DIY Slate Cheeseboard

ByAshley Last Updated on

DIY Slate Cheeseboard — What’s better than cheese and crackers? A good excuse to eat them. And that, my friends, is exactly what this super cute DIY slate cheeseboard will give you. And it costs all for under $5 to make.

DIY slate cheeseboard

 

Materials Needed To Make A DIY Slate Cheeseboard

 

  • Slate tile — You can get free samples at tile & flooring stores.
  • Felt circles 
  • Olive oil
  • Chalk marker / chalk (optional)

Steps To Make A DIY Slate Cheeseboard

how to make your own slate cheeseboard

1 —  Scrub (thoroughly) and rinse your slate piece. Then, pat dry.

2 — Coat all surfaces of the slate with olive oil. Then, scrub and rinse the slate again. This will condition the surface and help create a barrier between the slate and food. Once you’ve scrubbed and rinsed the second time, apply one last coat of olive oil and dab away the excess.

3 — Apply adhesive felt circles to each of the four corners.

4 —  Using a chalk marker, label the cheeses.

5 — Display and eat. You can also refrigerate the slate to keep your cute cheese cold. It’s a win/win!

Is This DIY Slate Cheeseboard Food Safe?

The most obvious question of this DIY is if the slate board is food safe. The answer is dependent on if you are using it for it’s intended purpose. So the answer is yes and no.

This is also the conditioning process with olive oil is important. The cheeseboard is for display use only so and it is food safe.

But do not use the DIY Slate Cheeseboard as a dining plate, as you should don’t with most  server ware. Also, make sure to hand wash the boards only.

Additions To Complete Your Cheeseboard

And now that you’ve made your own cheeseboard, we’ve got more recipes and projects to finish it off — 

Please note that we may earn a commission for some of the above affiliate links. However, products featured are independently selected and personally well-loved by us!

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154 Comments

  1. Hello. You mention that slate boards can be kept in the freezer… but how is this done, please? I have several long plates I want to keep in my freezer… but shouldn’t they be wrapped or separated by something first? Or do I just pop them in, one on top of another, and just leave them as they are? Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Hi Dean! Yes, you can keep the boards in the freezer right before serving so that your cheese stays cool. Some people will store their small slate cheeseboards in the freezer but we never have space! If your plates are too long, they may not fit but you can make room. You can just pop them in on top of each other or wrap them if you don’t want them touching other items in the freezer… especially if you have raw meat. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  2. Pingback: DIY Slate Cheese Serving Tray | Maine Stones

  3. Great idea! Out of curiosity, why not use food grade mineral oil, as you would for wooden cutting boards? My concern is that olive oil becomes rancid and will then leave a layer of rancid oil on your board.

    Reply

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  7. I would only change one thing. Olive oil can and will turn rancid, that’s why chefs tell you to never seal your wooden or other boards with it. Instead, use food-grade mineral oil, available at pharmacies, supermarkets, Wal-Mart, etc. But love the idea, thank you.

    Reply

  8. Hi Ashley! I’m also from Houston–can you tell me where you got your slate tiles? I tried Home Depot last night but they didn’t have any plain black slate (they said they’d have to order it specially). I’ll look up some flooring stores but if you have any tips, I’d love to avoid going on a wild goose chase :) Thanks so much!

    Reply

  9. Exactly what truly influenced you to publish “DIY // Slate Cheeseboard”?

    I personallycertainly liked it! Thanks for your time ,Valeria

    Reply

  10. Great idea.I was a bit worried about your comments re “a plate” I presume that you could still cut the cheese on the slate and then use a fresh plate for eating the cheese?

    Reply

  11. I was wondering if after you wash your new cheeseboard after being used, do you need to reapply olive oil?

    Reply

  12. wow! really simple, cheap and versatile idea. i’ve read about people using tiles as pizza stones, which kind of scares me because they could definitely shatter in high heat. but THIS!!! such a good idea.

    side note: cheeses are recommended to be served room temp for maximal cheesy goodness ;) but the cooling ability of the tile would be good if you had a long waiting/traveling time i think! :) great blog post!

    Reply

  15. Wow this is a great idea.

    I just finished writing about the “Power of Cheese” and how it makes everything better:
    http://fedupfood.com/2012/01/25/the-power-of-cheese/

    I really only think of cheese as ingredient added to meals to make it taste good no matter what, but cheese served on a nice slate plate is a simple way to make a a typical dinner at home into a fancy occasion.

    Reply

  19. I enjoy entertaining and it’s sometimes hard to be everywhere at once to answer food questions, so I got in the habit of labeling foods, but this is by far the best idea I’ve seen. I will take and use this nifty idea. Thanks for sharing

    Reply

  21. Reblogged this on themultifacetsofblujewel and commented:
    I came across this and thought I’d be remiss in not reblogging. It’s a inexpensive, creative and practical DIY project that will be the centre of discussion during your next social gathering.
    That is all!

    Reply

  22. Another thing to paint it with my chalk paint!!

    I think I’ll eventually paint my whole house with it.

    Thank you =D

    Reply

  30. Reblogged this on available all day and commented:
    Yup, i could go a cheese platter for breakfast. That, coupled with a stimulating french pear cider… could possibly be in heaven.
    xx

    Reply

  33. Ashley, clicked on your blog from the “freshly pressed”. I love this idea! headed for home depot tomorrow!
    Many Thanks!

    Reply

  34. Love discovering little things you can do around the house at little cost. It just makes it all the better!

    Reply

  35. This is really cool (and professional looking). I’m so sad that I can’t/shouldn’t use this as a dinner plate. I’d love to throw a big flaming steak on top of this and arrange some Kale or such around it.

    Reply

    1. Haha, well, I guess the term “food safe” is your discretion. I’m sure lots of people have eaten off of slate in their lifetime!

      Reply

  39. This is such a simple idea, but I swear I would have likely went and spent money on something that will probably look better and mean more since I did it myself, now that I have seen your easy to follow guide. One thing about helping plan a lot of birthday parties is that there can never be a shortage of ideas for food platters, and this is one that I am definitely going to incorporate. I’m actually going to get the materials right now!

    Reply

  41. Really, really cool. I’m going to pass this on (as your idea, of coures) to a friend of mine who organizes in-house wine-tastings and table setting events in Italy….
    (www.vinidadivano.com)
    J

    Reply

  42. I really want cheese and crackers now! And the black slate makes the cheese and crackers pop as a surface for it.

    Reply

  50. that’s a great tip about conditioning the slate. I used to imagine powdery grit in the cheese. But no!

    Reply

  60. Super idea, I am not good doing stuff with my hands , except for cooking..but I will try, it’s so simple and design, post-modern.. Love your blog!

    Reply

  64. Oh wow, this is totally cool. I am so going to do this project with my friend. I’m going to make a Lowes stop today. I really enjoyed this.

    Reply

  67. Yep this works – its sometimes said, the simplest ideas are there, right in front of us and here is the proof in the pudding. Great idea, you’ve just saved me £20!!!

    Reply

  71. This is adorable! I’m loving your blog so glad I stumbled onto it! What software do you use to create your pictures? XOX

    lavenderdaffodils.wordpress.com

    Reply

  76. this is genius! love how simple it is, and it’s perfect to go with ANY kitchen setting/decor you may have at home!
    x N

    Reply

  78. Hi Ashley,

    I tweeted about this DIY cheeseboard post on twitter yesterday. Then I see it is on Freshly Pressed on wordpress.

    Reply

  81. Simple yet brilliant! Never thought of serving cheese and crackers that way. But I guess this is the way I’m gonna serve it from now on! =]

    Reply

  83. Reblogged this on adelmuses and commented:
    Fanciful. I can’t wait to get my own place. Great blog on the whole.

    Reply

  85. What a fun and simple DIY project! This project could even cost one nothing if they already had felt handy. What is great about this is you can choose any color or type of tile to use to help match the decor you already own. I thought the idea of writing the type of cheese with chalk on the cutting board was brilliant!

    Reply

  90. Reblogged this on harlequinncooks and commented:
    I really like this idea. It makes it so simple, yet would catch the eye of every cheese lover. I always wanted to veer away from the tacky tent cards and the piercings of valuable cheese with a toothpick. This new take on presentation is just the beginning. Sushi. Sandwiches. Cold Cuts. The possibilities are endless. Please review this. I would like your opinion.

    Reply

  92. This is the cutest, smartest and loveliest idea I’ve come across for a minimalistic cheese board! You’re certainly a creative dumping, I must say :)

    Reply

  93. Great idea, thanks! I’ve been wanting one, but couldn’t bring myself to pay the absurd prices!

    Reply

  98. What a unique idea, rather than a typical cutting board or cheese board. I love cheese so much, I swear I would eat it off cardboard. Very clever post.

    Reply

  99. That’s a great DIY project! Good for parties or a gift, and on the slim chance that I ever open a restaurant, I’m totally doing this.

    Reply

  101. Just came across your blog, and I LOVE it! So pretty and inspiring. You’re my newest daily read :)

    Reply

  111. This is brilliant. I will definitely be doing this, congrats for being freshly pressed and thanks for the idea x

    Reply

  114. Oh I will be making this! We moved to Italy a year ago and we’ve been eating a lot of cheese, and some of them have weird names that no one can pronounce, with this I can just write it on there and let people try to figure it out that way! Great Idea!!

    Reply

  117. This is great idea – not everyone likes eating something if they dont know exactly what it is….even just knowing which cheese …..and saves the hostess from having to repeat over and over “This is Havarti…..”. Love it !

    Reply

  119. Oh my god, cheese. Living in Korea it’s so hard to get this essential part of the Western diet and mindset. It just doesn’t exist here like it does there. My mouth is watering so bad, so much.

    *drool*

    Reply