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    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Appetizers

    Published: Dec 6, 2022 by Jen Wooster

    Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

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    - Jump to Recipe -
    Each layer of the charcuterie Christmas tree labeled.
    Christmas charcuterie board with meats and cheese.
    Christmas tree charcuterie board for a party.
    Christmas cheese board with veggies and fruit.
    Charcuterie tree for a holiday party.

    This easy Christmas charcuterie board only takes 10 minutes to cut and assemble. It is festive and fun, and my guests always comment on it. You can turn this grazing board into a Christmas cheese board if you want to keep it vegetarian.

    Christmas tree charcuterie board with meats and cheese.

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    Holiday parties and family gatherings can be stressful. But this simple Christmas charcuterie board takes 10 minutes to put together. Serve this recipe with our crockpot mulled wine and cranberry jalapeno dip for a no-fuss event.

    Jump to:
    • 📖Why This Recipe Works
    • 🧾Ingredient Notes
    • ⏲️How to Make a Christmas Charcuterie Board
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip
    • 🌡️Storage
    • More Holiday Party Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    📖Why This Recipe Works

    You may have noticed the social media trend of standing charcuterie trees made from styrofoam. They are very cute.

    However, as a former event planner, I can tell you they are very impractical. Guests are uncomfortable pulling from them. And as they get holes the white styrofoam shows through. Not a cute look.

    That is why the flat charcuterie tree (or as some people call it a charcuterTREE), makes sense. It feeds more people. And you can easily replenish it all night, so it looks cute for your entire Christmas party.

    This board can be adjusted to accommodate gluten-free and nut-free allergies.

    🧾Ingredient Notes

    For this board, you can use any variety of meats, cheeses, and any accouterments that you like. Here are my recommended items.

    Cheese- Pick one easy-to-eat soft cheese like mozzarella balls or small balls of rolled goat cheese.

    And two kinds of cheese, a dill Havarti and a sharp white cheddar. For interest, I cut one into cubes and the other into thin slices.

    Meats- Again I like to play with shapes and textures. I used one round of salami that I sliced. Thick-cut pepperoni would make a great substitution. For a softer look, I cut prosciutto into think ribbons and loosely folded them.

    Vegetables- I prefer to use smaller cucumbers and grape tomatoes. You can also use pickled vegetables like gherkins, olives, or peppers.

    Fruit- I like to use a mix of dry and fresh fruits on my charcuterie boards. Grapes, berries, or figs. For dried fruit, I like apricots, cherries, and dates.

    Nuts- I used toasted pecans but almonds, or even crunchy chickpeas to make the tree trunk. I didn't use pretzel sticks because you can only fit 5 to 10 at the bottom which is not very helpful.

    To decorate the tree and give it a bit of pizazz I used fresh rosemary sprigs and pomegranate seeds or arils. You can use sage, parsley, and dried cranberries as substitutes.

    To complement your Christmas charcuterie board, serve with little jars of jam, honey, or mustard. Plus, regular crackers, gluten-free crackers, and toasted bread.

    See the recipe card for exact quantities.

    Ingredients for a grazing board on a cutting board.

    ⏲️How to Make a Christmas Charcuterie Board

    You can use a large wooden cutting board for serving or line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Or you can put a large piece of butcher paper directly on your buffet table.

    Assemble

    Chop all your items into bite-size pieces varying the shapes and textures.

    Start the base of the tree with a substantial item like cheese. Cheddar is typically the most popular at my parties, so I wanted to use that for the largest layer.

    Follow by items that would likely be eaten together. For example, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and cucumber are grouped in consecutive layers.

    Each layer should be slightly shorter than the last, forming a Christmas tree shape.

    For the final layer, form it into a triangle to make the top of the tree.

    Each layer of the charcuterie Christmas tree labeled.

    Decorate and Serve

    Use fresh herbs to make the bottom layer. Tuck additional small pieces around the tree.

    I used a slice of colby jack cheese and a cookie cutter to cut out a star shape for the top of the tree and several snowflakes.

    For the trunk, I used a few handfuls of nuts. Add a red item, like pomegranate arils to fill in empty spaces along with additional pecan.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip

    Save money, don't buy a Christmas tree-shaped board. Instead, line a baking sheet with white parchment paper.

    Christmas meat and cheese tray for a party.

    🌡️Storage

    You can buy all the ingredients for this recipe up to 3 days in advance. Store according to package instructions. Vegetables and fruits should be stored in their respective crisper drawers in the fridge.

    Cut all your items the night before your party. Assemble up to 2 hours before party time. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge.

    More Holiday Party Recipes

    • Charcuterie Cups
    • Beet and Goat Cheese Bites
    • Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs
    • Balsamic Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    Christmas tree charcuterie board with meats and cheese.

    Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

    Recipe Created By: Jen Wooster
    This festive holiday charcuterie board comes together in just a few minutes using your favorite meats and cheeses. No special platter needed, simply serve on a large cutting board or baking tray lined with parchment paper.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine American, Christmas
    Servings 16
    Calories 327 kcal

    Equipment

    • Cutting board
    • Knife
    • Serving platter

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 ounces mozzarella pearls or bocconcini
    • 8 ounces harvarti cheese any flavor
    • 12 ounces sharp cheddar
    • 8 ounces salami
    • 3 ounces prosciutto
    • 1 cup dried apricots
    • 1 cup seedless cucumber
    • ¾ cup cherry tomatoes
    • ¾ cup blackberries
    • 1 cup pecans
    • fresh rosemary, pomegranate colby cheese slices for decorating

    Instructions
     

    • Chop all your items into bite-size pieces varying the shapes and textures.
      8 ounces mozzarella pearls, 8 ounces harvarti cheese, 12 ounces sharp cheddar, 8 ounces salami, 3 ounces prosciutto, 1 cup dried apricots, 1 cup seedless cucumber, ¾ cup cherry tomatoes, 1 cup pecans, fresh rosemary, pomegranate colby cheese slices for decorating, ¾ cup blackberries
    • Start the base of your tree with your most popular item, like cheddar cheese. Make each layer slightly shorter than the last, grouping items that are complimentary.
    • Add the layer of greenery at the bottom and tuck in pieces around the tree. Use a cookie cutter or paring knife to cut out a star shape for the top. Use the pecans to make the trunk and tuck in extras around the tree to fill in empty spaces.

    Notes

    • Ingredients and quantities are suggestions. Adjust according to your personal preference. 
    • Replenish the tree layers throughout your event to keep it looking nice. 
    • Serve with crackers (regular and gluten-free), jams, honey, and/or mustards. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 327kcal | Carbs: 8g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 27g | Fiber: 2g
    Keyword charcuterie christmas tree, christmas charcuterie board
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

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    picture of Jen

    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

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