What to Serve with a Cheese Platter? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Cheese platters are the MVPs of parties. Everybody loves them.

Now, picking the right side dishes? That’s where it gets real. We’ve been there, staring into the fridge at 3 AM, wondering what goes with cheddar.

Crackers are just the beginning. Think beyond.

Olives, honey, nuts? Yes, please. We tried grapes once. Game changer.

Our friends still talk about it.

Mix it up. Keep it fresh. Your cheese board will thank you.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with a Cheese Platter?

A cheese platter can be a whole meal by itself if you include other items like cured meat, biscuits, veggies, and crackers.

But you will have only one large platter, which certainly won’t look nice.

Besides, if you have many guests, you will need more food so that everyone can have their fill and enjoy the meal.

You also get to show your cooking skills when you serve multiple dishes during an occasion.

Your guests will be impressed and not be disappointed with the food provided.

What to Serve with a Cheese Platter? 7 BEST Side Dishes

You will have plenty of items on the cheese platter.

But since you can serve multiple dishes, we have lined up the seven best dishes that you can put up alongside a cheese platter.

1 – Crackers

They’re simple but pretty delicious, and they can pair nicely with a cheese platter.

Crackers come in different shapes, sizes and flavors.

So, you have many choices, and each one will be compatible with the cheese platter.

You can get readymade varieties from the market, or you can also make them at home.

Sourdough crackers and Graham crackers are two types that you can find on the market and also make at home.

While most types are bland or salted, Graham crackers have a sweet, almost spicy flavor (from the cinnamon).

You can make both types so that your guests can enjoy various tastes.

2 – Fresh Raspberries and Pears

Fruits are a suitable accompaniment to cheese, and you have plenty of items to choose from.

Pears and raspberries are easy to find, so you can add them alongside the cheese platter.

You may wash the pears, peel and slice them, remove the seeds, and center and arrange them in a suitable bowl or plate along with the prepped raspberries.

Both fruits also contain nutrients in abundance.

Raspberries are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.

Pears also have similar nutrients, so you get to enjoy the delicious fruits and absorb the goodness.

3 – Roasted Mixed Nuts

What can taste better than crunchy roasted nuts combined with a cheese platter? Not many things, we guess.

So, you can include a variety of nuts on the menu.

They will mellow down the flavor of some cheeses and keep a balance.

You can use different nuts such as almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, and hazelnuts are all suitable for a roasted mixed nuts dish.

Nuts contain plenty of fat, but they make a healthy snack when consumed in moderation.

So, adding a bowl to the menu will be a great idea.

4 – Crusty Baguettes

Think of the cheese on top of crusty bread, and it sounds yum.

Bread and cheese go hand in hand, so we have included them on the list.

It may sound daunting to make baguettes at home.

But you need just four ingredients to make them.

They’re wheat, water, salt, and yeast (starter).

You must knead it thoroughly until you can stretch it out without breaking.

You must also see that your dough is wet enough, or your baguettes won’t come out great.

If you can’t make the bread at home, buy from a nearby store; they’re sure to have a batch of fresh bread on sale.

5 – Pesto

The next item on the list is pesto, an Italian sauce that is fresh and can take many dishes to the next level.

The original ingredients of this dish include basil, olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, and grated hard cheese.

However, some variations can also include rosemary and sage, among others.

It’s easy to make pesto as you just have to put everything together and crush them until it becomes a paste.

The traditional method of crushing is mortar and pestle, but if you don’t have them, you can also use an appliance.

6 – Bread Sticks

Bread never goes wrong with cheese, so we have added another variety to the list.

There are many types of breadsticks, and you can include whichever is available.

The snacks go by many names, such as grissini, dipping sticks, or grissino, and they are normally crispy and thin.

You can also find soft varieties in North America these days.

The original bread sticks comprise water, flour, and yeast, but you can add spices, herbs, salt, or sugar according to preference.

If you don’t have time to make them, get the bread from the bakery or a store where they sell the items.

7 – Apricot Jam

Fruit jam is a suitable accompaniment to a cheese platter, with several choices.

But we listed apricot jam because it’s versatile and can click with various cheeses.

Apricot jam is a chunky, thick, sweet condiment containing the said fruit.

You can make it at home, or if the fruit isn’t available, you can grab a few bottles from the supermarket.

Most cheese types are salty, so the sweetness from the apricot jam can tone down the saltiness bringing the flavors to an even balance.

Enjoy with the cheese and also with other items present on the platter.