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Home ·  Recipes

Meat and Cheese Board with Wine Pairing

Author: Maryanne CabreraPublished: Aug 1, 2016Updated: Sep 12, 2022
View Recipe8 Reviews
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Whatever the celebration, a well balanced meat and cheese board is welcome addition to the table all year long.

Paired with a wine or two, meat and cheese boards are the perfect reason to call your friends over for an impromptu gathering.

Meat and Cheese Board + Wine Pairing Tips

Disclosure: This post was sponsored on behalf of The Seeker Wines via One2One Network. All opinions stated are my own. 

I once only reserved meat and cheese boards for restaurants. I found the task of making it myself a bit intimidating.

Over the years, I’ve learned quite a lot about cheeses.

By being open to sampling new cheeses and asking the cheesemonger a ton of questions, you’ll get to know your palate.

In no time, you’ll know what you like and dislike.

What I once found daunting, I now find super exciting (and satisfying)!

Think of creating your meat and cheese boards like an adventure.

Take a risk, be curious, and have an open mind. Once you’ve completed your board, pair your success with a great wine!

Meat & Cheese Board 101

Key Players

  1. Cured Meats
  2. Cheeses
  3. Bread or Crackers
  4. Olives & Pickles
  5. Honey & Jams
  6. Nuts
  7. Fruits
Meat and Cheese Board + Wine Pairing Tips

This is my go-to check list when procuring items:

Meat and Cheese Board Components

  1. Cured Meats: I suggest two to three cured meats. I like to go with different textures. I’ll usually get thinly sliced prosciutto and pair that with a hard cured meats (like salami, copa, sopressata). For special occasions, I’ll add some pate. About 2 oz of meat per person will suffice.
  2. Cheeses: I let the cheese be the star. Think variety in terms of textures and milks. Try to incorporate at least one soft (or semi-soft) cheese and one hard cheese. Pick cheeses made from different milks: cow, sheep, goat, or a mixture. About 3 – 4 oz of cheese per person is a good serving.
  3. Bread or crackers: Keep the bread and/or crackers simple. Thin slices of baguette, plain breadsticks, or toast is great. Choose crackers that are light on flavor so you can highlight the meats and cheeses. These are nice accompaniments that provide additional crunch and texture.
  4. Olives & Pickles: Olives and other pickled snacks provide a great contrast to the rich meats and cheeses. Think of this like a palate cleanser. The sharp sour notes will cut through the richness of the other items. (Cornichons are a great choice!)
  5. Honey & Jams: For sweetness, add honey and one jam/preserve. If you’re serving brie or blue cheese, honey is much appreciated. Keep the honey and jam in separate containers. As nice as it looks poured onto a board, it ends up creating a huge mess.
  6. Nuts: Marcona almonds are my favorite and they’re a staple on all my meat and cheese boards. Add whatever nut you prefer- walnuts, pistachios, pecans. These are another delicious way to incorporate crunch and textural variety.
  7. Fruits: Grapes, raisins, dried figs, and dried apricots are standard. Depending on the season, it’s great to incorporate fresh fruits like peaches, nectarines, and cherries.
Meat and Cheese Board + Wine Pairing Tips

And the last piece to round out this puzzle is WINE!

This summer I’m pairing my meat and cheese boards with The Seeker Wines.

No matter the mood or company, I’m bound to find a matching wine. The Seeker carries a wide variety of wines from all over the world.

The Seeker provides a carefully curated collection of the best wines from where they grow best. Think Rosé from France and Chardonnay from California.

For today’s board, we are pairing it with a Malbec from Argentina and a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. I like to offer a red and white to suit everyone’s tastes.

Meat and Cheese Board + Wine Pairing Tips

Tips for Serving Cheese

Be sure to slice your cheeses before serving.

There’s nothing I hate more than seeing a huge block of uncut cheese on a board. It makes it very difficult for guests to serve themselves.

Cheese 101

Serving Cheese

  • Cut firmer cheeses into small 1/4-inch slices.
  • Crumble softer cheeses like blue cheese into manageable bites.
  • For super soft cheeses like brie, be sure to have a serving knife available.

There is a BIG difference in taste between cold cheese and room temperature cheese.

  • Allow the cheeses to sit out for about 20-30 minutes before serving.
  • Let your red wine aerate and keep your white wine chilled.
Meat and Cheese Board + Wine Pairing Tips

My meat and cheese board felt like a trip around the world!

Cured meats from Italy, cheeses from France, Spain, and Holland, and wines from Argentina and New Zealand.

The conversations that stem simply from naming the origins of our feast is such a delight.

It’s bound to make you want to travel, explore, and go on an adventure!

Charcuterie and Cheese Board + Wine Pairing Tips

Meat and Cheese Board Components

Whatever the celebration, meat and cheese boards are welcome addition to the table all year long. Paired with a wine or two, meat and cheese boards are the perfect reason to call your friends over for an impromptu gathering.
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Instructions
 

  • Cured Meats: I suggest two to three cured meats. I like to go with different textures. I’ll usually get thinly sliced prosciutto and pair that with a hard cured meats (like salami, copa, sopressata). For special occasions, I’ll add some pate. 
    About 2 oz of meat per person will suffice.
  • Cheeses: I let the cheese be the star. Think variety in terms of textures and milks. Try to incorporate at least one soft (or semi-soft) cheese and one hard cheese. Pick cheeses made from different milks: cow, sheep, goat, or a mixture. 
    About 3 – 4 oz of cheese per person is a good serving.
  • Bread or Crackers: Keep the bread and/or crackers simple. Thin slices of baguette, plain breadsticks, or toast is great. Choose crackers that are light on flavor so you can highlight the meats and cheeses. These are nice accompaniments that provide additional crunch and texture.
  • Olives & Pickles: Olives and other pickled snacks provide a great contrast to the rich meats and cheeses. Think of this like a palate cleanser. The sharp sour notes will cut through the richness of the other items. (Cornichons are a great choice!)
  • Honey & Jams: For sweetness, add honey and one jam/preserve. If you’re serving brie or blue cheese, honey is much appreciated. Keep the honey and jam in separate containers. As nice as it looks poured onto a board, it ends up creating a huge mess.
  • Nuts: Marcona almonds are my favorite and they’re a staple on all my meat and cheese boards. Add whatever nut you prefer- walnuts, pistachios, pecans. These are another delicious way to incorporate crunch and textural variety.
  • Fruits: Grapes, raisins, dried figs, and dried apricots are standard. Depending on the season, it’s great to incorporate fresh fruits like peaches, nectarines, and cherries.
Author: Maryanne Cabrera
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: meat and cheese board, how to make cheese board, charcuterie board
Did you make this recipe?Show us on Instagram! Tag @littleepicurean and hashtag #littleepicurean.

Interested in more appetizers, grazing boards, and finger foods? Try these favorites:

  • Everything Pretzels topped with black and white sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic bits, dried onion flakes and coarse salt.
  • Ricotta Flatbread with Prunes and Jamon Serrano is a delicious blend of sweet and savory.
  • Roasted Garlic Bread pairs wonderfully with rose wine.
8 Reviews
Filed in:
AppetizersCheese · Fall + Winter · Meat · Savory · Wine

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Reader Questions and Reviews

  1. Jenn @ Peas and Crayons says:
    August 2, 2016

    Girl! This is gorgeous! I have wine and a snack plate nearly every night my husband is flying late and it’s just the best! :) Party perfect too!

    Reply
  2. Katerina @ Diethood says:
    August 2, 2016

    OMG! I love everything about this!! The great wine and that gorgeous snack plate! YUM!

    Reply
  3. Michelle De La Cerda says:
    August 2, 2016

    This is my kind of spread!! I love it!

    Reply
  4. Sabrina says:
    August 3, 2016

    What a gorgeous spread! Perfect for a dinner party!

    Reply
  5. Jen @ The Weary Chef says:
    August 3, 2016

    What a beautiful set up! Perfect for girl’s night!

    Reply
  6. Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen says:
    August 3, 2016

    This is THE perfect party tray. Just beautiful!

    Reply
  7. Michelle | A Latte Food says:
    August 4, 2016

    This meat and cheese tray is perfect for entertaining guests! I love the honey and jam additions!

    Reply
  8. Amanda @ Cookie Named Desire says:
    August 4, 2016

    I love cheese board inspiration! This is definitely a spread you would have to pull me away from!

    Reply
Maryanne Cabrera

Meet the Author

Maryanne Cabrera is a classically trained pastry chef, baker, cake maker, and cocktail shaker.
Read more about me

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