No matter what you call them, cheese boards are a delight. An assortment of finger foods with a million different flavor combos — who wouldn’t love them? But the truth is, I’ve always been a bit intimidated by these boards. There are so many types, and how in the heavens are you supposed to know which cheeses pair with which whats (you know?)? To simplify it, I decided to start following a formula where I break it down into food types and then assign each one a number. The number indicates how many types of that food to include. It’s a formula that hasn’t betrayed me yet, so I’m sticking to it!
What goes on a cheese board?
This 1-2-3-4-5 formula creates the ultimate vegetarian cheese board. It provides the perfect ratio of cheese to cracker options, involves some fruit and veggies, and even throws a fruit compote! Jump to the recipe card for exact measurements!
How to build your cheese board
A good cheeseboard is just as much about the presentation as it is about the ingredients on it. So, to make sure everything fits well on your board, we’ll build it backwards: 5-4-3-2-1! This is a quick overview, but you can jump to the recipe card for the full printable recipe. Five Crackers or BreadsThese are the base of everything on the cheeseboard, so don’t skimp out here! Four CheesesYou may be thinking, “That’s a lot of cheese.” You are correct. But too much cheese? Heck no. Traditionally, to get a lot of flavors and textures up in there, you’ll want to go with:
something old something new something goat something blue
Check out our cheese variety guide to help pick your cheeses! To make it easy to enjoy, cut up any of the firmer cheese into bite-sized pieces so they can be easily paired with the crackers; no cutting is required. Three Fruits or VeggiesSomething light and fresh, like crunchy apples, strawberries, sliced cucumbers, sliced bell peppers, or grapes to balance out the salty cheeses, makes for the perfect combination. Two Savory ThingsGo with two savory goodies like marinated olives, salted nuts, or even vegan pepperoni. This is my favorite part of the boards because it’s a small step that adds so much variation and flavor! One Fruit CompoteFinally, add a fruit compote such as cranberry sauce, apple butter, or jam!
Charcuterie Board Assembly Tips
