Print

Budget-Friendly Friendsgiving Charcuterie Board with Fall Fruit

budget-friendly friendsgiving charcuterie board with fall fruit - featured image
Print Recipe

A stunning and affordable charcuterie board featuring seasonal fall fruits, budget-friendly cheeses, and simple cured meats. Perfect for Friendsgiving gatherings, this board comes together in about 20 minutes and feeds 8-10 people.

Ingredients

  • Sharp cheddar, 8 ounces (block, sliced into thin wedges)
  • Cream cheese, 8 ounces (one block, softened slightly)
  • Goat cheese log, 4 ounces (optional)
  • Salami, 6 ounces (sliced thin, Genoa preferred)
  • Prosciutto, 4 ounces (optional)
  • Honeycrisp apples, 2 large (sliced thin, tossed in lemon juice)
  • Red grapes, 1 cup (washed, left in small clusters)
  • Dried figs, ½ cup (halved)
  • Pomegranate seeds, ½ cup (from one pomegranate, optional)
  • Wheat crackers, 1 box (about 6 ounces)
  • Pretzel sticks, 1 cup
  • Roasted almonds, ½ cup (salted)
  • Honey, 3 tablespoons
  • Fig jam or apricot preserves, ¼ cup
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Start with the bowls (5 minutes). Place your small bowls or ramekins on the board first. Space them out—one near the top left, one near the bottom right, and one in the middle if you’re using three. Fill one with the fig jam or apricot preserves, one with honey (leave the spoon in), and one with olives if you’re using them.
  2. Add the cheese (3 minutes). Slice the sharp cheddar into thin triangles or rectangles (about ¼ inch thick). Fan them out in a line or small cluster near the center of the board. Place the cream cheese block whole on the board near the cheddar but slightly offset. If using goat cheese, place the log next to the cream cheese.
  3. Layer the meat (2 minutes). Fold each slice of salami in half, then in half again to form quarter-circles. Arrange them in a small pile or fan pattern near the cheese. If using prosciutto, drape it in loose, wavy ribbons next to the salami.
  4. Scatter the fruit (5 minutes). Slice apples thin (about ¼ inch) and toss in lemon juice. Arrange apple slices in a fan pattern or small cluster opposite the meat. Place small clusters of red grapes around the board (leave in bunches of 3-4). Halve dried figs and scatter in gaps. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over everything.
  5. Fill the gaps with crunch (3 minutes). Use wheat crackers and pretzel sticks to fill empty spaces. Create little ‘nests’ of crackers near cheese and meat. Pile pretzel sticks in a small cluster or line them along the edge. Sprinkle roasted almonds in remaining gaps.
  6. Add finishing touches (2 minutes). Drizzle honey over cream cheese and goat cheese in a zigzag pattern. Place fresh rosemary sprigs around the board for color and fragrance. Fill any big empty spots with extra crackers or grapes.

Notes

Take cheese out of fridge 30 minutes before assembling for best texture. Toss apple slices in lemon juice to prevent browning. The board can be prepped the night before (slice cheese, wash fruit) but assemble just before serving. For a budget-friendly extreme, skip prosciutto and goat cheese, use dried apricots instead of figs, and use store-brand everything.

Nutrition

Keywords: charcuterie board, Friendsgiving, fall fruit, budget-friendly, appetizer, cheese board, easy entertaining

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/budget-friendly-friendsgiving-charcuterie-board-with-fall-fruit/