15 Cheese Board Accoutrements You Haven’t Added to Your Spread (Yet)
Updated: Nov. 06, 2023
These fun cheese board accoutrements will take your entertaining to the next level. Crackers, jams, nuts, olives and more all pair perfectly with your favorite meats and cheese!
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Rosemary Raisin Pecan Crisps
Every cheese board needs some crunchy crackers, and these specialty crisps will add a “wow” factor to your spread. These rosemary raisin pecan crisps are anything but boring—they’re bursting with flavor in every bite and pair well with blue cheese and salami. Psst! Learn the basics of how to make a charcuterie board.
Sweet and Sour Cornichons
Cornichons are a type of specialty pickle, and these sweet and sour cornichons are the perfect way to add a bit of brine to your charcuterie board. They offer a crunchy, zesty bite that your guests won’t be able to get enough of! Learn how to make a vegan charcuterie board.
Bonne Maman Preserves
Delicious homemade jams are always welcome cheese board add-ons, but if you don’t have time to make them from scratch, a few jars of Bonne Maman preserves are the next best thing. These gourmet preserves are made in France, and they come in a variety of tasty favors, including strawberry, raspberry and orange marmalade.
Taralli
Taralli are a type of ring-shaped cracker from Italy, and they’ll add some visual interest to any meat and cheese spread. They have a classic breadstick-like flavor and crumbly texture thanks to their high-quality ingredients, and you may even want to keep them around for everyday snacking. By the way, have you seen the best charcuterie boards?
Luxardo Maraschino Cherries
You can balance out the savory flavors of your cheese board with a jar of Luxardo maraschino cherries. These candied cherries are a classic choice for cocktails and ice cream sundaes, and on a cheese board, they’ll add a pop of sweetness. One of our editors tried Luxardos—and now she can’t get enough.
Castelvetrano Olives
Olives are a classic accoutrement for cheese boards, but have you tried castelvetrano olives? This variety of Sicilian olive is known for its large size, green color and buttery-sweet flavor, and they’re sure to become one of your go-to charcuterie ingredients. Just like this bamboo cheese board is our Test Kitchen’s go-to pick.
Breadsticks
Why settle for boring crackers when you can have breadsticks instead? The thin, crispy breadsticks hail straight from Italy, and they’re ideal for dipping in jam, mustard or other sauces in your spread. You’ll find them in some of our favorite charcuterie gift baskets.
Moonshot Crackers
What’s better than deliciously crispy, flavorful crackers? Crispy, flavorful crackers that are also sustainable! Moonshot crackers are made using organic, non-GMO ingredients grown on regenerative farms that prioritize healthy soil. These outstanding snacks come in a variety of flavors, including Sourdough Sea Salt and Rosemary Garlic. And speaking of eco-friendly, wrap any leftover charcuterie or cheese in a beeswax wrap.
Candied Pecans
Sure, you can whip up a batch of candied pecans at home. But if you’re pressed for time, you can also buy candied pecans in convenient one pound bags. The nuts get a coating of sugary glaze, and their sweet crunch will help to balance out your savory ingredients. These also make a wonderful food gift.
Turmeric Garlic Puffed Water Lily Seeds
Your family and friends will definitely want to know where you got these light, crunchy snacks. The turmeric garlic puffed water lily seeds are a vegan and gluten-free snack to add to your cheese spread, as they have a subtle garlic flavor and satisfying crunch.
Gourmet Mustards
You can spice things up (literally!) with an array of mustards. This set of four contains Stonewall Kitchen’s Sweet Honey Mustard, Caramelized Onion Mustard, Maple Champagne Mustard and Horseradish Mustard—all of which are perfect for pairing with your favorite meats, cheeses and crackers. See which brand our Test Kitchen named best mustard, too.
Red Bell and Espelette Pepper Dip
Here’s an elegant alternative to a regular pepper jelly. This red bell and espelette pepper dip is sure to be the star of any charcuterie board thanks to its bright red hue and creamy smooth texture. It’s made with fruity espelette peppers, enhanced with apple and spice flavors, and a hint of wine adds a nice tang for a well-rounded flavor palette.
Guava Paste
Cheese and guava are frequently paired together in recipes, and guava paste will make a fun and unexpected addition to any cheese spread. The sweet paste holds its form, yet is still soft enough to cut with a knife. It complements rich, salty cheeses like mozzarella, feta, farmer’s cheese and chèvre.
Wild Cherries
If you’re looking for cherries that aren’t quite as sweet, wild cherries are the way to go. The small, bitter Amarena cherries are bottled in syrup for a balance of sweet and tart flavors, and they come in a lovely jar that’s pretty enough to pop right onto your cheese board (or chocolate board!) for serving.
Sweet Piquant Peppers
These Peppadew sweet piquant peppers are another classic extra for your spread. The sweetened, pickled peppers are ideal for snacking, and they’re also available in a hot variety if you want to dial up the spice level.
Originally Published: December 25, 2022
