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A festive holiday appetizer that steals the show!
If there is one appetizer that guarantees oohs and ahhs at a holiday party, it is a Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board. This edible centerpiece layers cheeses, salami roses, olives, grapes, and fresh herbs into a charming holiday tree that tastes as magical as it looks.
Whether you are hosting a cozy dinner, a Christmas Eve gathering, or a holiday potluck, this is the showstopper that gets everyone talking. And the best part? It is surprisingly easy to assemble, especially with my step by step photos to guide you. If you made my Burrata Board, then you can make this holiday appetizer.
Table of Contents
- ❤️ Why You Will Love This Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
- 🔍 Recipe at a Glance
- ⭐ Why This Recipe Works
- 🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
- 👩🍳 How to Make a Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
- 🛠 Equipment
- 💡 Pro Tips
- 🎨 Variations
- 🍽 Serving Suggestions
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 🥂 More Recipes You Will Love
- 💭 Final Thoughts
- Recipe
- Reviews
❤️ Why You Will Love This Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
- Stunning holiday centerpiece that doubles as an appetizer
- Easy to assemble and beginner friendly
- No cooking required
- Make ahead up to 4 hours
- Customizable with different meats, cheeses, and fruit
- Party friendly and kid approved
🔍 Recipe at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| 🔪 Prep Time: | 20 minutes |
| ⏲️ Total Time: | 20 minutes |
| 🍽️ Servings: | 8 to 10 |
| 🍽️ Make Ahead: | Yes, up to 4 hours |
| ⚡Best For: | Christmas parties, holiday dinners, winter gatherings |
| 🌟Skill Level: | Easy |
⭐ Why This Recipe Works
- Strategic layering creates a perfect Christmas tree shape
- Folding and rolling meats adds height and texture
- Patting ingredients dry keeps the board crisp and fresh
- Fresh herbs mimic pine branches for a festive look
- Step by step visual guidance makes the layout foolproof
I have made my fair share of charcuterie boards over the years, and presentation is everything. A few simple tricks and a thoughtful layout turn everyday ingredients into a wreath worthy centerpiece.
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
Meats
- Salami slices
- Pepperoni slices or turkey pepperoni
Cheeses
- Cheese Cubes: Cheddar, Colby Jack
Pro Tip: Vary your cheese types for flavor and visual interest. Cheddar, brie, gouda, or havarti all work beautifully. Try swapping in gouda, pepper jack, Swiss, or mozzarella cubes. - Mozzarella pearls or mini bocconcini
Produce
- Green grapes
- Purple grapes
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber slices
- Fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs (tree greenery and garnish)
Pantry & Extras
- Pitted olives
- Crackers
- Mini pretzels
- Pickles
- Almonds or pistachios (optional)
- Honey or fig jam (optional for serving)
Garnish
- Star shaped cheddar slice for the tree topper (cut with mini cookie cutter)
👩🍳 How to Make a Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Step 1: Prep ingredients
Slice cheese, fold or roll salami and pepperoni for height and texture, wash and dry grapes and tomatoes, and cut a star from a slice of cheddar.
Tip: Pat juicy ingredients dry to avoid moisture on the board.
Step 2: Outline your tree
Use rows of cucumbers or crackers to lightly outline a triangle tree shape on a large board.
Step 3: Fill in layers
Alternate ingredients by color and texture, working from bottom to top.
Example pattern:
- Crackers
- Cheddar cubes
- Grapes
- Salami roses or rolled salami
- Mozzarella pearls
- Cherry tomatoes
- Olives
Step 4: Add tree trunk and Bow
Place pretzels at the base for a trunk. Add the bow at the top.
Step 5: Garnish
Tuck fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs throughout the board for a holiday greenery effect.
Step 6: Serve
Refrigerate up to 4 hours or serve immediately.
🛠 Equipment
- Large (2′ x 3′) rectangular board
- Sharp knife
- Mini cookie cutter (Star shaped for cheese star)
- Small bowls (optional for olives or nuts)
💡 Pro Tips
- Fold salami for height and visual appeal
- Build from bottom to top for clean rows
- Pat wet ingredients dry
- Fill small gaps with herbs, nuts, or berries
- Add a drizzle of honey or fig jam on the side for cheese lovers
- Refrigerate assembled board up to 4 hours before serving
🎨 Variations
- Caprese Tree: Mozzarella pearls, tomatoes, basil, balsamic drizzle
- Mediterranean Tree: Olives, hummus, feta, cucumber, roasted peppers
- Kid Friendly Tree: Cheddar cubes, grapes, pretzels, turkey pepperoni
- Dessert Tree: Strawberries, marshmallows, chocolate, pretzels, brownie bites
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Pair with:
- Christmas Punch with Sherbet
- Sparkling cranberry punch
- Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
- Holiday Ham Sliders (with Swiss cheese)
- Creamy Baked Brie Red Pepper Jelly Bites
- Sausage & Cheese Kolaches (AKA Pigs in a blanket)
- Christmas Tree Brownies and Christmas Cookies for dessert
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes! Assemble up to 4 hours ahead, wrap, and refrigerate.
Pat ingredients dry and tuck herbs underneath for grip.
Cheddar, gouda, havarti, mozzarella pears, brie cubes.
Any large board works. Adjust ingredient amounts to fit.
🥂 More Recipes You Will Love
- Cranberry Fluff Salad
- Baked Bree Red Pepper Jelly Bites
- Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip
- Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs
- Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Be sure to check out more of Our Favorite Christmas Dinner Recipes!
💭 Final Thoughts
This Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board brings instant holiday cheer to your table. It is festive, delicious, and surprisingly easy to build. Tag me when you make it so I can see your beautiful board!
Which cheeses are you using first? Tell me in the comments.
Recipe
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Meats
- Salami slices
- Pepperoni slices or turkey pepperoni
Cheeses
- Cheese Cubes: Cheddar Colby Jack
- Mozzarella pearls or mini bocconcini
Produce
- Green grapes
- Purple grapes
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber slices
- Fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs tree greenery and garnish
Pantry & Extras
- Pitted olives
- Crackers
- Mini pretzels
- Pickles
- Almonds or pistachios optional
- Honey or fig jam optional for serving
Garnish
- Star shaped cheddar slice
Instructions
- Lay out a large rectangular or oval serving board vertically to create the base for your Christmas tree.
- Start forming the tree shape at the top with a small cluster of olives arranged in a triangle.
- Add a layer of grapes, then add cheese triangles underneath the grapes.
- Place a row of crackers below the cheese to add layers.
- Continue layering mini mozzarella balls, cucumbers, crackers, and salami slices, alternating textures and colors to form the tree shape.
- Overlap meats and cheeses slightly to create fullness and dimension.
- Use crackers or small breadsticks at the bottom for the tree trunk.
- Tuck fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs between layers to mimic evergreen branches and add a fragrant touch.
- Top with a star-shaped slice of cheese or ribbon for a festive finish.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Mona says
This Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board is absolutely stunning! It’s almost too pretty to eat — the colors, the layout, everything looks so festive and elegant. I can’t wait to make this for our Christmas party; it’s going to be the centerpiece of the table! Such a fun and creative way to serve appetizers during the holidays.