How to build an easy Holiday Cheese Board
Create a festive Keto Cheese board (Charcuterie board) in just 10 minutes! Elevate your holiday gatherings with this stunning dish using my easy-to-follow tips and step-by-step instructions.
The recipe requires:
13-15 Ingredients
Active cooking time: 10 minutes
Total cooking time: 10 minutes
Table of Contents
Why you will love this!
- It is a great way to entertain and surprise the guests with minimum effort
- Festive and fun
- Ideal for those on a keto diet
- No cooking required
- Versatile and customizable
- Ready in no time
- Perfect appetizer for the holiday season
Ingredients
To make a cheese board you will need:
CHEESE: aim for 3-4 types of cheese with different flavors, textures, and shapes (soft, hard, crumbly, etc..). I usually include these cheeses on my cheese board:
- Cheddar
- Parmesan
- Camembert/Brie or Baked Brie
- Blue Cheese or Gorgonzola
Other options can include:
- Goat cheese
- Manchego
- any other cheese you like
- cheese truffles (mini cheese balls)
- Caprese skewers
CURED MEATS: add 3-4 types of cured meat with different textures and flavors.
- Salami
- Prosciutto
- Dry thin sausages like Polish sausage – Kabanos or summer sausage
- Chorizo
OLIVES AND PICKLES: For vibrant and tangy notes, include olives and pickles in small bowls. They pair well with meat and cheese. Here are some options:
- Green olives /Kalamata olives/ Stuffed olives
- Marinated roasted red peppers
- Cornichons
- Dried cherry tomatoes in olive oil
- Pickled red onions
- Pickled bell peppers
- Pickled garlic
- Pickled mushrooms
NUTS: You can choose any nuts you want, they are typically low in carbs. Just be careful with cashews as they have a high carb content of 22 g and pistachios with 15 g of carbs. If you have more than one type of nuts, add it to the board. I like to include some of these and also a smoked version to enhance the flavor and add interest:
- Almonds (9g net carbs)
- Pecans (4g net carbs)
- Hazelnuts (5g net carbs)
- Peanuts (7g net carbs)
- Walnuts (7g net carbs)
- and other nuts
*net carbs per 100 g
KETO CRACKERS: Next, you’ll want to have some of those to spread some cheese on top:
BERRIES AND FRUITS: a great addition to the cheese board. I offer a list of berries and fruits with carb information, so you can choose the ones that will fit your goals:
- strawberries (3.9 g)
- raspberries (12 g)
- blueberries (9.6 g)
- plum (11 g)
- orange (12 g)
- clementine (12 g)
- pear (12 g)
- pineapple (13 g)
- apple (15 g)
- kiwi (15 g)
- grapes (17 g)
- pomegranate (17 g)
SUGAR-FREE JAMS: They are excellent pairings for soft cheeses like camembert and brie, so it would be wonderful to add some to the board:
Equipment
- Cheese Board:
- marble tray
- cutting board
- wooden board
- large plate
- cookie sheet
- stone slate
2. Kitchen knife
3. Small bowls/ramekins/jars
4. Teaspoons for jams
5. Set of cheese knives (optional)
How to make a Cheese Board
Step 1: Select the perfect board
Begin by choosing a board that accommodates the number of guests and ingredients you have in mind for your cheese board. Consider the size and shape based on your serving needs.
To add a festive touch, introduce greenery like rosemary, cedar, pine, cypress, or any other greenery that is available for you.
Step 2: Place the cheese
Start by positioning whole blocks of cheese strategically on the board. Consider crumbing or slicing them based on your preference. Distribute various types of cheese to different corners, creating visual interest.
TIP: don’t place the objects with similar colors together.
Next, introduce bowls with jams and other substantial elements.
Step 3: Add cured meats
Now, move on to arranging the cured meats around the cheeses.
Fold the circular salami in half and then fold it in half again. Repeat this process with all the salami pieces.
Fold prosciutto and long salami slices into ribbons.
Cut sausages into smaller pieces.
After placing the cured meats, fill any remaining empty spaces with squared cheddar.
Step 4: Fill the blank spaces
To complete your cheese board, fill any remaining blank spaces with nuts, berries, and other ingredients. Don’t forget to slice the unsliced cheeses and add little spoons to the jars for a delightful and visually appealing presentation.
Enjoy your party and have a great time!
Tips for the best results
- Keep in mind your guests’ dietary preferences when creating a cheese board. Ensure a variety that aligns with different diets like keto, gluten-free, or vegetarian and offer abundant choices they can enjoy freely. For guests with no specific dietary restrictions – consider including traditional pairings like crackers, honey, and grapes.
- Pay attention to colors and textures, keeping similar colors apart for visual appeal.
- Add small spoons and cheese knives for easy serving.
- Introduce greenery for a festive touch and cheerful ambiance.
Low-carb drinks to pair with the cheese board
Cabernet Sauvignon (Dry Red Wine):
- Cheese Pairing: Sharp cheddar or gouda.
- Additional Pairings: Almonds or walnuts, and cured meats like salami.
- Fruit: Berries like raspberries or blackberries.
- Carb Content: Approximately 3-4 grams per 5-ounce glass (150 ml).
Sauvignon Blanc (Dry White Wine):
- Cheese Pairing: Goat cheese or brie.
- Additional Pairings: Pistachios or pecans, and prosciutto.
- Fruit: Sliced green apple or pear.
- Carb Content: Approximately 3-4 grams per 5-ounce glass (150 ml).
Brut Champagne or Dry Sparkling Wine:
- Cheese Pairing: Creamy camembert or blue cheese.
- Additional Pairings: Macadamia nuts or hazelnuts, and smoked salmon.
- Fruit: Pomegranate seeds or a citrus twist.
- Carb Content: Approximately 2-3 grams per 5-ounce glass (150 ml).
Dry Hard Cider:
- Cheese Pairing: Sharp cheddar or aged gouda.
- Additional Pairings: Brazil nuts or almonds, and chorizo.
- Fruit: berries.
- Carb Content: Varies, but generally 10 grams or less per 12-ounce serving.
Gin and Tonic:
- Cheese Pairing: Manchego or Gouda.
- Additional Pairings: almonds and chorizo.
- Fruit: Lemon or lime wedges.
- Carb Content: Virtually carb-free if using diet/sugar-free tonic water.
Vodka Soda with a Twist:
- Cheese Pairing: Feta or cream cheese.
- Additional Pairings: Walnuts and smoked salmon.
- Fruit: Cucumber slices or a twist of lime.
- Carb Content: Virtually carb-free.
Whiskey on the Rocks:
- Cheese Pairing: Sharp blue cheese or sharp cheddar.
- Additional Pairings: Pecans or mixed nuts and beef jerky.
- Fruit: Dark berries like blackberries.
- Carb Content: Virtually carb-free.
Remember to check specific carb counts for flavored versions of these drinks if you’re aiming for very low-carb consumption. Enjoy your low-carb pairing experience!
FAQ
Can I make a chesse board ahead of time?
You can make a cheese/charceturie board a several hours ahead of time, then wrap it tightly in a plastic wrap, and store in the fridge until ready to serve. Take the board out of the fridge 15-30 minutes before serving.
Another option is to precut the cheese and place them in an airtight containers and then just quickly add to the board.
Also, I definitely recommend to make jams and crackers at least the day before.
What's the difference between cheese board and charcuterie board?
A cheese board emphasizes various kinds of cheese with accompaniments like fruits and nuts, while a charcuterie board focuses on cured and smoked meats with pickles and bread.
Some boards (like mine) combine both elements for a diverse spread.
Try these keto recipes next:
If you’re looking for keto recipes to serve on your next party, consider these amazing options:
Cheese board (Charcuterie board)
Craft a festive Keto Cheese or Charcuterie board in 10 minutes! Elevate holiday gatherings with my easy tips.
Ingredients
CHEESE:
- 180 g (6 oz) Cheddar
- 130 g (4.5 oz) Parmesan
- 130 g (4.5 oz) Camembert/Brie
- 130 g (4.5 oz) Blue cheese
- 100 g (3.5 oz) Goat cheese
CURED MEATS:
- 80 g (2-3 oz) Salami
- 40 g (1.5 oz) Prosciutto
- 80 g (2-3 oz) Thin dried sausages
SWEET:
- 1/2 cup berries: strawberries, blueberries, etc.
- 3-4 fruits: pear, apple, clementine, etc.
- 50 g (1.7 oz) dark, sugar-free chocolate (optional)
- 30 g (1 oz) sugar free jam
NUTS:
- 60 g (2. oz) nuts (almonds, pecans, pistachios, etc.)
KETO CRACKERS:
- 50 g (1.7 oz.) keto crackers
PICKLES:
- 40 g (1.4 oz) Olives
Instructions
- Start by positioning whole blocks of cheese strategically on the board. Consider crumbing or slicing them based on your preference. Distribute various types of cheese to different corners, creating visual interest.
- After that, introduce bowls with jams and other substantial elements.
- Now, move on to arranging the cured meats around the cheeses:
- Fold the circular salami in half and then fold it in half again. Repeat this process with all the salami pieces.
- Fold prosciutto and long salami slices into ribbons.
- Cut sausages into smaller pieces.
- After placing the cured meats, fill any remaining empty spaces with squared cheddar.
- To complete your cheese board, fill any remaining blank spaces with nuts, berries, and other ingredients. Don't forget to slice the unsliced cheeses and add little spoons to the jars for a delightful and visually appealing presentation.