Quick Answer: The best Aldi cheese for a charcuterie board is Emporium Selection Not Your Average Cheddar (4.7 out of 5). Best meat: Appleton Farms Prosciutto. Best soft cheese: Emporium Selection Double Crème Brie. A full board for 6 to 8 from these picks costs well under $40.
Aldi is the cheapest place to build a good-looking board. Its Emporium Selection cheeses and Appleton Farms meats do better in taste tests than their prices suggest. These are the picks that work best, with the ones to skip at the end.
How we ranked these: these are researched picks, not a side-by-side tasting. We scored each product on published taste tests, awards and shopper ratings, its ingredients, price and how easy it is to find, plus how it behaves on a board. Store stock changes, especially for seasonal items, so check your local store. Sources are listed at the end, and the full method is on our buying guides hub. Prices and stock last checked October 2026.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best overall: Emporium Selection Not Your Average Cheddar ($) | ★★★★½ 4.7 |
| Best meat: Appleton Farms Prosciutto ($) | ★★★★☆ 4.2 |
| Best soft cheese: Emporium Selection Double Crème Brie ($) | ★★★★½ 4.3 |
The full ranking
| Product | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Emporium Selection Not Your Average Cheddar ($) | ★★★★½ 4.7 | Everyone at the table |
| 2. Specially Selected Traditional Burrata ($) | ★★★★½ 4.5 | A showpiece center |
| 3. Emporium Selection Le Gruyère ($) | ★★★★½ 4.5 | A nutty, firm cheese |
| 4. Emporium Selection Double Crème Brie ($) | ★★★★½ 4.3 | The soft cheese |
| 5. Appleton Farms Prosciutto ($) | ★★★★☆ 4.2 | The main meat |
| 6. Emporium Selection Vintage Irish Cheddar ($) | ★★★★☆ 4.2 | A sharp cheddar |
| 7. Emporium Selection Dill Havarti ($) | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | A mild, herby cheese |
| 8. Emporium Selection Borgonzola ($) | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | A gentle blue |
| 9. Emporium Selection Manchego DOP ($) | ★★★★☆ 3.9 | A Spanish board |
| 10. Savoritz Six Cracker Assortment ($) | ★★★½☆ 3.6 | Variety on a budget |
| 11. Appleton Farms Salami Collection ($) | ★★★½☆ 3.6 | A second meat |
| 12. Specially Selected Cheese Pairing Spread Set ($$) | ★★★½☆ 3.4 | The sweet element |
1. Emporium Selection Not Your Average Cheddar
★★★★½ 4.7 out of 5 · Best overall · Best for: Everyone at the table · $ budget
A cheddar blended with Parmesan flavor. Sporked put it first of 15 Aldi cheeses, 9 out of 10, for its tangy cheddar balanced by sweet, nutty Parmesan notes.
- Why we like it: The top Aldi cheese in Sporked's test.
- Keep in mind: Aldi only.
- Where to find it: Aldi cheese case.
2. Specially Selected Traditional Burrata
★★★★½ 4.5 out of 5 · Best for: A showpiece center · $ budget
Fresh mozzarella filled with cream, our best-value pick in the burrata ranking.
- Why we like it: Makes a cheap board look expensive.
- Keep in mind: Serve it within a day or two of buying, and cut it open at the table.
- Where to find it: Aldi cheese case.
3. Emporium Selection Le Gruyère
★★★★½ 4.5 out of 5 · Best for: A nutty, firm cheese · $ budget
A Swiss-style Gruyère that Sporked rated 8 out of 10, calling it premium quality at a budget price.
- Why we like it: Cheese-counter flavor for a fraction of the price.
- Keep in mind: Firm, so slice it thin or cut it into sticks.
- Where to find it: Aldi cheese case.
4. Emporium Selection Double Crème Brie
★★★★½ 4.3 out of 5 · Best soft cheese · Best for: The soft cheese · $ budget
A small, rich brie wheel for about $4. Both Tasting Table and Chowhound put it on their Aldi board lists for its buttery, earthy flavor.
- Why we like it: Every board needs a soft cheese, and this one is cheap.
- Keep in mind: Take it out 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
- Where to find it: Aldi cheese case, about $3.95.
5. Appleton Farms Prosciutto
★★★★☆ 4.2 out of 5 · Best meat · Best for: The main meat · $ budget
Our top pick in the prosciutto ranking, for its strong reviews and low price. Tasting Table liked its fatty, salty richness on a board.
- Why we like it: The best-reviewed cheap prosciutto we found.
- Keep in mind: 4 oz packs go fast. Buy one per 4 to 5 guests.
- Where to find it: Aldi deli case.
6. Emporium Selection Vintage Irish Cheddar
★★★★☆ 4.2 out of 5 · Best for: A sharp cheddar · $ budget
An aged Irish cheddar that Sporked rated 7.5 out of 10: toasty, a little smoky, salty and creamy.
- Why we like it: An aged, crumbly cheddar for very little money.
- Keep in mind: Crumbly, so cut it into rough chunks.
- Where to find it: Aldi cheese case.
7. Emporium Selection Dill Havarti
★★★★☆ 4.0 out of 5 · Best for: A mild, herby cheese · $ budget
Creamy Havarti with dill. Sporked gave it 8.5 out of 10 and said it tastes like pickle cheese, and Chowhound liked the bright contrast it adds.
- Why we like it: Soft, mild and easy for kids.
- Keep in mind: The dill is strong if you don't like pickles.
- Where to find it: Aldi cheese case, about $3.29.
8. Emporium Selection Borgonzola
★★★★☆ 4.0 out of 5 · Best for: A gentle blue · $ budget
A triple-cream blue with a soft rind. Sporked rated it 8.5 out of 10: ultra creamy, salty and savory.
- Why we like it: A blue cheese for people who think they don't like blue cheese.
- Keep in mind: Soft and rich, so a small piece goes a long way.
- Where to find it: Aldi cheese case.
9. Emporium Selection Manchego DOP
★★★★☆ 3.9 out of 5 · Best for: A Spanish board · $ budget
A protected-origin Spanish Manchego. Sporked called it a versatile, salty and mild board cheese, 7 out of 10.
- Why we like it: Real DOP Manchego for very little.
- Keep in mind: Milder than an older Manchego.
- Where to find it: Aldi cheese case.
10. Savoritz Six Cracker Assortment
★★★½☆ 3.6 out of 5 · Best for: Variety on a budget · $ budget
Six cracker shapes in one box. Tasting Table and Chowhound both liked the mix of shapes for the look of the board.
- Why we like it: One box gives the board variety.
- Keep in mind: Some of the crackers are buttery and break easily.
- Where to find it: Aldi cracker aisle, about $4.19.
11. Appleton Farms Salami Collection
★★★½☆ 3.6 out of 5 · Best for: A second meat · $ budget
Three salami flavors in one 12 oz pack, picked by Tasting Table for convenience.
- Why we like it: Three meats for the price of one pack.
- Keep in mind: Pre-sliced and on the thin side.
- Where to find it: Aldi deli case.
12. Specially Selected Cheese Pairing Spread Set
★★★½☆ 3.4 out of 5 · Best for: The sweet element · $$ mid-range
Four small jars, including fig honey and cherry rosemary. Chowhound liked the sweet contrast they add, at about $7.69.
- Why we like it: Four spreads in one box.
- Keep in mind: An Aldi Find, so it's in stores for a limited time, often around the holidays.
- Where to find it: Aldi Finds aisle.
How the scores break down
Each product is scored 1 to 5 on five things, then weighted: how it works on a board (30%), published taste tests, awards and shopper ratings (25%), ingredients (15%), value (15%) and how easy it is to find (15%).
| Product | On the board | Reviews and awards | Ingredients | Value | Easy to find | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emporium Selection Not Your Average Cheddar | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4.7 |
| Specially Selected Traditional Burrata | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4.5 |
| Emporium Selection Le Gruyère | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4.5 |
| Emporium Selection Double Crème Brie | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4.3 |
| Appleton Farms Prosciutto | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4.2 |
| Emporium Selection Vintage Irish Cheddar | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4.2 |
| Emporium Selection Dill Havarti | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4.0 |
| Emporium Selection Borgonzola | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4.0 |
| Emporium Selection Manchego DOP | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3.9 |
| Savoritz Six Cracker Assortment | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3.6 |
| Appleton Farms Salami Collection | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3.6 |
| Specially Selected Cheese Pairing Spread Set | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3.4 |
Building a board from these
For 6 to 8 people, buy Not Your Average Cheddar, the Double Crème Brie and Le Gruyère, plus the Appleton Farms prosciutto and salami collection, the cracker assortment, grapes and dried apricots. It comes to well under $40.
Plan on about 3 oz of cheese and 3 oz of meat per guest when the board is the party food, or 2 oz each before a meal. For more cheap boards, see our budget charcuterie board and the $20 charcuterie board challenge.
What to skip
In Daily Meal's test of Emporium Selection cheeses, the garlic herb goat cheese tasted mostly of herbs and the Parmesan was too hard and sour. The Applewood smoked Gruyère is very smoky, so save it for a barbecue board.
See every ranked guide on our charcuterie buying guides page.
Aldi charcuterie questions
What is the best Aldi cheese for a charcuterie board?
Emporium Selection Not Your Average Cheddar, a cheddar with Parmesan flavor that topped Sporked's ranking of 15 Aldi cheeses.
Is Aldi good for a charcuterie board?
Yes. Its cheeses and prosciutto do well in taste tests for the price, and a board for 6 to 8 can cost under $40.
What are Aldi Finds?
Products Aldi stocks for a limited time, often seasonal. Items like the cheese pairing spread set come and go, so buy them when you see them.
Sources
- Sporked: Best Aldi Cheeses
- Tasting Table: 15 Aldi Products To Add To Your Charcuterie Board
- Chowhound: Aldi's Best Picks To Build An Affordable Gourmet-Style Charcuterie Board
- Daily Meal: 9 Aldi Emporium Selection Cheeses, Ranked Worst To Best
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