How I started putting together a Mexican Charcuterie Board nearly daily …
My son would get home from school and run to the cupboard. Cookies, chips, granola bars.
One day, I decided to put out a small assortment of cheese, fruits, and meats on the kitchen island.
Little by little, he ate EVERYTHING. We started doing it everyday.
Perfect as an after school snack or for a party. There’s something for everyone!
More Mexican After School Snack Ideas:
Types of Mexican Cheeses
This is Queso Fresco. Literally translated, “fresh cheese.” It’s a milky, mild, and creamy cheese. It goes well with just about anything.
Crumble it on top of guacamole. Try it with some cold cuts or fruit. It’s super delicious!
A very, very popular cheese in Mexico. You’ll also find it stuffed in Red Enchiladas or Entomatadas.
Next up is Manchego!
Spanish manchego and Mexican manchego are virtually the same. Except, the Mexican version uses cow’s milk and the Spanish version uses sheep’s milk.
Manchego is a harder cheese and melts well. Mild in flavor but slightly nutty. It tastes great with fruit.
You’ll see it in dishes like Rajas con Crema or Empanadas de Queso.
Queso Chihuahua
This soft cheese hails from the State of Chihuahua, hence the name. It’s made of cow’s milk, mild in taste, and very similar to Monterey Jack or White Cheddar.
They are often interchangeable in recipes because they both melt well.
Find Queso Chihuahua in recipes like Capirotada (yes, the dessert!), Shrimp Poblano Quesadillas, and Enfrijoladas de Queso.
Other Mexican Cheeses
These are only 3 types of Mexican cheeses that work well for a platter, but you can also try:
- Goat’s cheese (Queso de Cabra)
- Queso Panela
- Queso Asadero
- Cotija Cheese might be too salty for a charcuterie board.
Crackers work great here. They’re more versatile and don’t crumble as quickly, but you can also use tortilla chips instead.
Fruits and nuts are a must for sweetness and crunch.
Swap Out Options:
Here we’re using mandarine slices, but Mexico produces many fruits. You can also use: grapes, strawberries, mango, peaches, apricots, apples instead.
For the Nuts – instead of pecans, you can use peanuts, cashews, or almonds.
Pro Tip:
Nuts last longer in a sealable plastic bag in the fridge.
To your board, you can add guacamole and salsas. Nothing too overwhelming or spicy so it can blend with the other things on the board.
BTW, this is a corn mixed with pico de gallo.
Other Additions
- Ham slices
- Olives
- Bell Peppers
- Radishes
Mexican Party Appetizers:
Such a fun platter mixed with YUMMY flavors! The best part about putting together a Mexican Charcuterie Board is having leftovers.
It’s super easy to put another one together the next day or a few days later. Why not keep the party going?!
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Mexican Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 1 12-ounce Queso fresco sliced
- 1 8-ounce Manchego cheese sliced or diced
- 1 6-ounce Queso Chihuahua sliced or diced
- 1 cup corn salsa (or any mild salsa)
- 1 mandarin orange peeled and sliced
- ½ cup pecans peeled and halved
- ½ cup green olives stuffed with pimentos
- 1 cup guacamole
- 5 slices ham
- 1 4-ounce crackers
Instructions
- Choose a large wooden cutting board.
- Place the cheese down first.
- Arrange the remaining ingredients around the cheeses.
- Use small serving boards, if necessary, olives, salsa, and guacamole.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Fruit – instead of mandarines, you can use grapes, strawberries, mango, peaches, apricots, apples.
- Nuts – instead of pecans, you can use peanuts, cashews, or almonds.
Such a great idea! I loved the Mexican cheeses and flavors. Everything went so well together and I especially loved the guacamole!
Glad you enjoyed this Tara!