Fall Charcuterie Board

You know I’m obsessed with seasonal eating, but there’s also something nostalgic about enjoying the right flavors in the right season. Fall is all about pumpkin, warming spices, apples, pears, and cozy baking—and this festive fall charcuterie board brings those flavors together in one easy appetizer board.

Fall Charcuterie Board

A fall charcuterie board can be filled with a few delectable items that can be homemade or store-bought, depending on what you have time for and what you prefer. You absolutely don’t need to make everything from scratch!

Pumpkin butter is one of my favorite seasonal additions. It’s something I fell in love with from Trader Joe’s and then was caught off guard when they stopped selling it the first day of November. So I had to create my own homemade pumpkin butter recipe.

I also love adding cranberry sauce as Thanksgiving gets closer. It’s surprisingly easy to make, and I use it in this cranberry appetizer.

And then there are the cornbread crackers. Trader Joe’s has another seasonal favorite that I fell in love with and then had to recreate! These cornbread crackers are so good on a fall charcuterie board.

Of course, you can absolutely buy the pumpkin butter, cranberry sauce, and crackers if that’s easier. The goal is a board you actually enjoy making—not another complicated recipe on your to-do list.

Anyway, you can absolutely buy the pumpkin butter, cranberry sauce, and/or cornbread crackers! But just know that if you can’t find them, homemade is always a doable option!

What Should Go on a Fall Charcuterie Board?

Any combination of cheese, meats, honey, apples, pears, persimmons, pumpkin butter, cranberry sauce, crackers, dried fruit, and nuts can make a delicious fall appetizer spread.

What Kind of Cheeses are Best for a Fall Charcuterie Board?

I always like to provide at least 3 types of cheeses for a board of this size, but you can easily get away with 2 cheeses for a smaller gathering. If you don’t want to put meat on your board, an elevated, seasonal cheese plate is always a hit!

I used brie cheese here because it’s so versatile. If you want to add more cheeses, I’d recommend stronger and/or drier cheeses for fall, including sharp cheddar, aged goat cheese, and manchego.

Soft & Creamy Cheeses– These are mild, easily spreadable cheeses that pair well with crackers, fruit, and honey. I’ve found that these are usually the most enjoyed by our guests!

• Brie
• Camembert
• Fresh goat cheese
• Burrata (best served immediately)

Semi-Soft & Buttery Cheeses – These are smooth, approachable cheeses that most guests enjoy.

• Havarti
• Gouda
• Fontina
• Young cheddar

Firm & Aged Cheese– These are nutty, sharp, or savory cheeses that add contrast. They can be served in smaller amounts than the above cheeses.

• Aged cheddar (I love a white cheddar)
• Manchego
• Parmesan
• Gruyère

Bold & Tangy (optional) – These are cheeses with stronger flavors. I’d recommend just one per board. They should be an accent, not a focal point (unless you and your guests LOVE these cheeses)

• Blue cheese
• Gorgonzola
• Aged goat cheese

What Kind of Meats Are Best for a Fall Charcuterie Board?

The options for cured and sliced meats are quite numerous – if you know where to look. Many grocery stores sell packaged cured meats with other deli meats and cheeses but be sure to look in the actual deli section for a larger selection of meats and cheeses. Beyond that, a local butcher can offer a fuller selection of options.

Here is a list of meat options to include:

• Prosciutto — Thinly sliced, silky Italian ham with a delicate, salty flavor.
• Salami — A classic cured sausage with a savory, slightly tangy flavor and firm texture.
• Peppered Salami — Salami coated with cracked black pepper for a bolder, pleasantly spicy bite.
• Soppressata — A rustic Italian salami with a coarse texture and rich, savory flavor.
• Pepperoni — A boldly seasoned, slightly spicy cured sausage that’s especially good for adding familiar flavor to a board.
• Mortadella — A smooth Italian pork sausage studded with small pieces of fat, known for its mild, rich flavor.
• Jamón Serrano — Spanish dry-cured ham with a firm texture and deeply savory, slightly nutty flavor.
• Coppa — Thinly sliced cured pork shoulder with a rich, tender texture and gently spiced flavor.
• Fennel Sausage — Savory cured sausage seasoned with fennel for a subtle anise-like sweetness.
• Guanciale — Cured pork jowl with a rich, fatty texture and intensely savory flavor.
• Bresaola — Air-dried, cured beef that’s lean, tender, and delicately salty.
• Cured Chorizo — Spanish-style cured sausage with a firm texture and smoky, paprika-forward flavor.
• Speck — Smoked, dry-cured Italian ham with a delicate texture and savory, slightly smoky flavor.
• Sliced Turkey or Ham – A familiar, crowd-friendly option that’s especially helpful for larger gatherings or boards with kids.

What Fruits Are in Season in Fall?

See a full list of fall fruits. Basics include apples, pears, grapes, figs, persimmons, cranberries, and kiwis. Late figs are also a good option as are early pomegranates—just depends what’s available when you make it.

Not sure what’s actually in season when you’re standing in the produce aisle? I’ve made it easy. Download my free Seasonal Produce Guide for a simple reference you can keep handy when you’re meal planning or grocery shopping.

Fall Flavors to Add to Your Board

I generally follow the same guidelines for my charcuterie boards year-round, but there are a few fall favorites that really make this into a fall-specific board.

• Pumpkin Butter
• Apple Butter
• Fig Jam
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Cornbread Crackers
• Candied or Spiced Nuts
• Fresh, Seasonal Fruit – Persimmons
• Figs
• Pears
• Apples
• Pomegranate
• Mini Pumpkins – not for eating but cute and decorative!

I also love using my Halloween Trail Mix on my fall board. It’s just nuts and dried fruits, but the dark green from the pumpkin seeds and the orange from the dried papaya (so yummy) add some fabulous fall vibes!

Trader Joe’s Fall Charcuterie Board Finds

If you love Trader Joe’s, there are a few really fun seasonal finds to include in your board. Fair warning: many of the pumpkin-spiced and fall-themed products are seasonal, so if you see your favorites, grab them while they’re available!

• Autumn Harvest Sweet & Salty Snack Mix
• Pumpkin Spiced Pumpkin Seeds
• Pumpkin Butter
• Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps
• Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread
• Pumpkin Spiced Teeny Tiny Pretzels
• Cornbread Crisps
• Sweet & Spicy Pecans (a year-round find at TJs)!

How Much Food Do You Need per Person?

One of the trickiest things for a charcuterie board or an appetizer platter like this is getting the right amount of food. You don’t want to run out but you also don’t want to buy too much food and have it go to waste.

My post on small charcuterie board ideas offers a lot of detailed information on how much of everything you need when making a board like this. Here is a simple guide to get you started:

Shopping Guide By Guest Count

For…	Cheese	Meat	Crackers/Bread	Fruit	Extras
4 people	2 cheeses (8–10 oz total)	2 meats (6–8 oz total)	1–2 boxes crackers + baguette	2 fruits	3–4 extras
6 people	3 cheeses (12–16 oz total)	2-3 meats (10–12 oz total)	2 boxes crackers + baguette	2–3 fruits	4–5 extras
8 people	3-4 cheeses (18-20 oz total)	3 meats (14-16 oz total)	2 boxes crackers + baguette	3 fruits	4-5 extras

How to Decorate a Fall Charcuterie Board

In all honesty, you can use fall flavors and/or fall decor to make your charcuterie board fall-themed! You can see how easy it is here with just whole persimmons and mini pumpkins.

Other fall flavors to try include whole cinnamon sticks, whole star anise, mini gourds, or dried ears of corn.

You can use other natural items like leaves, flowers, acorns, and pinecones, but I wouldn’t put them on the board touching the food. These items are really great near the board for the picture-perfect setup!

What Can I Make Ahead?

If you’re planning to make the crackers, cranberry sauce, or pumpkin butter yourself, everything can be made up to two days ahead of time (the crackers have the shortest shelf life). Store sauce and butter in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Seal crackers in a container or reusable bag (see my Stasher bags review for more details) to keep fresh!

For the best texture and freshness, assemble the meats, cheeses, and fruit closer to serving time.

Fall Dessert Charcuterie Board Ideas

If you’d rather make a fall dessert board—or simply want to add a few sweet nibbles to your charcuterie board—try:

• apple slices with caramel dip
• chocolates
• fall cookies
• caramel candies
• sugared nuts
• cinnamon coconut cream (sweet, vegan dip)

Fall Charcuterie Board Tips

You don’t need dozens of ingredients to make a beautiful fall charcuterie board. Choose a few cheeses, one or two meats, some seasonal fruit, and a handful of fall-inspired extras, then fill in the gaps with whatever you already love.

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, having friends over for a fall gathering, or just want an easy appetizer for the weekend, a seasonal charcuterie board is one of my favorite ways to make entertaining feel a little more special—and a lot less complicated.

Fall Recipes