This Pear Cranberry Bourbon Chutney is the perfect addition to your fall cheese board.
Wow! Like where does the time go?! It’s less than a week until Halloween, and next up…Thanksgiving! It’ll be here before we know it folks!
But don’t panic, because I’ve got ya covered.
Starting today, and continuing up until the week before Thanksgiving, I’ll be building us an EPIC Fall Cheese Board! It’s one of my favorite things to serve guests during the holiday season. It’s easier than you think to assemble, and it’s always a hit. I mean who doesn’t like cheeses, meats, crackers, fruits, olives, etc??
I’ll be sharing three homemade additions for the board, along with a fall signature cocktail that’s going to be a winner with all your friends and family. I guarantee it! All the homemade additions can be made a day or two ahead of time, and then added to the board the day you serve it. There’ll be no last minute panicking this holiday season. The recipes will be easy peasy, and I’ll include the entire list of ingredients on the board, and the how-tos to on putting it all together. Sound good?
So let’s start with today’s Pear Cranberry Bourbon Chutney. If you’re new to chutney, it’s a condiment that originated in India. It traditionally consists of chopped fruits, spices, a bit of vinegar and some sugar. It goes perfectly as a spread with cheese and crackers in my opinion, and I think once you try it you’ll totally agree.
This pear/cranberry/bourbon combo is one of my favorite combos for a fall chutney. The dried cranberries add a nice tart flavor to offset the sweetness of the pears, while the addition of the warm, rich bourbon gives the chutney a depth of flavor I think you’ll really enjoy. I’ve added some chopped shallots, garlic, mustard seed, red pepper flakes for spice, cardamon and a cinnamon stick which round out the flavor of this chutney perfectly! Enjoy!
Just so you’re totally organized, print out the recipe for the chutney below, and create a little folder marked “Epic Fall Cheese Board” so you’ll have everything in one place when you need it. You’ll thank me later!
- 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup shallot finely chopped
- kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 clove garlic finely minced
- 2 1/2 cups firm ripe Bartlett pears, peeled , cored and chopped into 1/4 inch cubes
- 1/3 cup brown sugar firmly packed
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. bourbon
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp. mustard seed
- 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp. cardamon
- 1 2- inch cinnamon stick
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In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallot and 1/4 tsp. kosher salt and 1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Add minced garlic and continue to cook for one minute. Stir in the pears, brown sugar, vinegar, bourbon, cranberries, lemon juice, mustard seed, red pepper flakes, cardamon and cinnamon stick. Simmer, uncovered until the pear is tender and the mixture thickens, about 45 minutes, stirring often. Remove the cinnamon stick and remove from the heat and let cool. Store in glass jar in refrigerator. Before adding to cheeseboard, remove from refrigerator and let come to room temperature.
This looks so good Mary Anne. I think a delicious chutney makes a cheese tray! I’m tucking this one away for our next get together!
I think so too Chris! I’ve always been a cheese board girl! My father taught me well. He loved his cheese and crackers. Chutney is so easy and the different fruit options are endless.
With you all the way ! Thank you !
I hope you give it a go! It’s sooo good! Perfect addition to the board!
Your chutney looks wonderful and the flavors must be divine. I could see myself eating it with some chicken .
Yes! Perfect with some chicken or pork Gerlinde!
I love a good cheese/charcuterie board, especially on the weekend. As a matter of fact, hubby just said last night that perhaps we will have one this weekend :) This chutney would be such a delicious addition, Mary Ann! Pinned! And how perfect for gifting during the (soon) holidays! I can’t believe how fast the time is flying, either! Cheers to a wonderful weekend :) XO
It would absolutely be perfect for gifting Dawn! I LOVE cheese boards, and I’m so excited to share everything over the next few weeks! Thanks for pinning dear friend!
This is such an interesting chutney!! It’s spiced, there is salt and sweet,and the tanginess from the lemon! It’s so perfect Mary Ann! I am sure it will taste amazing with the crackers..And great on a toast too! Loved it!
I really hope you give it a go Deepika! It’s such a winner for a cheese board!
I love this idea, MaryAnn! It’s brilliant! As is the chutney! Of course you have me craving everything I see on that board, right now! I look forward to watching the ultimate reveal! Pinned!
My husband was thinking I was a little weird getting so excited over sharing a cheese board! Lol! I loved planning out the recipes and putting it all together! It was such fun!
This is just the perfect chutney for a Fall cheese board! Can’t wait to see the rest of your cheese board goodies :)
It’s going to be good Jennifer! I loved to include some homemade things on mine. I hope everyone enjoys the grand finale in a few weeks!
Cheese boards rock my world, Mare! But, like you said, WHO doesn’t love a good cheese board?!? I can’t wait to see all your offerings, and if this chutney is any indication of what’s to come, the final cheese board is going to be nothing short of STELLAR! This chutney looks AMAZING! But, you probably knew you had me at bourbon!! ;) Pinned! Cheers, dear! xo
I knew I’d have you and perhaps Traci at Vanilla and Bean at bourbon! Stay tuned for the cocktail! Cheese boards have always been my favorite to serve at parties! Always a hit! Haappy weekend!
I’m sure the chutney is excellent with the cheese. It would also be nice to serve alongside a holiday ham.
Yes! Perfect with a holiday ham Karen!
What a great idea! I can’t wait to get all the recipes for the perfect cheeseboard. And I know they will come in handy for all the upcoming holiday celebrations!
Thanks Karen! I had so much fun putting this together! It’s always so popular with all my guests, I needed to share!
What an awesome addition to the cheese board, that looks amazing!
It’s so tasty Matt! A mix of sweet and spicy. So good!
I love chutney! I would put this on all the things this season!! :)
Woohoo! So glad you like it Leigh Ann! It’s perfect for all kinds of things.
There is very little I enjoy more than a good cheese board. I can’t wait to see yours! If this chutney is any indication, epic might not be a strong enough word. YUMMMMM!
Thanks Kelsie! I know, right?! Who doesn’t LOVE a good cheese board?!
I love a good chutney! This look amazing Mary Anne!
Me too Lindsay! Thanks!
Love the sound of this! Perfect for easy entertaining.
It’s a nice way to spice up the cheese board Natasha!
I love chutney, Mary Ann – and this flavor combo looks so delicious. My dad always made chutney and when I was a kid I would have nothing to do with it but once my taste matured – and I grew up – I just loved it. It goes great in a grilled cheese sandwich too or any sandwich for that matter! Definitely want to try this!
It’s funny how our tastes change. It’s one of my favorite things on the cheese board. What a great idea to put on a grilled cheese! I’ll give that a try. Thanks!
Oh man, this with a cheese board sound like perfection is so many ways. Totally making this as a holiday appetizer!
Thanks Tieghan! You’d love this chutney! So easy and a great sweet and spicy combo!
Oh my, i am sooo looking forwarx to this cheeseboard journey! This chutney is so creative. Love it.
Yay! Glad you’re in Cindy!
Oh my goodness, yes to the bourbon and YES to the fall cheese board! Hooray! We’ll be having thanksgiving early evening, so I’m going to need some good snacks on hand! I looove your capture of that pear… so beautiful, Mary Ann!
I LOVE cheese boards Traci, and so do all my guests! There’s always something for everyone. I really hope you give the chutney a try. It’s so delicious! Thanks so much!
I always gravitate towards the cheese board at a party! My husband will LOVE this recipe – he is a huge chutney lover! I can’t wait to see what else you’ve got coming!
Hope you make it for him Katherine! I bet he’d love it!
Ohh, this sounds heavenly. I can see why those flavors fit perfectly with a holiday cheese board. Can’t wait to see the rest! xo
It’s such a fall favorite on my cheese board Tessa!
I can’t believe November is almost here and Thanksgiving just around the corner. This chutney looks perfect for all the upcoming get-togethers. Love all the flavors!
Time is flying Kathy! I hope you give it a try Kathy! The flavors are so delicious!
This looks delicious and a great addition to my holiday cheese board! How long will it keep? Can it be canned or frozen for Christmas gifts? Thank you!
Hi Wendy. The chutney will keep in jars in the refrigerator for two weeks. Perfect for Christmas gifts!