chocolate Covered Pecans: Nuts add a nice crunch and texture to the cheese board.
- Savory Favorites - Olives offer a salty and briny flavor that pairs well with many types of cheese, while arugula adds a peppery and fresh flavor to the board.