My Christmas charcuterie board is full of bright, fresh ingredients to snack on that scream the holidays.
Salami roses, fresh fruit, rich brie, goat cheese, and smoked gouda are perfect for grazing as you enjoy time with loved ones.
This Christmas grazing board will wow friends and family!
It is easy to assemble and offers a gorgeous presentation value. Let your guests pick and choose all their favorites to snack on as you create memories together.
Christmas Charcuterie Board
Also, here is an excellent post about creating a Christmas dinner on a budget.
I know money is tighter in many homes this year, and that post is a great way to maximize your spending.
You might also enjoy these Christmas meringue cookies, a confectioner’s delight.
These hot chocolate spoons are fantastic for a hot chocolate and movie night.
For a savory option, try this pull-apart Christmas tree rolls recipe.
Ingredients Needed
- Olives
- Toasted Almonds
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Prosciutto
- Salami
- Crackers
- Salami Nuggets
- Honey Goat Cheese
- Smoked Gouda
- Brie
- Pepperoni
- Mini Cucumbers
- Dried Fruit
- Nuts
- Strawberry Jam
- Cranberries
- Rosemary Sprigs
How to Make a Charcuterie Board for the Holidays
Full directions and measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
This is a quick walkthrough of how it is made.
Step 1: Start by slicing up the cheese as directed, and wash and prep the fruit and cucumbers.
Step 2: Add jam to the cheese wheels. This will add a nice, sweet note to the savory.
Step 3: Grab a shot glass and fold your salami over the rip, overlapping the salami.
Do this with 8-10 slices of salami. When you remove it, it will create a flower.
Step 4: To add design to the cucumbers, you will cut zigzag lines with a pairing knife.
Step 5: Frame the board with cheese, and then add crackers, nuts, olives, and dried fruit.
Step 6: Then you will work on adding your fruit and vegetables around and finalize with the meats.
Step 7: Garnish with rosemary and other final touches, and serve.
How far in advance can I prepare a charcuterie board?
You can prepare your board a few hours up to 5-6 hours ahead of time. You will find that you don’t want it assembled too far in advance as the texture of items will alter a bit.
How many different meats should I include?
I recommend using at least 2-3 types of meats for your board. I prefer 3, but you can always do less if necessary.
How do I keep the cheese from drying out?
If you have cheese you are worried will dry out before you go to serve, simply cover it in plastic wrap. Then, place another layer of plastic wrap over the whole board. That way, the cheese has extra protection, which can help.
Christmas Charcuterie Board Ideas
Reach for items that are all different. You want a handful of cheese, meats, vegetables, fruit, etc. The variety will help give the charcuterie a fantastic presentation value.
Make sure that no two items touch. You want one group of food not to be touched by another grouping of the same thing. This helps give your board a cleaner look.
Aim to have a variety of sweet, crunchy, crisp, and soft items, creating tons of dimension.
Adding spreads or even dips is a great way to elevate your board. Small bowls can accompany the items. Place them on the board itself or around the board.
Play with colors and try to have similar colors on different board areas as they blend in.
More Christmas Appetizer Recipes
If you liked this Christmas appetizer recipe, you’ll love these ones too:
- Christmas Tree Pull Apart Cheese Bread – Using premade dough and a lot of cheese, there’s no doubt that everyone will be pulling off another piece and gobbling it down!
- Three Cheese Dip – Three Cheese Dip is SO simple to make and really goes a long way too.
- Bacon Ranch Cheesy Stuffed Peppers – These Bacon Ranch Cheesy Stuffed Peppers are a quick and easy appetizer that you can make in about ten minutes.
- Crab Rangoon – Not only do they taste amazing, but they’re actually kind of fun to make, too! Stop ordering takeout and instead, make your own with this simple recipe.
- Ham & Cheese Pinwheels – If you’re looking for a quick lunch, finger food snack or easy appetizer recipe, you’re going to love this Pinwheel Sandwich that uses ranch, ham and cheese.
Christmas Charcuterie
Ingredients
- 3.5 oz olives
- 1/2 cup toasted almonds
- 6 strawberries
- 1/2 cup raspberries
- 3 oz prosciutto
- 15 slices thin salami for roses more or less as desired. Less salami makes a smaller rose, and more makes a larger one.
- 40 crackers harvest wheat, classic buttercrisp, and rosemary and olive oil crackers
- 3 oz spicy salami nuggets
- 4 oz Honey goat cheese
- 8 oz Smoked Gouda
- 8 oz Brie
- 2 oz pepperoni
- 3-4 mini cucumber
Garnish
- Whole fresh cranberries
- Strawberry jam
- Fresh sprigs of rosemary
Instructions
- You will want to prepare the cheese and or fruit/vegetables for the board.
- We sliced the top of the Gouda wheel about 1/4” thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut the tree out of the center of the slice. Add a dollop of jam to the cheese wheel then replace the top slice back on.
- Slice the cheddar into right triangles long ways.
- Using a shot glass, fold slices of salami over the rim and overlapping the previous slice halfway. Once you’ve added about 8-10 slices, flip it over and pull off the shot glass to expose the flower.
- Cut zigzag lines into the cucumber just using the tip of a pairing knife.
- Cut the strawberries in half.
- Start by framing the board with the cheeses.
- Add the crackers and cups of nuts, olives, and dried fruit.
- Star adding the other fruits and vegetables.
- Finally add the meats.
- Look I’ve the board and make sure nothing of the same type is touching if possible.
- Add the garish in and serve!
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is automatically calculated with ingredients and serving size and may not be accurate. Please always double check with your own nutritional apps as well.
