Do you have any family or friends with special dietary needs? We understand it can feel overwhelming and stressful planning and preparing food for those with specific dietary requirements. However, it truly is easier than you may think!
A huge reason why we LOVE Cheese boards is because of the versatility and ability to arrange any type of food you desire on the board. There are no rules.. it is yours to imagine and create! With little effort, you'll have a gorgeous display of food that will surely impress your guests!
In the photo below you will see an example of a Gluten free Cheese board that we put together for a group of 4 on our Large Acacia Cheese board. It took only 10 minutes to put together!
So what are the essentials when it comes to Cheese Boards??
Step 1 - CHEESE
Step 2 - MEAT
Step 3 - PRODUCE
Step 4 - CRUNCH
Step 5 - DIPS
Step 6 - GARNISH
The great thing is that food options for those with allergies and sensitivities have really increased in the past few years! You can visit almost any grocery store and find fantastic gluten free and dairy free options, there isn’t any reason why you cannot create a jaw-dropping cheese board!
Here are some insights on gluten free options to look for in the grocery store!
CHEESE
The Celiac Disease Foundation lists dairy as a food group that does not naturally contain gluten. However, that doesn’t mean that all cheeses are gluten free. Occasionally, companies will add ingredients to the cheese that contain gluten so, always read ingredients carefully, and when possible purchase products that clearly state "gluten free".
Below is a list of cheeses that are generally gluten free.
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Brie
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Cheddar
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Swiss
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Parmesan
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Provolone
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Feta
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Goat
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Ricotta
MEAT
Aim for uncured meat if possible. Meat adds the salty and filling component on your cheese board. All you have to do is make sure you thoroughly read over the ingredients list. Depending on your budget you can either grab a simple pack of herb turkey breast and ham slices, or go the traditional fancier route and purchase a pack of Genoa salami and make stunning salami roses! Find our Salami rose tutorial here!
PRODUCE
Produce is where you can go wild with your gluten free cheese board! Fruits and vegetables add that fresh and tangy flavor to your charcuterie. We love the vibrant pop of color that fresh fruit and vegetables give to cheese boards as well! After all, they say we "eat with our eyes first"! As an extra precaution remember to give your produce a good wash before serving, in case it touches any products that contain gluten.
A simple way to do this is by placing your produce in a large bowl and sprinkling baking soda on top. Next you add a few splashes of white vinegar and fill the rest of the bowl with water. After sitting for 5 minutes you can drain the water and rinse of your produce. Voila! Washing your produce will give you that extra peace of mind knowing that you are preparing food completely safe for your guests.
Here are a few great ideas for produce items that you can grab at your local Grocery store!
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Grapes
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Strawberries
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Raspberries
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Blueberries
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Blackberries
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Kiwi
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Apples
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Dragon Fruit
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Dried Fruit (we love apricots!)
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Carrots
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Cucumbers
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Mini Bell Peppers
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Pickles
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Olives
CRUNCH
The crunch aspect comes down to items such as a gluten free crostini or seeded crackers. Most grocery stores contain a specific gluten free section. If you'd like to go the cracker route we highly recommend Mary's Gone Crackers.
They are organic, vegan, kosher and certified gluten-free, Mary's Gone Crackers makes four different cracker flavors (original, herb, black pepper, and jalapeño).
The easiest way to add a delicious crunch is with nuts! With so many types of nuts available you can have a lot of fun with this!
Here are a few of our favorite types of nuts that add the crunch that everybody loves!
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Almonds
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Cashew Nuts
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Pistachios
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Pecans
DIPS
Dips will add a wonderful creamy and succulent element to your cheese board. Brie and honey are a naturally perfect pair. Honey is gluten free (but remember to still always check ingredient labels for any added ingredients.) Place a small ramekin filled with honey next to the cheese on your board, along with a serving spoon.
A gluten free cheese board often contains more produce than a regular cheese board, so a dip or 2 is essential. An amazing compliment for vegetables (and crackers) is hummus or even guacamole! If you're feeling extra fancy, why not also include a sweet dip for your fruits! Such as a sweet cream cheese dip. Yum!
GARNISH
I won't lie, most of the time garnish is only there to make things more beautiful. However, a good garnish really does make all the difference! A few simple garnishes that add a delightful pop of greenery would be fresh rosemary, thyme, mint or basil.
There you have it! A detailed yet simple guide for making a spectacular gluten free cheese board. Next time you have guests coming over with food restrictions and you find yourself stuck on what to make, use this guide as your reference to make a cheese board of their dreams! Your party will bring everyone together through tasty and beautiful food. Paired with one of our stunning hand poured resin cheese boards and your next get-together will surely stand out in the best way! Remember, there is always a way to make a cheese board happen. No dietary restrictions can stop the cheese board game.
To check out the rest of our best-sellers and serving trays, click here.
That’s all for now,
Happy Hosting!