If you’re anything like me, you might worry about not quite buying enough food when hosting, especially when it comes to cheese – after all, the last thing you want is hungry guests! To save you money in future, I’ve put together a handy little guide taking you through the right amount of cheese to serve your guests in different scenarios, ensuring a generous portion, without going to waste. So, let’s jump right in, how much cheese should you serve per person?
The perfect portion of cheese per person is anywhere from 50g to 250g, depending on the course and occasion. For example, if you’re serving a charcuterie board as a main meal, be more generous, with around 200g cheese per person. However, if the cheese is intended as a starter or dessert, opt for a smaller portion of around 50-75g of cheese per person.
Read on to learn the perfect serving of cheese for charcuterie boards, fondue, raclette, and a wine & cheese party. Plus, handy tips for storing (and using!) any leftover cheese!
How Much Cheese Per Person Should You Serve?
The ideal portion of cheese per person depends on the occasion and the role cheese plays in the meal. If cheese is the star of the show, you’ll want to be a bit more generous, while smaller portions are better suited for starters or desserts.
- Cheese board as a main meal: Around 200g per person
- Cheese board as a starter or dessert: 50-75g per person
- Cheese fondue (light serving): 50g per person
- Cheese fondue (main course): 100g per person
- Raclette cheese: 200-250g per person
- Wine & cheese party: 150-200g per person
How Much Cheese Per Person For a Cheese Board?
I’m obsessed with cheese boards – they offer so much colour, variety, and they are a super exciting way to feed guests. The amount of cheese per person on a cheese board depends on how substantial you want the board to be, and, whether or not you’re including charcuterie on there as well.
As a main meal, 200g per person ensures a satisfying and varied selection. Be sure to include a mix of soft, hard, blue, and aged cheeses to cater to different tastes. However, if your cheese board is only a starter or dessert, 50-75g per person is plenty to whet the appetite without overshadowing the rest of the meal. If you’re also incorporating cured meats and charcuterie on your board like salami, prosciutto, or pate, reduce the portion of cheese slightly.
How Much Cheese Fondue Per Person?
Cheese fondue is a lovely way to incorporate cheese into a meal without it feeling overly heavy. Since fondue is made out of a combination of cheese, wine, flour, and a few other ingredients, you only really need about 50g of cheese per person for a light serving. However, if your fondue is the main attraction of the meal, consider increasing the portion to around 100g per person to ensure everyone gets their fill.
How Much Raclette Cheese Per Person?
Since raclette is intended as a main meal, yet it is served with hearty accompaniments like meat and potatoes, I’d recommend buying 200-250g worth per guest. Since raclette cheese can err on the expensive side, don’t buy any more than you need to – your wallet will thank you!
Using your trusty raclette machine sometime soon? Don’t forget to check out our handy guide – How To Host a Raclette Party
How Much Cheese Per Person For a Wine & Cheese Party?
A wine and cheese night is all about variety, so you’ll want to offer a mix of cheeses while ensuring there’s plenty to go around. Plan for 150-200g of cheese per person, divided across 3-5 different types. This way, guests can nibble and experiment without feeling overwhelmed. If you’re offering a larger selection, you can scale portions down slightly.
Pairing Tip: Balance strong cheeses (like blue or aged cheddar) with milder options (like brie or goat cheese) to cater to all tastes. Find out more about creating perfect pairings in our helpful blog – What is a Good Cheese & Wine Pairing?
Or, if you’re planning a ‘wine & cheese’ night with your friends, and you’re looking for hosting tips and tricks – I’ve got you! Check out our guide on How To Host a Wine & Cheese Party.
I Have Cheese Leftover – What Should I Do With it?
So, you overestimated how much cheese your guests could eat – don’t worry, I’ve all been there! Luckily, cheese is super versatile and stores well. Here’s what you can do with it:
Storing Leftover Cheese
If you don’t have a use for your cheese straight away, storing it properly can help to extend its shelf life. The way you store your cheese, however, changes depending on the type of cheese you have leftover.
- Hard & semi-hard cheeses (cheddar, gouda, parmesan): Wrap tightly in wax paper or parchment, then store in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Soft cheeses (brie, camembert, goat cheese): Keep in their original packaging or wrap loosely in wax paper and store in a ventilated container.
If you don’t think you’ll be able to use up your cheese within a few weeks, freezing it would be your next best option. This doesn’t work well for softer cheeses, but hard and semi-hard cheeses freeze brilliantly. Either:
- Freeze the whole block, and thaw for 24 hours in the fridge before use
- Grate it, pop it into a freezer bag and sprinkle into sauces, or on soup, toast etc – no need to defrost, as smaller grated bits of cheese come to temperature really quickly!
For more storage tips and tricks, check out our helpful blog – How To Store Your Cheese.
Creative Ways To Use Leftover Cheese
If you’ve ended up with more cheese than your guests could handle, don’t let it go to waste! Cheese is incredibly versatile and can be used in all sorts of delicious meals, from quick lunches to hearty dinners. Here’s a few of my favourite ideas:
- Mac & cheese (check out our Festive Mac & Cheese recipe, made using cheese and chutney leftover from Christmas!)
- Grilled cheese sandwiches / toasties
- Puff pastry cheese twists
- Cheese scones
- Quiches or pies
- Cheese & egg bites (flavour with spinach, tomatoes and peppers)
All Things Cheese With Savery Grazing
If you’re looking for more cheese knowledge, tips, tricks, and recipes, check out our blog! For more foodie inspiration, keep up to date with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
Jasmine Savery
Founder & DirectorHi! I'm Jasmine, and I launched Savery Grazing in 2022. I’ve always had a passion for food, with a particular love for how social it can be. Follow along as I share my favourite tips, tricks, and delicious recipes with you.
Hi! I'm Jasmine, and I launched Savery Grazing in 2022. I’ve always had a passion for food, with a particular love for how social it can be. Follow along as I share my favourite tips, tricks, and delicious recipes with you.