The Best Meat And Cheese Gift Baskets In 2023
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Gift baskets have been around for a surprisingly long time. According to Basketeer, goodie hampers first appeared in England back in the 11th century, when they were brought on journeys and hunting trips. In due course, Brits started gifting goodie baskets to family and loved ones. The gift basket business experienced a boom after the Industrial Revolution when gift boxes became easier to transport.
Today, gift baskets are a popular option for celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. They are also a great way of expressing well-wishes and gratitude to colleagues and others. After all, the personal touch of a gift basket can leave an impression and strengthen both personal and professional bonds. Meat and cheese gift baskets have added value as they can become the featured ingredients for a grazing board, which is also a convenient way of bringing people together for a casual nosh.
Whether you're looking for a thoughtful gift or even just a goodie sample basket for yourself, here's our roundup of the best meat and cheese gift baskets in 2023!
How we selected products
Meat and cheese gift baskets come in various shapes, sizes, and styles. They can also cater to different culinary preferences, making them a versatile gift for anyone who appreciates artisanal goodies and gourmet food products. With so many options to choose from, however, you may be forgiven for feeling slightly overwhelmed. After all, you want to select a gift basket that zeroes in on the recipient's taste and food interests.
This is where we can help! Our team has spent hours researching and comparing various gift basket options out there to ensure that your token of appreciation is both thoughtful and on point. During our mission, we looked at each sampler's presentability (not all gift baskets come with actual baskets), the variety and number of products, and price. And to make your selection easier, we have grouped the best that the market has to offer into different categories. After all, there's nothing quite like a personal touch to let your friends, loved ones, and colleagues know that you appreciate them.
Best meat and cheese gift basket overall
Jam-packed with goodies, the Harry & David supreme meat and cheese gift box is a definite crowd-pleaser. The 13-piece bundle comes with hickory-smoked sausage, Thuringer sausage, and four kinds of cheese, including gouda, pepper jack, Sicilian jack, and sharp white cheddar. And for the finishing touches, the set also includes three-seed crackers, a pepper and onion relish, and two jars of honey hot mustard.
The Harry & David supreme meat and cheese gift box has been a hit with Amazon customers, who have awarded the product an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars. One happy customer calls the meat and cheese box a "great gift," adding, "Sent this to my brother and his family for Christmas — they loved it. It arrived on time and was told that everything was fresh and tasted wonderful." Another buyer agrees, saying, "Ordered this basket for my cousin on the purchase of her new home. She raved about its contents. The sausage was out of this world and the cheeses were so creamy and tasty."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Harry & David supreme meat and cheese gift box from Amazon starting at $100.98.
Best budget meat and cheese gift basket
You won't have to dip into your emergency savings to enjoy the Hickory Farms farmhouse sausage and cheese gift box. At under $30, the sampler box is perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to anniversaries. Consisting of 11 pieces, the savory and sweet bundle comes with beef and pork sausages, a smooth and sharp cheddar, sweet hot mustard, and, for a change of pace, strawberry bon bons. Two boxes of toasted crackers complete the mouth-watering picture.
The Hickory Farms farmhouse sausage and cheese gift box has received an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 75% of shoppers awarding it 5 out of 5 stars. One customer says, "[The] mustard and meats are terrific, as are the crackers. Cheese was tasty and spreadable. I prefer sharp cheddar, but not so spreadable, so a nice trade-off there in the cheese choice. Excellent packaging and amount." A number of other shoppers agree that the product's packaging is on target, with one reviewer commenting, "The gift looks great; the box is beautiful inside and out."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Hickory Farms farmhouse sausage and cheese gift box from Amazon starting at $29.99.
Best meat and cheese gift basket for a splurge
If money is not a concern, the Harry & David gourmet charcuterie and cheese crate is an outstanding choice. Ideal for those who appreciate premium-quality food, the set comes in a stylish wooden crate with the Harry & David logo. Highly prestigious, the company has been in the gourmet gift business since 1934, making it one of the first mail-order businesses in the U.S.
The plentiful 20-piece bundle comprises four kinds of cheeses including an offering with truffle carpaccio and a honey and sriracha gouda. In addition, the set comes with different types of meat, including fennel pollen-seasoned salami from Tuscany and cured Serrano pork loin. There are artisanal crisps, mini toasts, and a dried fruit mix. To complete your meat and cheese board, the gourmet crate also features a fig and oil tapenade, olives stuffed with blue cheese, roasted pistachios, Acacia honeycomb honey, and garlic dill cornichons.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Harry & David gourmet charcuterie and cheese crate from the brand's website starting at $314.99.
Best meat and cheese gift basket with a reusable basket
Add an element of style to your next outdoor feast with the Gift Tree select charcuterie and gourmet cheese hamper. Composed of a huge variety of meats and cheeses, the bundle also comes with a handy picnic basket ready to transport your goodies wherever your outing takes you. You can also attach a personalized message to your purchase if it's meant as a gift.
So what's in the hamper? The Gift Tree gift basket comes with an assortment of tasty bites, including a six-month aged cheddar cheese from the Emerald Isle, a nutty Classic Asiago wedge, and a smoked gouda cheese from the Netherlands. In the charcuterie department, the hamper will have you enjoying air-dried saucisson sec prepared using a French recipe. The set also includes crackers, a blackberry and blueberry conserve, a Greek olive mix, a pear fruit paste, and a tangy garlic mustard spread.
The Gift Tree select charcuterie and gourmet cheese hamper has received praise from shoppers, who have awarded it 4.5 out of 5 stars. One satisfied buyer says that the basket was a hit with the recipient, adding, "[He] gushed that the hamper basket was, bar none, the most spectacular gift basket he'd ever seen or received. I will definitely be ordering it again ... maybe next time for myself!"
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Gift Tree select charcuterie and gourmet cheese hamper from the brand's website starting at $199.95.
Best meat and cheese gift basket with a wooden cutting board
There's little doubt that the rustic aesthetic of wooden cutting boards can enhance the presentation of food. In fact, the tradition of serving cheeses and meats charcuterie board style has been popular in the U.S. since the early 20th century. Today, the trend persists, with meat and cheese boards remaining a fashionable choice for both formal and informal gatherings.
The Gift Basket Store cheeseboard set is what its name suggests and more. The bundle comes with a bunch of tasty treats plus a handy wooden cutting and serving board. Some of the goodies include gouda cheese and a separate gourmet cheese, as well as sausage, crackers, mustard, and a snack mix — in other words, everything you need for a successful gathering.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase The Gift Basket Store cheeseboard set from the brand's website starting at $59.99.
Best American-style meat and cheese gift basket
American meats and cheeses offer a huge variety of flavors and textures, ranging from mild and subtle to sharp and spicy. Building on the country's extensive charcuterie culture, Murray's has come up with an American collection goodie basket that presents some of the country's best savory bites.
Packaged in the brand's signature box, the variety pack features Brooklyn cured finocchiona, a pork salami that blends Tuscan tradition and American flair. In terms of cheese, the bundle includes Spring Brook Farm Reading, a raclette-style cheese made from Jersey cow milk, and Point Reyes blue cheese from the outskirts of San Francisco. In addition, the gift box features flatbread crackers and olive oil from the Rustic Bakery located just outside San Francisco Bay.
Reviewers have given Murray's American collection goodie basket 4.6 out of 5 stars, indicating that the product is generally favored by buyers. One shopper says, "It was a wonderful sampling of cheese, and I will definitely order again." Another customer agrees, saying, "Good selection of cheeses. All were pleasantly mild with the exception of the blue, which was wonderfully tangy like a blue is supposed to be. The soppressata was a wonderful complement."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase Murray's American collection goodie basket from the brand's website starting at $96.
Best meat and cheese gift basket for wine pairing
Pairing the right food with the right wine can enhance your dining adventure. This is because a well-chosen bottle of red or white wine can complement food by creating the right balance of flavors and aromas. On the other hand, a tipple that clashes with your meal can take away from the overall culinary experience.
Ideal for those new to wine pairing, the Harry & David ultimate wine pairing collection can take the guesswork out of a memorable grazing experience. This bundle of gourmet goodies comes with three bottles of Southern Oregon Harry & David wine: a red blend, a pinot noir, and a chardonnay. The gift box features two kinds of salamis, a cheddar gruyère, a Merlot cheese, and a blue cheese. To round out the experience, the box also comes with accompaniments, such as spreads, nuts, crackers, and sweets.
Overall, the Harry & David ultimate wine pairing collection has received a favorable response from reviewers, who have rated it 5 out of 5 stars. One shopper calls the set "the perfect gift basket," adding, "[It] has a little bit of everything to intrigue one's pallet. Something sweet, savory, and salty." Another customer agrees, saying, "The pairing of the wines was the finale that brought a smile of approval."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Harry & David ultimate wine pairing collection from the brand's website starting at $249.99.
Best ready-to-serve meat and cheese gift basket
A convenient option for those short on time, the CheeseBoarder terza cheese and charcuterie board comes with a pre-sliced assortment of goodies arranged on an acacia wood board. And this doesn't just translate to less work on your part. It also means that all the meats and cheeses you offer at your gathering will be uniformly sliced for optimal visual effect. All you have to do is open the packaging and serve.
Designed for three to four people, the CheeseBoarder terza cheese and charcuterie board has plenty of treats to keep everybody happy. The package includes a creamy brie, a Sage Derby cheese, a Huntsman 2 Layer cheese, and a cranberry Wensleydale. For meat lovers, the bundle includes Calabrese salami and black truffle salami. Some of the set's other accompaniments include crackers, Italian olives, dried Turkish figs, chocolate-covered almonds, and candied walnuts.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the CheeseBoarder terza cheese and charcuterie board from Gold Belly starting at $139.95.
Best Spanish-style meat and cheese gift basket
One of Spain's most beloved chefs, José Andrés is often recognized for popularizing Spanish cuisine in the U.S. The award-winning chef and television personality is the brains behind ThinkFoodGroup, an organization that created some of America's most innovative restaurants, including Zaytinya, Jaleo, Oyamel, and Café Atlantico.
Now you can sample some of Andrés' favorite tapas – small Spanish dishes — in the comfort of your own home with Tapas the José Andrés Way. Unapologetically Spanish, the gift basket features some of the country's most popular bites, including chicken croquettes, which are deep-fried rolls will filling; jamón Ibérico or Iberian ham; queso Manchego, a cheese made from sheep milk; and tomato fresco made from tomatoes and olive oil.
Tapas the José Andrés Way has received the thumbs-up from reviewers, most of whom say they found the chef's introduction to Spanish cuisine delicious. One satisfied food enthusiast says, "I really enjoyed this meal a lot. All of the items were fresh and well-packaged. And the flavors were exquisite. This was my first time trying Spanish ham, and now I see why it's such a big deal. All of the elements within this meal work together nicely."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Tapas the José Andrés Way from Gold Belly starting at $179.95.
Best Italian-style meat and cheese gift basket
Murray's burrata lover's collection exemplifies the mouth-watering flavors of Italy with just three different ingredients. Simple yet elegant, the gift basket also embodies the flag of the European country in its three colors: green, white, and red. The white in the bundle is represented by burrata, a popular Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The red in the collection is represented by prosciutto di parma, an Italian cured pork aged for over 20 months. Finally, the green in the set is represented by Sicilian Castelvetrano olives.
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars, Murray's burrata lover's collection is a firm favorite with gourmands. One buyer applauds the gift box, saying, "Amazing cheese. So creamy and absolutely delish." Another customer shares this sentiment, saying, "This collection was excellent. The burrata cheese and prosciutto were the best I've ever eaten. Olives were delicious, even though I don't normally like olives." On the flip side, some reviewers complain that they found the products to be of supermarket quality.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase Murray's burrata lover's collection from the brand's website starting at $46.
Best meat and cheese gift basket for beer lovers
The perfect gift for the beer enthusiast in your life, the Gourmet Gift Baskets around the world beer bucket goes a step beyond meat and cheese. Don't get us wrong. The gift basket still offers incredible culinary treats, but this might just be secondary to its range of flavorful beers.
Just like its name suggests, the Gourmet Gift Baskets around the world beer bucket comes with 12 international beers in a 16-quart metal bucket. Some of the collection's offerings include Grey Lady Ale by Cisco Brewers, Pilsener by Bavik, and IPA by Goose Island. It goes without saying that the bundle also features snacks to accompany the brews. These include garlic sausage and cheese as well as beef jerky, crackers, kettlecorn, and pistachios.
The beer bucket gift basket has received an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars from more than 500 shoppers. One customer recommends the bundle as a gift, saying, "My son couldn't stop talking about the Happy Birthday Beer Bucket. It's so big and they had the best snacks to go with all the beer." Another reviewer praises the company for its delivery service, saying, "It was meticulously packed, no breakage whatsoever, arrived on time, and in perfect condition. This company offers excellent, expedient quality service and gifts like no other!"
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Gourmet Gift Baskets around the world beer bucket from the brand's website starting at $174.99.