Description
Create a festive and visually stunning Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board that’s perfect for holiday gatherings. This no-cook recipe features a vibrant arrangement of cheeses, meats, fresh fruits, olives, and fresh greenery, crafted on a wooden board to resemble a seasonal wreath. Easy to assemble and sure to impress your guests with its colorful and inviting presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Fresh Greens
- Fresh greenery (like eucalyptus sprigs, rosemary, or curly kale) – enough to decorate wreath edges
Cheeses
- 8 ounces (225g) cheddar cheese, cubed
- 8 ounces (225g) pepper jack cheese, cubed
- 8 ounces (225g) Colby cheese, cubed
- 8 ounces (225g) fresh mozzarella balls
Produce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup black olives, cured and pitted
- 1 cup green olives, cured and pitted
- 8 ounces (225g) green and/or purple seedless grapes (about 1 ½ cups)
Meats
- 8 ounces (225g) pepperoni, sliced
- 8 ounces (225g) salami, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Choose a large, flat, wooden cutting board to create your wreath. A round board works best for a circular wreath shape, but a rectangular board can also be used.
- Plan Your Layout: Look over your ingredients and mentally visualize where each item will be placed to ensure a balanced, colorful wreath with a good mix and alternating patterns of colors.
- Place Cheeses: Position the four different types of cheese cubes and balls evenly around the board, placing them in the four corners or spaced evenly if using a round board.
- Add Olives, Tomatoes, and Grapes: Place small piles of black olives, green olives, cherry tomatoes, and grapes around and between the cheeses, continuing to balance color and texture.
- Arrange Meats Last: Add the sliced pepperoni and salami last. Fold the slices into rosettes by folding in half twice and tucking them upright between other ingredients to create fluffy, flower-like shapes. The other ingredients help support the meats to stand up.
- Final Touch with Greens: Adjust any uneven areas, ensuring the wreath shape is round and full. Decorate the outer and inner edges of the wreath with fresh greenery like eucalyptus, rosemary, or curly kale to enhance the festive look. Serve with crackers or chips on the side.
Notes
- To make salami or pepperoni rosettes, fold each slice in half, then in half again, and secure standing between other ingredients for a flower-like appearance.
- This wreath can be customized with your choice of cheeses, meats, and fruits to suit your preferences.
- Use a round wooden board for the best wreath shape, but rectangles or other shapes can also work.
- Keep the board chilled until serving if preparing ahead to maintain freshness.
- Pair the charcuterie with a variety of crackers, bread slices, or chips for added texture.
