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Unique Cheese Board Ideas And Serving Platters For Your Next Social Gathering

It’s so much fun putting together cheese board ideas. In fact, I would say that a charcuterie board is probably my favorite thing to put together for guests. There’s something special about pulling together a variety of flavor profiles and textures and displaying them in a way that’s almost artistic. Don’t you agree?

Unique Cheese Board Ideas

Am I the only one that gets this excited over cured meats? I hope not. LOL. If you are looking for the best cheese board ideas, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve scoured the web for some of the most unique designs and have come up with a few styles that are certain to wow your guests and suit your every need.

What Makes A Good Cheese Board A Great Cheese Board?

Personally, I think it all comes down to variety and display. You never want to cram your options on top of one another. Having ample space between your dairy and your protein options is key. I think the SIZE of the board can help with this hostess dilemma.

In the past, I would put out a number of plates and spread them around my kitchen island in lieu of having one large block able to handle all my appetizers at once. Both are equally effective – but the emotional effect one has over the other is miles apart. {O.M.G She is soooo dramatic} What? It’s the TRUTH.

When you walk into a party and find yourself greeted with a display that is oversized and complex and unified, you are taken aback. You hover over. You dissect.

Your eyes wander from one corner to the next. It’s almost like Christmas! What little presents will you find as you roam around the masterpiece before you? A large block brings people in. It’s a conversation starter. A showpiece.

The Best Cheese Board Ideas

When you have several different plates, your guests will be equally satisfied as far as the food is concerned, but their emotional relationship to the course will be different. They will pick and graze and mingle and come back for more… but there will be no conversation about display. It’s all up to how you want to play the day. Some care about it and some don’t. Neither is right or wrong.

To be REALLY honest with you, I don’t tend to do too many BIG things during my parties. I am always so frazzled when I have guests over.

So, one big showstopper is enough for me and a charcuterie board is easy enough to do. A cheese board is a breeze to put together and I know it gets the results I want. Take it from me – the lazy hostess – this works. 😉

Great Cheese Board Ideas

Here are a few beautiful charcuterie board ideas for you to consider. I love every single one of them. Whether it’s slate or stone or wood – it all works!

Agate Cheese Board ANTHROPOLOGIE

Agate Cheese Board ANTHROPOLOGIE

Large Acacia Wood Tray TREASURE & BOND

Large Acacia Wood Tray TREASURE & BOND

Monogram Acacia Wood Cheese Board CATHY'S CONCEPTS

Monogram Acacia Wood Cheese Board CATHY’S CONCEPTS

Long Slate & Wood Serving Board TREASURE & BOND

Long Slate & Wood Serving Board TREASURE & BOND

oversized cheese board

Oversized Cheese Board

What Should I Include On My Cheese Board?

This is a really personal question. Honestly, the answer is – whatever you feel like eating. A cheese board is whatever you make of it. What will your guests like? Would they like honey drizzled on their cheese? Or something with a cherry tang instead? Get creative! Go bold! Or keep it as simple as you’d like.

  • Cured Meat. Examples: Prosciutto, Capicola, Salami, Pepperoni
  • Nuts
  • Fruit
  • Terrines
  • Pâtés
  • A mix of aged, soft, firm, and blue cheese. Example:  Cheddar, Comte, Camembert, Manchego, Valdeón, Stilton
  • Crackers and Bread
  • Dips and Spreads – my personal favorite is The Backyard Food Company
  • Vegetables
  • Olives

How Much Cheese Do You Put On Your Cheese Board?

The general rule of thumb is that you will need about 1 to 1 1/2 ounces of each cheese per person. To be honest with you, I just cut up exactly what I need to fill my board. I don’t worry about the guests. Is that wrong? Maybe.

What do you typically include on your cheese board? Is there something that you absolutely cannot host without? For me, it’s artichoke hearts! I love them so much – they are my FAVORITE appetizer for sure.

Looking for more appetizer ideas to pair with your charcuterie board? Check out these recipes!

 

Carol Milliron

Monday 22nd of October 2018

Yum! I would love to dive into that assortment! I also like to consider color - of the cheese and the fruit. Cheers!

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