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A show-stopping charcuterie board is my favorite way to get everyone’s attention at dinner parties and gatherings during the summer months. Who doesn’t love cheese and fruit after a day in the heat? Snacks for dinner, y’all! But there are quite a few differences between constructing your typical platter and creating a summer cheese board—including fresh, seasonal ingredients and cheeses that can hold up in the intense summer heat.
If you’re hosting an upcoming gathering or are simply craving a creative meal, these tips will help you curate a summer cheese board that perfectly encapsulates the season. The best cheese boards are well-balanced, with a variety of sweet, salty, and savory ingredients.
Keep reading for inspiration and tips that will help kick-start your summer charcuterie endeavors!
What makes a summer cheese board?
Seasonality is huge when deciding upon your summer cheese board ingredients. Using herbs, fruits, and flowers that flourish in the summer months will help your board to stand out in both color and flavor. Basil, rosemary, and dill make for a beautiful presentation when paired with savory nuts and rich cheeses. And apricots, strawberries, and blackberries bring the best flavor in the summer months. And to finish things off with a little natural flourish, lavender and hibiscus are both beautiful ways to brighten up your board.
What cheese is best for hot days?
Generally, softer cheeses work best for summer boards that will be enjoyed outdoors. Harder cheeses like Parmesan, Gouda, and Swiss have dense textures or are high in fat—meaning they tend to release oil and become waxy in the heat. Soft, ripe cheeses like brie and chèvre are some of your best, spreadable bets for a summer cheese board.
How to Create the Ultimate Summer Cheese Board
Below, Camille shares her tips for making a summer cheese board like a pro. As our go-to source for summer entertaining confirms, the trick is to let the cheese take center stage, invest in a beautiful board, and let the seasons guide your way.
1. Start with a standout cheese that makes the entire board feel special
Forget what you’ve heard about always serving a variety. If it’s REALLY good cheese, you only need one. This is a great tip for affordability since cheese is typically the priciest part of a cheese board. It could be an aged cheddar or Gruyère, as used here, or a soft cheese like a triple crème brie or a really good goat cheese. I also love a good blue cheese like Roquefort or Stilton. If you’re serving a larger group, use a combination of three cheeses with different textures and flavor profiles.
2. Use a board that’s big enough to make it feel really abundant
The Casa Zuma Large Gathering Board or the Large Vintage Wood Board are personal favorites when constructing a large cheese board. They both create a stunning scene on your table and can hold an abundance of ingredients. Before selecting your board, be sure to take note of the amount of small and large ingredients you wish to include.
3. Add a cured meat
Whether you choose prosciutto, salami, soppressata, or all three, adding cured meat will make your board feel heartier, and the saltiness is a great foil to some of the sweet items on the board.
4. Include something sweet and something savory
The addition of seasonal fruit like berries, cherries, peaches, and figs is a great way to keep your board summery and fresh. To complement your cheeses, a jam or honey is also a sweet addition to any board. As for the savory element, salted nuts, olives, marinated artichokes, and roasted peppers can help fill in the gaps and make your cheese board feel abundant.
One simple trick that instantly elevates the presentation? Use small antipasti bowls to corral ingredients like honey, olives, nuts, cornichons, or preserves. Not only does it keep your board from feeling cluttered, but it also creates visual interest through varying heights and textures. Plus, guests can easily scoop and serve themselves without ingredients rolling around the board.
5. Create summer vibes with herbs and edible flowers that add an elevated touch
Adding edible flowers or fresh herbs is a unique touch to any cheeseboard. Not only do these toppings have the potential to bring flavor, but they also serve as stunning decorations that create a pop of color wherever they are placed.
6. Offer a couple of variations of bread or crackers
I usually do sliced, toasted baguettes and a gluten-free seeded cracker to give people options. However, feel free to lay out whatever bread variety or crackers you desire to pull your board together and create a balanced palate.
7. Place the largest items on the board first and group like items together for the prettiest presentation
Larger items—like sliced bread and cheeses—should be the first to make their appearance on your board. This process makes it easier to implement smaller and more delicate ingredients strategically to create a cheese board with professional attention to detail.
The Best Summer Cheese Boards Feel Effortless
The beauty of a summer cheese board is that it doesn’t require complicated recipes or hours in the kitchen. With a few great cheeses, seasonal produce, and thoughtful details, you can create something that feels abundant, relaxed, and perfectly suited to long afternoons spent outdoors.
Remember: the goal isn’t perfection. It’s gathering people around the table and giving them something delicious to nibble on while conversations unfold. Let the season guide your ingredients, lean into color and texture, and don’t be afraid to keep it simple. The best summer cheese boards feel fresh, generous, and just a little bit undone—exactly the way summer entertaining should.
This post was last updated on June 27, 2026, to include new insights.
