How to Make the Perfect Cheese Plate for Every Season
Updated: Apr. 03, 2022
A cheese-plate expert spilled to us how she keeps her cheese plates seasonally appropriate so you can, too.
Sure, cheese plates are a staple at a picnic or outdoor-party, but any true cheddar-lover wants a grazing board at all of their gatherings—no matter the month. Because cheese boards are typically dotted with fresh fruit, jams and veggies, it can be hard to imagine the crowd-favorite app making an appearance any time other than spring or summer. But with the right ingredients, they can easily be a year-round indulgence.
We spoke with Marissa Mullen, the cheese-plate influencer (yes, that’s a real thing!) behind Instagram’s @ThatCheesePlate and @CheeseByNumbers, for some tips on how to make everyone’s favorite party-starter more seasonal.
Although Mullen’s personal fave is a fairly traditional plate with an “Italian antipasti vibe” (think prosciutto, olives and stuffed peppers), she constantly pushes herself to create inventive cheese boards based on the current season or upcoming holidays. She’s crafted everything from “That ‘Simple Summer’ plate” to “That ‘Trick or Treat’ plate” to “That ‘New Years Eve’ plate.” She even has a series of cheese plates based on each astrological sign.
Read more cheese-plate pointers from our experts in the Test Kitchen.
How to Build the Perfect Cheese Plate
According to Mullen, the six components of any successful cheese plate are
- Cheese
- Meat
- Produce
- “Crunch,” like crackers, nuts or bread
- Dip
- Garnish
She places them on her plate, tray, board, etc. in that same order. To distinguish a summer plate from, say, a winter plate, she recommends switching up the produce, crunch and garnishes in order to align the board’s mood and color scheme with the appropriate season. Here are her go-to’s:
Spring/Summer Cheese Plates
Produce
- Melon
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Fresh figs
Crunch
- Fresh bread
- Flatbread crackers
Garnish
- Fresh edible flowers
Fall/Winter Cheese Plates
Produce
- Pomegranates
- Cranberries
- Dried fruits
Crunch
- Spiced nuts
- Seeded crackers
Garnish
- Fresh rosemary
- Non-toxic leaves
Simple enough, right? The other categories—cheese, meat and dip—can stay largely the same throughout the year. Some of Mullen’s suggestions for those include California-made cheeses, such as Mt Tam from Cowgirl Creamery and Bay Blue from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.; Italian speck and fresh-cut prosciutto; and fresh honeycomb and tart cherry compote, respectively. Consider trying one of these 14 lesser-known cheeses, too!
Try It at Home
Mullen’s main suggestion though? Don’t be intimidated! You don’t need to be a professional to curate a top-notch (and seasonal!) cheese plate, and you certainly don’t need to settle for a pre-packaged one from the supermarket. “It’s really easy to get creative and have fun,” she says. “It’s an extra step to find the items around the grocery store, but the process of making the plate gives you something to be proud of.” If you loved these tips, check out how to make cheese crisps.
Traditional Popcorn Balls
Kids of all ages enjoy this popcorn ball recipe as an old-fashioned holiday treat. One batch goes a long way. —Cathy Karges, Hazen, North Dakota
Rosemary Walnuts
My Aunt Mary started making this recipe years ago. Each time we visited, she would have a batch ready for us. The use of cayenne adds an unexpected zing to the savory combo of rosemary and walnuts. When you need a good housewarming or hostess gift, double the batch and save half for yourself. —Renee Ciancio, New Bern, North Carolina
Homemade Guacamole
Nothing is better than freshly made guacamole when you're eating something spicy. It is easy to whip together in a matter of minutes and quickly tames anything that's too hot. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Cheese Crispies
For years I’ve taken these crispy, crunchy snacks to work. They get high marks from everybody in the teachers lounge. —Eileen Ball, Cornelius, North Carolina
Chewy Honey Granola Bars
There's sweetness from the honey, chewiness from the raisins, hints of chocolate and cinnamon, and a bit of crunch. To save a few for later, wrap individual bars and place in a resealable freezer container. When you want a satisfying treat on short notice, just grab one and let it thaw for a few minutes. —Tasha Lehman, Williston, Vermont
Mustard Pretzel Nuggets
This quick and fun snack is similar to the mustard pretzels you can buy at the store, but you can make it for a fraction of the price. It's a killer recipe for all kinds of parties and football gatherings. —Sarah Mathews, Ava Missouri
Homemade Honey Grahams
The way my boys eat them, I would spend a fortune on honey graham crackers at the grocery store. So I decided to make a homemade version that is less processed—and less expensive. These are wonderful, although they still don't last long. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Soft Giant Pretzels
My husband and our friends and family love these soft, chewy pretzels. Let the bread machine mix the dough, then all you have to do is shape and bake these fun snacks. —Sherry Peterson, Fort Collins, Colorado
Courtside Caramel Corn
My guests say they can't stop eating my caramel corn! For our basketball party I fix enough to fill a big red tin with our team's logo. The delectable syrup coats the popcorn well but isn't sticky. —Sharon Landeen, Tucson, Arizona
Classic Hummus
We love hummus, and this version is really amazing. If you have a pressure cooker, this is an easy, tasty reason to pull it out! We pair hummus with fresh veggies for a meal or snack. —Monica and David Eichler, Lawrence, Kansas
Rosemary-Parmesan Popcorn
Fresh herbs and real cheese make this popcorn a homemade favorite that will make you forget about store-bought seasoning mixes. —Dan Kelmenson, West Bloomfield, Michigan
Snack Crackers
Our 13-year-old daughter, Dana, loves to make this crunchy and flavorful snack for us. Her four older brothers finish off a batch in no time. —Sue Manel, Milladore, Wisconsin
Old Bay Crispy Kale Chips
Here in East Hampton, NY, harvest time means big bunches of kale from local growers. These crunchy kale chips are delicious, super healthy and easy to make. I make them with seasoning to take the flavor up a notch. For extra zip, add a dash of cayenne pepper. —Luanne Asta, East Hampton, New York
Garlic & Onion Cashews
You'll be set for either a quick snack or an easy hostess gift when you use this recipe. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California
Nuts and Seeds Trail Mix
A filling blend of nuts, seeds, chocolate chips and dried fruit keeps you healthy by the handful. —Kristin Rimkus, Snohomish, Washington
Chunky Mango Guacamole
When serving a crowd, double or quadruple this guacamole. The onion, tomato and mango can be chopped in advance. Add avocado just before serving. —Diana Nienberg, McComb, Ohio
Thyme-Sea Salt Crackers
These homemade crackers are decidedly light and crispy. An addictive snack on their own, they also pair well with a sharp white cheddar. —Jessica Wirth, Charlotte, North Carolina
Candied Pecans
I pack these easy candied pecans in jars tied with pretty ribbon for family and friends. My granddaughter gave some to a doctor at the hospital where she works, and he said they were too good to be true! —Opal Turner, Hughes Springs, Texas
Party Pretzels
Not only are these a perfect mid-morning or afternoon snack at work, they're perfect for hungry kids just home from school. Plus, they make for fantastic party food! —Carrie Shaub, Mount Joy, Pennsylvania
