I am a firm believer that there is nothing more perfect than a well-crafted charcuterie board. It truly is an art. Charcuterie boards are the perfect addition to any event, and they can be customized to any holiday or theme.
Charcuterie boards are chic; they’re simple, and the fun of a board is that the design choices are totally up to you. However, if you need some inspiration for your next charcuterie board, here are some tips for building the perfect fall board.
Cheese
For a charcuterie board, you need a variety of cheese textures and tastes. You should include a combination of softer cheeses, like brie, goat cheese, and burrata, and harder cheeses, like gouda, gruyere, cheddar, and Comté. You’ll also want to include some cheeses with bold flavors, like blue cheeses or spice-infused cheeses, to add interesting character to your board.
Some fun cheeses I would include in a fall charcuterie board include:
- A cranberry cinnamon goat cheese to incorporate some fruity fall flavors
- An aged Gouda to bring in some caramelly, nutty flavors
- A pumpkin- or pumpkin spice-flavored cheddar or Wensleydale for a fun and funky addition to the board
Meats
Cured meats add some saltiness and savoriness to balance out the cheese. My favorites to include in a charcuterie are salami, pepperoni and capicola. This is a part of the board where you can get creative with your presentation and fold and display your meats in flowers or other fun shapes!
Crackers and Carbs
To me, the carb element makes or breaks any charcuterie board, so you must make sure you have the right ones to accompany your meats and cheeses. A sliced baguette is always nice for a hearty option, and you should include some artisanal crackers and pretzels.
For fall, I would include:
- A fun seasonal cracker, like the Trader Joe’s pumpkin cranberry crisps (Trader Joe’s always has fun seasonal snacks that are perfect for boards!)
- Autumnal spiced pretzel thins or rods
- Classic table crackers or pita chips
Accoutrements
Now it is time for the fun extras that really make the aesthetics of your charcuterie! Fruits, veggies, nuts, spreads, snacks- you name it; it will be a great addition to your board.
Here are some ideas:
- Fruit: sliced apples, pears, figs, and grapes are all seasonal fruits that would add some yummy freshness
- Vegetables: fresh carrots, cauliflower, or celery are great for snacking on a board. I also love adding pickles or olives for a variety of flavors!
- Nuts: add a classic nut mix or trail mix, or some autumnal spiced nuts for some crunch
- Spreads: the sky’s the limit on charcuterie spreads and dips. Any kind of hummus, honey, grainy mustard, seasonal spinach dip, spiced apple jam or cranberry pear preserve would all be really yummy additions
- Candies and sweets: add candy corn, chocolates or little cookies to really enhance your board!
Sweet treat
Every charcuterie board needs a sweet treat or baked good on the side. I don’t make the rules.
Here are some ideas: