Christmas Charcuterie Board

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Easy Christmas charcuterie board made with cured meats, cheeses, nuts, jam, crackers, and seasonal ingredients. It's the perfect sweet-and-savory snack or appetizer for every holiday gathering.

Why you'll love the Christmas charcuterie board

1. Fun and festive for any holiday gathering
2. No cooking and no charcuterie experience needed
3. Versatile and accommodating for many diets

If you need a festive snack board for your holiday party, you'll love the Christmas charcuterie board! It's casual yet elegant, perfect for family gatherings, friend celebrations, or office parties.

Christmas charcuterie requires no experience and no cooking. This holiday-themed snack board is as simple as arranging a series of delicious ingredients on a surface and watching it get devoured.

This holiday charcuterie board is an indulgent feast of delicious treats, but you'll love that, with endless combinations, it accommodates multiple diets. It's a Christmas miracle, but it's not for Christmas only. This board is the perfect centerpiece for any winter holiday event.

Christmas charcuterie ingredients

My Christmas charcuterie version is a classic charcuterie board with added seasonal, holiday-themed ingredients.

The classic ingredients on this board include salami, prosciutto, white cheddar, brie cheese, red grapes, apples, bagel chips, crackers, candied walnuts, and almonds.

The holiday-themed ingredients for this board include sugared cranberries, pomegranate seeds, marinated mozzarella balls, dried figs, and rosemary clippings.

How to make a Christmas charcuterie board

Here's my step-by-step method to build a simple Christmas charcuterie board. If you're feeling creative, you can form items into holiday shapes, such as a wreath or Christmas tree.

Step 1. Pick the board - Use any flat surface as a charcuterie board base. A simple wood cutting board, marble slab, plate, baking sheet, or pizza pan will work. You can cover practically any flat surface with parchment paper.

Step 2. Cheeses first - I always start charcuterie platters with cheese because it tends to be the highest volume item on the board. So, it's easier to work smaller items around cheese than the other way around. Cut or slice cheeses into the desired shapes and add to the board. Use bowls for fresh mozzarella or burrata.

Step 3. Cured meats and bowls - Any classic charcuterie board calls for scrumptious, salty cured meats, so my tradition is the salami rose and ribbon-folded prosciutto. They're compact and present so nicely. I recommend keeping some on hand as backstock to replenish the board.

Since this is a Christmas charcuterie board, sugared cranberries are in order and addictive! I'll add the fresh fruit component later, but since these are in a bowl, it's good to claim the space sooner.

Step 4. Crackers, bread, and spread - I recommend a mix of bread and crackers for charcuterie boards for texture and variety. Crackers and bagel chips are great because they fit nicely on a compact board. French Bread, crostini, and homemade focaccia are classic board items, and this delicious cranberry walnut bread will be devoured in no time.

I used fig jam for these Christmas board photos, which pairs well with everything. But, my goodness, pomegranate cranberry relish takes salami and cheese to a new level of deliciousness!

Step 5. Fresh fruit - I mentioned above how I placed the sugared cranberries on the board early in the assembly. So, now it's time for sliced, crisp apples and juicy grapes. I recommend dipping the apples in lemon juice to prevent browning. I also suggest serving grapes in smaller clusters because they're easier for guests to pick up and eat.

Step 6. Nuts and dried fruit - The finishing touches of your Christmas board can include any combination of nuts and dried fruit. These items add so much texture and flavor to your board. Since they're small, I recommend adding them last to fill the remaining empty spaces on the board. You can always replenish them as needed.

Step 7. Christmas-themed garnish - Next to sugared cranberries, pomegranate arils, and fresh rosemary clippings are perfect for garnishing Christmas charcuterie. The combination is simple and subtle for an elegant holiday touch.

Variations

I always say there are no rules when making a snack board, and you're welcome to use any ingredients you like. However, I recommend selecting ingredients that offer a full range of savory, salty, and sweet flavors and crispy, creamy, and crunchy textures.

If you want more seasonal dessert items on your Christmas board, consider making Peppermint rice Krispie treats or peppermint white chocolate pretzels.

Chocolate ganache is always a good choice for a sweet spread. Chocolate covered nuts or a dark chocolate candy bar will disappear too!

Christmas board tips

A charcuterie board isn't exactly a recipe, but the recipe card below includes amounts to give you a point of reference to build your platter. Mix, match, and substitute ingredients to your heart's content. No matter what, I recommend the following tips.

• Rest the cheeses at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to bring out their accurate flavor profile.
• Plan to replenish the board a few times during your event. This helps keep the presentation fresh for a longer period.
• You can assemble and refrigerate charcuterie a day in advance. I recommend covering it with plastic wrap to prevent air exposure. Plan to add crackers or bread right before serving.
• If you're a charcuterie beginner, I have several tips for making a simple charcuterie board that applies to any board.

I'd love to answer your questions in the comments section below. Or tag me on Instagram with your charcuterie tray creations. xo Traci

📖 Recipe