Jam is one of the best accoutrements you can add to a charcuterie board. It goes incredibly well with cheese, it’s inexpensive, and a little goes a long way. But how do you know which are the best jams for a charcuterie board, and how to decide which cheeses to pair them with?
Creating a balance of flavors and textures is a big part of the most successful boards. Jams are most often sweet, but they can also be tangy and even spicy depending on which you choose. We’re sharing the best jams for charcuterie boards as well as pairing ideas for each one.
Tips for Choosing Jams for Your Charcuterie Board
- If you’re putting together a large-sized board, combine sweet, tart, and spicy jams for variety.
- Don’t forget that contrasting textures is important! Include both chunky and smooth jams if possible.
- Color is another important element when making a board. You can choose jams that are all similar in hue if you’re making a themed board (such as a pink charcuterie board) or do the opposite with bright, opposing colors.
- You may want to include sugar-free or vegan-friendly jams to be considerate of your guest’s dietary restrictions.
Presentation
- Serve jams in small, clear dishes to showcase their colors.
- Use a variety of spoons or mini spatulas for easy serving.
- Label each jam so guests know exactly what they are.
- If you’ve put specific pairings together beforehand, consider assembling them on crackers or crostini so they can be easily picked up and enjoyed.
The Best Jams for a Charcuterie Board

1. Fig Jam
Fig jam is a classic for charcuterie boards. Its rich, earthy sweetness pairs beautifully with sharp and creamy cheeses like Brie, blue cheese, or aged Gouda. Spread it over a crostini with prosciutto, too! For an extra special treat, try making your own Bacon Fig Jam.
- Brie and Prosciutto: Brie, prosciutto, walnuts, and baguette slices.
- Goat Cheese and Honey: Spread fig jam on a cracker, top with creamy goat cheese, and drizzle with honey.
- Parmesan and Arugula: Pair fig jam with shaved Parmesan and fresh arugula.
- Prosciutto: Skip the cheese and combine fig jam with thin slices of prosciutto.
- Toasted Hazelnuts and Blue Cheese: Add fig jam to a cracker, sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese, and top with a toasted hazelnut.
- Feta and Cucumber: Use fig jam, add a small cube of feta, and top with a slice of cucumber.

2. Raspberry Jam
Raspberry jam is sweet with a slight tartness. Its bright red color is just gorgeous and is our go-to choice for a Valentine’s Day charcuterie board. Pair it with creamy cheeses and buttery crackers.
- Dark Chocolate and Brie: Spread raspberry jam on a slice of Brie and top with a piece of dark chocolate.
- Roquefort and Almonds: Pair raspberry jam with Roquefort cheese and a few sliced almonds.
- Camembert and Fresh Mint: Pair raspberry jam with creamy Camembert and a fresh mint leaf.
- Ricotta: Spread some creamy ricotta on a crostini and top with raspberry jam.

3. Peach Jam
Peach jam’s delicate sweetness is perfect for mild cheeses and salty cured meats. It’s perfect for summertime charcuterie boards!
- Burrata and Prosciutto: Pair peach jam with creamy burrata and salty prosciutto.
- Sharp Cheddar and Apple Slices: Spread peach jam on a cracker, add a slice of sharp cheddar, and top with a thin apple slice.
- Rosemary Crackers and Havarti: Combine peach jam with mild, creamy Havarti cheese on a rosemary-flavored cracker.
- Cinnamon-Spiced Pecans and Mascarpone: Layer peach jam over mascarpone on a cracker and top with a cinnamon-spiced pecan.
- Try it with whipped ricotta and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

4. Orange Marmalade
Orange marmalade brings a citrusy, zesty bitterness that cuts through rich, creamy cheeses. Look for marmalades with chunky orange peels for added texture.
- Gruyère and Toasted Walnuts: Spread orange marmalade on a slice of Gruyère and top with a toasted walnut.
- Beef Liver Pâté and Sourdough Bread: Pair orange marmalade with the richness of beef liver pâté on a slice of sourdough.
- Dark Chocolate and Almonds: Add orange marmalade to a square of dark chocolate and garnish with a whole almond.
- Ricotta and Honeycomb: Spread orange marmalade on a dollop of ricotta cheese and add a piece of honeycomb.
- Fennel Salami and Crackers: Combine orange marmalade with fennel-infused salami.

5. Chili Jam
Chili jam combines sweetness with a subtle spicy kick. It pairs especially well with smoky or tangy flavors.
- Cream Cheese and Smoked Salmon: Spread chili jam over cream cheese on a cracker and top with a thin slice of smoked salmon.
- Grilled Shrimp Skewers: Use chili jam as a dipping sauce for grilled shrimp skewers. You can try threading a few shrimp onto food piks and serve them in tiny glasses with a bit of chili jam at the bottom.
- Pork Belly and Pickled Onions: Pair chili jam with crispy pork belly and tangy pickled onions.
- Sharp Cheddar and Jalapeño Cornbread: Spread chili jam on slices of sharp cheddar served on small, thin slices jalapeño cornbread – perfect for a cheap grazing table!
6. Blackberry Jam
Blackberry jam has a flavor between sweet and tart and is dark in color. It pairs well with nutty and sharp cheeses.
- Goat Cheese and Fresh Thyme: Spread blackberry jam on a cracker, add creamy goat cheese, and garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme.
- Duck Breast and Arugula: Pair blackberry jam with thin slices of duck breast and peppery arugula.
- Brie and Candied Walnuts: Add blackberry jam to a slice of Brie and top with a candied walnut.
- Dark Rye Bread and Camembert: Spread blackberry jam on a slice of dark rye bread and layer with creamy Camembert.
- Smoked Almonds and Blue Cheese: Pair blackberry jam with crumbled blue cheese and smoked almonds.

7. Cherry Jam
Cherry jam is bold and tangy, with a deep red hue that really shines on a 4th of July charcuterie board. It’s a fantastic match for rich cheeses and dark chocolate.
- Brie and Crushed Pistachios: Spread cherry jam on a slice of creamy Brie and sprinkle with crushed pistachios.
- Onion Confit and Baguette Slices: Pair cherry jam with onion confit on a crispy baguette.
- Aged Cheddar and Dried Apricots: Combine cherry jam with sharp aged cheddar and a thin slice of dried apricot.
- Smoked Turkey and Goat Cheese: Spread cherry jam on a cracker, layer with goat cheese, and add a thin slice of smoked turkey.
- Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt: Add cherry jam to a square of dark chocolate and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt.

8. Apricot Jam
Apricot jam is sweet, fruity, and slightly tart with a vivid golden-orange color. It pairs well with brie or goat cheese.
- Ricotta and Fresh Mint: Spread apricot jam over a dollop of ricotta on a cracker.
- Parmesan Crisps and Prosciutto: Pair apricot jam with crispy Parmesan crackers and a slice of prosciutto.
- Gruyère and Candied Ginger: Combine apricot jam with slices of Gruyère cheese and a small piece of candied ginger.
- Brie and Toasted Almonds: Spread apricot jam on creamy Brie and top with a toasted almond.
- Brie, Walnuts, and Fresh Thyme (as pictured above)
- Feta and Cucumber Slices: Pair apricot jam with crumbly feta cheese on a slice of cucumber (great for guests who are eating low-carb, especially if you use a sugar-free jam).

9. Tomato Jam
Tomato jam has an umami flavor that’s so good on a charcuterie board. It’s an excellent pairing with smoky meats and cheeses.
- Mozzarella and Basil: Spread tomato jam on a slice of fresh mozzarella (preferably smoked) and top with a basil leaf and drizzle of balsamic glaze.
- Sharp Cheddar and Bacon: Pair tomato jam with sharp cheddar and a crispy slice of bacon on a cracker.
- Grilled Halloumi and Mint: Serve tomato jam alongside grilled Halloumi cheese and garnish with fresh mint.
- Chorizo and Manchego: Combine tomato jam with slices of spicy chorizo and Manchego cheese.

10. Blueberry Jam
Blueberry jam is rich and sweet and works especially well with creamy cheeses.
- Creamy Brie and Toasted Pecans: Spread blueberry jam over a slice of creamy Brie and top with a toasted pecan.
- Mascarpone and Lemon Zest: Pair blueberry jam with a dollop of mascarpone and a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest on a cracker.
- Savory Goat Cheese and Thyme: Spread blueberry jam on goat cheese and garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme.
- Smoked Turkey and Multigrain Crackers: Combine blueberry jam with slices of smoked turkey on a multigrain cracker.
- Aged Gruyère and Fresh Blueberries: Serve blueberry jam alongside aged Gruyère and a few fresh blueberries.
It wasn’t easy to choose our favorite jams for a charcuterie board, and we had to leave a few off of our list. Strawberry-Rhubarb jam is another great choice, and rose petal jelly is a special treat for a romantic evening. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention bacon fig jam!
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about pairing jams with cheeses or meats – we’re happy to help!
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