Best Cheese with Summer Sausage

Although summer sausage doesn't only have to be eaten in the summer, it's one of my favorites! I love building charcuterie boards with summer sausage, here are some of the best cheese with summer sausage. 

Best cheese with summer sausage

Summer sausage and cheese are a great duo. In the summer months, you can take your party to the next level by building a cheese board with the best summer sausage and cheese pairings. Here are the cheeses that go best with summer sausage.

• Cheddar Cheese
• Pepper Jack
• Cream Cheese
• Havarti
• Port Salute
• Muenster
• Gouda

I recommend picking three to four cheeses to build your charcuterie board with. I typically choose cheddar cheese, port salute, and gouda. I think all three have such different flavor profiles, yet all pair with the smoky, salty, and tangy taste of summer sausage perfectly! 

What crackers go best with summer sausage and cheese?

Because the summer sausage and cheeses pack such a flavor punch, I like to stick with more basic crackers. 

• Saltines
• Ritz Crackers
• Water Crackers
• Wheat Thins

Why is it called summer sausage?

Summer sausage got its name because of how it is aged and cured. This sausage recipe was developed before refrigeration technology was invented. It goes through all three curing and aging processes: lactic acid fermentation, curing, and smoking. Because of that, it is shelf-stable and can be served at room temperature... which is perfect for summer!

You will, however, need to refrigerate it after opening. Luckily, our food science and safety knowledge has expanded since summer sausage was first created. 

How to arrange a summer sausage and cheese platter

1. Start by placing your cheeses in the corners of the board. If you have a round platter, no worries! Go ahead and make "corners" or "anchor points" with the cheeses. You'll want to slice the cheeses to make them not only look pretty, but inviting for your guests to dig in!
2. Next, add in thin slices of your summer sausage. There is a wide array of summer sausage, so get your favorites for this board! I personally prefer beef summer sausage. 
3. After I add my meat and cheeses, I like to add anything in bowls or jars. For a board like this, I recommend including olives, pickles, and honey.
4. Now, it's time to "color" as I call it. Add in all the fresh produce! I love using in-season produce, so depending on the time of year you make this board the produce could vary!
5. Spread your crackers out on the board.
6. As one last step, I fill in any holes with dried fruits, nuts or fresh herbs. You don't eat the fresh herbs, but it serves as a super pretty garnish.

Any party is a successful party with this fool-proof charcuterie formula. 

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Want more charcuterie board inspiration?

• Build the Best Summer Charcuterie Board
• Make the Best ALDI Charcuterie Board
• Charcuterie Board for Two