Christmas charcuterie boards turn your holiday gatherings into memorable feasts, and you don’t even need to worry about complicated cooking. These festive spreads mix up seasonal flavors, colors, and textures, and honestly, there’s something for everyone at the table.
You can make Christmas charcuterie boards that go from classic meat and cheese combos to creative, themed setups—think wreaths, Christmas trees, or even boards for special diets.
Maybe you’re planning a cozy family breakfast. Or you’re hosting a big, bustling holiday party.
Charcuterie boards let you customize every detail. You’ll find options for classic cured meats and aged cheeses, plant-based spreads, and even seafood if you’re feeling adventurous.
What’s great is how these boards double as food and a centerpiece. They just invite people to gather and talk, don’t they?
Classic Meat and Cheese Board with prosciutto, salami, and aged cheddar
This board’s a classic for a reason. Salty prosciutto, creamy textures, and sharp aged cheddar just work together.
If you want an elegant spread that fits any Christmas get-together, you can’t go wrong here. There’s a little something for everyone.
Complete Ingredients
- 4 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
- 4 oz Genoa salami, sliced
- 6 oz aged cheddar cheese, cubed and sliced
- 2 oz brie cheese, wedged
- 1 cup red grapes
- 1 cup mixed crackers
- 1/2 cup mixed olives
- 1/4 cup marcona almonds
- 2 tbsp fig jam
Step by Step Cooking Instructions
Put your aged cheddar in different spots on the board. Cube some, wedge the rest—it looks more interesting that way.
Fold the prosciutto into ribbons or little roses. Tuck them around the cheese so the board looks inviting.
Fold the salami slices in half, then again. Fan them out near the cheddar for that classic pairing.
Add brie wedges to fill in gaps. The creamy brie just balances out the cheddar.
Drop clusters of red grapes into empty spaces. Their sweetness pops against the salty meats and cheese.
Scatter crackers along the edges. Pick a couple types—maybe water crackers and something with seeds.
Use small bowls for olives and almonds if your board’s big enough. On smaller boards, just pile them right on.
Spoon the fig jam into a little bowl or dish. Place it where people can grab both cheese and crackers easily.
Substitutions Table
| Original Ingredient | Substitution Options |
|---|---|
| Prosciutto | Serrano ham, pancetta, or bresaola |
| Genoa salami | Sopressata, pepperoni, or chorizo |
| Aged cheddar | Sharp white cheddar, aged gouda, or manchego |
| Brie cheese | Camembert or triple cream cheese |
| Red grapes | Green grapes, dried apricots, or fresh pears |
| Fig jam | Apricot preserves, honey, or quince paste |
| Marcona almonds | Walnuts, pecans, or pistachios |
| Mixed olives | Kalamata olives, green olives, or cornichons |
Festive Holiday Wreath Board decorated with rosemary and cranberries
Want a showstopper? Try this wreath-shaped charcuterie board. It’s both appetizer and centerpiece.
Fresh rosemary makes the border look just like a holiday wreath. Cranberries add those perfect pops of red.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz brie cheese, sliced
- 6 oz aged cheddar, cubed
- 4 oz salami, folded
- 4 oz prosciutto
- 1 cup mixed olives
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 8-10 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 2 cups mixed crackers
- 1 cup red grapes
- 1/2 cup mixed nuts
- 2 tbsp honey
Step by Step Cooking Instructions:
Grab a big round platter or board. Place a small bowl in the center—honey or jam works great.
Arrange cheese slices and cubes in a ring around the bowl. Leave a little space between each type.
Fold salami and prosciutto into roses. Tuck them between cheese sections for balance.
Stand crackers upright in the spaces. Cluster grapes around the board for color.
Scatter both fresh and dried cranberries for extra color. It really makes the board pop.
Line the outer edge with rosemary sprigs. Overlap them a bit to look like a wreath.
Fill in with olives and nuts wherever you see gaps. Pour honey into the center bowl right before serving.
Substitutions Table:
| Original Ingredient | Substitution Options |
|---|---|
| Brie cheese | Camembert, goat cheese |
| Aged cheddar | Gouda, manchego |
| Salami | Sopressata, chorizo |
| Prosciutto | Serrano ham, pancetta |
| Fresh cranberries | Pomegranate seeds, cherry tomatoes |
| Rosemary | Thyme sprigs, cedar branches |
| Mixed crackers | Artisan bread slices, crostini |
| Red grapes | Green grapes, dried figs |
Vegan Christmas Board featuring marinated tofu, nuts, and fresh fruits
Got plant-based eaters? This vegan board bursts with color and flavor.
Marinated tofu brings protein and savory flavor. Nuts and seasonal fruits round out the spread.
You’ll notice plenty of reds and greens for that Christmas vibe. The tofu’s savory, the fruit’s sweet—it just works.
Complete Ingredients
- 14 oz firm tofu, cubed
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans)
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 2 pears, sliced
- 1 cup red grapes
- 1 cup green grapes
- 8 oz vegan cheese, sliced
- 1/2 cup hummus
- Assorted crackers
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
Step by Step Cooking Instructions
Press tofu between paper towels for about 15 minutes to get rid of extra moisture. Cube it into 1-inch pieces.
Whisk soy sauce, maple syrup, olive oil, and garlic powder together. Toss tofu cubes in the marinade for half an hour.
Heat a non-stick pan over medium. Cook tofu for 8-10 minutes, turning it so all sides get golden.
Let tofu cool before adding it to the board. This keeps everything fresh.
Lay vegan cheese slices on one part of the board. Put hummus in a little bowl.
Cluster the cooled tofu around the cheese. Fill in spaces with mixed nuts.
Fan out pear slices. Group the red and green grapes for a nice color mix.
Scatter cranberries into empty spots. Add crackers along the edges for easy grabbing.
Top with rosemary sprigs for a festive look and scent.
| Original Ingredient | Substitution Options |
|---|---|
| Firm tofu | Marinated tempeh, roasted chickpeas |
| Soy sauce | Tamari, coconut aminos |
| Maple syrup | Agave nectar, brown rice syrup |
| Mixed nuts | Seeds (pumpkin, sunflower), roasted chickpeas |
| Vegan cheese | Cashew cheese, nut-based spreads |
| Hummus | Baba ganoush, white bean dip |
| Fresh cranberries | Dried cranberries, pomegranate seeds |
| Pears | Apples, persimmons |
Sweet and Savory Dessert Board with chocolate-covered pretzels and dried apricots
If you want to end on a sweet note, try this dessert board. It’s a mix of chocolatey treats and tangy dried fruit.
Chocolate-covered pretzels give a nice crunch. Dried apricots add a touch of natural sweetness.
This combo really hits the spot during the holidays, when everyone craves a little indulgence (and maybe something lighter, too).
Complete Ingredients
- 2 cups chocolate-covered pretzels
- 1 cup dried apricots
- 8 oz dark chocolate truffles
- 1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts)
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 8 oz gingerbread cookies
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Step by Step Cooking Instructions
Start with your biggest items. Place gingerbread cookies and chocolate-covered pretzels at the corners for structure.
Mix softened cream cheese with honey. Scoop it into a small bowl and put it in the middle of your board.
Cluster dried apricots around the board. Fill in with chocolate truffles and nuts for variety.
Add strawberries close to the dip for easy dunking. Sprinkle white chocolate chips in the empty spaces.
Scatter dried cranberries and mini marshmallows to tie everything together. These little bits fill out the board and add color.
Substitutions Table
| Original Ingredient | Substitution Options |
|---|---|
| Chocolate-covered pretzels | Chocolate-covered nuts, chocolate-dipped cookies |
| Dried apricots | Dried figs, dried pears, dried mango |
| Dark chocolate truffles | Chocolate bonbons, fudge squares |
| Mixed nuts | Candied pecans, roasted almonds only |
| Cream cheese dip | Mascarpone with maple syrup, vanilla yogurt |
| Fresh strawberries | Fresh grapes, apple slices |
| White chocolate chips | Mini chocolate chips, chocolate shavings |
| Gingerbread cookies | Sugar cookies, shortbread cookies |
| Dried cranberries | Dried cherries, raisins |
| Mini marshmallows | Chocolate-covered espresso beans, caramel squares |
Breakfast Charcuterie with mini muffins, yogurt bites, and fresh berries
This breakfast charcuterie board brings together sweet morning favorites in a festive display. You can pull together an elegant spread that just feels right for Christmas morning.
Mini muffins work as the perfect bite-sized base for the board. Pick flavors like cranberry orange, blueberry, or cinnamon spice to give it that holiday vibe.
Yogurt bites add a creamy texture and a bit of protein to balance things out. Try Greek yogurt parfait cups or just fill small bowls with vanilla or honey-flavored yogurt.
Fresh berries add a pop of color and natural sweetness. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries really make the board look like a rainbow.
Complete Ingredients
- 12-15 mini muffins (assorted flavors)
- 2 cups Greek yogurt
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
- 1/2 cup fresh blackberries
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup granola
- Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
Step by Step Cooking Instructions
Grab a large wooden board or marble slab as your base. Make sure you clean and dry it before you start.
Arrange the mini muffins in small clusters around the board. Space them out so the board looks balanced.
Fill small glass bowls or ramekins with Greek yogurt. Drizzle honey on top and place the bowls between the muffin clusters.
Wash and dry all the berries. Place them in separate sections to create bursts of color across the board.
Sprinkle granola around the yogurt bowls for crunch. Set out small spoons by each yogurt bowl so people can help themselves.
Tuck fresh mint sprigs between the fruit for a fresh look and a little aroma. It gives a nice pop of green.
Cover lightly with plastic wrap if you’re not serving right away. Keep it chilled if it’ll sit out for more than half an hour.
Substitutions Table
| Original Ingredient | Substitution Options |
|---|---|
| Mini muffins | Mini croissants, mini scones, small pastries |
| Greek yogurt | Regular yogurt, coconut yogurt, vanilla pudding |
| Fresh strawberries | Sliced apples, grapes, dried cranberries |
| Fresh blueberries | Frozen blueberries (thawed), pomegranate seeds |
| Fresh raspberries | Sliced kiwi, mandarin segments, cherries |
| Fresh blackberries | Sliced pears, fresh figs, dried apricots |
| Honey | Maple syrup, agave nectar, fruit preserves |
| Granola | Chopped nuts, coconut flakes, crushed graham crackers |
Rustic Woodland Board accented with cedar branches and smoked turkey
This woodland-inspired charcuterie board brings a cozy, natural elegance to your table. Cedar branches and rosemary sprigs frame your serving area and make it feel like a little forest.
Smoked turkey takes the spotlight as the main protein. Its smoky flavor goes so well with creamy cheeses and seasonal extras.
Complete Ingredients
- 1 lb sliced smoked turkey
- 8 oz aged cheddar cheese, cubed
- 6 oz brie cheese, wedged
- 1 cup mixed nuts (walnuts, pecans)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup fresh grapes
- Assorted crackers
- Fresh cedar branches
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Small pinecones for decoration
Step by Step Instructions
Wash and dry the cedar branches and rosemary. Lay them around the edge of your wooden board to make a natural border.
Fold the smoked turkey slices into loose rose shapes and place them in the center. This adds some height and texture.
Set the cheddar cubes and brie wedges in opposite corners. Leave a cheese knife by the brie for easy serving.
Fill small bowls with nuts and dried cranberries. Place them between the turkey and cheese sections.
Scatter fresh grapes in open spots. They add color and freshness.
Stack crackers around the board’s edge. Fan them out just a bit so guests can grab them easily.
Tuck small pinecones between the cedar branches for rustic charm. If you use real ones, make sure they’re clean and safe.
Substitutions Table
| Original Ingredient | Substitution Options |
|---|---|
| Smoked turkey | Ham, roast beef, or smoked chicken |
| Aged cheddar | Sharp white cheddar or gouda |
| Brie cheese | Camembert or soft goat cheese |
| Cedar branches | Pine branches or eucalyptus |
| Fresh grapes | Apple slices or pear wedges |
| Dried cranberries | Dried cherries or raisins |
| Mixed nuts | Almonds only or cashews |
| Pinecones | Acorns or small twigs |
Keto-Friendly Board loaded with olives, pepperoni, and cream cheese
This low-carb Christmas charcuterie board keeps you full and on track with keto staples. Salty olives, savory pepperoni, and creamy cheese make a classic combo.
You’ll notice how these main ingredients work together without sending your carbs through the roof. The rich fats in pepperoni and cream cheese really help you stay satisfied during all the holiday snacking.
Complete Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 6 oz sliced pepperoni
- 1 cup mixed olives (green and black)
- 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
- 2 oz salami, rolled
- 1/2 cup macadamia nuts
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes
- 2 small cucumbers, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, cut into sticks
- Pork rinds for dipping
- Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
Step by Step Cooking Instructions
Take the cream cheese out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving. Letting it soften makes spreading way easier.
Wash all the veggies and pat them dry. Slice the cucumbers into rounds and cut the bell pepper into strips.
Cube the cheddar cheese. Roll up the salami slices for a nice touch.
Spoon the softened cream cheese into a small bowl and set it in the center of your board. This anchors everything else.
Arrange the pepperoni in a ring around the cream cheese bowl. Fan them out for easy grabbing.
Fill small bowls with mixed olives and put them at opposite ends of the board. That way, people won’t crowd around one spot.
Add the cheddar cubes and rolled salami next to the pepperoni, filling in the empty spaces. Scatter macadamia nuts all around.
Place the vegetable slices and celery sticks in the remaining gaps. Drop in cherry tomatoes for a little color.
Pile pork rinds in a basket or bowl next to the board for dipping. Finish with a few fresh rosemary sprigs for a festive look.
| Original Ingredient | Substitution Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cream cheese | Boursin cheese, goat cheese | Choose full-fat versions |
| Pepperoni | Prosciutto, chorizo | Any cured meat works |
| Mixed olives | Kalamata only, stuffed olives | Pick your favorites |
| Cheddar cheese | Gouda, brie, blue cheese | Variety adds interest |
| Macadamia nuts | Almonds, walnuts | Keep portions small |
| Cherry tomatoes | Radishes, mushrooms | Lower carb options |
| Pork rinds | Cheese crisps, keto crackers | Homemade or store-bought |
Seafood Charcuterie including smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, and lemon wedges
A seafood charcuterie board instantly brings some ocean elegance to your Christmas table. With premium ingredients, the display looks just as good as it tastes.
Freshness really matters here. When you use the best seafood you can find, you’ll taste the difference.
Ingredients
- 8 oz smoked salmon, thinly sliced
- 1 lb cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 lemons, cut into wedges
- 1/2 cup cocktail sauce
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp capers
- 1 English cucumber, sliced
- Assorted crackers
- Fresh dill sprigs
Step by Step Cooking Instructions
Start with your largest items. Lay out the smoked salmon in elegant folds along one section of the board.
Place small bowls of cocktail sauce and cream cheese in different spots. This keeps the sauces from soaking into everything else.
Arrange the cooked shrimp around the cocktail sauce bowl. Fan them out so guests can grab them easily.
Scatter lemon wedges near the seafood so people can squeeze them as they like.
Fill the open areas with cucumber slices and crackers. Drop capers into little gaps and finish with sprigs of fresh dill.
Set out small spoons for the sauces and cocktail forks for the shrimp. It just makes serving smoother.
Substitutions Table
| Original Ingredient | Substitution Options |
|---|---|
| Smoked salmon | Smoked trout, gravlax, or lox |
| Cooked shrimp | Crab claws, cooked scallops |
| Cocktail sauce | Tartar sauce, horseradish sauce |
| Cream cheese | Whipped ricotta, mascarpone |
| Capers | Pickled onions, olives |
| English cucumber | Regular cucumber, radish slices |
| Fresh dill | Parsley, chives |
Colorful Christmas Tree Board arranged with green grapes, baby carrots, and cheese cubes
This festive board turns simple ingredients into a holiday centerpiece. You’ll use green grapes for the base and stack on orange carrots and golden cheese cubes for a colorful contrast.
The natural colors really pop together. Green grapes shape the tree, and baby carrots add that bright orange touch.
Complete Ingredients
- 2 cups green grapes, washed
- 1 cup baby carrots
- 8 oz white cheddar cheese, cubed
- 6 oz gouda cheese, cubed
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Crackers for serving
- Small bowl for dips (optional)
Step by Step Cooking Instructions
Lay parchment paper on your serving board or platter. This makes cleanup easier and helps you plan the tree shape.
Arrange the green grapes in a triangle, starting wide at the bottom and working up to a point.
Fill in the spaces between grapes with cheese cubes. Alternate white cheddar, gouda, and cream cheese for a mix of colors.
Add baby carrots vertically between grape sections. This makes the tree look fuller and adds some height.
Tuck rosemary sprigs here and there for an evergreen look and fresh scent.
Make a tree trunk by lining up a few baby carrots at the bottom. Place crackers around the base so people can grab them easily.
Substitutions Table
| Original Ingredient | Substitution Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Green grapes | Green olives, cucumber rounds | Use similar quantities |
| Baby carrots | Orange bell pepper strips, orange cherry tomatoes | Cut peppers into similar sizes |
| White cheddar | Monterey Jack, white gouda | Keep similar cube sizes |
| Gouda cheese | Swiss, aged cheddar | Any firm cheese works |
| Cream cheese | Fresh mozzarella balls, brie cubes | Soft cheese alternatives |
| Rosemary | Fresh thyme, small parsley sprigs | Any sturdy herb works |
Tips for Assembling Christmas Charcuterie Boards
If you want to create a Christmas charcuterie board that really stands out, you’ll want to think about seasonal colors, how the flavors work together, and some festive touches. Focusing on these three things can take your board from just okay to something people talk about.
Choosing a Seasonal Color Palette
Let your board show off those classic holiday colors by picking your ingredients with intention. Red and green should take the lead, with little pops of gold and white for balance.
For reds, grab things like cranberries, pomegranate seeds, red grapes, salami, or even red bell peppers. These bring warmth and a festive look.
Greens are easy—think pistachios, olives, fresh rosemary, green grapes, or spinach crackers. Fresh herbs especially give off that unmistakable Christmas vibe.
To add some white and gold, you might use aged white cheddar, brie, cauliflower, white chocolate, or golden crackers. They mellow out the bold colors and make everything look pulled together.
Don’t just scatter everything. Cluster your ingredients. That way, your color choices look deliberate and way more polished.
Balancing Flavors and Textures
You’ll want your board to have a mix of tastes and textures so people keep coming back for more.
Try to balance:
- Salty: cured meats, aged cheeses, nuts.
- Sweet: dried fruits, honey, chocolate.
- Tangy: pickles, mustard, maybe some fresh berries.
- Creamy: soft cheeses and spreads.
Think about texture, too:
- Crunchy: crackers, nuts, raw veggies.
- Soft: brie, goat cheese, dried fruits.
- Chewy: cured meats, bread.
- Smooth: jams, honey, spreads.
Keep the strong stuff, like blue cheese, a little distance from milder things. That way, flavors don’t mix too much and everyone can actually taste what they’re eating.
Set out tiny spoons for jams and spreads. It’s more hygienic and stops flavors from crossing over.
Incorporating Festive Garnishes
Garnishes can really turn your charcuterie board into a holiday showstopper.
Natural touches are always a win. Tuck rosemary sprigs between cheeses—they look like mini Christmas trees. Scatter some cranberries for a burst of color.
You can get playful with edible decorations, too. Star-shaped crackers, little cookie cutouts, or even candy canes for stirring drinks nearby look great.
Try making a focal point by shaping salami into flowers or folding cheese into ribbons. It sounds fancy but isn’t hard, and it makes the board feel special.
Toss in a few small props like pinecones, cinnamon sticks, or even some fairy lights if you’re feeling extra. Just make sure anything that isn’t food is easy to remove and doesn’t touch the food directly.
Always add your garnishes last. That way, you won’t bury the good stuff under decorations.
Creative Presentation Ideas
If you want your board to double as a centerpiece, try arranging everything in shapes like trees or wreaths. Using holiday-themed boards or vintage platters adds instant charm—sometimes it’s those little details that get people talking.
Themed Shapes and Arrangements
For a Christmas tree, stack green grapes, olives, and herbs in a triangle. Pop a star-shaped cheese piece at the top, and use crackers as the trunk.
To make a wreath, form a ring with cherry tomatoes, olives, and rolled meats. Fill the middle with nuts or small bowls of dip. Rosemary sprigs around the edge look like evergreen branches.
A few fun shape ideas:
- Christmas trees: green grapes, cucumber slices, herb sprigs.
- Candy canes: alternate red and white items like strawberries and white cheddar.
- Stars: use cookie cutters to make star-shaped cheese.
- Snowflakes: arrange white foods like cauliflower and mozzarella in cool patterns.
Dot red items like cranberries or cherry tomatoes around as ornaments. Use pretzel sticks or breadsticks if you need to build out the shape or add a little structure.
Utilizing Holiday Serveware
Go for wooden cutting boards shaped like Christmas trees or stars—they instantly bring out that holiday vibe. If you like a wreath-style look, round marble boards really do the trick.
Rectangular slate boards? They add a nice, elegant contrast, especially next to all those bright, colorful foods.
Try layering vintage holiday plates under smaller bowls for some extra depth. It’s a simple way to make things pop. Tiered serving stands help you save space and show off your goodies at different heights.
Essential Serveware Options:
- Shaped boards – Tree, star, or wreath-shaped wooden boards
- Festive colors – Red, green, or gold-trimmed platters
- Tiered stands – Multi-level displays for height variation
- Small bowls – Holiday-themed dishes for dips and nuts
Scatter a few mini pinecones, cinnamon sticks, or even some battery-operated string lights around the edges. Tuck evergreen sprigs between the food for a fresh, natural scent and a little extra color.
Hi all! I’m Cora Benson, and I’ve been blogging about food, recipes and things that happen in my kitchen since 2019.