Save It A vibrant, abundant charcuterie board celebrating the flavors and colors of fall, artfully arranged for a rustic, inviting presentation perfect for gatherings.
I first put together this autumn "chaos" charcuterie board for a family dinner after a chilly day outdoors. Everyone loved the creative mix of fruits, cheeses and meats, and how easy it was for guests to build their own favorite combos.
Ingredients
- Meats: 120 g prosciutto, 120 g smoked turkey breast (sliced), 100 g spicy soppressata, 100 g sliced salami
- Cheeses: 150 g aged cheddar (cubed), 150 g creamy brie (sliced), 100 g blue cheese (crumbled), 100 g goat cheese (log or medallions)
- Seasonal Fruits: 1 large apple (sliced), 1 ripe pear (sliced), 100 g dried figs (halved), 100 g red grapes (separated into clusters), 1 small pomegranate (seeded)
- Vegetables & Accents: 1 small fennel bulb (thinly sliced), 1 handful baby carrots, 1 handful roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas), 1 handful candied pecans
- Spreads & Condiments: 3 tbsp fig jam, 2 tbsp whole grain mustard, 2 tbsp honey
- Bread & Crackers: 1 small baguette (sliced), 100 g multigrain crackers, 100 g gluten-free crackers (optional)
Instructions
- Select Your Board:
- Choose a large wooden board or platter and prepare to build the board just before serving for freshness.
- Arrange Cheeses:
- Place cheeses in different corners to create anchors.
- Add Meats:
- Fold or roll meats and set them in small clusters throughout the board.
- Arrange Fruits:
- Fan out apple and pear slices; scatter grapes, figs and pomegranate seeds for vibrant color.
- Add Vegetables & Accents:
- Nestle fennel slices and baby carrots between other ingredients.
- Add Spreads:
- Put fig jam, mustard and honey into small bowls or ramekins and position them on the board.
- Add Bread & Crackers:
- Fill open areas with baguette slices, multigrain and gluten-free crackers.
- Sprinkle Crunch:
- Finish with roasted pumpkin seeds and candied pecans for extra texture and autumn flair.
- Serve:
- Invite guests to mix and match ingredients, creating their own combinations. Serve immediately.
Save It This board was a huge hit at our last family gathering. Everyone enjoyed exploring the seasonal flavors together and creating delicious bites with their favorite pairings.
Required Tools
Large serving board or platter, cheese knives, small bowls or ramekins, spoons and serving tongs
Allergen Information
Contains dairy, nuts (pecans) and gluten (baguette, crackers unless using GF options). Meats may contain nitrates. Always check ingredient labels for sensitivities.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: ~420 calories, 21 g total fat, 38 g carbohydrates, 17 g protein
Save It Enjoy the autumn flavors and let guests discover new favorite combinations with every bite.
Recipe FAQs
- → What meats pair well with fall cheeses?
Prosciutto, smoked turkey breast, spicy soppressata, and sliced salami offer savory depth with seasonal cheeses like brie and aged cheddar.
- → Which fruits best highlight autumn flavors?
Apples, pears, figs, red grapes, and pomegranate seeds add sweetness, color, and texture, accenting other ingredients on the board.
- → What gluten-free options can I include?
Use gluten-free crackers and breads to accommodate guests with dietary restrictions while maintaining variety and crunch.
- → How can I make the board vegetarian?
Simply omit meats and substitute roasted squash or marinated mushrooms for extra autumnal flavor and variety.
- → Which spreads enhance the board?
Fig jam, whole grain mustard, and honey add sweet and tangy accents, complementing meats, cheeses, and fruits beautifully.
- → What drinks pair best?
Dry rosé or crisp cider highlight autumn flavors, making them ideal beverage choices for this board.