Save to Pinterest A stunning, holiday-inspired charcuterie board arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree, featuring cheeses, cured meats, fruits, and accompaniments from around the world. Perfect as a showstopping appetizer for gatherings.
The first time I made this charcuterie tree, it instantly became the talk of the party. Building it layer by layer, with bites from Spain, France, and Italy, brought everyone together around the table to share and sample from each section.
Ingredients
- Manchego (Spain): 100 g, cubed
- Aged Cheddar (UK): 100 g, cubed
- Brie (France): 100 g, sliced
- Provolone (Italy): 100 g, sliced or cubed
- Prosciutto (Italy): 80 g, thinly sliced
- Soppressata (Italy): 80 g, sliced
- Chorizo (Spain): 80 g, sliced
- Mortadella (Italy): 80 g, thinly sliced
- Red grapes: 1 small bunch
- Green grapes: 1 small bunch
- Pomegranate: seeds from 1 fruit
- Cherry tomatoes: 1 cup
- Cucumber: 1 small, sliced
- Baby arugula: 1 small handful (for garnish)
- Marcona almonds (Spain): 50 g
- Pistachios (Middle East): 50 g
- Green olives (Greece or Italy): 12, pitted
- Black olives (Greece or Italy): 12, pitted
- Fig jam (France): 2 tbsp
- Whole grain mustard (Germany): 2 tbsp
- Toasted baguette slices: 12
- Assorted crackers: 12
Instructions
- Outline the tree:
- On a large rectangular or oval board, lightly outline a Christmas tree shape with arugula leaves as the branches.
- Add trunk base:
- Starting at the base, layer slices of bread and crackers as the tree trunk.
- Arrange meats and cheeses:
- Arrange meats and cheeses in alternating horizontal rows, slightly overlapping, to create the boughs of the tree.
- Fill in color:
- Fill spaces between rows with grapes, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and pomegranate seeds for color and texture.
- Add ornaments:
- Add olives and nuts in clusters to resemble ornaments.
- Place dips:
- Place small bowls of fig jam and mustard near the board or nestle them into the tree for dipping.
- Top with star:
- Top the tree with a star-shaped piece of cheese or a cluster of pomegranate seeds.
- Finish and serve:
- Finish with more arugula for a fresh green look. Serve immediately.
Save to Pinterest My family loves decorating this board together and reminiscing about past holidays while picking out their favorite bites. It's become our signature appetizer for December celebrations.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this charcuterie tree with chilled white wine, sparkling wine, or a light-bodied red for a complete party spread. Add extra fruits or marinated vegetables to suit all tastes.
Swaps & Variations
For a vegetarian version, omit the meats and add more cheeses like goat cheese or smoked nuts and marinated vegetables. Swap any ingredient for local favorites or to fit dietary needs.
Storage Advice
Assemble just before serving for maximum freshness. Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator and enjoy within 2 days.
Save to Pinterest This charcuterie tree will be the festive focal point of your holiday table and is endlessly adaptable for all tastes. Enjoy making memories and sharing global flavors with loved ones.
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do I arrange the components to create the tree shape?
Start by outlining the tree shape with arugula leaves, then layer bread and crackers at the base for the trunk. Alternate rows of cheeses and cured meats horizontally, filling spaces with fruits and olives to resemble ornaments.
- → Can I substitute ingredients for dietary preferences?
Yes, for a vegetarian option, omit the meats and increase the variety of cheeses, marinated vegetables, or smoked nuts. Adjust fruits and spreads as desired for personal taste.
- → What types of cheeses work best for this arrangement?
Firm and semi-soft cheeses like Manchego, aged Cheddar, Brie, and Provolone provide contrasting textures and flavors, and can be sliced or cubed for easy layering.
- → How far in advance can this board be prepared?
Most components can be prepped ahead, but assemble the tree shortly before serving to keep fresh textures, especially the greens and fruits.
- → What are good beverage pairings for this charcuterie assembly?
Crisp white wines, sparkling wines, or light reds such as Pinot Noir complement the variety of flavors, enhancing the overall tasting experience.