Building a standout cheese board is all about finding those unique additions that spark curiosity and delight. From a smoky, spreadable sausage to sweet-savory biscuits and even baked beans, this lineup takes your board beyond the expected. Here’s what we’re loving right now—and how to pair it for maximum impact.
Underground Meats makes its Sobrasada Spread with heritage pork from Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. Fat, belly trim, and spices are ground and mixed, stuffed in natural casings, slow fermented, then aged to create a spreadable sausage bursting with rich, smoky flavors and a hint of heat. Creamy and indulgent, it’s as versatile as it is flavorful—ideal for slathering on bread or sneaking into your favorite recipes to develop flavor quickly. Try it smeared on a t2hin and crispy cracker with a silky, soft-ripened cheese such as Sequatchie Cove Creamery Walden.
Dried fruit on a cheese board is nothing new, but freeze-dried fruit is something you don’t see every day. Compared to traditional dehydration, which removes two-thirds of a fruit’s water content, freeze-drying removes all moisture, creating a nutritious, crunchy snack with concentrated fruit flavor and a super long shelf life (up to three years when stored properly). OHME! has perfected this process, delivering a punch of intense, natural sweetness in every bite. Their freeze-dried blueberries are a vibrant treat that’s as good on a cheese board as they are sprinkled over morning oatmeal. Pair them with a decadent triple cream s3uch as Nettle Meadow Farm Kunik to complement the cheese’s earthy notes.
Effie’s Homemade is taking its beloved biscuits to the next level with its newest creation: Gruyère Biscuits. Unlike their traditional offerings, these don’t just pair well with cheese, they’re made with it. These biscuits offer a delightful balance of lightly sweet and savory flavors, with a hint of pepper for complexity. Pair them with prosciutto and a4sweet and creamy cheese such as stracchino for a perfectly balanced bite (or with gruyère if you want to double down).
Baked beans on a cheese board? Heck yeah! Don’t let the name fool you—Trader Joe’s Giant Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce are a world away from the Boston baked beans you’re probably familiar with. Inspired by the traditional Greek dish gigantes plaki, these cannellini beans are soaked, boiled to tender perfection, and baked in a richly seasoned tomato sauce with onions, parsley, and dill. The result? A hearty, flavorful dish that brings a Mediterranean twist to any s5pread. Pair with a hard and salty cheese such as Pecorino Romano, or alongside feta for a mezze-inspired pairing.
Terrapin Ridge’s new Raspberry Honey Mustard blends sweet honey, tart raspberries, and coarse mustard to create a condiment that’s rich in flavor and texture. The fruity tang and subtle sweetness complement Alpine-style cheeses such as Comté or Appenzeller, enhancing their nutty, brothy notes. Take the pairing up a notch and round out the sweet-and-savory bite by adding cornichons for a tangy crunch.
Josie Krogh
Josie Krogh is culture's Digital Strategy Lead. She earned her master's degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics from The University of Georgia. Josie developed a love of food while working at farmstands in the D.C. area as a young adult, and discovered her love of cheese while living and working on a dairy farm on Martha's Vineyard. Josie currently lives in Catskill, NY.
