Our Guide to Pairing Weeden Dairy Cheese
Good cheese doesn't need much help. But the right pairing can make a great piece of cheese even better.
Whether you're putting together a cheese board, looking for an easy appetizer, or just standing in front of the refrigerator wondering what goes with the cheese in your hand (or is that just me?), we've got you covered.
At Weeden Dairy, we believe cheese should be enjoyed without too many rules. There isn't one “right” way to pair cheese. Start with what you like, add a little contrast, and see what happens.
Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy Weeden Dairy cheese.
🧀 Weeden School Blend
Our Weeden School Blend is approachable, versatile, and easy to love—making it a great cheese to build a board around.
Try it with:
🍎 Apples & pears
Fresh, crisp fruit adds a little sweetness and acidity that plays beautifully against savory cheese.
🍯 Honey
A drizzle of honey brings out the creamy, salty notes of the cheese.
🥨 Pretzels & crackers
Sometimes simple really is best. A crunchy, salty pretzel or buttery cracker lets the cheese take center stage. As someone who prioritizes texture in the eating experience, I lean in here.
🥩 Summer sausage
For a classic Wisconsin-inspired pairing, put cheese and summer sausage on a board together. You really can't go wrong.
🍺 A Wisconsin beer
The combination of cheese, pretzels, and beer is about as Wisconsin as it gets.
Our favorite: Weeden School Blend + Summer sausage + Crackers
🧀 Weeden Creek Blend
If you're reaching for Weeden Creek Blend, you're probably looking for something with a little more personality.
This cheese pairs especially well with ingredients that can stand up to its flavor without overwhelming it.
Try it with:
🍯 Honey or hot honey
Sweetness can balance a more assertive cheese, while hot honey adds another layer of flavor.
🍐 Pears
The subtle sweetness of a ripe pear makes a great contrast to savory cheese.
🌶️ Pickled vegetables
Pickled peppers, onions, or other vegetables bring acidity and crunch to the pairing.
🥓 Smoked meats
The savory, smoky flavor of cured or smoked meats can make for a seriously satisfying combination.
🍺 A hoppy beer
If you're a beer person, try pairing it with something with a little bitterness and character.
Our favorite: Weeden Creek Blend + Pickled Veggies + a Hoppy Beer
🧀 Clark the II
Clark the II is a cheese with a story behind its name—and it deserves a pairing that lets it shine.
For a classic cheese-board experience, reach for ingredients that add sweetness, crunch, or a little acidity.
Try it with:
🍏 Apples
A crisp apple is one of our favorite partners for cheese. The fresh acidity helps balance rich, savory flavors.
🍇 Grapes
There's a reason grapes and cheese are a classic. Their natural sweetness provides an easy contrast.
🥜 Nuts
Almonds, pecans, and walnuts add texture and a subtle earthy flavor.
🥓 Salami
The saltiness of cured meat pairs naturally with cheese.
🍯 Fig jam
For something a little more elevated, try a small spoonful of fig jam alongside your cheese.
🍷 A glass of wine
Pair Clark the II with a medium-bodied red or a crisp white for an easy, classic combination. The wine brings out the cheese's savory richness without overpowering it.
Our favorite: Clark the II + a crisp apple slice (or sub in a glass of white wine) + toasted walnuts + a few slices of salami.
The Ultimate Weeden Dairy Cheese Board
If you're serving more than one Weeden Dairy cheese, don't overthink it.
A great cheese board is really just a combination of cheese, something crunchy, something salty, something sweet, and something fresh.
Here's a simple formula:
1. Start with 2–3 cheeses
Choose cheeses with different flavors and textures so every bite feels a little different.
2. Add something crunchy
Think:
Crackers
Sliced baguette
Pretzels
Toasted nuts
3. Add something sweet
Try:
Honey
Hot honey
Fig jam
Apples
Pears
Grapes
Dried fruit
4. Add something salty or savory
Try:
Summer sausage
Salami
Prosciutto
Olives
Pickles
5. Add something fresh
Fresh fruit, herbs, or vegetables can keep a cheese board from feeling too heavy.
And remember: you don't need 15 different ingredients to make a great cheese board.
A few good cheeses and a handful of thoughtful pairings are plenty.
What goes with cheese? Start with contrast.
One of the easiest ways to think about cheese pairings is to look for contrast.
Rich cheese + fresh fruit.
Salty cheese + something sweet.
Sharp cheese + honey.
Creamy cheese + something crunchy.
Savory cheese + something acidic.
You don't have to know a thing about professional cheese pairing to make a great combination. If two flavors balance each other and you enjoy them together, congratulations(!!) you've made a good pairing.
Our biggest cheese-pairing rule?
There are no rules.
Cheese has been part of Wisconsin life for generations, and people have been enjoying it in just about every way imaginable.
So put together a board. Open the refrigerator. Try something unexpected.
And if you find a particularly good combination, we'd love to hear about it.
After all, we're in the business of keeping a good Wisconsin cheese tradition going… one delicious pairing at a time.
