Party platters are a staple of hosting, and whether you make your own or buy one ready-made from Redner’s Markets deli, you want the best cheeses and other treats for your guests. Consider the following tips for selecting cheese when planning a party platter or choosing pairings for your spread.
Cheddar – Sharp or Mild
This cheese offers options for flavor. For a bold flavor, choose sharp; when you’d rather have a mellow taste, opt for mild. This cheese pairs well with grapes and apples, cured meats, and crackers. Your guests will be familiar with this choice, and the color complements a range of other foods you may include on your platter.
Swiss
Swiss adds visual appeal to any party platter with its neutral color and eye-catching holey structure—the nutty and mild flavor pairs well with rye crackers, ham, and mustard.
Provolone
Another cheese option is Provolone, which has a tangier taste than Swiss while maintaining a mild flavor profile that won’t overwhelm your guests. This option is great for party platters because its texture allows for manipulation into rolls and layers, while pairing well with olives and salami.
Colby Jack
The mellow flavor and marbled appearance make Colby Jack a popular choice for party platters. Plus, it pairs excellently with sliced turkey, grapes, and crackers.
Havarti
A creamier, slightly tangy cheese, Havarti pairs well with the sweetness of pear slices and honey, and its soft texture complements the other, firmer cheeses nicely.
Pepper Jack
Add some kick to your party platter with the spicy and bold flavor of pepper jack. Make sure to include pickles and crackers to temper the flavor as well as spicier meats to elevate it.
Muenster
For melt-in-your-mouth texture, consider Muenster. It has a mild flavor that pairs well with salami, bread, and pickles.
Put together your board:
When crafting a cheese board, choose between 3-5 different cheeses that offer a diverse range of flavor profiles and textures. You should slice or cube the cheese pieces and label them for easier selection. Garnishes on your tray may include fruits, olives, pickles, and more, or you can elevate it with some meat and cracker selections.
Cheese Trays at Redner’s Markets
Cheese Tray
Choose any five of the following cheese selections:
- American
- Cheddar
- Colby
- Cooper Sharp
- Hot Pepper
- Longhorn
- Muenster
- Swiss
The tray will include green olives and be available in either small or large sizes.
Fruit and Cheese Nibbler Platter
Select five of your favorite cheeses (from the above list). This tray is also available in small or large sizes, but is garnished with both red and green grapes rather than olives.
Meat and Cheese Combination Tray
Comes with roast beef, turkey breast, cooked ham, aged Swiss, and American cheese, accompanied by pickle slices and cherry tomatoes.
Snack Tray
This tray comes with sliced ring bologna and five cheeses of your choice, garnished with pickles and olives.
Lean and Lite Tray
An arrangement of low-sodium turkey breast, low-sodium ham, Naturally Slender cheese, and Heidi Ann reduced-fat Swiss cheese, with olives and red beet eggs as garnishes.
Click here to add the Classic Cheese Tray to your order and begin selecting other party platters for your party from Redner’s Markets. We offer the best deli cheeses, meats, and garnishes for party platters, as well as ready-to-go options.