How To Choose The Right Cheese For Your Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie boards took over Instagram feeds and restaurant menus a couple of years ago and show no signs of going away. Charcuterie platters typically feature cured meats arranged on a slate or board, along with mouth-watering accompaniments. Think of a cheese board but with meat. And in just the same way that cheese boards can feature charcuterie, charcuterie boards usually include a star turn of delicious cheeses to accompany the meat.

If you’re wondering how to choose the right cheese for your charcuterie board, this blog has all the answers. We’ll fill you in on the essentials of getting a charcuterie board right, from the best-cured meats to choosing the right cheeses and extras like crackers to jams and pickles.

Once you’ve got the charcuterie right, knowing how to select the right cheeses for your board is much easier. So let’s get started with the basics.

What Is Charcuterie?

The word charcuterie comes from the French chair “flesh” and cuit “cooked.” It’s the French term for the culinary art of preparing meat products such as salami, ham, terrines, galantines, pâtés, confit and dry-cured sausages.

Curing meat has been an important craft since at least the 15th century, preserving meat so that it lasted longer. In France, shops known as charcuteries featured cured meat goods hanging in their windows to draw customers in, and typically also sold confits, foie gras and a selection of prepared foods.

The French don’t have a monopoly on cured meat traditions, however. Italy, Spain and Germany have their own specialities. Your charcuterie board can include meats from multiple cultures, and a useful guide for selecting cheese is to choose options from the same country or region as your meats.

What To Put On A Charcuterie Board

Here’s a quick guide to the different types of charcuterie people typically choose for their boards.

Whole Muscle Meats

With whole muscle meats, salt, air and time come together to cure whole cuts of meat. These are recognisable by ribbons of fat and muscle, and include Prosciutto or Parma ham, Spanish Jamon Iberico, Jamon Serrano and Italian-style speck.

Dry Cured Meats

Here, meat (usually pork) is ground, salted and spiced, then stuffed into casings and left to cure. Pepperoni is a classic example of a dry-cured meat.

Encased Sausage

This category includes sausages such as Spanish chorizo and German bratwurst. Unlike other charcuterie types, these must be cooked before eating.

Cooked Meats

Ham, roast turkey, pastrami and other deli meats fall into this category. While they aren’t typical on traditional charcuterie boards, they can be included to suit your guests’ tastes.

Best Meats For A Charcuterie Board

Many great charcuterie boards feature a mix of cured meat styles. Choosing one from each category creates balance and variety.

• Prosciutto
• Saucisson Sec
• Sopressata
• Genoa salami
• Mortadella
• Spanish chorizo
• ’Nduja

What Cheeses To Put On A Charcuterie Board

Now that we’ve covered the meats, it’s time to focus on cheese. Understanding basic cheese categories makes it easier to find pairings that complement your charcuterie.

Understanding Cheese Categories

Cheeses generally fall into four categories: fresh, soft, semi-soft and hard.

Fresh cheeses are mild and creamy, soft cheeses are rich and gooey, semi-soft cheeses strike a balance, and hard cheeses offer a firm texture and bold flavour.

These categories help you build a board that suits a range of tastes and preferences.

What Cheese Is Best For A Charcuterie Board?

Following the rule of threes, choose cheeses from different categories to provide contrast and variety.

1. Hard cheese: Parmesan, aged Gouda.
2. Firm cheese: Gruyère, Comté, Manchego, mature Cheddar, Red Leicester.
3. Semi-soft cheese: Havarti, Muenster.
4. Soft cheese: Brie, Burrata, Mascarpone.
5. Blue cheese: Gorgonzola, Stilton.

Cheese And Meat: The 3-3-3-3 Rule

The 3-3-3-3 rule is a simple way to build a balanced charcuterie board.

This means three meats, three cheeses, three starch options and three accompaniments such as fruit, nuts, olives or vegetables.

Tips For Choosing Cheese For Charcuterie Boards

Complementing Flavours And Textures

Balance is key. Pair creamy cheeses with sweet accompaniments and sharper cheeses with savoury or spicy elements.

Including a range of textures, from crumbly blue cheese to creamy Cheshire cheese, keeps your board interesting.

Selecting A Mix Of Milk Types

Cheeses made from cow, goat and sheep milk all bring unique flavours and textures. Mixing milk types adds depth and variety.

Catering To Different Diets And Preferences

Goat and sheep milk cheeses are often easier to digest for those with lactose sensitivity, while plant-based alternatives suit vegan guests.

All of our cheeses are made with vegetarian rennet and are VegSoc approved.

Accompaniments For A Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board benefits from a selection of well-chosen extras. Popular options include:

• Fresh and dried fruit such as grapes, figs, berries, apricots and dates
• Nuts including walnuts and almonds
• Jams, preserves and honey
• Chutneys such as caramelised onion
• Olives and pickles
• Mustard, including wholegrain, Dijon or English
• Bread and crackers

Try Local And Artisanal Options

Local creameries and artisanal producers offer unique cheeses that add personality to your board.

You can browse our full range of traditional cheeses here.

Summary: What Cheese Goes On A Charcuterie Board?

Building a great charcuterie board means balancing cheese styles, flavours, textures, milk types and dietary needs.

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