I am by no means a charcuterie tray expert. I’m a stay at home mom that just wanted to keep her guests preoccupied while trying to finish cooking dinner. This tray actually got many compliments and the dinner guests ripped it to shreds. I guess what I’m trying to say is: if I can do it, you can too.

Shopping List

• cheeses (I tried to pick cheeses with different flavors and textures. For this tray I chose smoked gouda, marinated mozzarella, Jarlsberg, mango habanero Gruyere)
• meats (pepperoni, salami, prosciutto – I didn’t get fancy with my meats)
• olives or pickled veggies (I picked olives)
• fresh rosemary (for garnish)

• crackers and breads (I picked three different types: everything seasoned flatbread crackers, water crackers and crostini toasts)
• nuts (I picked cashews)

• dried fruit (dried cranberries and cashews are so good together and I picked up apricots for color)
• jellies, jams, chutneys (I bought a fig jam that is perfect topped on a crostini, a little prosciutto, a square of smoked gouda)

Step 1

Pick your board. I fell in LOVE with this one. It’s so much cheaper than the ones at Pottery Barn and just as good of quality. The one shown is the large. I used some small ramekins for the olives and mozzarella balls and placed them on opposite ends of the board.

Step 2

Cut some squares from your blocks of cheese. I left half of the cheese uncut and arranged the little squares in front. I spread the different cheeses on opposite ends from one another on the board.

Step 3

Add your meats. Rather than just lay them flat on the board, I folded them in half and then folded again (into fourths, I guess?). I folded and just tucked them into one another in opposite ends.

Step 4

Add your crackers and jams. I added a fancy little spoon for the fig jam. The crackers I staggered around in the empty sections and made a fan with them rather than just lay them stacked on top of one another.

Step 5

Fill in all the holes with your nuts and dried fruit. Add some rosemary for color and garnish. I had some white pumpkins from Halloween decor that I placed here and there.

There you have it, friends! A simple and elegant fall charcuterie tray. By providing a variety of tastes and textures, your guests can mix and match to their liking. I enjoyed putting this tray together and loved the fact that there wasn’t much left after. Stay tuned for a Christmas tray!

~Ashley