Planning on entertaining at home this holiday season and looking for easy appetizers? Winter cheese board is the perfect solution. Includes tips on how to make the best cheese board!

Making this winter cheese board is quick and easy and does not require any special skills. It’s the perfect appetizer for any occasion from Christmas parties and Thanksgiving get-togethers, to game days to birthday parties.

Find below answers to frequently asked questions that will help you learn how to make this cheese board (or a charcuterie platter).

How do you make a good cheese board

A cheese board should have a good variety of everything – fruits, veggies, dippers, crackers, cheeses, meats, etc. The reason is simple: It’s easier to please all your guests.

It’s also good to remember to ask your guests beforehand if they have any special diets or allergies so you can plan ahead and avoid certain foods (or serve them separately, if needed).

What are the best cheeses for a cheese board?

There is no such thing as choosing the wrong cheese for your cheese platter. The important thing is to include a selection of 2 or 3 (at least) and more importantly pick the ones you and your guests like. There is no point in choosing something you know that you don’t like.

Now that being said, a cheese board is a great way to taste new types of cheese. You can start with the kinds you like and add one new type to the selection. If you see that your guest likes the new flavor, then it’s a keeper. If not, try another one next time.

What meats go on a cheese board?

Again, anything you like, or you want to try. Salami, prosciutto, ham, mortadella, dry cured chorizo … I used ham and two types of salami to make the cheese board.

How to assemble a cheese board

You have 3 options:

The random approach is the easiest one! Start with placing small bowls of dips or pate onto a designated tray, platter or anything you will be using to hold the snacks. Then fill the gaps with: cheese, meats, nuts, fruits, veggies, crackers, etc.
Creating a certain shape – like a Thanksgiving turkey cheese board or Christmas tree cheese board, Christmas wreath cheese board or heart-shaped cheese platter …
Arranging in rows – e.g. take a round board or tray. Cut everything thin, preferably into slices. Say you have a dip. Place it in the middle and arrange everything around it in nice rows. Cucumber slices in one, next cheese slices, salami, etc … You can do the same with a rectangular tray.

How do you make a charcuterie platter?

The same way as cheese board.

Platter

If you would like to make this winter cheese board but don’t have a platter or tray, don’t worry. You can use anything you have on hand as long as it is large enough to fit all your goodies.

Baking sheet – just line it with baking parchment first.
Chopping board – I have a wooden chopping board that I often use. Now you could also make two small winter cheese boards instead of 1 large, if needed.
Serving tray

Garnish

Fresh rosemary sprigs look always nice, but you can also use fresh bay leaves or lemon thyme sprigs.

Appetizers that can be served alongside cheese board or part of it:

Get inspired by more cheese board ideas:

Winter Cheese Board

Author: Julia

Planning on entertaining at home this holiday season and looking for easy appetizers? The winter cheese board is the perfect solution. Includes tips on how to make the best cheese board!

5 from 9 votes

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Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings

Ingredients

seedless grapes
orange
celery ribs
cheese (see note 2)
radish
dried cranberries
endives
blackberries
blueberries
salami of your choice (see note 3)
stuffed sweet peppers
olives
pear
hummus
crackers

Instructions

Get a large tray or platter. Line it with baking parchment, if needed.
Pour hummus (or any dip you are using) into a small bowl. You can use more bowls (e.g. for berries or more dips) if you like. Place the bowls onto the tray.
Now, fill the gaps with the rest of the foods you chose to use. It does not matter how or where you put them. In general, I try to avoid having the same-colored foods next to one another.
Cut/slice all the veggies, meats and cheese into bite-size pieces.
Don’t be afraid to overfill your tray and fill the gaps with any small snacks like nuts, dried fruits, berries.
Crackers (or breadsticks or crostini) can be served separately, if you don’t have enough space on the board.
Enjoy!

Notes

The preparation time will vary. This will depend on what items you choose to include in your cheese board. Some might need more cutting while others do not. You might also like to prepare some dips from scratch which will also increase the prep time.
Cheese – use anything you and your guests like: gouda, brie, blue cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, …
This is a very versatile recipe – you can use any ingredients you like. I always try to include a good variety of items so that everyone finds something they like.
Salamis – you can use anything you like. Also ham or prosciutto or dry cured chorizo will work great.
For more information or if in doubt, I recommend reading the full post that is above this recipe card. It contains answers to FAQs.
This winter cheese board in the photo serves about 6-8 people.
Large cheese boards might not fit in your fridge so it’s best to assemble them shortly before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 105 kcal (5%), Carbohydrates: 14 g (5%), Protein: 4 g (8%), Fat: 5 g (8%), Saturated Fat: 2 g (13%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 11 mg (4%), Sodium: 151 mg (7%), Fiber: 2 g (8%), Sugar: 9 g (10%)

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

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