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Truthfully, I have been dying to tell you how to make a killer summer cheeseboard for like ever.

How to make a Killer Summer Cheeseboard (with Pickled Strawberries + Herb Roasted Cherry Tomatoes!) | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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.

How to make a Killer Summer Cheeseboard (with Pickled Strawberries + Herb Roasted Cherry Tomatoes!) | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

How to make a Killer Summer Cheeseboard (with Pickled Strawberries + Herb Roasted Cherry Tomatoes!) | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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.

How to make a Killer Summer Cheeseboard (with Pickled Strawberries + Herb Roasted Cherry Tomatoes!) | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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”.

How to make a Killer Summer Cheeseboard (with Pickled Strawberries + Herb Roasted Cherry Tomatoes!) | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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.

How to make a Killer Summer Cheeseboard (with Pickled Strawberries + Herb Roasted Cherry Tomatoes!) | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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.

How to make a Killer Summer Cheeseboard (with Pickled Strawberries + Herb Roasted Cherry Tomatoes!) | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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.

How to make a Killer Summer Cheeseboard (with Pickled Strawberries + Herb Roasted Cherry Tomatoes!) | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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!

How to make a Killer Summer Cheeseboard (with Pickled Strawberries + Herb Roasted Cherry Tomatoes!) | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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?!?

How to make a Killer Summer Cheeseboard (with Pickled Strawberries + Herb Roasted Cherry Tomatoes!) | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

How to make a Killer Summer Cheeseboard (with pickled strawberries + Herb Roasted Cherry Tomatoes!).

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 563 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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://www.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

  • 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

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • 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,
  • Allow to cool slightly and then transfer to a serving bowl. Can be made 1 day in advance.

Cheeseboard

  • 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.
  • Drizzle the blue cheese with honey.
  • Drizzle the burrata cheese with olive oil and garnish with a spring of rosemary.
  • Top the grilled brie with pickled strawberries.
  • Makes sure to serve with toasted bread and or crackers

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.
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How to make a Killer Summer Cheeseboard (with Pickled Strawberries + Herb Roasted Cherry Tomatoes!) | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Double awesome…triple yikes!

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Comments

  1. 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!

  2. 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

  3. 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. 🙂

  4. this is perfection!! one of my favourite pairings on a cheese board is soft french brie with fresh honeycomb, SO good. x

  5. 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!!!

  6. 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 🙂

  7. Thanks so much! I know they will be yummy. I’m taking a modified version of your board to a pool party today!