Learn how to make my easy Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board, a festive and delicious appetizer on a board shaped like a Christmas tree. It’s perfect for celebrating with family and friends this holiday season!
The holidays are a time for celebrating, and what better way to do that than with an easy-to-make Christmas charcuterie board? It’s the perfect appetizer for your holiday parties, and it’s sure to impress your guests.
Of course, you can use this same easy recipe on differently shaped boards for game day parties, backyard barbecues, potlucks, and special occasions. How about a heart-shaped board for Valentine’s Day or a board shaped like a football for a game-day party?
A large wooden cutting board also provides a blank canvas and works perfectly! You get the idea!
In addition to being an amazing party appetizer, this festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board could serve as a stunning holiday table centerpiece at a Christmas party.
This gorgeous charcuterie board would be wonderful served on Christmas Eve. It also would be a great addition to any holiday gathering paired with dips like this Green Onion Dip or with finger foods such as my Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, Cranberry Brie Bites, Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites, and Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip.
Jump to:
- Reasons you will love this recipe:
- What is a charcuterie board?
- Ingredient notes and optional add-ins:
- How to make a Christmas tree charcuterie board (step-by-step instructions).
- Recipe variations:
- Equipment needed:
- Make ahead tips and storage tips for leftovers:
- Top tip:
- Recipe FAQs:
- Expert tips and tricks:
- More Christmas appetizers:
- 📋 Recipe:
Reasons you will love this recipe:
- The Christmas tree shape is a fun way to present a charcuterie board. It adds a perfect festive touch to family gatherings and Christmas parties.
- This recipe post provides simple and easy-to-follow instructions for assembling a board. Even if you are a beginner, you can create a beautiful and delicious board that your guests will love.
- You can customize this holiday charcuterie board to include your favorite meats, delicious cheeses, fruits, and nuts.This makes it a great option for people with different dietary restrictions or preferences.
- This festive Christmas tree charcuterie board is a great appetizer for any occasion, from holiday parties to casual gatherings.
What is a charcuterie board?
A modern version of old-fashioned relish trays, often served on cut-glass dishes, featuring pickles, olives, and fresh or marinated vegetables, charcuterie boards (pronounced shahr-koo-tuh–ree) often feature cured meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts.
The ingredients on charcuterie boards are generally arranged attractively on a beautiful board. They can be served as an appetizer or snack but can also be served as a main meal.
Ingredient notes and optional add-ins:
- Mini mozzarella balls, large mozzarella balls, Colby Jack, and pepper jack cheese – are shown here, but you can substitute any cheese you like.
- Salami, coppa, and sorpressa – are featured on this board, or prosciutto, chorizo, pancetta, and other cured meats can be substituted.
- Grape tomatoes – are used on this board because of their red color, but green grapes, red grapes, carrots, sliced pears, and apples are good choices.
- Raspberries – are featured here because of the Christmas theme, but you could also use berries such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, pomegranate seeds, or fresh fruit or dried berries.
- Green olives stuffed with pimentos – add festive red and green colors, but pickles, black olives, and cornichons can be substituted.
- Almonds – add a nice texture and crunch, and mimic a Christmas tree truck, but pecans, pistachios, cashews, and other nuts would also work.
- Fresh rosemary – ties it all together with its beautiful fresh green color; the rosemary sprigs make it look like Christmas tree greenery!
- Optional add-ons: choose a variety of crackers (or toasted baguette slices of different shapes, sizes, and flavors. Sweet spreads such as Blackberry jam, jellies, dips in small bowls, savory spreads such as pimento cheese or my blue cheese spread, and my Jezabel sauce would also be great additions.
You will also need a supply of toothpicks.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
How to make a Christmas tree charcuterie board (step-by-step instructions).
- Make or purchase a wooden board in a tree shape. Ensure your board is clean and food-safe. Cover it with plastic wrap or parchment paper if you have any doubts.
- Take your sliced meats, fold them in half, and fold them again. Insert a toothpick into the bottom point. Continue adding the folded meat to the toothpick. Repeat with all of the meat.
- Remove the mozzarella from the packages and dry with a paper towel. Set aside. Cut the Colby jack and pepper jack cheeses into one-half-inch cubes. Set aside.
- Wash your fruit and vegetables and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Prepare your board or platter, and add the meats in three rows as pictured.
- Add the cheeses as shown.
- Add the fruits and vegetables, and finish with the nuts for the tree trunk.
- Tuck in sprigs of rosemary in empty spaces, and add optional crackers, sauces, and spreads. Be sure to provide serving utensils, plates, etc. Prepare for the compliments.
Recipe variations:
This perfect holiday appetizer recipe is really more of a guide than an actual recipe. The amounts you need will vary depending on the size of your board. If you don’t have a board or platter shaped like a Christmas tree, arrange your meats, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables in the shape of a Christmas tree.
I have also included a full list of substitutions in the list of ingredients above. However, make this dish your own and let your personality shine.
For example, how about substituting a row of my Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls for a row of mozzarella balls? Or you could substitute my Candied Pecans or Roasted Pecans for the almonds.
Equipment needed:
This dish was made using a wooden board cut into the shape of a Christmas tree. The board is approximately 13 inches high and 9 inches wide at the widest point. As an appetizer, this dish will easily serve four to six folks.
If you have a board cut, you can make it larger or smaller depending on how many people you plan to serve. You may also be able to find boards in the shape of a Christmas tree at Hobby Lobby or order them from Amazon. And if you have a piece of plywood and a jigsaw, you can make any shape you want.
A regular wooden cutting board or a large platter can work, too. Just arrange the ingredients in the shape of a Christmas tree.
Make ahead tips and storage tips for leftovers:
I recommend making this dish on the day you plan to serve it for the best results. However, you can add the meat and cheese to the board, cover them with plastic, and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before serving.
You can store leftovers in the fridge tightly wrapped in plastic wrap for up to three days. Do not put crackers or bread in the fridge; they are better stored in a plastic bag and stored at room temperature on the counter. Leftovers can also be stored separately in plastic storage bags in the fridge.
Top tip:
When assembling a charcuterie board, it is important to choose a variety of items so that there is something for everyone to enjoy. It is also important to arrange the items attractively. A good rule of thumb is to group similar items and use contrasting colors to create a visually appealing display.
Recipe FAQs:
You can use any board for a charcuterie board, but a wooden cutting board is a classic choice. Other options include marble slabs, slate tiles, and even pizza stones. Just make sure the board is large enough to accommodate all the food you want to include.
The amount of food you need on your charcuterie board will depend on how many people you are serving and whether you are serving other appetizers or food.
A good rule of thumb is to plan on about a half pound of meat and cheese per person. You should also include a variety of other foods, such as fruits, nuts, crackers, and spreads.
Charcuterie boards can be paired with various drinks at holiday gatherings, such as red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. White wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are also good options.
Craft beers are a good choice, and Manhattans and Old Fashioneds would be good cocktail pairings.
Expert tips and tricks:
To make crowd-pleasing charcuterie boards:
- Choose simple ingredients that your guests will enjoy.
- Choose a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts.
- Arrange the items in an attractive way, grouping similar items together and using contrasting colors.
- Include a variety of spreads and dips, such as mustards, hummus, and tapenade.
- Serve with crackers or bread.
- Add some seasonally appropriate fresh herbs or flowers for garnish.
More Christmas appetizers:
⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ If you make this dish, please leave a comment and give this recipe a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!
Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones; I hope you come back soon!
📋 Recipe:
Easy Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe (How to Make)
Equipment
- Large wooden board, see notes
- toothpicks
Ingredients
- 8 ounces small mozzarella balls
- 8 ounces large mozzarella balls
- 8 ounces Colby Jack cheese cubes
- 8 ounces Pepper Jack cheese cubes
- 12 ounces assorted sliced cured meats, salami, coppa, sopressa
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 pint grape tomatoes
- 1 cup green olives stuffed with pimentos
- ½ cup almonds
- rosemary sprigs, for garnish
Instructions
- Make or purchase a wooden board in a tree shape. Ensure your board is clean and food-safe. Cover it with plastic wrap or parchment paper if you have any doubts.
- Take your sliced meats, fold them in half, and fold them again. Insert a toothpick into the bottom point. Continue adding the folded meat to the toothpick. Repeat with all of the meat.
- Remove the mozzarella from the packages and dry with a paper towel. Set aside. Cut the Colby jack and pepper jack cheeses into one-half-inch cubes. Set aside.
- Wash your fruit and vegetables and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Prepare your board or platter, and add the meats in three rows as pictured.
- Add the cheeses as shown.
- Add the berries, olives, and tomatoes, and finish with the nuts for the tree trunk.
- Tuck in rosemary sprigs in empty spaces, and add optional crackers, sauces, and spreads. Be sure to provide serving utensils, plates, etc. Prepare for the compliments.
Notes
- Choose simple ingredients that your guests will enjoy.
- Choose a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts.
- Arrange the items attractively, grouping similar items and using contrasting colors.
- Include a variety of spreads and dips, such as mustards, hummus, and tapenade.
- Serve with crackers or bread.
- Add some seasonally appropriate fresh herbs or flowers for garnish.
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