A cheese charcuterie board is the ideal way to bring together a variety of flavors, textures, and colors in one stunning display. Whether for a casual get-together, a holiday celebration, or just a cozy evening at home, a cheese charcuterie board offers an elegant and inviting way to enjoy a wide selection of cheeses, meats, and accompaniments.
At its core, a cheese charcuterie board is about variety. The selection of cheeses is key to creating balance. You can choose a mix of textures, from soft, creamy Brie and tangy goat cheese to sharp, crumbly blue cheese or nutty aged cheddar. Offering a range of flavors, from mild to bold and creamy to crumbly, ensures that everyone will find a favorite.
Adding charcuterie to the board gives it even more depth. Think thinly sliced prosciutto, salami, or chorizo. These cured meats provide a savory contrast to the richness of the cheeses and complement the overall flavors. The saltiness of the meats also pairs beautifully with sweeter accompaniments like fruits, jams, and honey.
Accompaniments are key to elevating a cheese charcuterie board. Fresh and dried fruits like grapes, figs, and apples add sweetness. Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, or pistachios contribute crunch, while crackers or artisanal bread offer a base for spreading cheese or enjoying on their own. Pickles or olives can provide a briny bite to balance the richness of the cheeses and meats.
The beauty of a cheese charcuterie board is its flexibility. You can customize it based on your preferences, dietary restrictions, or the season. For example, in the fall, you might add roasted nuts, pumpkin preserves, and a few slices of pear, while in the summer, fresh berries and figs can brighten up the board.
A well-crafted cheese charcuterie board isn’t just about taste; it’s about creating a visual feast. The variety of textures and colors, from creamy whites and deep blues to golden yellows and rich reds, makes the board as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.
This recipe is made by Shannon Stork-Patterson.

Ingredients
- 1/2 lb Cheese At least 6 types – Soft (Brie, Havarti, Goat, Mozzarella balls), Semi-Hard (Cheddar, Parmesan, Provolone)
- 20 slices Prosciutto
- 20 slices Hard Genoa Salami
- 20 slices Sopressata
- 2 cups Assorted fruit (Dried fruits, raspberries, grapes)
- 1 cup Nuts
- 2 cups Veggies (Carrots, Celery, Sweet Peppers, Cucumbers)
- 1 cup Marinated Pickled/Olive Mixture
- 1 pound Assorted chocolate
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 20 Crackers
- 20 Baguette
- 100 Mini Pretzels
- 25 Bagel Chips
Instructions
- Clean and sanitize your work area.
- Choose your board, depending on your party size. You could always use multiple boards if needed.
- Cut your cheeses in different sizes and shapes and place around the board.
- Fold and add the meats: there are youtube videos on fun ways to fold cured meats before placing them on the board, like folding them in half and fanning them out, or folding them in half twice, so they are easy to grab. For thin meat (like prosciutto) fold them in a light and airy ribbon.
- Add savory and sweet accompaniments. Fill in some of the gaps with savory and sweet.
- Separate colors in a way that allows the brightest colors to stand out and place foods together that pair well together.
- Pair sweet accompaniments like fresh fruit, jams, and candied nuts, near the brie cheese or goat cheese.
- Fill in extra space with crackers.
- Fill any extra gaps with nuts or fruit.
- Other additional ideas: Hummus, Kalamata Olives, black olives, pickled mushrooms, trail mix, small pickles, multi grain crackers, strawberries, blackberries, guacamole, tortilla chips, sun chips, pickled artichokes, blue cheese crumbles, yogurt covered pretzels or nuts, cherries, apple slices, dips. The possibilities are endless.
I followed this but my board looked nothing like the picture! I guess I’m not as artistic as I thought. 😂
So much work for a board? Why not just put it all on a plate? 🤔
I get what you mean, but it’s not just about the effort! The presentation makes the flavors pop! It’s totally worth it for a party vibe. 🎉
Honestly, do I need 100 mini pretzels? Seems like overkill.
Cheese is life! 😍 Can’t wait to make this for my party next week!!
Get Creative, FUN!
Delicious combo! My family devoured it, especially the fruits with the cheese.
Ok but why is balsamic vinegar in this? Seems weird to me.
Honestly, it seems a bit overwhelming with all these ingredients. Can’t I just buy cheese and crackers?
I get that it looks like a lot, but it’s worth it! A cheese and cracker board can be boring compared to this. Try it, you might love it!
Yum!!! Cheese is life! 🧀🎉 Gonna make this tomorrow
Sounds amazing! Can’t wait to see how it turns out! 🧀🥳
This looks absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to try it for my next gathering. 🧀🍇
Looks good but is it really that easy? Too many things to prepare, might just order pizza instead. 😕
Sounds like a perfect plan! I love cheese boards, they really bring everyone together. 🧀❤️
I tried making this and ended up just eating half the cheese before serving. 😂
Haha, I totally relate! The cheese is always too tempting! 🧀😂
You know, it’s a charcuterie board, not just cheese board! Did you try the fruits or meats? 🤔
I made this for my friend’s birthday party and it was a hit! Everyone loved it and it was so colorful!
I don’t know, this seems a bit too much food for one board. How does that even fit?!
That’s awesome! 🎉 I’ve always wanted to try making a charcuterie board. Do you have any tips for arranging it?
Nice idea! But why does balsamic vinegar need to be on this? Isn’t that for salads? 😂
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it for my next gathering.
This recipe is AMAZING! I tried it for a gathering and my guests loved it.
Uhh, isn’t that like, too much food? Who can eat that much cheese? Seems crazy.
Yummm! But what about vegans? Not everyone likes cheese! Should include more options.
I don’t get the fuss over charcuterie boards. Just put cheese and crackers on a plate. 🤷
Yum! Can I substitute some cheeses? I can’t find goat cheese anywhere.
Absolutely wonderful! This recipe is a game changer for gatherings. Everyone loved it!
Love all the colors in this! Perfect for a summer gathering. Just a tip: you might wanna leave out the olives for picky eaters. 😛
Never thought of using dried fruit! Cool idea! 🤩
YUM, I substituted chocolate with cookies and it was still a hit!
Wohoo, this is gonna be fun to prepare! Got to show off! 🎉
I don’t understand the fuss with charcuterie boards. Just give me a sandwich. This is too extra!
Looks great, but do I really need that many meats? Can’t I just do peppers and bread? Simple is better!
Very good balance of flavors! I didn’t use pickles but added some olives and it worked out great!
Not sure about olives, but I guess if it worked for you, it’s worth a try! I just love my pickles too much 😅.
Olives, huh? That’s a twist! I usually go with pickles too, but I might give this a shot. Thanks for the idea!
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it for my next party!
Thanks! It really is a showstopper, perfect for parties! Let me know how it goes!
Seems a bit too complicated for me. Why so many types of cheese? 3 should be enough. 😬
I get what you mean, but the variety actually makes it special! You can pick what you like. 😋
Nah, 3 cheeses ain’t enough! You need the flavors to mix! 🍕🧀
Whoa, that’s a lot of different types of cheese! What if I only like cheddar?
You can totally make a board with just cheddar! Just focus on what you love, and maybe try some different flavored cheddars if you’re adventurous!
I dunno, that sounds kinda bland if you ask me. Cheese is all about the variety. Cheddar’s good, but what’s wrong with a lil’ taste test?
I like cheese, but I ain’t got time to make this fancy board. Just gimme some cheddar, please!
Made this for a party. Everyone loved it! Especially the goat cheese!
Looks complicated and messy. I would rather just buy a pre-made one. Too much effort for me.
This is an amazing recipe! I made it for a party and everyone loved it. The combination of cheeses and fruits was perfect!
My cheese board ended up looking like a mess, lol. Should’ve followed the instructions more closely.
I don’t think this will work. Too many different ingredients. Less is more, you know?
Great tips for arranging! I never thought of folding meats, will do that for next party. Thanks!
Cheese and meat? Count me in! But why is there chocolate? Kinda weird combo.
I dunno, seems like too much cheese to me. I like variety but not cheese overdose.