Holiday Charcuterie Board Idea

This holiday charcuterie board is a great appetizer you can serve at home, a party, or even as Christmas day food for everyone to snack on before the big meal. This easy-to-make Christmas snack idea is sure to impress.

Although we have family traditions we repeat each year, I am always on the lookout for a new and cool recipe I can serve or take to a party. You will love this make-ahead appetizer idea that looks like you spent way more time making it than it actually does.

RELATED READING: Make Yummy Gingerbread Cupcakes for a Holiday Dessert

How to Make a Holiday Charcuterie Board

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, we are all about streamlining any holiday errands we have on our to-do list. Between family dinners, school parties, and neighborhood potlucks, there is a lot of prep for the holidays.

It has been said that you feast with your eyes before you eat the food in front of you. Christmas charcuterie boards are absolutely a visual feast – this holiday wreath charcuterie board is jaw-dropping! With the selection of meats, cheese, and pomegranate arils for a pop of color, this French-based recipe is stunning.

No Time to Make This Now? Save or Share for Later

Are you in the gathering stages of getting your meats and cheeses together and aren’t ready to make this now? Save this to a favorite holiday appetizer pin board or share it on Facebook. Using the share buttons will make it easy when you are ready to begin.

And just in case the charcuterie board thing is “your thing,” be sure to follow Ruffles and Rain Boots because I’ll be sharing at least 4 new holiday charcuterie board ideas this season! I can’t wait to show you some really cute Disney-themed boards…

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DIY Charcuterie Board Tips and Tricks

1. A charcuterie board can be based on a round, square, or rectangular piece of wood or a stone or marble slab. Commonly, a kitchen cutting board is used, so don’t go out and buy something just for this.
2. Because it is considered an appetizer, your guests can eat straight from the holiday charcuterie board or use a small plate. I like to put small pinch bowls near the plates, too, for any dips.
3. The most common finger foods served on a charcuterie board are aged meats and cheeses, fruit and bread, and crackers. Always pair the offerings with something creamy (like a soft cheese or dip).
4. Cured meats people love are salami, pepperoni, pastrami, prosciutto, pancetta and bacon. Some of the most popular cheeses are aged cheddar, mozzarella, asiago, gruyere, Brie, and Romano.
5. Consider the number of people you are serving and select the board based on that. I’ve accidentally built HUGE boards because I forgot to keep that in mind.

Ingredients For a Holiday Wreath Charcuterie Board

To make this Christmas charcuterie board idea look like a wreath, I used a round cutting board. To make it appear more ‘wreath-like,’ I added the fresh herbs for greenery but you could also place the board in the center of a wreath on the table.

• Christmas tree cookie cutter
• a small round of Brie
• 4-6 varieties of cheese (cut into squares, folded, or served as a spread)
• 2-3 varieties of cured meats
• garnish
• pomegranate arils
• large bow

Each step for this easy Christmas food idea is detailed below so it’s easy to follow. Keep this page open while you are creating the holiday appetizer board. If you prefer to work from a printable recipe, scroll down and select the print button.

Step 1 Add salami and pepperoni. I folded my salami in half and pepperoni in quarters to fit the board.

Step 2 Use a cookie cutter on the Brie and carve the shape of a tree. Just press it in to get the outline and use a paring knife to cut out the rest.

If you have a clean cut and raise, put the cut out on the board in another area. You could also put it in a small pinch bowl or tuck it into the fridge for you to snack on later. ;)

Step 3 Add cheese in an “X” shape. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect and the wheels can fall over – we’re about to give them something to lean against.

Step 4 Add the folded meats and extras, filling in the holes. Tuck it in tightly so you can easily move the board to its final destination without anything coming undone.

Step 5 Add pomegranate arils to the center of the Brie, pushing them into the edges. Tuck garnish around the Brie to highlight it and around the edges.

Charcuterie Board Ideas

1. When designing a meat and cheese board, be sure to have a large variety of foods that are portable and crowd-friendly. Although this board may be intended as an appetizer, some can be built as the main course.
2. Remember to offer small forks or party picks (these are my favorite appetizer picks for the holidays). Small pinch bowls are perfect for foods like olives, pickles, or a small ball of mozzarella cheese.
3. When adding fruits, it is recommended you serve dried fruits like apricots or figs. You can also serve grapes, berries, apples (spritzed with lemon juice), and melons.
4. Spreads are also becoming a staple on modern charcuterie boards. An array of sweet and savory is best, like hummus, artichoke dip, fruit spreads, Nutella, and honey.

More Holiday Food Ideas You Might Like

• Dark Chocolate Peppermint Fudge Recipe – Add some sweet treats to go with your savory charcuterie board like this amazing Dark Chocolate Peppermint Fudge.
• Italian Meat Pinwheel Sandwiches – If you don’t have what it takes to make a meat and cheese board or tray, you can serve these delicious Italian Meat Pinwheel Sandwiches. They are sure to satisfy even the more ferocious appetite.
• Snowman Hot Cocoa Bombs Recipe – You don’t want to let your guests go dry, so serve them a mouthwatering drink of hot milk and these Snowman Cocoa Bombs.

Please Save or Share This Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board Idea

Your shares are this site grows and I sincerely appreciate it. Please save this holiday recipe to a holiday meal pin board or share it on Facebook.