Looking for tips on how to make a meat and cheese tray? This guide will help you choose the best meats and cheeses based on the occasion, variety, and personal preference. It will also provide tips on accompaniments to add to the tray and tips for serving and overall presentation.

Quick Notes

• Make a well-rounded meat and cheese tray with a variety of meats, gourmet cheeses, and accompaniments to suit all tastes.
• Presentation matters! Arrange your tray with height, color, and texture, and use small bowls for dips.
• Make your meat and cheese platter fit your occasion, go seasonal, or theme it to make it more fun for your guests.

Meat and Cheese Tray Basics

An excellent meat and cheese tray offers a variety of tastes and textures. It should have a selection of gourmet cheeses and various cured meats so there’s something for everyone’s taste, accompanied by fun sides that enhance the experience with complementary flavors.

We will break it down for you, starting with the meats, then the cheeses, and finally, the essentials that will make your meat and cheese tray pop.

Savory Meats

When it comes to the meat, diversity is key. Start with classics like turkey, ham, or kielbasa, which have been roasted or smoked to give a solid base. To elevate your platter, include more sophisticated deli meats like peppercorn-infused turkey, honeyed ham, pastrami, and roast beef for their unique tastes and textures. A genuinely top-notch meat and cheese tray wouldn’t be complete without a selection of cured meats: think salami varieties, summer sausage slices, prosciutto ribbons, capicola, bacon, pepperoni, and chorizo. This range will give you something for everyone.

When curating the selection, aim for an eclectic yet cohesive spread. Think about how each type of meat enhances the overall experience with the cheeses and other accompaniments. By considering this range of taste profiles and textures, you’ll ensure your meat and cheese tray will please all your guests.

Gourmet Cheeses

An outstanding meat and cheese tray has an assortment of cheeses as its focal point, and diversity in texture and taste is key to a great selection. Offer the firm bite and robust flavor of hard cheeses like Sharp Cheddar or Aged Parmesan, along with Brie or Gouda’s soft, rich texture, for a nice contrast on your board, including smooth, spreadable options like Herb and Garlic Goat Cheese or cream cheese with crackers and slices of fresh bread.

Accompaniments

Accompaniments are the icing on the cake of your meat and cheese tray. They add texture, color, and flavor and turn a plain tray into a charcuterie board. Think artisan crackers, nuts, seasonal fruits, dips, and spreads. These will fill the gaps and give you additional flavors and textures.

Add a dried fruit and nut snack mix for extra sophistication and variety. Here are some good mixes to consider:

• Fruit and Nut Snack Mix 1 – Cherry-Flavored Cranberries, Toffee-Toasted Peanuts, Roasted & Salted Cashews, and Dark Chocolate Almonds: This mix combines sweet and savory elements, complementing the richness of cheese while satisfying different tastes.
• Fruit and Nut Snack Mix 2: Dried Cranberries, Diced Mangos, Toffee-Toasted Pecans, Marcona Almonds: This snack mix features tropical fruit flavors and adds a refreshing sweetness that contrasts beautifully with savory cheeses.
• Fruit and Nut Snack Mix 3: Giant Corn Nuggets, Honey Roasted Cashews, Dried Strawberries, and Olive Oil Valencia Almonds: This unusual combination features crunchy textures and sweet flavors, providing guests with something unique to nibble throughout the game.
• Fruit and Nut Snack Mix 4—Red Chile Queso Peanuts, Salt & Pepper Cashews, Chile Lime Peanuts, Chorizo Crunchy Corn: This savory mix is perfect for those who enjoy spicy and tangy flavors.
• Fruit and Nut Snack Mix 5 – Rosemary Valencia Almonds, Diced Pineapple, Dried Cranberries, and Toffee Roasted Cashews. A sophisticated mix of crunchy and chewy textures with rich and sweet flavors.
• Fruit and Nut Snack Mix 6 – Truffle Valencia Almonds, Fire-Roasted Walnuts, Chilean Flame Raisins, Cinnamon-Diced Apples. A unique take on classic nuts with sweet cinnamon apples and a spicy/sweet twist on the classic raisin.

The accompaniments are where the snack magic happens, so get creative and add your own flair.

How to Assemble Your Meat and Cheeseboard

Assembling your meat and cheeseboard is an art. Start with the largest items first and create a base, then add a variety of meats, cheeses, and accompaniments for a visually appealing and eclectic charcuterie board. Fresh herbs, colorful candies, and other decorative elements will add visual interest.

Here are some specific tips to make it look as good as it tastes.

Small Bowls

Small bowls for dips and condiments will keep your tray tidy and add visual interest. Add dips just before serving to keep them fresh. Different containers for spreads and snacks will make your charcuterie board look even better.

Small bowls make it easier for your guests to access everything without overwhelming the tray.

Filling the Gaps

To keep your tray looking full and abundant, use vibrant elements like cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs to fill the gaps. Use crunchy treats like roasted nuts or corn nuts for the smaller holes.

Adding these will make the platter look better and introduce new flavors and textures.

Presentation Tips

Build a beautiful meat and cheese tray by rolling your meats and dicing your cheeses into small bite-sized pieces. This will make it easier for guests to eat and make your board look more beautiful. Different colors and textures will give you a colorful display. Add fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for extra color and fragrance and edible flowers for a touch of elegance.

Add elegant signage, such as small chalkboard signs or decorative tags, to guide your guests through the cheese tray and pique their interest in each item.

To add depth to your spread, use bowls or stands to layer your delicacies at different heights. Tiered trays are a great way to showcase your treats neatly arranged on the meat and cheese board and make it look even more beautiful.

Flavor Combinations and Pairings

To cater to different tastes, ensure your charcuterie board has a mix of flavors and textures. It should balance the softness, firmness, and crunchiness of various cheeses and add sweet elements like dried fruits and honey to enhance the flavor.

For the ultimate cheese tray, try these pairings and accompaniments with your meat and cheese.

Meat and Cheese Pairings

Blending meats with cheeses is an art form. Prosciutto and Parmesan perfectly balance buttery, salty, and creamy. Whole grain Dijon mustard with aged cheddar takes it to the next level. Smoked Gouda with dried apricots, pears, and feta is also a winner.

Luscious fruits like strawberries with tangy apples work beautifully with rich cheeses for a harmonious palate. Almonds and other crunchy snacks add textual contrast and work well with smooth cheeses like Brie and spreadable Goat Cheese.

Dip and Spread Options

Dips and spreads add flavor and variety to your meat and cheese board. Honey and artisan jams like Red Pepper Jelly or Pineapple Jalapeno Spread go well with cheese and summer sausage. Pesto and different mustards are also good options. Serve dips at room temperature and garnish with fresh herbs just before serving.

Meat and Cheese Tray Shopping

When building a meat and cheese board, getting premium ingredients and the right tools is important. With the deli and cheese options in local supermarkets becoming more diverse, it’s easier to find what you need.

To ensure that your meat and cheese tray is a hit, follow these guidelines when choosing meats, cheeses, and other important components.

Choosing Meats

To make a great meat and cheese tray, focus on getting fresh and tasty cured meats. When buying pre-packaged cheeses and meats, make sure to check the use-by dates, as this is crucial to keeping everything fresh for your meat and cheese spread.

Choosing Cheeses

A variety of cheeses is key to pleasing everyone at your party. Slice each type of cheese and store in the fridge until ready to serve.

Store cheeses separately to prevent flavor mingling. Use a cut wedge of cheese within two weeks of purchase for the best flavor.

Equipment and Tools

The right supplies, such as trays and utensils, make serving and organizing your meat and cheese tray easier and more appealing. Recommended utensils for serving cheese are cheese knives, small spoons, cocktail picks, cocktail tongs, and bamboo cocktail forks. Small dip bowls and 2 oz. ceramic ramekins are great for serving dips and tidying smaller items.

Cheese and meat labels or signs, small plates, and napkins also enhance the presentation and organization of the board.

Assembling and Storing Your Meat and Cheese Tray

Proper assembly and storage keep your meat and cheese tray fresh and in top condition. For safety, store meats and cheeses in the fridge until serving.

Here are some tips on prep time, storage, and serving to help you get the most out of your board.

Prep Time

Building a standard meat and cheese tray takes about 30 minutes, but a more elaborate charcuterie board, with ample accompaniments and attention to presentation, can take an hour or more. Building a charcuterie board should be a fun and enjoyable activity. Take your time and make sure everything is perfectly presented.

Storage Tips

Charcuterie ingredients should not be at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If you’re preparing your board ahead of time, wrap it in plastic wrap to keep everything fresh until serving.

Store dairy products in airtight containers to prevent other foods from being affected by odors, and store meats and cheeses separately before returning to the fridge after slicing.

Serving Tips

For best results, remove the meat and cheese platter or charcuterie board from the fridge 30-40 minutes before serving to let it come to room temperature. Wash your hands frequently or wear gloves when assembling the board for hygiene.

Meats and cheeses should not be at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If using non-food-safe materials, line them with parchment paper to make the tray food-safe.

Meat and Cheese Trays for Different Occasions

A meat and cheese tray can be adapted to any occasion. It’s a versatile go-to for all types of events. Whether for game day, the holidays, or a casual family gathering, the options for customizing your board are endless.

Here are some ideas for different occasions.

Game Day Meat and Cheese Tray

On Super Bowl Sunday and other game-day events, a meat and cheese tray is the perfect refreshment. Make sure you have enough for your expected number of guests so you don’t find the board picked over by halftime. For extra fun and theme at these events, arrange the meats and cheeses into footballs or goalposts. Choose meats and cheeses that can act as finger food and complement the usual game-day grub. Football food should be simple and hearty.

For the meats, we recommend including easy-to-eat meats that most people enjoy, like summer sausage, salami, pepperoni, and neatly rolled slices from the deli counter. For the cheeses, we recommend including a well-rounded variety with a bit of extra flair:

• Chili Lime-Flavored Goat Cheese: If you want to introduce a zesty twist, consider chili lime-flavored Goat cheeses. This bold cheese is perfect for pairing with traditional game day snacks like tortilla chips or crackers, adding a burst of flavor and excitement to your tray. It’s especially great for fans who appreciate bold, savory snacks.
• Applewood Smoked Cheddar Cheese: With its unique smoky flavor, applewood smoked cheddar cheese adds complexity to your tray. This cheese pairs perfectly with meat, and its sharpness balances out more decadent flavors, making it an essential choice when building your board.
• Cajun Smoked Cheddar Cheese: For those who crave a kick, Cajun smoked cheddar cheese is a perfect addition. The spiciness pairs wonderfully with cured meats, offering a flavor punch that can elevate any dish. It’s great for folks who want to spice up their game day spread!
• Creamy Gouda: Known for its rich and smooth profile, creamy Gouda has a mild yet sumptuous flavor, making it a crowd favorite. It also melts beautifully, creating a unique spin on your game-day queso dip. Serve it warm with toasted bread or crackers for a delicious snack.

Holiday Meat and Cheese Tray

Add some festive flavor to your meat and cheese board for holiday gatherings. Choose seasonal cheeses, like apple cinnamon or fig and honey Goat cheese, to elevate your board. Pair these with themed nibbles like cinnamon toffee almonds and fresh cranberries for color contrast and a tangy hit.

To wow your guests, visually decorate your meat and cheese platter with fresh herbs and edible flowers. Arrange the platter beautifully using traditional holiday colors – reds, greens, and golds – to make everyone feel welcome at your gathering.

“Light” Meat and Cheese Tray

Adding a lean protein is key to preparing a lighter meat and cheese platter. Choose slices of turkey or chicken, roast beef, or ham with lower fat content for enjoyable options without the fat. Mild cheeses like seasoned Goat cheese or Brie add flavor with fewer calories.

To add to your meat and cheese board, pair with fresh fruits and vegetables to add color and nutrition to the meal. A balanced board with slim cuts of meat, delicate cheeses, and fresh sides can be a satisfying light appetizer.

A Meat and Cheese Tray is a Versatile and Satisfying

Meat and cheese platters are easy to set up with minimal fuss and can be customized to suit all tastes by adding different cheeses, meats, and sweet and savory accompaniments. They are versatile for any occasion, whether laid-back or formal.

Not only do meat and cheese boards serve up delicious food, but they also make a beautiful centerpiece for your event. The communal nature of a meat and cheese charcuterie board encourages socializing among your guests as they chat while they choose their meat and cheese.

FAQs

How far in advance can I prep a meat and cheese tray?

You can prep your meat and cheese board a few hours beforehand. Just wrap it up and chill it for 30-40 minutes before serving.

What meats should I include on a meat and cheese board?

For a well-rounded meat selection, go with roasted turkey, honey ham, salami, pepperoni, and prosciutto.

Mix these up, and everyone will be happy!

How do I stop the cheese from drying out on the board?

Wrap your cheese in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve.

That way, it stays fresh and tasty!

What are good accompaniments for a meat and cheese tray?

To elevate your meat and cheese board to a complete charcuterie offering, add artisan crackers, nuts, seasonal fruits, and some dips to make it pop.