Quick Answer: The best Publix cheese for a charcuterie board is Boar's Head Parmigiano Reggiano (4.5 out of 5). From the Publix Deli's own specialty case, the Imported Vintage Gouda and the Honey Goat Cheese (4.0 each) are the standouts, with the Imported French Brie (3.9) for a soft cheese and Herb-Coated Salami (3.9) for meat. Palmetto Cheese is the best spread.
Publix builds charcuterie into its deli: a specialty cheese case, Publix-brand salamis and prosciutto, Boar's Head at the counter, and boards you can order ahead. The Takeout ranked Publix 9th of 13 chains for cheese, mainly over price and freshness complaints, so check dates and shop the BOGO deals. Few food sites have rated Publix's specialty cheeses, so these rankings lean on ingredients, value and how each one works on a board.
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: Boar's Head Parmigiano Reggiano ($$) | ★★★★½ 4.5 |
| Best aged cheese: Publix Deli Imported Vintage Gouda ($$) | ★★★★☆ 4.0 |
| Best soft cheese: Publix Deli Imported French Brie ($) | ★★★★☆ 3.9 |
| Best meat: Publix Herb-Coated Salami ($) | ★★★★☆ 3.9 |
| Best spread: Palmetto Cheese Original ($) | ★★★★☆ 4.0 |
The full ranking
| Product | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Boar's Head Parmigiano Reggiano ($$) | ★★★★½ 4.5 | Breaking into chunks |
| 2. Publix Deli Honey Goat Cheese ($) | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | A sweet, tangy spread |
| 3. Publix Deli Imported Vintage Gouda ($$) | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | A crowd-pleasing aged cheese |
| 4. Palmetto Cheese Original ($) | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | A Southern spread |
| 5. Publix Deli Imported French Brie ($) | ★★★★☆ 3.9 | The soft cheese |
| 6. Publix Herb-Coated Salami ($) | ★★★★☆ 3.9 | The main meat |
| 7. Publix Deli Imported Spanish Manchego ($$) | ★★★★☆ 3.8 | A firm, nutty cheese |
| 8. Publix Deli Imported Swiss Gruyère ($$) | ★★★★☆ 3.8 | A semi-firm melting cheese |
| 9. Publix Prosciutto ($$) | ★★★★☆ 3.8 | Draping and folding |
| 10. Publix Imported Yorkshire Wensleydale with Cranberries ($) | ★★★½☆ 3.5 | A holiday board |
1. Boar's Head Parmigiano Reggiano
★★★★½ 4.5 out of 5 · Best overall · Best for: Breaking into chunks · $$ mid-range
Real Parmigiano Reggiano from Boar's Head, sold at the Publix Deli. It was our top pick in the Parmesan ranking.
- Why we like it: Real Parmigiano, easy to find at any Publix.
- Keep in mind: Pricier than a store-brand wedge. Break it into rough chunks; slices are too hard.
- Where to find it: Publix Deli.
2. Publix Deli Honey Goat Cheese
★★★★☆ 4.0 out of 5 · Best for: A sweet, tangy spread · $ budget
Soft goat cheese blended with honey. Parade's Publix superfan named the Deli's hot honey goat cheese among the specialty cheeses worth buying (Parade), and Publix also sells a fig and chili version for boards (Publix).
- Why we like it: Sweet and tangy in one, so it needs no jam.
- Keep in mind: Soft and messy. Serve it on a small plate with a spreader.
- Where to find it: Publix Deli specialty cheese case.
3. Publix Deli Imported Vintage Gouda
★★★★☆ 4.0 out of 5 · Best aged cheese · Best for: A crowd-pleasing aged cheese · $$ mid-range
An aged Gouda from North Holland that Publix describes as rich and nutty with caramel notes (Publix). Publix pairs it with peppered salami for under $12 on its charcuterie page.
- Why we like it: Caramel crunch that almost everyone likes.
- Keep in mind: Hard to slice thin. Cut it into small wedges or chunks.
- Where to find it: Publix Deli specialty cheese case.
4. Palmetto Cheese Original
★★★★☆ 4.0 out of 5 · Best spread · Best for: A Southern spread · $ budget
The South Carolina pimento cheese sold at Publix. It ranked in our pimento cheese guide.
- Why we like it: A regional favorite guests recognize.
- Keep in mind: Keep it cold and put it out last.
- Where to find it: Publix deli or dairy case.
5. Publix Deli Imported French Brie
★★★★☆ 3.9 out of 5 · Best soft cheese · Best for: The soft cheese · $ budget
A brie from northwest France that Publix describes as soft and creamy with mushroom notes (Publix). Publix pairs it with its prosciutto for under $15 (Publix).
- Why we like it: Easy to find and easy to like.
- Keep in mind: Take it out 20 to 30 minutes before serving so the flavor comes through.
- Where to find it: Publix Deli specialty cheese case.
6. Publix Herb-Coated Salami
★★★★☆ 3.9 out of 5 · Best meat · Best for: The main meat · $ budget
A Publix-brand salami with an herb crust, paired with fig and chili goat cheese for under $10 on the Publix charcuterie page. There's also a pepper-coated version.
- Why we like it: The crust adds flavor and looks good sliced.
- Keep in mind: Slice it thin and fold it; thick slices are chewy.
- Where to find it: Publix Deli.
7. Publix Deli Imported Spanish Manchego
★★★★☆ 3.8 out of 5 · Best for: A firm, nutty cheese · $$ mid-range
A sheep's milk Manchego from La Mancha. Publix suggests serving it with olives, sun-dried tomatoes and bread (Publix).
- Why we like it: Firm and nutty, and good with membrillo or honey.
- Keep in mind: Often pricier than Manchego at warehouse clubs.
- Where to find it: Publix Deli specialty cheese case.
8. Publix Deli Imported Swiss Gruyère
★★★★☆ 3.8 out of 5 · Best for: A semi-firm melting cheese · $$ mid-range
A Swiss Gruyère that Publix describes as creamy, slightly sweet and salty (Publix).
- Why we like it: A good second cheese next to brie.
- Keep in mind: Check the label for Le Gruyère AOP if you want the protected Swiss cheese.
- Where to find it: Publix Deli specialty cheese case.
9. Publix Prosciutto
★★★★☆ 3.8 out of 5 · Best for: Draping and folding · $$ mid-range
Publix-brand prosciutto from the deli, which Publix pairs with its French brie (Publix).
- Why we like it: Silky and salty, and easy to ribbon around cheese.
- Keep in mind: Thin slices stick together. Separate them just before building the board.
- Where to find it: Publix Deli.
10. Publix Imported Yorkshire Wensleydale with Cranberries
★★★½☆ 3.5 out of 5 · Best for: A holiday board · $ budget
A crumbly English cheese studded with cranberries, part of Publix's under-$18 board pairing (Publix).
- Why we like it: Red and white, so it looks festive.
- Keep in mind: Sweet and mild. Pair it with an aged cheese for contrast.
- Where to find it: Publix Deli specialty cheese case.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boar's Head Parmigiano Reggiano | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4.5 |
| Publix Deli Honey Goat Cheese | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.0 |
| Publix Deli Imported Vintage Gouda | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4.0 |
| Palmetto Cheese Original | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.0 |
| Publix Deli Imported French Brie | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3.9 |
| Publix Herb-Coated Salami | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3.9 |
| Publix Deli Imported Spanish Manchego | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3.8 |
| Publix Deli Imported Swiss Gruyère | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3.8 |
| Publix Prosciutto | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3.8 |
| Publix Imported Yorkshire Wensleydale with Cranberries | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.5 |
Building a board from these
For 12 people with the board as the party food, plan about 2½ pounds of cheese and 2¼ pounds of meat. A strong Publix board is the Vintage Gouda, French Brie and Honey Goat Cheese, with Boar's Head Parmigiano in chunks. For meat, the Herb-Coated Salami and Publix Prosciutto, sliced at the deli. Add Palmetto Cheese with crackers, grapes and nuts.
Short on time? Publix sells Boar's Head charcuterie boxes and platters to order ahead. Use our Party Planner for exact amounts for your guest count.
What to skip
- Publix-brand cheddar for a board. Tasting Table ranked it lowest in its cheese brand test for its lack of flavor. Use an aged cheddar from the specialty case instead.
- Cheese without checking the date. The Takeout cited complaints about expired cheese at Publix. Check the sell-by date on cut wedges.
Watch for BOGO deals on specialty cheese in the weekly ad, a tip from Parade's Publix superfan. See every ranked guide on our charcuterie buying guides page.
Publix charcuterie questions
What is the best Publix cheese for a charcuterie board?
Boar's Head Parmigiano Reggiano, sold at the Publix Deli. From Publix's own specialty case, the Imported Vintage Gouda and the Honey Goat Cheese are the best picks.
Can you order a charcuterie board from Publix?
Yes. Publix sells Boar's Head charcuterie boxes and platters to order ahead online or at the deli.
What meats does Publix sell for charcuterie?
Publix-brand Herb-Coated Salami, Pepper-Coated Salami and Prosciutto at the deli, plus Boar's Head meats sliced to order.
How much should I buy at Publix for a board?
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, plus 10 to 12 crackers per guest.
Sources
- Publix: Charcuterie (deli pairings)
- Publix: Specialty Cheeses
- Publix: Boar's Head Parmigiano Reggiano
- Publix: Palmetto Cheese
- Publix: Order Charcuterie Boxes, Boards and Trays
- Parade: The 10 Best Things to Buy at the Publix Deli, According to a Superfan
- Tasting Table: The Popular Cheese Brand That You Should Take Off Your Shopping List
- The Takeout: 13 Grocery Store Chains, Ranked By Their Cheese Selection
Get one board idea a week, plus the free charcuterie cheat sheet, when you join the Charcuterie Lab newsletter.
