This Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board is a joyful showpiece that feeds a crowd and sparks conversation. It looks fancy, but it is simple to build with everyday cheeses, turkey and beef deli meats, fresh fruit, and herbs. Set it out and watch everyone gather around for just-one-more bite.
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Equipment
- 1 Large wooden board or baking sheet lined with parchment
- 1 Parchment Paper
- 3 Small bowls for honey, mustard, and jams
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 Paring knife
- 1 Star-shaped cookie cutter (optional)
Ingredients
Cheeses
- 8 oz brie or camembert chilled for cleaner slices
- 8 oz aged cheddar cut into small cubes
- 6 oz gouda sliced into batons or triangles
- 6 oz pepper jack sliced
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls drained
Meats
- 6 oz turkey salami folded into halves or quarters
- 6 oz turkey pepperoni folded
- 6 oz smoked turkey thinly sliced
- 4 oz beef bresaola torn into ribbons
- 4 oz chicken mortadella folded
Crackers and breads
- 8 oz water crackers
- 8 oz multigrain crackers
- 1 baguette baguette sliced into crostini
- 4 oz mini toasts
Fresh fruit
- 2 cups red and green grapes kept in small clusters
- 1 pint strawberries hulled
- 3 kiwi peeled and sliced
- 1 apple thinly sliced and tossed with a little lemon juice
- 1 pear thinly sliced and tossed with a little lemon juice
- 0.5 cup pomegranate arils
Pickles and olives
- 1 cup olives Castelvetrano or kalamata, drained
- 0.5 cup cornichons drained
Nuts and extras
- 0.5 cup roasted almonds
- 0.5 cup roasted pistachios
- 0.5 cup candied pecans
- 0.5 cup dried apricots
- 0.5 cup dried figs or dates
Accents and dips
- 0.25 cup honey
- 0.25 cup whole grain mustard
- 0.33 cup fig jam
- 1 cup hummus
- 1 cup herb yogurt dip
Herbs for the tree shape
- 8 sprigs fresh rosemary for the outline
- 8 sprigs fresh thyme for greenery
Star topper
- 1 slice cheddar cut into a star
- 0.25 yellow bell pepper cut into a star (optional)
Tree trunk
- 6 pretzel rods
- 6 breadsticks (optional)
Instructions
Assembly
- Choose a large wooden board or a baking sheet covered with parchment. Chill soft cheeses so they slice cleanly. Rinse and dry fruit and herbs. Cut cheddar into small cubes and slice harder cheeses into batons or triangles.
- Arrange rosemary sprigs in a wide triangle to form a Christmas tree silhouette. Leave a little space at the bottom center for the trunk.
- Create horizontal bands from bottom to top. Alternate cheeses and meats for color and texture. Fold turkey salami and turkey pepperoni into halves or quarters to make pretty ruffles. Tuck in beef bresaola ribbons for contrast.
- Nestle clusters of grapes, strawberries, and kiwi slices between layers. Sprinkle pomegranate arils like ornaments. Place the cheddar or bell pepper star at the top.
- Slide pretzel rods or stacked crackers at the base for the trunk. Fill gaps with olives, nuts, and dried fruit so the tree looks full and inviting.
- Set small bowls of honey, mustard, and jam on the board or nearby. Add extra rosemary for fragrance. Serve crackers and breads along the sides so the tree stays intact.
Notes
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
- Festive centerpiece that doubles as an appetizer.
- Quick to assemble with flexible ingredients.
- Balanced flavors with sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy bites.
- Easy to scale for small gatherings or big parties.
- Make ahead friendly with simple last-minute finishing touches.
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cheeses: A mix of textures is best. Try brie or camembert, aged cheddar, gouda, pepper jack, and fresh mozzarella pearls. Swap in monterey jack, havarti, or a crumbly blue if you like.
- Meats: Use sliced turkey salami, turkey pepperoni, smoked turkey, beef bresaola, or chicken mortadella. These stack and fold nicely and bring savory richness.
- Crackers and breads: Water crackers, multigrain crackers, mini toasts, or sliced baguette crostini. Gluten-free crackers work well too.
- Fresh fruit: Red and green grapes, strawberries, pomegranate arils, kiwi slices, apple or pear wedges tossed with a little lemon to prevent browning.
- Pickles and olives: Castelvetrano or kalamata olives, cornichons, or your favorite briny bites.
- Nuts and extras: Roasted almonds or pistachios, candied pecans, dried apricots, figs, or dates.
- Accents and dips: Honey, whole grain mustard, fig jam, hummus, and a little herb yogurt dip.
- Herbs for the tree shape: Fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs for the outline and greenery effect.
- Star topper: Cut a star from a cheddar slice or a yellow bell pepper.
- Tree trunk: Pretzel rods, breadsticks, or a stack of crackers.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
1. Gather tools and prep
Choose a large wooden board or a baking sheet covered with parchment. Chill soft cheeses so they slice cleanly. Rinse and dry fruit and herbs. Cut cheddar into small cubes and slice harder cheeses into batons or triangles.
2. Outline the tree
Arrange rosemary sprigs in a wide triangle to form a Christmas tree silhouette. Leave a little space at the bottom center for the trunk.
3. Build the layers
Create horizontal bands from bottom to top. Alternate cheeses and meats for color and texture. Fold turkey salami and turkey pepperoni into halves or quarters to make pretty ruffles. Tuck in beef bresaola ribbons for contrast.
4. Add color and sparkle
Nestle clusters of grapes, strawberries, and kiwi slices between layers. Sprinkle pomegranate arils like ornaments. Place the cheddar or bell pepper star at the top.
5. Fill the edges and trunk
Slide pretzel rods or stacked crackers at the base for the trunk. Fill gaps with olives, nuts, and dried fruit so the tree looks full and inviting.
6. Finish and serve
Set small bowls of honey, mustard, and jam on the board or nearby. Add extra rosemary for fragrance. Serve crackers and breads along the sides so the tree stays intact.
Tips for Success
- Balance colors by alternating pale cheeses with deeper-toned meats and bright fruits.
- Use different cuts: cubes, slices, wedges, and ruffles make the board look abundant.
- Keep small items from rolling by placing them on a thin line of rosemary or next to olives.
- Serve soft cheeses slightly cool, not icy, for the best texture. Pull the board from the fridge 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
- If transporting, assemble most of the board, then add fruit and herbs when you arrive.
Variations of Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
- Kid-friendly: Mild cheddar, mozzarella, turkey salami, cucumber rounds, apple slices, and pretzels with honey and ranch dip.
- Mediterranean: Feta, manchego, hummus, roasted red peppers, marinated artichokes, cucumbers, and beef bresaola.
- Sweet-leaning: Brie with honey, chocolate squares, candied pecans, fresh berries, and dried apricots.
- Spice lovers: Pepper jack, harissa hummus, chili olives, and a light drizzle of hot honey.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
- Bubbly sparkling grape juice or citrusy spritzers.
- Spiced hot cider or herbal tea for a cozy touch.
- Warm crostini, seeded crackers, and breadsticks for scooping and stacking.
- Fresh veggie sticks with hummus to add crunch and balance.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Assemble up to 24 hours ahead. Keep meats and cheeses wrapped separately, and cover cut fruit to prevent drying.
- Hold at room temperature no longer than 2 hours. Refrigerate leftovers promptly in airtight containers.
- Crackers and breads should be stored in airtight bags at room temperature. Refresh crostini in a 325°F oven for 4 to 6 minutes if they soften.
- Before serving leftovers, arrange on a clean board and let sit 10 to 15 minutes so flavors bloom.
Memories Made Around the Table
Every year, we build this tree together while holiday music plays and the lights twinkle. Someone always sneaks the cheddar star before dinner, and that tiny tradition makes me smile every time.
FAQs
Can I make this board ahead? Yes. Prep cheeses, meats, and fruit, then assemble the tree up to 6 hours in advance. Add herbs and delicate items just before serving.
What cheeses hold up best on a board? Semi-firm cheeses like cheddar, gouda, and manchego keep their shape nicely. Add a creamy brie for variety and richness.
How do I keep fruit from browning? Toss apple and pear slices with a little lemon juice and pat dry before placing on the board.
What size board do I need? For 8 to 10 guests, use a board around 18 by 12 inches. For larger groups, build two smaller trees or one extra-large display.
Can I make it nut-free? Absolutely. Skip nuts and fill the spaces with extra olives, grapes, cucumber slices, or seeded crackers.
Final Thoughts
This cheerful Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board brings people together with simple ingredients and a playful presentation. Keep it flexible, follow the colors, and enjoy every bite.