Christmas Charcuterie or Charcuter-tree Board? Call it what you like — this simple, festive appetizer comes together quickly and is perfect for holiday gatherings.
This Charcuterie Christmas Tree is the perfect festive treat!
This Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board is one of the easiest boards to build. It’s approachable, visually striking, and makes a lovely centerpiece for any holiday party.
The board focuses on savory flavors with an assortment of cheeses, meats, fruits, and vegetables. Sprigs of fresh rosemary create the look of branches. Use this as a starting point and customize the ingredients to suit your tastes.
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Why I love this Charcuterie Board Christmas Tree!
- Healthy! It adds fresh fruit and vegetables to the usual holiday sweets, giving guests a lighter option.
- Easy to assemble! Simply layer ingredients in rows to form a tree shape.
- Customizable! Don’t like an ingredient? Swap it for something you prefer.
- Change the shape! The same ingredients can be arranged as a wreath or other festive design.
- Make ahead! Assemble the cold items the night before and refrigerate. Add crunchy items like pretzels just before serving.
Charcuterie Tree ingredients
No cooking required. Gather ingredients from the store, arrange them on a large rectangular platter or wooden board, and you’re ready to serve.
To make this festive board you’ll need:
- Cheeses – Four types work well: cubed cheddar, pepper jack, and Colby; plus fresh mozzarella balls.
- Vegetables – Cherry tomatoes (or alternatives listed below).
- Fruit – Green and purple seedless grapes.
- Olives – A mix of green and black olives, pitted.
- Pretzels – Use pretzel sticks to form the tree trunk.
- Fresh rosemary – Sprigs act as the tree branches.
Serve the board with crackers, pita chips, or additional pretzels for a variety of textures.
Charcuterie Board Substitutions & Variations
Cheese suggestions: Havarti, Swiss, Monterey Jack, or Gouda. Avoid cheeses that crumble easily, as they’re harder to arrange.
Salami alternatives: Swap salami for pepperoni or torn prosciutto if preferred.
Tomato alternatives: If cherry tomatoes aren’t available, use grape tomatoes halved. If those are unavailable, try red bell pepper slices or baby carrots to keep color on the board.
How To Make A Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
- Place pretzel sticks vertically at the bottom of a rectangular platter or wooden board to form the trunk.
- Lay a horizontal row of fresh rosemary across the bottom to create the tree base.
- Arrange ingredients in thin, slightly shorter rows as you move upward to form a triangle, balancing colors and textures.
- Add a row of pepperoni followed by a mix of pepper jack and Colby cheese.
- Continue with a row of black olives, then a row of green grapes.
- Add another rosemary row to simulate branches.
- Fold salami in half and tuck in small mozzarella balls for height and visual interest.
- Place a row of cherry tomatoes and a row of red grapes near the top.
- Cut a star from a slice of Colby cheese and place it at the top. Tuck small rosemary sprigs throughout the tree for a finished look.
- Serve with crackers, pretzels, or chips.
How to store Christmas Tree Charcuterie
Wrap the assembled board carefully and tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Consume within 3–4 days.
Store crackers and pretzels separately in a sealed bag to prevent them from going soft.
How to serve a Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Once arranged, the board is ready to enjoy. Pair it with your favorite holiday drink for a complete presentation.
How Long Can A Charcuterie Board Be Safely Left Out Of The Fridge?
Do not leave the board out more than two hours. In warm conditions, aim for one to 1.5 hours to keep perishable items safe.
More Christmas Recipes from Sugar and Soul!
- Christmas Popcorn – Kettle corn with melted white chocolate and cake mix powder.
- No Bake Christmas Krispie Treats – Classic krispie treats dressed up for the holidays.
- Easy Christmas Funfetti Bread – A quick festive loaf made with pantry staples.
- Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies – Perfect for decorating with family.
- Easy Christmas Tree Cupcakes – Made with a boxed cake mix and decorated like a Christmas tree.
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If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comments. I love seeing your versions—tag photos with @sugarandsoulco on social media or share them in the community.
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Equipment
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Large rectangular platter or wooden board
-
Star-shaped cookie cutter or paring knife
Ingredients
- Fresh rosemary
- 8 oz cheddar cheese, cubed
- 8 oz pepper jack cheese, cubed
- 8 oz Colby cheese, cubed
- 8 oz fresh mini mozzarella balls
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup black olives, pitted
- 1 cup green olives, pitted
- 4 oz pepperoni, sliced
- 4 oz salami, sliced
- 2 cups green and/or purple seedless grapes
- 1 slice Colby Jack cheese (for star)
- 1/4 cup pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Use a large rectangular platter or wooden board.
- Place pretzel sticks vertically at the bottom to create the trunk.
- Lay a row of rosemary horizontally across the bottom to form the base.
- Arrange ingredients in thin rows, making each row slightly shorter than the one below to create a triangle.
- Alternate colors and textures as you build: pepperoni, cheeses, olives, grapes, and more rosemary to mimic branches.
- Fold salami in half and use mozzarella balls to help prop slices for dimension.
- Finish with tomatoes and red grapes near the top.
- Cut a star from a slice of Colby cheese and place it on the top. Tuck small rosemary sprigs around the tree.
- Serve with club crackers, pita chips, or additional pretzels.
Notes
- How to store: Wrap the board carefully in plastic wrap and refrigerate; enjoy within 3–4 days. Store crackers separately to keep them crisp.
- Salami alternatives: Pepperoni or torn prosciutto both work well.
- Tomato tips: Avoid slicing large tomatoes, which can be juicy and messy. Use grape or cherry tomatoes, or substitute red bell pepper slices or baby carrots for color.
- Food safety: Don’t leave the board out for more than two hours; in warm conditions, limit to 1–1.5 hours.
- Recommended cheeses: Havarti, Swiss, Monterey Jack, and Gouda are good options—avoid cheeses that crumble easily.
Nutrition
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