Quick & Cozy Trader Joe’s Fall Charcuterie Board

The day Trader Joe’s releases their fall products is always a happy day (and one where I inevitably go over budget — oops). In addition to their year-round staples, they roll out a wide selection of delightful seasonal goodies. Who knew grocery shopping could be so fun?

After going a little crazy snagging all the seasonal products I could find, I finally put together my first Trader Joe’s fall charcuterie board, and now it’s one I’ll be making year after year. It combines core favorites with autumn exclusives, and the best part is that every single item comes from Trader Joe’s.

With just one store run and a few easy steps, you can create your own fall board in minutes! It’s quick, cozy, and the perfect autumn appetizer for a dinner party or girls’ night.

This post contains affiliate links that earn me a commission. For more information, read my disclaimer.

Ingredients

Some of the ingredients for this board are unique to autumn, while others are available year-round. For my board, I tried as many seasonal charcuterie items as I could. 

Keep reading for a breakdown of all the elements I used, and my honest opinions on which ones are worth grabbing (and which to skip).

Mini Pumpkins & Gourds

Trader Joe’s carries a wide selection of mini pumpkins and gourds during the fall season, and they’re perfect for dressing up a charcuterie board and making it feel more fall-themed.

Pro tip: choose the smallest pumpkin or gourd you can find. That way, it won’t take up too much space on your board.

Fall Cheeses

Trader Joe’s has an excellent cheese selection. While I have some year-round favorites, this time I tried only seasonal options (with one exception: brie, which I consider a must for a fall charcuterie board). Some were hits and some were…interesting, but all of them were fun to try. 

Red Leicester Cheese

Trader Joe’s has sold Red Leicester Cheese before, but this new version is circular, encased entirely in red wax, and isn’t aged. 

I didn’t try the previous version, but I really enjoyed this one! It tastes like a sharp cheddar, with excellent flavor and texture. 

It’s a rich orange color (don’t forget to peel off the red wax) that’s ideal for fall, and goes well with Pepper Jelly. Although honestly, what doesn’t taste good with Pepper Jelly?

Creamy Toscano Cheese Dusted with Cinnamon

Creamy Toscano Cheese Dusted with Cinnamon is a returning fall item I tried for the first time. This is probably my favorite fall cheese from Trader Joe’s!

It’s creamy, flavorful, and savory enough to stand up to the cinnamon, which is pretty mild. It pairs exceptionally well with Fig Butter.

Apizza Gouda Cheese

The Apizza Gouda Cheese was one of the new cheeses Trader Joe’s released this season, and it’s only available through September. I was really excited to try this one out, since its vibrant color is striking and Gouda is one of my favorite cheeses. 

Alas, I found it a little disappointing: very pizza-forward, which isn’t really what I look for in a cheese. While I wouldn’t recommend it, it is unique and could appeal to some taste buds. But proceed with caution!

Caramelized Onion Goat’s Milk Cheese

Another returning seasonal option I tried was the Caramelized Onion Goat’s Milk Cheese. While I enjoyed the flavor of this cheese, I found it a bit strong: very onion-y and on the sweet side. Since it can be overpowering, I wouldn’t recommend pairing this with dips or strongly flavored crackers. 

If you love goat cheese and can’t get enough of the flavor of caramelized onions, this is the cheese for you. Otherwise, consider substituting plain goat cheese or another soft cheese, like my all-time favorite Boursin (not a Trader Joe’s brand, but sold in most stores).

Double Cream Brie

Brie isn’t seasonal, but it’s too delicious not to include. My biggest fall charcuterie hack: brie + Pumpkin Butter is unbelievable. 

I’ve tried most of the bries at Trader Joe’s, but the Double Cream Brie is the one I keep coming back to. It’s both indulgent and affordable, and is a great addition to any board!

Dips & Spreads

I mentioned some of my go-to fall dips above, but let’s dive into the details.

Pumpkin Butter

If you can only choose one fall dip, go with the Pumpkin Butter. It’s rich, sweet, and tastes like autumn. I really appreciate it because it’s not overly pumpkin-y. 

I particularly enjoy it with brie, but it goes well with a variety of neutral cheeses.

In addition to starring on a charcuterie board, pumpkin butter can be spread on toast or used in baking. So even if you don’t finish the jar on your board, you’ll definitely use it up.

Fig Butter

Another one of my favorite fall dips is Fig Butter. With a jammy, caramelized flavor, it complements the Creamy Toscano Cheese Dusted with Cinnamon exceptionally well. 

Although the Trader Joe’s website doesn’t indicate this item is seasonal, I haven’t seen it in stores recently. I like to keep a couple of jars on hand since it can be hard to find. But if it’s unavailable, pumpkin butter is a great alternative.

Hot & Sweet Pepper Jelly

Although Hot & Sweet Pepper Jelly is only available in fall and winter, it’s probably my favorite dip to include on any charcuterie board. 

This Pepper Jelly doesn’t feel particularly autumnal to me, but it’s absolutely incredible. It’s sweet and spicy (but not too spicy), and goes well with a surprising number of cheeses. It elevates any board and is sure to impress.

Pro tip: stock up on this and use it throughout the year. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Charcuterie 

Trader Joe’s doesn’t make a lot of cured meats under their own brand, and as far as I know, they don’t release any seasonal ones. 

However, they do carry a variety of other brands. Here are a couple of options I like to use.

Salami

Salami is my go-to cured meat for any charcuterie board. I love it since it’s tasty, affordable, and I can use it to make roses — an instant way to level up your board. 

I typically use the Columbus brand. I’ve tried both regular and reduced-sodium, and haven’t noticed a major difference.

Gourmet Deli Selection

Recently, I’ve been using the Gourmet Deli Selection tray with salame, prosciutto, and capacollo. It’s nothing fancy, but I enjoy the variety of flavors, and the prosciutto doesn’t fall apart as much as the Trader Joe’s Sliced Prosciutto pack. That one still tastes good, though!

Crackers

Crackers are essential to any charcuterie board, and Trader Joe’s has plenty of options.

Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps

While Raisin Rosemary and Fig & Olive Crisps are available year-round, TJ’s rotates in seasonal versions too. The Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps are probably my favorite.

The pumpkin flavor is subtle enough not to overpower your other charcuterie elements, and the cranberry lends a hint of sweetness. Their color, a warm orangey-brown, also makes them visually appealing for a fall charcuterie board. 

Wheat Crips Crackers

Wheat Crisp Crackers aren’t seasonal, but I wanted variety and a neutral flavor, so I gave them a try. They are similar to Wheat Thins, and I enjoyed them!

If you want more fall flavor, you could also try the Fig & Olive Crisps. However, they look very similar to the Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps, and I like to mix things up with both flavor and appearance.

For another neutral option, Everything But the Bagel Seasoned Crackers are also one of my go-to choices.

Fruit, Dried Fruit, & Nuts

Last but not least, don’t forget fruit, dried fruit, and nuts. They add color, texture, and balance to your board.

Figs

Fresh figs just scream fall to me, and they’re so gorgeous on a charcuterie board. However, they’re tricky to find and only in season briefly at Trader Joe’s, so grab them if you spot them.

Figs ripen quickly and have a short shelf life, so keep them in the fridge and enjoy them before they turn mushy.

Honeycrisp Apples

Apples are also perfectly seasonal, and you only need one for a board! I love Honeycrisp, but you can use any kind. If you’re not up for slicing apples, grapes are an easy alternative.

Candied Ginger Slices

Although technically not a fruit, the Candied Ginger Slices are one of my favorite additions. They lend a bit of sweetness and spice and keep things interesting and festive.

Organic Dried & Pitted Deglet Noor Dates

While I confess I’m not a fan of dates, the Organic Dried & Pitted Deglet Noor Dates do feel very autumnal. They’re a good filler, but if dates aren’t your thing, I’d leave them off.

Maple Spiced Nut Mix

This Maple Spiced Nut Mix might surprise you: a blend of almonds, pecans, cranberries, and pepitas that packs sweet maple flavor with a peppery kick. 

If you only choose one nut for your fall board, this mix is the option I would go for.

Candied Pecans

While Candied Pecans aren’t seasonal, they feel very indulgent and autumnal. They’re one of my go-to choices for any board, but feel especially right in the fall. And since they’re available year-round, they’re easier to get a hold of.

Pumpkin Seeds

As I mentioned earlier, I may have gotten a tiny bit carried away in my TJs fall shopping trip, and snagged some pumpkin seeds in addition to my other nuts. However, I didn’t realize until after I used them in my spread that the seeds are both unroasted and unsalted…oops.

They look nice, but since the Maple Spiced Nut Mix already has flavored pepitas, extra pumpkin seeds aren’t really necessary. 

Equipment

In addition to a charcuterie board, you’ll also need cheese knives, mini serving utensils, and ramekins for your dips. 

I get my knives and mini gold utensils from Amazon since they’re both elegant and affordable. The exact knife set I use is no longer available, but this set is similar, well-reviewed, and and even comes with extra utensils.

For dips, I love my mini gold ramekins! My husband surprised me with them, and they’ve become a favorite for boards year-round because they make dips look polished without taking up too much space.

Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions

Now that you’ve got everything you need, here’s how to assemble your fall board step by step.

1. Narrow Down Your Elements

First, decide how many elements you need. The number will vary based on the size of your board and how simple or complex you want to make it. 

As a rule of thumb, I recommend having at least 2-4 cheeses for your board (roughly 50% hard and 50% soft). In addition, I like having at least two different types of dips or spreads, meats, and crackers. And finally, you need a variety of fruit, dried fruit, and nuts. 

As mentioned earlier in the post, I tested out the majority of Trader Joe’s seasonal charcuterie items (at least the ones that have been released to date), as well as a few non-seasonal items. 

Take some time to narrow down which seasonal ingredients you want to prioritize. You can easily supplement with some non-seasonal elements as well. 

Remember: the more items you include, the longer it takes to make your board. Keep it simple with a handful of favorites, or go elaborate with lots of variety.

2. Prep Your Ingredients

Once you’ve decided on which ingredients you plan to use, you need to prep them. 

I like to cube one or two of my hard cheeses to make them easier to eat. It also gives variety when styling. 

For my board, I cubed the Apizza Gouda and the Red Leicester (be sure to peel off the wax first). The Tuscano with Cinnamon is a bit crumbly, so it would be more difficult to cube evenly. 

In addition to cubing your cheeses, you will also need to prep your fruit. Cut fresh figs in half lengthwise, and slice apples thinly.

Cutting things uniformly helps your board look polished and put-together.

Finish your prep by transferring dips into ramekins with mini spoons, as they’ll look polished and be easier for guests to eat.

3. Assemble Your Fall Board

With everything prepped, it’s time to build your board! Here’s my preferred order for charcuterie assembly to keep things aesthetic and easy:

1. Cheeses (+ mini pumpkin in this case)
2. Dips
3. Meats
4. Crackers
5. Fruit/Dried Fruit/Nuts

If you’re new to building boards, my charcuterie board template walks you through exactly how to make one step-by-step.

You can see my progressive layout for my fall board using the items I described above here. If you use fewer elements, just include more of each item to take up more space, and if you use more items, include less of each. 

Be sure to fill in any holes so there’s no board showing, and adjust your utensils at the end. 

And just like that, you’ve got a cozy fall appetizer ready to share.

Explore More Charcuterie Inspiration

Looking for more charcuterie inspiration? From easy beginner templates to holiday-themed boards, these posts will help you create your next show-stopping spread.