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    Home » Recipes » Appetizer Recipes

    What To Serve With Manchego Cheese (9+ Ideas)

    Oct 28, 2022 | This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something I might make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog!

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Are you looking for some inspiration on what to serve with Manchego Cheese? I've got you covered with over 9 different ideas on what pairs best with this delicious Spanish cheese. It's the perfect compliment to your next cheese plate and you'll know exactly what to serve with it.

    I've also included an easy recipe in this post to make your own cheese board with the ingredients I've recommended. With the holidays just around the corner, this quick and easy cheese board is perfect for family gatherings.

    A top down view of a circular wooden cheesboard. It has manchego cheese, figs, prosciutto, quince paste, marcona almonds, green olives, pistachios, and spanish crackers on top. To the right is a bottle of pinot noir.

    First A Little History Lesson...

    Where does Manchego Cheese come from? Manchego cheese hails from the Spanish region of La Mancha. It's made exclusively from sheep's milk which gives it a crumbly texture and rich buttery flavor. You can easily identify Manchego by its distinctive zigzag pattern and the orange color on the rind. Also referred to as queso manchego this sheep's milk cheese also comes aged anywhere from 60 days to 2 full years.

    There are many types of Spanish cheese available but Manchego is the most popular. Other Spanish cheeses you might be familiar with include: Idiazábal which is another cheese made with sheep's milk, Cabrales which is a blue cheese, and Mahón made with cow's milk.

    A wedge of manchego cheese on a wooden serving platter. A sprig of fresh rosemary lies next to it and a golden fork is on the platter beneath it.

    What Fruit Goes With Manchego Cheese?

    One of the best fruits to serve with Manchego Cheese are fresh figs. Depending on the time of year and where you live you may find specific varieties of fig available.

    For me, I was only able to find tiger stripe figs. They taste sweet like berries, creating a jam consistency. Other figs that would pair well with Manchego Cheese are also black mission figs and brown turkey figs.

    A close up shot of the tiger figs sliced in half to showcase the vibrant berry color on the inside.

    What Jam Goes With Manchego Cheese?

    In researching what to pair with Manchego Cheese I discovered one of the most common suggestions is quince paste. Quince paste is a sweet jelly made from quince fruit. You can find it in lots of serving options like jars, tubes, or even cubed.

    A close up shot of the quince paste in a small white serving dish.

    If you're having a hard time finding quince paste at your local grocery store, I found it in the gourmet cheese section at mine. This is because quince paste is excellent with cheese, crackers, or spread on toast.

    Other jams that would compliment Manchego Cheese perfectly would be fig jam or tomato jam.

    What Kind Of Crackers Go With Manchego Cheese?

    When selecting a cracker to pair with Manchego Cheese a good choice is Spanish Style Crackers. What are Spanish Style Crackers? Many of them are thin crispy crackers, baked in olive oil and seasoned with salt and other herbs.

    A close up shot of the Spanish style crackers covered in everything bagel seasoning.

    Is Manchego Cheese Good For A Charcuterie Board?

    Manchego Cheese makes an excellent choice to include on a charcuterie board. So many of the ingredients people naturally gravitate toward adding on a cheese platter are a great match for the nutty flavor of manchego.

    A small white bowl filled with green Spanish olives.

    Here are some examples of what might be traditionally included on a charcuterie board that would also pair well with manchego:

    • Spanish Green Olives
    • Caramelized Onions
    • Sundried Tomatoes
    • Spanish Ham
    • Spanish Chorizo or Any Other Cured Meats
    • Walnuts or Marcona Almonds
    • Fig Spread
    • Red Grapes
    A white bowl filled with marcona almonds. It's sitting on top of a wooden platter. Some of the almonds are scattered around the bowl.

    Delicious Marcona Almonds

    What Wine Do You Pair With Manchego Cheese?

    Cheese and wine make an excellent combination. Whether you love a robust red wine or a dry white wine, there are several types you can pair with Manchego Cheese

    • Pinot Noir (my personal favorite)
    • Cabernet Sauvignon
    • Dry Sherry
    • Sauvignon Blanc
    • Pinot Grigio
    • Brut Champagne

    A bottle of Pinot Noir Wine with a stemless wine glass to the right of the bottle.

    Do You Eat The Wax With Manchego Cheese?

    The type of wax coating used to age Manchego Cheese is completely inedible. I advise eating around it. If you would like to save your rind to add to a soup or stew later, make sure you remove the wax coating first.

    Is Manchego A Healthy Cheese?

    If you're looking for a healthy cheese option, look no further than Manchego Cheese. It's high in calcium, and protein, as well as vitamins a, d, and e making it the best cheese to sneak in some nutritional value to your meal.

    A close up shot showcasing the distinct zig zag pattern on the rind of the Manchego cheese.

    How Long Will Manchego Keep In The Fridge?

    The best way to preserve your leftover manchego cheese is to wrap it in parchment paper and seal it with a rubber band or a strong piece of tape. Keep it in the drawer in your fridge specifically designated for cheese if you have one. This should keep it fresh for up to two months.

    Tools Needed:

    • Wooden Charcuterie Board or Large Platter
    • Small Dishes For Serving Jam or Paste
    • A Cheese Knife
    • Tongs or Fork for Grabbing Other Items On The Board
    • Wine Glasses (For The Wine of Course)

    What To Serve With Manchego Cheese

    Natasha
    Are you looking for some inspiration on what to serve with Manchego Cheese? I've got you covered with 9 different ideas on what pairs best with this delicious Spanish cheese.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Spanish
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 350 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 wedge Manchego Cheese
    • Quince Paste or Quince Chutney
    • Marcona Almonds
    • 1 package Serrano Ham
    • Fresh Figs
    • Spanish Style Crackers
    • Green Spanish Olives
    • Pistachios

    Garnish

    • Fresh Rosemary

    Optional

    • Red or White Wine of Your Choice

    Instructions
     

    • Place the manchego cheese on a wooden board of your choice. Add the quince paste, Marcona almonds, serrano ham, fresh figs, Spanish crackers, green olives, and pistachios to the board sorting them into smaller serving dishes if needed.
    • Garnish with fresh rosemary twigs before serving. Pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 350kcal
    Keyword Charcuterie, Cheeseboard, Manchego Cheese
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Making this cheeseboard? Please tag me on Instagram @natashasfoodadventures so I can see your creations! I love getting to know you guys and can’t wait to see which recipe you will make next.

    Other Cheeseboard Ideas You Might Enjoy:

    ULTIMATE SWEET & SAVORY CHEESEBOARD

    HOW TO MAKE A GODDESS-THEMED CHEESEBOARD

    DIY NEW YEARS CHEESEBOARD

    More Appetizer Recipes

    • Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze
    • Ultimate Sweet & Savory Cheeseboard
    • Simple DIY Cheeseboard
    • Fire & Ice - Game Of Thrones Inspired Cheese Board

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