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How to Build a Keto Cheese Board 🧀

Published: · Updated: by · 1 Comment

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Prepare to embark on a flavor-packed journey with our sensational Keto Cheese Board. If you're a cheese lover (and let's be real, who isn't?), this cheese platter will be your new obsession. We're talking crispy bacon, velvety Gruyere, sharp white cheddar, and more savory goodness. But there's more – we're elevating the taste with caramelized onions, a touch of garlic, and an assortment of creamy textures like sour cream and Mayo.

How To Build a Keto Cheese Board featured image with a huge spread of different cheeses, dips, crackers/pork rinds, veggies and berries

This recipe is sponsored by our favorite Moon Cheese to bring you the ultimate guide to creating your own Magnificent Keto Cheese Board.

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Preparation and cooking overview

This Keto Cheese Board with Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip is super easy to make! Begin by chopping bacon and sautéing it in an 8" cast-iron skillet until perfectly browned. Then, introduce the star of the show: soft caramelized onions and a hint of garlic. After combining the dream team of cheeses, it's a quick oven bake for 20 minutes – just enough time to prepare for a remarkable cheesy delight!

Chef's note

Take your Keto Cheese Board to the next level of deliciousness. Switch up the cheese lineup with your favorites – we're talking smoked gouda, tangy goat cheese, or even a sprinkle of spicy pepper jack. And if you're feeling extra creative, toss in some chopped fresh herbs like chives or rosemary for an aromatic twist.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 12 Servings

🧀 Ingredients for this keto cheese platter recipe

You need these ingredients to assemble a Low-Carb Cheese Board!

  • Moon Cheese
  • Cured meat of your choice
  • Pork Rinds
  • Low-carb crackers
  • Pickled asparagus
  • Cocktail onions
  • Pickles green beans
  • Cornichons
  • Peppers
  • Nuts
  • Keto-friendly berries, like blackberries, raspberries, or blueberries
  • Fresh vegetables, like cauliflower and radishes
  • Olives

Ingredients for caramelized onion bacon dip

  • 4 slices bacon
  • 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
  • ½ cup shredded white cheddar
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
Keto Cheese Board

Ingredient substitutions

  • Onion: Swap the yellow onion with red onion for a slightly different flavor profile.
  • Gruyere cheese: Try using Swiss cheese or Emmental for a similar melty, nutty goodness.
  • White cheddar: Keep things interesting by substituting with aged cheddar or even a blend of your favorite keto-friendly cheeses.
  • Sour cream: Greek yogurt, specifically the full-fat kind, can be a creamy and tangy substitute for sour cream.
  • Mayonnaise: Go for avocado oil-based mayo or make your own Homemade Mayo.
  • Parmesan cheese: Grana Padano or Pecorino Romano can work as flavorful stand-ins for parmesan.

Additional ingredients

Let's take this keto snack tray to the next level by adding some tasty ingredients that'll complement the main flavors beautifully:

  • Walnuts or pecans: Toasted nuts add a delightful crunch and healthy fats to balance the cheesy richness.
  • Sliced bell peppers: Colorful bell peppers bring a sweet and crisp element that pairs wonderfully with the savory cheese blend.
  • Zucchini or cucumber slices: These refreshing veggies offer a light and hydrating contrast to the caramelized onion bacon dip.
  • Cherry tomatoes: Bursting with juiciness, these little gems add a pop of color and a hint of acidity.
  • Fresh herbs: Chopped chives, thyme, or rosemary can be fragrant and brighten the flavors.
  • Pickled jalapeños: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, these can add a spicy zing that plays well with the cheese.
  • Mini salami or pepperoni: These keto-friendly meat bites provide a protein-packed element and enhance the savory profile.

Types of cured meat

The best thing about this cheese board is the versatility it brings! You can opt for any cured meat of your choice without worrying about the carb counts! Here are some keto-friendly options:

  • Salami
  • Prosciutto
  • Capicola
  • Bresaola
  • Chorizo
  • Mortadella
  • Pepperoni

Types of cheese

What's a cheese board without loads of cheese to enjoy? You can add your favorite cheese, let it be soft, hard, or a funky one! It won't derail you from your keto diet!

  • Cheddar cheese
  • Goat/sheep cheese
  • Brie
  • Blue cheese

Most cheeses are naturally low in carbs; avoid those with added fruit preserves or dried fruit.

Optional sauces

You can present your cheese board with plenty of keto sauce options. These are our favorite low-carb sauces to kill the hunger pangs:

Keto Cheese Board filled with meats and cheese

Cooking tools required

Tool substitutes list

  • Cast-iron skillet: If you don't have an 8" cast-iron skillet, a non-stick pan can work well for cooking the bacon and onions. Make sure it's oven-safe if you transfer it to the oven.

How to make Keto Cheese Board and Caramelized Onion Dip: step-by-step guide

Cooking methods

  • Baking

Preparation steps

  1. Gather all the ingredients.
  2. Slice the onions.
  3. Shred the cheeses.

Cooking steps

Make the caramelized onion dip

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Chop the bacon into small pieces and place them in an 8" cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
  3. Brown the bacon until crispy, then set it aside. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon oil in the skillet.
  4. Add the sliced onions to the skillet with the remaining bacon grease. Reduce the heat to low and cook the onions, stirring frequently, until they become soft and caramelized, which should take around 20 minutes.
  5. Introduce the garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until it's soft. Then, add the cooked bacon and all the other ingredients except for the parmesan. Mix everything well. Sprinkle the top with parmesan cheese.
  6. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes.

Assemble the cheese board

  1. For your accompaniments, gather an assortment of salami, pork rinds, blueberries, cornichons, cauliflower florets, asparagus, radishes, blue cheese, a wedge of brie cheese, Moon Cheese, and aged cheddar.
  2. To assemble the board, place the skillet of the caramelized onion dip in the center of your serving area.
  3. Artfully arrange the accompaniments around the dip, creating an appealing and inviting display.
overhead imagem of keto cheese board

Chef's pro tip

Avoid overcooking the onions. Regularly stir and monitor the heat to prevent them from becoming too dark during caramelization. Allow the onions to work their magic for a perfectly caramelized texture.

What to serve with keto cheese board?

Here are some fantastic food pairings to serve alongside your delectable keto cheese board:

  • Keto Rolls: Keto rolls perfectly match this recipe, offering a delightful canvas for scooping the onion dip.
  • Fresh vegetable sticks: Think celery, cucumber, and bell pepper slices – they're perfect for dipping into that creamy cheese goodness.
  • Cheese Crisps: These crunchy alternatives provide a satisfying texture contrast to the caramelized onion and bacon dip.
  • Keto biscuits: They add a delightful experience to our low-carb onion dip!

How to make it healthier?

  • Replace sour cream with full-fat Greek yogurt to boost protein and reduce saturated fat.
  • Use homemade Mayo to have complete control of the ingredients.
  • Choose low-sodium or no-salt-added cheeses to control sodium levels without sacrificing taste.

Time-saving tips

  • Pre-shredded cheese: Go for pre-shredded cheese to skip the grating step and save valuable minutes.
  • Multitask: While the onions are caramelizing, prep your other ingredients to make the most of your cooking time.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

  • Shred the cheeses: Shred and store the cheeses in an airtight container. This way, when you're ready to assemble the cheese board, you'll have shredded cheese ready.
close up image of How To Build a Keto Cheese Board with moon cheese packaging prominently featured

Storage instructions

  • Refrigeration: Store the leftovers in an airtight container and consume them within 2-3 days for the best taste and quality.

Recipe wrap-up and conclusion

Our Keto Cheese Board is full of fun and flavor! With our delicious keto onion dip, this cheese platter becomes the best appetizer!

So gather your friends, pop open that sparkling water (or a keto-friendly beverage), and let the good times roll with every dip and crunch. Movie time is going to be too good with it!

Frequently asked questions

A keto-friendly charcuterie board can feature an array of delicious options, including cured meats like salami, prosciutto, and pepperoni, an assortment of cheeses, olives, pickles, raw nuts, berries, sliced vegetables like cucumber and bell peppers, and even small portions of keto-friendly dips.

Absolutely! Charcuterie can be a fantastic option on a keto diet. Go for cured and smoked meats without added sugars, along with a variety of low-carb cheese and veggies.

Onion dip can last in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. Make sure to refrigerate it promptly after serving.

Besides meats and cheese, consider adding olives, pickles, sliced vegetables, berries, raw nuts, keto-friendly dips, and even small portions of dark chocolate for sweetness.

Caramelized onions do contain some carbohydrates due to the natural sugars in onions. However, when caramelized, their volume reduces significantly, concentrating the flavors and reducing their carb content per serving. In moderation, they can be enjoyed on a keto diet.

📖 Recipe

How To Build a Keto Cheese Board featured image with a huge spread of different cheeses, dips, crackers/pork rinds, veggies and berries

Keto Caramelized Onion Dip with Bacon

This hot onion dip is perfect for dipping and scooping with your favorite low-carb crackers and vegetables!
5 from 1 vote
Print Rate Pin Recipe
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: caramilized onion dip, charcuterie board, cheese, cheese board, low carb, onion dip, snack
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 12
Calories: 190kcal

Ingredients

For keto cheese platter

  • Moon Cheese
  • Cured meat of your choice
  • Pork Rinds
  • Low-carb crackers
  • Pickled asparagus
  • Cocktail onions
  • Pickles green beans
  • Cornichons
  • Peppers
  • Nuts
  • Keto-friendly berries like blackberries, raspberries, or blueberries
  • Fresh vegetables like cauliflower and radishes
  • Olives

For caramelized onion bacon dip

  • 4 slices bacon
  • 1 large yellow onion thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
  • ½ cup shredded white cheddar
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Make the caramelized onion dip

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Chop the bacon into small pieces and place them in an 8" cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
  • Brown the bacon until crispy, then set it aside. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon oil in the skillet.
  • Add the sliced onions to the skillet with the remaining bacon grease. Reduce the heat to low and cook the onions, stirring frequently, until they become soft and caramelized, which should take around 20 minutes.
  • Introduce the garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until it's soft. Then, add the cooked bacon and all the other ingredients except for the parmesan. Mix everything well. Sprinkle the top with parmesan cheese.
  • Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes.

Assemble the cheese board

  • For your accompaniments, gather an assortment of salami, pork rinds, blueberries, cornichons, cauliflower florets, asparagus, radishes, blue cheese, a wedge of brie cheese, Moon Cheese, and aged cheddar.
  • To assemble the board, place the skillet of the caramelized onion dip in the center of your serving area.
  • Artfully arrange the accompaniments around the dip, creating an appealing and inviting display.

Notes

Nutritional information is for the dip only, any other items you add to the board will change the nutritional information.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Keto Caramelized Onion Dip with Bacon
Amount Per Serving
Calories 190 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 32mg11%
Sodium 264mg11%
Potassium 58mg2%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 233IU5%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 184mg18%
Iron 1mg6%
*

Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.

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Comments

  1. Tim says

    What kind of cheese is made backwards?

    Edam

    Reply

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