"The best way to find a good cheese is to taste it and learn about it,” says Scott Evans, cheese buyer for Zingerman's Deli. He notes that talking to a cheesemonger is best, and many supermarkets are now even employing cheesemongers at their stores to help curate selections. If there’s no cheesemonger in sight, you can make your own decisions, mostly based on memory (keep a cheese log in your phone to take simple notes on flavor, texture, and pairings) and appearance.
“The number one thing to focus on, if you can't taste it first, is the condition of the cheese,” Evans says. He recommends buying cheese in whole pieces, instead of cubed or sliced, since it will hold up better in quality, flavor, and texture.
“Cheese is alive and it needs to be cared for. Look for cheese that is well-wrapped and air-tight. Check the date that it was packed. Look for a cheese with rind, if you can,” Evans adds. “You want as little surface area exposed to air as possible for the long-term storage of cheese, so if you can find cheese with the rind still attached, you are more likely to find a cheese that has been properly cared for and it will be better tasting.” Aim to eat cheese within a week of buying it.
When making your cheese or charcuterie board at home, Evans recommends aiming for three or four different cheeses. Aim for an aged cheese or two, like Cheddar.An alpine cheese like Gruyere, Comté, or extra-aged Goudas work well on the plate as well. You’ll also want a soft cheese, like Brie or triple-cream cheeses. If you’re into funky flavors, go for a European blue, such as Roquefort.
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Don’t stress too much about the accouterments, just add what you like. “Pairings can be simple,” Evans says. “Most cheeses go well with nuts, hard fruits like apples and pears are really great with blue cheese, and berry jams or preserves. There is no wrong way to build a cheese board.” Add toasts, crackers, or sliced crusty bread, plus cured meats like prosciutto or salami to make it a charcuterie board, and your party platter is good to go.
Ready to get started? Here are some of the best grocery store cheeses to buy for your next charcuterie board, all of which can be found in national supermarkets, some even in the deli section.
Tillamook Extra Sharp Cheddar
Oregon-based Tillamook is a grocery store staple for so many dairy products, and the brand’s cheese is worth seeking out. The poignant extra-sharp Cheddar is sold by the block or baby loaf, and is almost buttery with some sharp grassy notes. Various sharp and less sharp Cheddars are also available, should you crave something more, uh, dull? It all goes great with a Ritz cracker! Find it here.
Kerrygold Dubliner Cheese
Whether you’re putting together a fancy charcuterie board or just pawing through the fridge for a late night snack, this pale cow’s milk cheese slaps. Reminiscent of Parmesan, but softer, Kerrygold’s Irish-style cheese is full flavored and delectable on its own or with crackers. Drizzle some hot honey on top to bring out a sweet nuttiness. Find it here.
Cabot Creamery Cheddar
A fun fact about this Vermont-made Cheddar is that it’s naturally 100 percent lactose-free. And it’s not lacking anything! It’s aged, sharp and full of Cheddar-y flavor, and it’s just a little crumbly for a nice texture. Serve it with a crudités plate or cured meats. Find it here.
Marin French Cheese Co
Known as America’s oldest cheese company, Marin French Cheese has been making soft cheeses in California since 1865. The 4-ounce petite cheeses are ideal for a cheese board, with small Camembert and triple-creme Brie adding some creaminess. Serve it sliced in wedges, or let guests do the hard work. Pair with something crunchy, like a cracker, or chewy, like dried apricots. Find it here.
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Montchevre Goat Cheese Medallions
For a small portion of luscious goat cheese, go for these picnic-ready medallions. About the size of a Babybel cheese, these pre-portioned cheeses let you refresh your charcuterie board as needed, and can easily be spread on any accoutrement. Find it here.
Laura Chenel Goat Cheese
Honestly, you can make a whole cheese board out of Laura Chenel’s creamy goat cheese, available as logs (in flavors like kalamata olive or fig and grapefruit), marinated (in flavors including black truffle), or just fresh, super rich goat cheese ideal for crumbling near the edge of a cheese plate. The slight funkiness goes well with most wines, or fruits, if preferred. Find it here.
Roth Cheese Gouda
Oftentimes, buying domestic cheeses is easier on your wallet and you’re not sacrificing flavor. Roth’s Wisconsin-made Gouda is rich and creamy, perfect for slicing into cubes or breaking into chunks. Flavored versions, like spinach and artichoke or hot honey, also add a fun element to a cheese plate. Serve with a spicy meat, like soppressata or pepperoni. Any leftovers will be delicious melted into mac and cheese or a grilled cheese. Find it here.
BelGioioso Burrata
Burrata is always a good idea. Found at national chains and big box stores like Target, BelGioioso’s burrata is decadent, rich and not exorbitantly priced. Sold in a plastic container in its brine, simply remove the burrata from the liquid, pat dry, and arrange on your cheese board. Season with olive oil or salt and pepper if desired, and serve with plenty of crusty bread or roasted veggies to soak up all the creamy filling. Find it here.
Rogue Creamery Blue Cheese
This Oregon-based creamery is constantly racking up awards for their excellent cheeses, which deliver on funkiness, creaminess, and are just colorful enough to add a fun element to any cheese board. Just a small amount of the cheese adds so much to any spread, so you can buy whatever your budget accommodates. Pair it with something sweet, like stone fruit or jam, for a fun contrast. Find it here.
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Tête de Moine Rosettes
Bring your cheeseboard to the next level with this floral-shaped semi soft cheese that tastes as good as it looks. A package of this pre-styled cheese is only about $5 at Trader Joe’s and similar stores. This is probably the only pre-sliced cheese you’ll want on your charcuterie board, and what you save in time, you’ll gain in compliments. This Swiss cheese is lovely on its own, or with something pickled, like gherkins or olives.
