Cheese Board Ideas

Look no further if you're wondering what to put on a cheese board! Here are some incredible cheese board ideas for creating a mouth-watering simple cheese platter that your guests will love.

We help you choose the best cheeses for cheese boards, including different strengths, colours and textures. Add some savoury crackers and biscuits, nuts for crunch, fruits for sweetness, and pickles for tanginess. With these helpful tips, you can create the perfect cheese board every time!

Not only will it tantalise taste buds, but it also is so versatile, an ideal choice for quick and easy appetizers or a family dessert cheese board for an after-dinner treat! The possibilities are endless when crafting your amazing cheese board that looks as delightful as it tastes.

If you are looking for Christmas cheese board inspiration, we have another post dedicated to Christmas cheese board ideas.

Jump to:

• Choosing Cheeses
• Soft Cheese
• Semi-Hard Cheese
• Firm Cheese
• Hard Cheese
• Flavoured Cheese
• Colourful cheese
• Blue Cheese
• Artisan
• Assembling a Cheese Board
• Crackers, Biscuits and Bread
• Chutneys for Cheese Board
• Fruits for Cheese
• Nuts
• Serving suggestions
• 📖 Step by Step Recipe
• Cheese and Biscuits Wine Pairing
• More Sharing Platter Recipes
• Leftover Cheese Recipes
• 💬 Reviews

Get creative in crafting the ultimate cheese board with a perfect selection that tantalizes your taste buds! These suggestions are based on cheeses you can buy in the UK but are easily adaptable to other regional cheeses.

If you like the epic cheese board pictured in this blog post, you can jump straight to the recipe card for the ingredients and how we put this together. Or continue reading for other cheeseboard additions.

Jump to Cheese Board Recipe Card

Choosing Cheeses

When creating a good cheese board, it's essential to offer a variety of strengths, colours, and textures to provide your guests with a diverse tasting experience.

Strength

From creamy, mild and mellow to mature, vintage and bold. A good rule of thumb is to include at least one mild, medium-strength, and strong cheese on your board so everyone can find something they enjoy.

Colours

Cheese can come in various colours, depending on the type and age of the cheese. Make a cheese board more visually appealing by using a variety of coloured cheeses.

Textures

Like cheese strengths and colours, cheeses also come in various textures. I will break down some typical cheese textures you may encounter and include some examples of cheeses you could include on your cheese platter.

Soft Cheese

Soft cheeses have a creamy or spreadable texture and are usually mild in flavour, but some can be more pungent.

I will list the soft cheese we have included on our cheese board and some alternative selections.

Brie

Brie cheese is a smooth, creamy french delight that unquestionably adds sophistication to any cheese platter. We love serving this french cheese alongside our sweet and zesty homemade cranberry sauce for even more flavour!

Camembert

Another classic French cheese that is similar to Brie but has a more robust, earthier flavour is Camembert. Camembert is a soft, creamy cheese made from cow's milk. While it may have a strong aroma, the taste of Camembert is often milder than its scent would suggest.

Boursin

Boursin cheese is genuinely in a league of its own. Its velvety texture and delicate herby-garlic flavour leave your taste buds tantalized, so it's no surprise this product has become such an essential item for many cheeseboards.

Why not take things to the next level by adding some sweet chilli sauce? You won't regret it once you experience the fusion of flavours that will leave your lips smacking with delight.

Cream Cheese

A smooth and spreadable cheese that can be easily customized with additional ingredients to create a variety of flavours.

Semi-Hard Cheese

These cheeses have a firmer texture than soft cheeses and can range from mild to strong in flavour.

Goats Cheese

Chevre goat cheese adds a unique, tangy flavour to any board. Serve it with some apple slices for a delicious sweet, and savoury combination.

There are also soft goat cheese options available.

Gouda

Gouda is a type of cheese that originated in the Netherlands, it has a smooth and creamy texture with a slightly nutty taste.

Edam

Another Dutch cheese with a mild taste and smooth texture is great for people who don't like strong cheeses.

Mozzarella

Add mini mozzarella balls; these little bites of soft creamy goodness add freshness to the mix.

Jarlsberg

Jarlsberg is a Norwegian cheese with a slightly sweet, buttery and nutty flavour. Its mild flavour pairs well with other intense cheeses, making it a great addition to any cheese plate.

Firm Cheese

These cheeses have a solid texture and can be sliced or crumbled. They tend to have a stronger flavour than softer cheeses.

Mild Cheddar

Mild cheddar cheese typically has a smooth and creamy texture with a subtle buttery taste. It is considered a semi-hard cheese, meaning it has some firmness but is still somewhat pliable—it pairs well with crackers and pickles.

Medium cheddar

Medium cheddar cheese is a stronger alternative to mild cheddar. This cheese has a smooth texture and mellow flavour that pairs perfectly with fruits, chutneys and crackers.

Manchego

Manchego cheese is a Spanish cheese made from sheep's milk. It has a distinctive, nutty flavour and a firm texture and pairs brilliantly with fruits.

Colby Jack

Colby Jack is a versatile American cheese. It is easy to slice and goes well with crackers.

Hard Cheese

These cheeses are aged for long periods and usually have a crumbly texture, making it easier to serve in crumbly chunks. They tend to have the most intense flavour of all cheese types.

Mature Cheddar

As cheddar cheese ages, it loses moisture, and its texture becomes drier and more crumbly. The flavour also intensifies, becoming sharper and more complex. Some people prefer the pungent taste of aged cheddar, while others prefer mild.

To enhance the flavours of our dish, we used an extra mature cheddar that boasted a delightfully crumbly texture and robust cheesy taste.

Flavoured Cheese

Flavoured cheeses are a delicious way to excite your cheese boards. The flavourings are typically added during cheesemaking, resulting in a cheese infused with unique and exciting tastes.

Smoked Applewood

Smoked Applewood cheese is a delicious and unique variety of cheese that has gained popularity in recent years. The cheese is made with cow's milk and is naturally smoked over applewood chips, making it distinct and smoky. A great addition to the cheese and charcuterie board.

Mexicana Cheddar

Mexicana Cheddar is a flavourful and spicy cheese that adds a kick to any dish. This cheddar cheese is infused with Mexican spices like bell peppers, chilli peppers and jalapeno peppers, giving it a unique taste that sets it apart from traditional cheddar.

Wensleydale with Cranberries

Wensleydale cheese is a must-have for any cheese board, with its mild yet flavorful taste and creamy texture. Dried cranberries provide the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness that pairs exceedingly well with Wensleydale; dried apricots are also a delicious accompaniment to this delectable cheese.

Colourful cheese

When creating an easy cheese board, choosing colourful cheeses can elevate the presentation and make for an eye-catching display.

Sage Derby

Sage Derby is an exciting British cheese from Derbyshire, England, with its unmistakable mottled green hue created by sage leaves and a creative blend of parsley, spinach and marigold.

Red Leicester

Red Leicester is a beautiful addition to any cheese board. Its bright orange-red colour adds a pop for an eye-catching presentation on the cheese plate. We chose a vintage red Leicester cheese, this aged cheddar, to add texture that pairs well with fruits like grapes or figs.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheeses are a controversial topic among cheese lovers, with many fans and opponents. But no cheese board is complete without one! The variety of blue cheeses with unique textures and intensities makes them truly interesting to explore.

From delicate, smoother, mild blue cheeses to robust ones with solid flavours, every type of gourmet cheese plate can benefit from one or two varieties. Serve your favourite blue cheese with nuts or fresh fruits.

Gorgonzola

An Italian blue-veined cheese milder than most blue cheeses, it pairs well with fruits like pears or apples and nuts like walnuts or pecans. Some people may find the pungent aroma of gorgonzola off-putting, but it's an excellent introduction to blue cheese.

Stilton

Stilton blue cheese is one of the stronger blues cheeses originating from England. Enjoy the pungent goodness of a variety boasting an unforgettable intense flavour that lingers on your tongue for ages after each irresistible bite.

Roquefort

You can mix things up on the cheese board by adding Roquefort, one of the oldest and strongest blue cheeses, have fun watching people try it for the first time.

Artisan

Support your local cheesemonger and opt for artisan cheese. Typically handcrafted, small-batch cheeses are made using traditional methods and high-quality ingredients. These cheeses are often produced by skilled cheesemakers who deeply understand the cheesemaking process and take great care to ensure that each batch is unique and flavorful. This will help you make the best cheese boards.

Assembling a Cheese Board

You may already have noticed how I presented each cheese in different shapes and ways to suit the texture and add visual interest to a cheese board. Aim to buy different shapes of blocks of the best cheeses.

Serving Board

We opted for two slate cheeseboards with a smaller one placed over the middle to add another layer. For everyday entertaining, a wooden chopping board will work just as well.

How to cut cheese

Cutting the first few pieces of cheese on the slate cutting board helps people feel more confident to continue cutting it.

Semi-soft cheese can be easily sliced into thin triangle slices from the wedge, rectangular slices directly from the block or even square cubes.

For strong crumbly cheese, allow it to crumble! Put soft cheeses into small dishes.

Position each cheese with spaces in between for all the extra additions I go through with you now.

Crackers, Biscuits and Bread

Cheese and biscuits are an incredibly popular British snack, known as cheese and crackers, in the US.

Many different types of biscuits and bread pair well with cheese, including cream crackers, water crackers, oatcakes, breadsticks, flatbreads or digestive biscuits.

Crackers

Crackers are a great way to enjoy cheese because they provide a strong base for the cheese to sit on. You can buy a selection box of crackers to try out different types or stick to a classic option like jacobs cream crackers, plain water crackers or wheat biscuits.

The key is to choose a cracker that won't overpower the flavour of the cheese. For example, a mild cheese may pair well with a Jacobs cream cracker, while a sharper cheese may need something more substantial like an oatcake or whole grain cracker to balance it out.

The timeless taste of Ritz crackers has pleased people of all ages for generations. These bite-sized creations are built with a delightful crunch, the perfect complement to any cheese board! Perfect for dipping into softer cheeses, as seen below.

Biscuits

If you're looking for the perfect accompaniment to a bolder cheese, Hovis crackers (digestive biscuit) are your ideal choice! Thick and hearty, they provide a delicious contrast that will enhance any meal.

Breads

When selecting bread for your cheese board, it's essential to consider both the flavour and texture. Fresh baguette slices are enjoyed with all types of cheese; bread sticks provide a crunchy texture, or try the Ryvita multiseed flatbreads.

Chutneys for Cheese Board

Cheese boards can be elevated with the perfect condiment! Both red onion chutney and Branston pickle for a classic British cheeseboard pairing.

Or try something sweeter such as fig jam, cranberry sauce or redcurrant jelly. Looking to spice things up? Chilli jam or mango chutney are great options.

Goats cheese also works well when drizzled in honey for extra sweetness!

You have already had a sneak peek at how we serve Boursin cheese with sweet chilli sauce pouring sauce! Here it is again!

Fruits for Cheese

Cheese boards require the perfect complement to balance out their richness - that's where fresh fruits come in. Classic pairings include green and red grapes.

Fresh berries, sliced apples or pears can do wonders for your board. Fresh figs are visually beautiful; you can add dates to bring sweetness in. Smaller dried fruits like cranberries or apricots fill spaces between cheeses.

Obviously whichever types of fruit you choose should align with the cheese selection for the cheeseboard to create an outstanding presentation!

Nuts

Various nuts can be the perfect addition to a cheese board, contrasting its crunch and nutty flavours. Walnuts have an unmistakable aroma that complements almost any type of cheese.

While pistachios offer a flavour depth and vibrant purple and green colours for visual appeal. Other nuts you could use include Marcona almonds, cashews or peanuts.

Optional Extras

Here are some more cheese board ideas for adding succulent flavours of olives and sun-dried tomatoes; we also add pickles, cornichons, pickled onions and pepper dew peppers scattered into any spaces left on the cheese board.

Or turn it into a fun, exquisite cheese charcuterie board by adding cold meat and roasted peppers.

Herbs

Adding some finely chopped fresh herbs with the cheese is a good cheese board idea. Some popular herbs that pair well with cheese include rosemary, thyme, basil, and oregano. They also look pretty with sprigs going around the cheese platter.

Pretzels

Salted pretzels can be a great addition to a cheese board! The saltiness of the pretzels can complement the flavours of the cheese, and their crunchy texture provides a nice contrast to the smoothness of the cheese. In addition, they are easy to pick up and eat, making them a convenient snack for guests at parties or gatherings.

Serving suggestions

Cheese and biscuits can be a delightful accompaniment for entertaining at a dinner party! Serve them as a perfect appetizer starter or a delectable dessert, perfect for family reuniting during the holidays. Don't forget to add the cheese knives so people can cut their pieces.

If served at just the right time, everyone around your table will feel closer together while nibbling away on all the different types of cheese board ideas you offer - creating an unforgettable experience that will bring people even closer!

📖 Step by Step Recipe

Are you looking for cheese board ideas for a romantic date night? Creating a cheese board for two can be the perfect way to set the mood for an intimate and cosy evening. In this case, pick one or two of your favourite cheeses, like a creamy brie or sharp cheddar, and pair them with complementary crackers, fruits, and nuts.

Cheese and Biscuits Wine Pairing

Cheese and wine are a classic pairing that has been enjoyed for centuries. The right combination of cheese and wine can enhance both flavours and creating a truly delicious experience.

There are a few general rules when pairing cheese board ideas with wine.

Sparkling Wines

Sparkling wines are perfect for pairing with soft, creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert. The bubbles help refresh your palate.

Some popular sparkling wine options include Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, and sparkling rosé.

White Wines

White wines are often paired with mild or salty cheeses. The acidity in white wines can help balance the saltiness, making them taste even more delicious.

Goat cheese or cheddar pair well with wines like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.

Red Wine

Red wines pair well with stronger, more robust cheeses. The tannins in red wine can help cut through the sharpness of aged cheddar or blues. Go for full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.

Ultimately, experimentation is the best way to find your perfect cheese and wine pairing!

Try different combinations to see what works best for you - I like a fruity Zinfandel Rose with Gouda or Danish Blue with a dry, crisp Chardonnay.

With so many options available, there's no shortage of delicious pairings to discover!

More Sharing Platter Recipes

We plan to create a fun charcuterie board soon with a selection of cheeses and cured meats, such as salami and prosciutto. In the meantime, here are some other sharing platters you may like.

Leftover Cheese Recipes

If you have cheese left over, we have plenty of fantastic cheesy recipe ideas to use them in!

We hope you enjoyed our guide to making an easy cheese board. Do you want to share any favourite cheese board ideas or combinations? We would love to hear your thoughts and comments!