Description
Create a festive and visually stunning Christmas Charcuterie Board perfect for holiday gatherings. This board features a delightful mix of cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, crunchy nuts, and decorative garnishes that deliver a variety of flavors and textures. Easy to assemble and sure to impress your guests, it serves as an elegant appetizer option for 8 to 10 people.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses
- 1 wheel of Brie or Camembert
- 1 block sharp Cheddar
- 1 wedge of Manchego or Gruyère
- Blue cheese or herbed goat cheese (optional)
Meats
- Salami slices
- Prosciutto
- Soppressata or chorizo
- Pâté or rillettes (optional)
Fruits & Veggies
- Red grapes
- Pomegranate seeds
- Kiwi slices or green apple slices
- Cherry tomatoes
- Sliced cucumber or baby carrots
Crunch & Extras
- Mixed nuts (candied pecans, pistachios, almonds)
- Green olives or cornichons
- Fig jam or honey
- Dried apricots or cranberries
- Breadsticks, crackers, crostini
Decorative Garnishes
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Star-cut cheese shapes (optional)
Instructions
- Start with structure: Place your cheeses first — spaced out strategically to anchor the board. Pre-slice the hard cheeses like Cheddar and Manchego for easy grabbing, and keep soft cheeses such as Brie whole with a cheese knife available for guests.
- Add meats: Fold prosciutto into delicate ribbons, roll salami slices, or shape meats like soppressata or chorizo into meat “roses.” Arrange these near the cheeses to create pairing options and add visual interest.
- Place bowls: Add small ramekins or bowls filled with fig jam or honey, green olives or cornichons, and mixed nuts to introduce height and visual breaks across the board.
- Fill in with fruits and veggies: Use colorful red and green fruits such as pomegranate seeds, red grapes, kiwi or green apple slices, cherry tomatoes, and vegetable slices like cucumber or baby carrots. Tuck these neatly around edges and in spaces.
- Add crunch: Scatter an assortment of crackers, breadsticks, mixed nuts, and dried fruits like apricots or cranberries. Allow some elements to spill slightly off the board, creating a natural, abundant look.
- Garnish last: Finish by adding fresh rosemary sprigs to mimic pine needles and optional star-cut cheese shapes for a festive holiday touch that elevates the presentation.
Notes
- Use a large wooden or slate board to provide ample space for arranging ingredients.
- Allow cheeses to come to room temperature before serving for optimal flavor and texture.
- Customize the board with your preferred seasonings or additional festive garnishes like cranberries or edible flowers.
- For food safety, keep perishable items refrigerated until shortly before serving.
- Provide cheese knives and small forks for easy serving.
