Salty, cheesy and crispy, charcuterie boards are filled with an exciting combination of taste and texture including bread, crackers, cheese, meat, wine, and more. Adding sweet flavors from jams to the platter satisfies every sensation you can imagine.
Jams, jellies and marmalades complement the taste of briny, salty, fatty and acidic cheeses and meats by balancing out the saltiness and dryness of the platter, while adding in that extra layer of flavor. Not only that, but the add color to decorate the board for charcuterie to really make it pop.
What jam is good for charcuterie? In general, 1 or 2 jams or preserves are added to a basic charcuterie board. The jams are typically made with berries and stone fruit including fig, apricot, raspberry, grape, strawberry, cranberry, and cherry.
To pair with the right jam, compare the sweetness of the jam with cheese. For instance, a sweeter jam works wonderfully with mild cheese, and bold or aged cheese complement well with spicy and strong flavored jelly.
The ultimate charcuterie board usually has a balanced flavor combination from savory to sweet, sour or spicy. And what better way to add some sweetness to the board than to use a quality jam or jelly.
Choosing the right jam flavor that is specially suited to your charcuterie board can be a daunting process. That’s why we have prepared a list of the best flavors and jam types to pair with meat and cheese platters. Tag along to learn more.
Do you put jam on a charcuterie board?
Yes, jam can be added to a charcuterie board. In fact, sweet or spicy flavor jams perfectly complement the meat, cheese, nuts, and crackers on the board.
A variety of jams can be used to elevate the taste of other items on the board while harmonizing the saltiness and dryness from the cheese and meat. Be sure to include at least one or two jam types on any board.
The sweetness level is generally followed by the type of cheese. Sweeter jams go together with a mild cheese, and spicy or savory jams gear towards aged and bold cheese types.
What kind of jam goes on a charcuterie board?
Whether it is a sweet fruit or blend of fruit with spices, jams are an essential ingredient to a high-end charcuterie board. With the right choice, the jam melds the cheese and cracker or bread to even out the saltiness and creaminess.
Here are types of jam that taste best with specific charcuterie board cheeses:
- Fig: brie, Emmental, mozzarella, feta, sharp cheddar
- Apricot: parmigiano reggiano, gran padano, dry monterey jack, gran queso
- Raspberry: brie, cream cheese, parmigiano reggiano
- Strawberry: goat, cream cheese, brie
- Plum: goat, cream cheese, smoked gouda
- Peach: goat, baked brie
- Orange marmalade: gouda, monterey jack, semi-aged pecorino
- Cranberry: goat, camembert, triple creme, brie
- Chipotle jelly or black currant: spicy blue cheese, feta, aged parmesan, sharp cheddar
- Blackberry: manchego, triple creme, goat, feta, camembert
- Apple: mozzarella, goat, fontina, english cheddar
What jam flavors go well with a charcuterie board?
Jams and jellies go well with variety of ingredients on a charcuterie board. However, some spicy or peppery jams are best reserved for aged and bold flavor cheeses.
With improper pairing, they add too much flavor to the foods on the board and cut through the sweetness from the other sweet foods.
Here are classic jam flavors that go well with a charcuterie board:
- apricot jam + brie + walnuts + pecans + white wine
- strawberry jam + cheddar + crackers + mustard
- fig jam + blue cheese + cream cheese + cracker + pecans
- raspberry jam + prosciutto + havarti + ricotta
- cherry jam + red wine + almonds
- spice plum jam + white cheddar + white wine
Best mini jams for charcuterie board
Not everyday that you come across unique jams that scream for your attention. Whether it's a sweet and spicy combo or a classic pairing that melds together perfectly, here are mini jams you must try with a charcuterie board.
A variety of sweet jams, zesty mustards and savory spreads in adorable mini jars. An abundant collection that is sure to appeal to anyone’s tastes
Unique gourmet flavor jams and jellies that leave you feeling pleasantly surprised. The 12-flavor bundle is filled with all-natural goodness and unique flavors.
Kitchen Kettle Village Jams and Jellies Variety Sampler includes a set of six 1.5 oz. individual flavors in mini glass jars. Perfect balance of classic flavors and unique tastes.
Forbidden fruit marmalade, rose hip jam and prickly pear jam are vegan jams for a unique cheese board experience. Each jar is 2.6 ounces in this tasty 3 pack.
Fruit forward, tasty combinations that are bursting with flavor. If you have one choice to make, these are the mini jams you want to try!
Delicious jam and jelly selection. The assortment of 8 unique jams and jellies come in mini 1.5oz jars that are ideal for sampling and sharing with friends.
Strawberry, apricot, raspberry, orange, cherry, honey, grape, and blueberry, the eight 1 ounce jars are the perfect size to enjoy bite sized samples of each flavor. The mini preserves are an incredibly delicious treat.
Jam With Charcuterie: Conclusion
When it comes to charcuterie board, whether you want to keep things spicy, sweet or savory, there’re endless possibilities with jam.
As a matter of fact, jams are a great way to add diversity to a meat and cheese board to balance out the sweetness and dryness of the other ingredients. Use one or two kinds of jam to effortlessly transform your charcuterie board.
It is optimal to pair jam with the cheeses that you are serving. In general, fig and apricot jams are widely used in the charcuterie board since they pair well with basic cheeses like cheddar, feta, mozzarella, and monterey jack.
Other than these popular jams, there are raspberry, grape, strawberry, cherry, cranberry, orange, plum, and blackberry jams to select from. Use these jam and cheese pairings to find the best experience you can share next time you assemble a quality charcuterie board.