How to Build a Standout Summer Cheese Board, Per a Hosting Pro

An eye-catching charcuterie board is my favorite way to grab everyone’s attention at summer dinner parties and gatherings. Who doesn’t love cheese and fruit after a hot day? Everyone, have a snack for dinner! But there are quite a few differences between making a typical platter and creating a summer cheese board, with fresh seasonal ingredients and cheeses that can withstand the heat of summer.

If you’re hosting an upcoming gathering or just craving a creative meal, these tips will help you curate a summer cheese board that perfectly sums up the season. The best cheese boards have a good balance of sweet, salty, and savory ingredients.

Keep reading for inspiration and tips to help you start your summer charcuterie endeavors.

What do you make a summer cheese board with?

Seasonality plays a big role when deciding on ingredients for your summer cheese board. Using summer-blooming herbs, fruits, and flowers will help your board stand out in both color and flavor. Basil, rosemary, and dill make a beautiful presentation when combined with flavorful nuts and rich cheese. In summer, apricots, strawberries and blackberries bring the best flavor. And to top things off with a little natural flourish, lavender and hibiscus are both beautiful ways to brighten up your board.

What is the best cheese for a hot day?

In general, softer cheeses are best for outdoor summerboarding. Hard cheeses, such as Parmesan, Gouda, and Swiss, are dense in texture or have a high fat content, so they tend to release oil and become waxy with heat. Soft, ripe cheeses like brie and chevre are great spreadable cheeses for summer cheese boards.

How to make the ultimate summer cheese board

Below, Camille shares her tips for making a summer cheese board like a pro. As our essential summer entertaining source proves, the trick is to let the cheese take center stage, invest in a beautiful board, and let the seasons guide you.

1. Start with a standout cheese that gives the whole board a special touch

Forget what you’ve heard about always offering a variety of cuisines. For a really good cheese, you only need one. Cheese is usually the most expensive part of a cheese board, so this is a great tip for affordability. It could be an aged cheddar or Gruyère like the one used here, or a soft cheese like triple cream brie or a really good goat cheese. I also love a good blue cheese like Roquefort or Stilton. If you’re serving a large group, use a combination of three types of cheese with different textures and flavors.

2. Use a board large enough to create a sense of abundance.

Casa Zuma Grand Assembly Committee or large vintage wooden board This is my personal favorite when making a large cheese board. Both create a great scene on your table and can accommodate a wealth of food. Before choosing your board, be sure to note the amount of large and small materials you want to include.

3. Add cured meat

Whether you choose prosciutto, salami, soppressata, or all three, adding cured meats will make your board more hearty, and the saltiness will complement some of the sweet items on the board.

4. Add something sweet or savory

Adding seasonal fruit like berries, cherries, peaches, and figs is a great way to keep your board summery and fresh. To complement the cheese, jam or honey also makes a sweet addition to any board. As for the flavorful elements, salted nuts, olives, marinated artichokes, and roasted peppers fill in the gaps and help give the cheese board a richer feel.

Is there one simple trick to instantly improve your presentation? Use small appetizer bowls to surround ingredients like honey, olives, nuts, cornichons, and jams. Not only does it keep the board from feeling cluttered, but the varying heights and textures also add visual interest. Plus, guests can easily scoop and serve the food themselves without having to roll the food around the board.

5. Create a summer atmosphere with herbs and edible flowers and add a touch of class.

Adding edible flowers or fresh herbs adds a unique touch to any cheese board. Not only can these toppings bring flavor, but they also serve as great décor that creates a pop of color wherever you place them.

6. Offer several variations of breads and crackers.

I usually make sliced ​​and toasted baguettes and gluten-free seeded crackers to give people options. However, feel free to lay out different types of breads and crackers to bring the board together and create a balanced taste.

7. Place the largest items on the board first and group similar items for the most beautiful presentation.

Larger items, such as sliced ​​bread and cheese, should appear first on the board. This process makes it easy to strategically implement smaller, more delicate ingredients to create a cheese board with professional attention to detail.

The best summer cheese board that’s easy to enjoy

The advantage of summer cheese boards is that they don’t require complicated recipes and don’t require hours of work in the kitchen. With some great cheeses, seasonal produce, and thoughtful details, you can create something that feels rich, relaxing, and perfect for long afternoons spent outdoors.

Please remember. The goal is not perfection. It’s about gathering people around a table and snacking on delicious food while having a conversation. Choose your ingredients according to the season, focus on color and texture, and don’t be afraid to keep it simple. The best summer cheese boards are fresh, hearty, and just a little loose. This is exactly what summer entertainment should be.

This post was last updated on June 27, 2026 with new insights..