Simple Christmas Charcuterie Board

This festive Christmas Charcuterie Board is the perfect simple appetizer for the holidays. Use all your favourite cheeses, meats, preserves and crackers for an impressive yet easy appetizer.

Charcuterie boards and Cheese boards are ALWAYS a hit over the holidays. They’re quick to put together and can feed a crowd with very little fuss from the host/hostess. I love packing a Christmas charcuterie board in a wreath-shape or Christmas Tree shape to amp up the festive vibes but you can easily serve the cheeses, meats and other goodies on a board/platter or as a grazing table at your holiday parties.

What to put on a Christmas charcuterie board

• Charcuterie. Charcuterie is a French word and includes a variety of prepared/cured meats from hams, bacon, pâtés, sausages, etc. I like to include 2-3 types of charcuterie on a Christmas charcuterie board. Salami is always a crowd-favorite as is Prosciutto/Parma Ham. Coppa, Jamon, Gypsy Ham, Black Forest Ham, etc. are all good options.
• Cheese. A good rule of thumb is to use one firm/hard cheese, one soft cheese, a blue cheese and one interesting cheese. I used Gruyere, Camembert/brie, Manchego and Gorgonzola on this board but you can have a look at my Cheese Board post for a full guide on cheese that can be included.
• Crackers/bread. I used simple salted crackers/saltines but any of your favorite crackers, breadsticks, slices of baguettes, etc. can be served.
• Preserves/pickles. I used Castelvetrano olives, Cherry preserves and cornichons. This is a great way to include festive flavors like cranberry, orange, figs and spices. Fig jam, Orange marmalade and cranberry preserves will all be delicious.
• Fresh fruit: Green grapes and cherries are not only delicious but they add some festive coloring to your board. Fresh figs, pomegranate seeds, oranges and other winter fruits will all be delicious.
• Other: Nuts like almonds (candied pecans would be great) and fresh herbs like rosemary or sage add visual interest and texture to the charcuterie board.

How to decorate a charcuterie board

Start by using your largest platter or serving board. As a guide, place rosemary sprigs in a wreath-shape. Cut/slice the hard cheese into slices or cubes (or use a star/christmas tree cookie cutter to make fun festive shapes) then place in a few different spots on your rosemary wreath. Next, fold or roll the meats and add to the board. More is more here, to make your board look abundant, add the different elements in large clusters instead of spreading them out. Next add the crackers, preserves or pickles. Small bowls are good to keep these contained. Finally, finish with fresh fruit, nuts and more fresh rosemary or sage to complete the festive wreath. Add cheese knives, spoons for the preserves and appropriate serve ware for the pickles/olives then serve.

Can you make it ahead of time?

The Christmas charcuterie board can be assembled up to an hour in advance, loosely covered and kept at room temperature. If you want to prepare the day ahead, slice the cheese then transfer to airtight containers and keep in the fridge overnight. Similarly, the meats can be folded/rolled ahead of time.

The Christmas charcuterie wreath can be assembled up to an hour in advance, loosely covered and kept at room temperature. If you want to prepare the day ahead, slice the cheese then transfer to airtight containers and keep in the fridge overnight. Similarly, the meats can be folded/rolled ahead of time.

Ingredients

• 300 g (10oz) salami
• 300 g (10 oz) Coppa
• 200 g (7oz) blue cheese Gorgonzola, Stilton, etc
• 100 g (3.5oz) Brie
• 100 g (3.5oz) Hard cheese Gruyere, Havarti, Parmesan, cheddar etc
• Green Grapes
• fresh cherries
• cornichons I used Cornichons but pickled onions will also work.
• 1 cup olives I used Castelvetrano olives
• preserves of your choice
• crackers of your choice
• 4 large bunches fresh rosemary

Instructions

• Place the rosemary in a wreath-shape on a large board or platter.
• Place the cheeses, meats, fruit and preserves onto the rosemary.
• Pile each ingredient together to create a more visually appealing end result. Place fruit in between for color and texture.
• Add serving knives or spoons and serve immediately.
• *Note: Feel free to add nuts like cashews, almonds or candied pecans to fill the spaces in the Christmas cheese board. You could also add festive touches like mini candy canes, chocolate or Christmas candies. Veggies like carrot sticks, sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, etc. can also be added.