How to Make an Easy Christmas Charcuterie Board

I have joined 5 blogger friends and we’re kicking off the Christmas season with 5 Days of Holiday Inspiration. Today is Day 1, and all about recipes for the holidays. I can’t wait to share how to make an easy Christmas charcuterie board with you!

We have some great recipes for you today and so many other fun things we’ll be sharing this week.

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Last year, I created a festive Christmas charcuterie board shaped like a tree. It’s so easy and fun for the holiday season.

I took it to a holiday party, and it was definitely a favorite, so I thought it would be fun to create one this year to share with you.

This tree shape charcuterie board is the perfect holiday appetizer, and the best part is you can make it hours before your party.

The great thing is there are so many different options for things to use on your charcuterie board.

For example, on last year’s board I made my favorite cheese ball recipe into mini cheese balls for one of the layers of my tree.

my latest Christmas tree charcuterie board

I basically used the same concept, but changed up a couple of the foods I used on this festive board.

First, I cut a handful of fresh rosemary stems from my garden. If you don’t have rosemary growing at your own house, you can usually find it in the produce section of the local grocery store.

Or perhaps a friend or neighbor might have some they would be willing to share.

I cut the sprigs of rosemary in different lengths, so they would be slightly longer as the tree got larger toward the bottom.

Starting at the top, I made an upside down V shape for the top layer of my tree.

Next, I added a layer of sliced cherry tomatoes, then another row of rosemary that was slightly longer than the previous layer.

Black olives was my next layer, followed by another layer of rosemary.

Mini fresh mozzarella balls, small pepperoni slices with the rosemary in between were the next 2 layers. And as before, I cut each layer of rosemary slightly longer.

The bottom layer was Monterrey Jack cheese cut into small squares, and finished off with a final layer of rosemary sprigs.

For the “trunk” of the Christmas tree I used two pieces of sliced cucumber layered on top of each other.

And the finishing touch was a star shape cut out of the Monterrey Jack cheese. I just used a star cookie cutter to make this.

It only took a few minutes to put together, once the tomatoes and cheese squares were cut.

I think it turned out super cute and is perfect for any holiday gatherings or a great addition to your Christmas Eve dinner.

The fun part is you can add anything you like to your Christmas charcuterie board, but it’s best to keep it finger foods and something that isn’t messy to eat right off the board.

food options for a Christmas charcuterie by color

Here are a few ideas for foods in Christmas colors….

green foods:

broccoli
pickles
green olives
cucumber
snap peas
bell pepper
green grapes
rosemary sprigs for garnish

red food items:

cherry tomatoes
sun dried tomatoes
red bell pepper
roasted red peppers
beets
pepperoni slices
salami slices
red grapes
radishes
strawberries
raspberries
cherries

white:

cauliflower
jicama
mini mozzarella balls
brie
any white cheeses
mini cheese balls
hummus
marshmallows
yogurt dipped pretzels, nuts or raisins
crackers

frequently asked questions:

What does charcuterie mean?

Charcuterie (shar-KOO-ta-ree) is a french term referring to the products of a fancy butcher.

What is a charcuterie board??

A charcuterie board is basically an appetizer that is most often served on a large wooden cutting board. It typically features a variety of meats and variety of cheeses.
You can also serve your charcuterie appetizer on a large rectangular platter.

What goes on a charcuterie board??

Some great options for a charcuterie board are an assortment of cured meats (ex: pepperoni, pruscuitto, salami, etc.), variety of soft cheeses and hard cheeses, nuts, olives, dried fruit, veggies, spreads/dips, crackers, and fresh fruits.

You can also add a few sweet treats like chocolate covered nuts, chocolate covered pretzels, marshmallows or small cookies.

Now, let’s take a look at what my friends are serving for a holiday recipe…..

Lynn at Living Large In a Small House

Signature cocktails are fun especially at this time of year so Lynn is sharing with you how to make the perfect holiday cocktail. She has 5 different cocktails to go along with 5 different types of holiday events.

Cindy at Reinvented Delaware

This easy shrimp bisque instant pot recipe is the perfect starter for a special occasion or for any night of the week. Ingredients can be kept on hand so this delicious soup can be made in just 30 minutes!

Diane at South House Designs

Treat your guests to a delicious, focaccia Christmas tree. It’s festive focaccia bread art that’s perfect for any casual gatherings. Grazing board, anyone?

Renae at Peacock Ridge Farm

The chill is in the air and that means it’s time to start thinking about delicious harvest salads for your Holiday Feasts! This festive salad recipe is easy to follow and perfect for a nutritious lunch or dinner. Plus, it’s hearty enough to keep you satisfied all day long. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a tasty meal!

I hope you enjoy all of our holiday recipes that are perfect for your holiday parties.

Be sure and stop back tomorrow to see our Christmas tablescape ideas. You don’t want to miss all of the inspiration!!

blessings,

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