How to make a Killer Summer Cheeseboard (with Pickled Strawberries + Herb Roasted Cherry Tomatoes!).
Truthfully, I have been dying to tell you how to make a killer summer cheeseboard for like ever.
This is one of those recipes where I have had the idea for a while now but obviously, me being me, needed to wait until just the right time to share. Thankfully, the week before the 4th of July (finally) seemed like a good time.
So today I bring you the most epic summer cheeseboard of all time.
OK, well maybe not of all time, because I have full confidence that you can all make you own most awesome cheeseboards…meaning…you can use your favorite cheeses, fruit and spreads… and leave the stuff you don’t love out.
However, this is also one of those recipes that is not really “a recipe”. More like me telling you the way I like to do a cheeseboard. BUT I do have a recipe for some pretty awesome pickled strawberries, plus another for roasted tomatoes, and a few secrets about the bestest way to “do up” cheese.
Secrets like drizzling your blue cheese with honey, drizzling you burrata with olive oil and rosemary, grilling your brie and rolling your goats cheese in fresh summer herbs. Maybe not HUGE secrets, but must do’s for me.
Creating a cheeseboard (or plate as some people like to call em’) is honestly one of the easiest appetizer/snacks you can serve. It doesn’t have to be fancy or anything, it’s just got have a variety of great cheeses, preferably some awesome fruit, plus really yummy bread or crackers.
So who did I learn all this from? Well, a little from the internet, a little from books and magazines, but mostly all from my Nonnie. I actually owe a lot of my kitchen skills to her. She is kind of the expert on entertaining…but she still just cannot get me to remember which side of the plate the fork goes on, and which side the knife goes on. I swear it’s just something my brain cannot master. I am definitely more than a little challenged with my left’s and right’s, so I am going with the excuse that this shortfall is due to my “disability”.
Anyway, my nonnie can make a KILLER cheeseboard, and I think she will be the first to tell you, it’s all about good cheese and good wine. I didn’t really pick up the wine pairing gene, but the cheese I can do.
All those years of cheese and crackers (and wine + orange juice in a wine glass for little me) really did pay off. I clearly absorbed a lot.
I also learned that a pretty cutting board has like a million and one tasks in the kitchen. SO make sure you always have some go-to cutting boards on hand. Just sayin.
Here’s the thing, cheese is in season ALL YEAR and THANK GOD for that, but I love creating seasonal cheeseboards. With summer cheeseboards, there has to be lots and lots of fruit. It’s just kind of the perfect time, cheese + fruit are a magical pairing.
For my board, I went with pickled strawberries, which I do promise are oh so good. Just try them before you judge, AND, any leftovers can be used in a grilled cheese and or over ice cream. YUMMERS.
I also did some herb roasted cherry tomatoes (double yum), grilled peaches, apricots, fresh cherries and figs. Then I added salty olives, prosciutto (or salami) and sweet honey. Then that’s it, your done!
Just arrange everything on a pretty cutting board or large serving tray. Then make it extra pretty with some summer flowers from the garden. See, there really could not be a better time to make a cheeseboard.
DO IT.
Like maybe this Saturday for the 4th of July?? BONUS – you’ll get to eat all the leftover cheese for breakfast the next day. YESS!
Now I gotta go do a little online shopping. My brother’s girlfriend, Caitlin has gotten me right back into my old clothes loving self and now all I want to do is shop!
How’d I ever get away from doing this in the first place?!?
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
How to make a Killer Summer Cheeseboard (with pickled strawberries + Herb Roasted Cherry Tomatoes!).
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Appetizer, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese, cheeseboard, strawberry
Here's the thing, cheese is in season ALL YEAR and THANK GOD for that, but I love creating seasonal cheeseboards. With summer cheeseboards, there has to be lots and lots of fruit. It's just kind of the perfect time, cheese + fruit are a magical pairing.
Ingredients
Pickled Balsamic Strawberries
- 12 ounces fresh strawberries halved
- small handful of fresh thyme + basil
- 1 cup white balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey or coconut sugar add 2 tablespoons more for a sweeter taste
- 1 vanilla beans seeds removed
Burst Cherry Tomatoes
- 2 pints heirloom cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup fresh herbs (I used basil oregano and dill)
- 4 cloves garlic minced or grated, divided
- salt and pepper to taste
Cheeseboard
- 1 ounce round of brie [grilled | https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/grilled-brie-blackberry-basil-smash-salsa-grilled-bread/]*, 8
- 1 ounce wedge gorgonzola or blue cheese 8
- 8 ounces manchego cheese
- 1 ounce log herb rolled goat cheese 8
- 8 ounces fresh burrata cheese
- olive oil for drizzling on the burrata
- fresh rosemary for the burrata
- 6-8 ounces fresh salami and or prosciutto cold
- honey for drizzling
- green olives for serving
- grilled peaches nectarines and or apricots, for serving
- fresh figs halved, for serving
- fresh grapes and or cherries for serving
- spicy fruit/pepper jellies for serving
- toasted walnuts for serving
- toasted bread and or crackers for serving
Instructions
Pickled Balsamic Strawberries
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Add the strawberries, basil and thyme to a glass jar. In a bowl whisk together white balsamic, honey and vanilla bean seeds. Pour over the strawberries. Seal the jar and place in the fridge until cold. Should last about 3-4 days in the fridge.
Burst Cherry Tomatoes
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
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Add the cherry tomatoes, olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh chopped herbs, 2 cloves minced garlic and a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper to a baking dish. Toss well, making sure the tomatoes are coated in olive oil, herbs, garlic, salt and pepper. Roast for 10-15 minutes or until the tomatoes collapse. Remove and toss with the remaining herbs,
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Allow to cool slightly and then transfer to a serving bowl. Can be made 1 day in advance.
Cheeseboard
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Grab a really big cheeseplate/board. Assemble the cheeses on the board. Arrange all your desired serving items (fruits, spread, nuts, olives, bread + crackers) around the cheese.
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Drizzle the blue cheese with honey.
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Drizzle the burrata cheese with olive oil and garnish with a spring of rosemary.
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Top the grilled brie with pickled strawberries.
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Makes sure to serve with toasted bread and or crackers
Recipe Notes
*To grill your brie, preheat your grill to high heat or preheat your oven to 450° degrees F. Place the brie on the grill and grill for about 2-3 minutes per side or until slightly charred. Remove from the grill. Be careful when flipping the brie, you do not want to break the brie open. Serve warm. **To make herb rolled goat cheese, combine the zest of 1 lemon, 1/4 cup fresh basil, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary and a pinch of pepper on a cutting board. Roll an 8 ounce log of goat cheese in the herbs. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Double awesome…triple yikes!
what a fancy cheeseboard! love the sound of all these flavors, esp because i’m the kind of person who likes to nibble a lot of different things rather than the same thing over and over again.
Killer cheeseboard! Pretty manly too. I think I could be the model in the pics!! Just a little joke. That rustic cutting board is pretty nifty.
This is one of my most favorite posts EVER! How beautiful and yummy-looking! I’ve never heard of pickled strawberries, but I can’t wait to try them!
Love it, Tieghan! I am always looking for appetizer ideas and recently my family has been entertaining a lot so I will definitely try this. Plus, I am dying to taste a pickled strawberry, Yum!
I love all of this especially those strawberries. This is a perfect summer meal. You can never go wrong with cheese and fruit.
Woah, this makes me want to go and construct an epic cheeseboard on a huge rustic board and frolic in the grass. I love the fruit prepared in lots of different ways… grilled, pickled, fresh… so lovely!
Cheese boards always seem so fancy but yet so easy to throw together! You are so right. After this, now i am craving things fruit and cheese for this weekend!
What a delicious cheese board I bet everyone enjoyed it.
This is the most stunning gorgeous cheeseboard I’ve ever seen! Where did you get the actual board? GORGEOUS photography. I think I have said this a million times but I will be the first in line to buy your cookbook someday 🙂 you have a true gift and talent.
THANK YOU, Abigail! The board is from Esty!! Just search vintage cutting boards. THANKS!
Oh wow!!!! I always love your posts, your talent just amaze me ever time! This must be one of the best ones ever, for a person who adores cheese and strawberries like myself, this is the food from heaven… Photography is beautiful and that wooden board wow! Where do you get all these fantastic props?
Thanks so much, Lili!! The board is from Esty!! Just search vintage cutting boards. THANKS!
This is my heaven on a board. I mean, is there anything sexier then a cheeseboard loaded with accompaniments? I don’t think so.
You are genius. It looks so special and yet easy. PLEASE post a link to the serving board. Seems like we all need one! I hope to catch it when you post it too. I don’t want to be a blog stalker
You have no idea how much I love cheeseboards. For my dream party I plan on making a summer cheeseboard with figs, grapes, rye crackers, honey, some vegan cheese and regular cheeses! They are just so beautiful, artistic and sophisticated!
Wow!!! This is a cheese board on steroids!!! I love the pickled strawberries and the grilled fruits. Beautiful!!!! Making!!!
Okay, I would just really love to have that board to add to my prop/kitchen collection!!! Gorgeous!!
This might be the best cheeseboard I’ve ever seen! I want everything!
Every party needs a good cheeseboard- lovethis.
How beautiful and useful! I’m so impressed with your cheeseboard abilities. They are indeed killer! Great job! I’ll be referring to this later for sure!
OK, so who’s the serving babe?
Perfect timing Tieghan! This is the most gorgeous cheeseboard I think I’ve ever seen! It would almost be a shame to devour up the goodies on it! Happy 4th!
I don’t think I’ve seen a cheeseboard that gorgeous before. And pickled strawberries!! Wow!
Tieghan, this cheeseboard is everything! Love love love!
This is absolutely gorgeous. I can only imagine all the wonderful tastes!
This looks crazy good!! And just another way I can incorporate my new fave summer food, grilled fruit, into everything I eat this summer. Thank you!!
Absolutely beautiful. And that board. Everything about this is simply awesome.
PICKLED STRAWBERRIES?!? You just stole my heart! Those sound all sorts of delicious!
Cheese boards are my favourite, I could eat a bowl of cheese no problem.
Leslie
http://alifewellconsumed.com
Cheeseboard=Good
Shopping =Bad
The beauty of the cheeseboard is its simplicity, same is true w/ clothing.
Great pair of jeans, T-shirt, work boots (Ariat) & flip flops (Sanuk)…what more do you need?
This spread is so gorgeous! Thank you for writing about cheese and singing it’s praises. I hope you have more cheese recipes.
Erika Kubick
CheeseSexDeath.com
Can I come over and eat cheese with you?!
LOL! Yup! 🙂
This is just gorgeous! Idyllic setting, beautiful board, delicious food! Pickled strawberries sound amaaaaaazing!
Thank you so much!!
Quick question….when reading the recipe for the Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, ingredients call for a 1/2c of mixed herbs but instructions say use only 2 tbsp and only a portion of the EVOO. Do you add the remainder after they are cooked? Thanks!
Hey Dayna,
So sorry about that. Yes, add the remaining herbs after they are done roasting. I will head and fix the recipe. Hope you love the tomatoes!
Tieghan
Thanks so much! I know they will be yummy. I’m taking a modified version of your board to a pool party today!
YAY!! Hope it is a huge hit! THANKS!
Killer indeed! This looks so impressive. I Love the idea of the pickled strawberries, and the grilled peach slices too. Now I need to throw a BBQ just so I can make a cheeseboard like this! Thanks for the great ideas 🙂
I have a trick for you to remember which side the fork goes on… fork and left both have 4 letters. I have to think of that every time I set the table, lol.
I’m using your cheese plate ideas for my party this Monday, thanks!!!
Ha! That is a great tip, thanks!! Hope you have a great party Monday! 🙂
Fabulous, love the board!
Thanks Lyn!
this is perfection!! one of my favourite pairings on a cheese board is soft french brie with fresh honeycomb, SO good. x
Thank you! Hope you had a great Monday! 🙂
A tip in return for the great ideas, from a fellow challenged lefty: Fork has four letters and left has four letters, so the fork goes on the left. Knife and spoon both have five letters, so does right, so they go on the right side of the plate. 🙂
Thank you so much for the tip!
This appetizer is the bomb! Got rave reviews at my latest dinner party! But I must have the exact board in your recipe! I checked etsy. Would you Please tell me the name of the board maker. I MUST HAVE IT!!
Thank you so much!
Lori
Hi Lori Lehr-Knapp, here is the link to the easy shop. Thanks! Link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Eskiden
Such a beautiful cheese board with lots of different flavors. I made an abbreviated version of this over the weekend, including the pickled strawberries. No one but me liked them. oh well. Thanks for the inspiration!