Thanksgiving is around the corner, and at Cheese Grotto, we believe that the right cheese can take your holiday feast from good to unforgettable. Whether you’re a cheese lover or simply looking to impress your guests, incorporating artisanal cheeses into your Thanksgiving spread is a delicious way to celebrate the season.

Why Cheese Deserves a Spot on Your Thanksgiving Table

Cheese is a versatile addition to any meal, and Thanksgiving is no exception. From creamy, spreadable options that pair beautifully with crackers and bread to bold, aged cheeses that add depth to your favorite dishes, there’s a cheese for every palate. Not only do these cheeses make for an impressive cheese board, but they also enhance the flavors of your traditional Thanksgiving fare.

Here are our top picks to include in your Thanksgiving celebration:

1. Uplands Rush Creek Reserve

This seasonal cheese is rich, creamy, and perfect for sharing. Its deep, savory flavor pairs wonderfully with roasted turkey and stuffing, making it a must-have for your holiday table.

How to Serve: Warm it up and serve with crusty bread or crackers for a cozy, communal appetizer.

2. Jasper Hill Farm Harbison

Wrapped in spruce bark, Harbison is soft, gooey, and has a delightful woodsy flavor that screams fall. It’s the perfect complement to roasted vegetables and cranberry sauce.

How to Serve: Serve warm and spoonable, with a side of roasted root vegetables or spread on fresh bread.

3. Firefly Farms Spruce Reserve

This creamy cheese, wrapped in spruce bark, offers a rustic, earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with the roasted and caramelized flavors of Thanksgiving dishes.

How to Serve: Enjoy it with honey and walnuts, or alongside roasted squash for a sweet and savory combination.

4. Rogue Creamery Rogue River Blue

This award-winning blue cheese is wrapped in pear brandy-soaked grape leaves, giving it a complex, fruity, and spicy flavor profile. It’s an elegant addition to your Thanksgiving spread.

How to Serve: Crumble over a salad with roasted pears, or pair with figs and walnuts on your cheese board.

5. Spring Brook Farm Reading Raclette

Raclette is known for its melty goodness and nutty, savory flavor. It’s the perfect cheese for cozying up on a chilly Thanksgiving evening.

How to Serve: Melt it over potatoes or roasted vegetables, or use it in a gratin for an indulgent side dish.

6. Meadow Creek Dairy Appalachian

This semi-soft cheese is buttery and tangy with a subtle grassy note, making it an excellent match for fresh and roasted vegetables.

How to Serve: Pair with apple slices and honey on a cheese board, or serve alongside roasted Brussels sprouts.

7. Goat Rodeo Wild Rosemary

Infused with rosemary, this goat cheese brings a fragrant, herbal twist that pairs beautifully with roasted carrots and beets, adding a fresh, aromatic touch to your meal.

How to Serve: Spread on crostini with a drizzle of olive oil, or crumble over your favorite roasted veggies.

8. Marin French Cheese Truffle Brie

Truffle Brie is a luxurious twist on a classic favorite, adding an earthy, umami-rich flavor that elevates any dish it accompanies.

How to Serve: Serve with crackers and honey, or pair with roasted mushrooms for a rich, savory side dish.

9. Carr Valley Cheese Reserve Gouda

This aged Gouda is sweet, nutty, and slightly crunchy, making it a delightful addition to your cheese board or mashed potatoes.

How to Serve: Pair with dried fruits and nuts, or grate over mashed potatoes for a rich, nutty flavor.

10. Deer Creek Cheese The Stag Cheddar

Aged to perfection, The Stag Cheddar is bold, sharp, and slightly sweet. It’s versatile enough to complement almost any dish on your Thanksgiving table.

How to Serve: Serve with apple slices or mix into a creamy mac and cheese for a crowd-pleasing side dish.

Creating the Perfect Thanksgiving Cheese Board

If you’re looking to create a show-stopping cheese board, here’s how to make the most of these delicious selections:

• Pair with Wine: These cheeses pair wonderfully with wines like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, or Zinfandel. The right wine can enhance the rich flavors and create a perfect balance.
• Add Fruits and Nuts: Seasonal fruits like pears, apples, and figs, along with nuts, honey, and artisanal breads or crackers, round out your cheese board and offer a variety of textures and flavors.
• Present Beautifully: Arrange your cheeses on a wooden board or marble slab with plenty of space for guests to explore different combinations. Don’t forget to label each cheese so everyone knows what they’re enjoying!

Storing Your Cheese Leftovers

After the feast, you might have some delicious cheese leftovers. Proper storage is essential to keep your cheeses fresh and flavorful for future snacking. The Cheese Grotto is the perfect solution—it creates an ideal environment for storing your artisanal cheeses, keeping them at the perfect humidity level to maintain their texture and taste. Plus, it doubles as a beautiful serving piece that you can bring straight from the fridge to the table.

Pro Tips for Storage:

• Soft Cheeses: Store on the lower shelves of the Cheese Grotto where humidity is higher. Keep them wrapped in cheese paper or parchment.
• Firm Cheeses: Store on the upper shelves where humidity is lower, wrapped in cheese paper or in their original packaging.

With the Cheese Grotto, your cheese leftovers will stay fresh and delicious, ready to be enjoyed in the days following Thanksgiving.

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Make Cheese the Star of Your Thanksgiving

At Cheese Grotto, we’re passionate about bringing you the finest cheeses to enjoy with friends and family. This Thanksgiving, let cheese take center stage on your table, whether it’s in a stunning cheese board or as a flavorful addition to your favorite dishes. With these selections, your Thanksgiving feast is sure to be a hit.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Cheese Grotto! May your holiday be filled with warmth, good food, and even better company.