Craft the Ultimate Christmas Charcuterie Board: Your Guide to Festive Feasting

Elevate your holiday entertaining with this very merry Christmas Cheese Board! In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover not only how to artfully arrange a festive holiday charcuterie board but also how to tailor it to any size gathering and customize it with all your favorite flavors and ingredients. Get ready to create a show-stopping appetizer that will impress all your guests!

About This Christmas Charcuterie Board

While the term “charcuterie board” traditionally refers to a display of cured meats, this festive creation often blurs the lines, combining an exquisite selection of cheeses with an array of delicious accompaniments. When this concept was first brought to life, it leaned more towards a simple cheese board. However, driven by a passion for creating truly memorable culinary displays, it evolved into a full-fledged charcuterie experience.

Adding a variety of meats and additional delightful extras truly elevates this board, transforming it into a magnificent centerpiece perfect for any holiday gathering. The holiday season, with its inherent joy and celebratory spirit, offers the perfect canvas for a cheese and charcuterie board. Whether you’re hosting an elegant Christmas Eve party, a casual get-together with friends, or simply need an easy snack while the kids unwrap their gifts on Christmas morning, a well-curated board fits every occasion.

One of the greatest appeals of a charcuterie board is its endless versatility. While we offer numerous suggestions below to inspire your creation, remember that the true magic lies in customization. Feel free to incorporate your personal favorites and experiment with diverse flavors and textures. The goal is to craft a delightful spread that encourages guests to return for more, discovering new combinations with every bite.

Note: This recipe and post is an updated version of the original posted on December 13, 2016.

What Goes On A Christmas Charcuterie Board?

A Christmas charcuterie board is designed to capture the vibrant, comforting, and exciting flavors of the holiday season. What makes this board truly exceptional is its vast array of tastes and textures, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s a wonderful way to showcase seasonal ingredients and effortlessly feed a crowd without the stress of preparing a complex multi-course meal.

To create your ultimate festive spread, you’ll want to include a diverse selection of components: savory cured meats, rich and creamy cheeses, crunchy nuts, tangy pickled vegetables, a variety of crackers and breads, and naturally, an abundance of seasonal fruits. For those who prefer a vegetarian option, simply omit the meats and focus on an even wider assortment of plant-based delights.

Think about building a harmonious experience: the saltiness of cured meats complementing the creaminess of brie, the crunch of a cracker providing contrast to soft goat cheese, and the sweetness of fruit balancing the sharpness of aged cheddar. This thoughtful curation is what makes a Christmas charcuterie board an unforgettable part of your holiday celebration.

Types of Cheese for a Christmas Cheese Board

To create a truly balanced and exciting Christmas cheese board, aim for a variety of cheese types. This ensures a spectrum of flavors, textures, and aromas that will delight every palate. Here are the categories to consider:

• Hard Cheese: These cheeses provide a firm texture and often a nutty, salty, or sharp flavor. They are great for slicing and crumbling. My personal favorite is Parmigiano Reggiano for its robust, umami-rich notes, but any aged, firm cheese like an aged cheddar or Pecorino Romano works wonderfully. Look for varieties with intensified, complex flavors to offer a sophisticated bite.
• Common Cheese: This category includes approachable, widely loved cheeses that act as a comforting base. Options like Gouda (especially smoked or aged for added depth), a classic sharp Cheddar, or Monterey Jack are excellent choices. These are your crowd-pleasers, offering a familiar and satisfying taste that pairs well with almost everything on the board.
• Soft Cheese: For a luxurious and spreadable element, a soft cheese is indispensable. Brie is a popular choice, and serving it as a whole wheel makes for an inviting display that’s easy to cut into. You can elevate its presentation by decorating it with festive elements like pomegranate jewels or a delicate slice of dried (or fresh) orange. Alternatively, a creamy goat cheese provides a tangy counterpoint, and I sometimes even double up on soft cheeses, perhaps adding a rich Humboldt Fog goat cheese for its distinctive rind and creamy interior. Fresh mozzarella, in various forms, also makes for a delightful and mild soft cheese option.
• Funky Cheese: Introduce an adventurous note with a “funky” cheese that brings a unique character to your board. Stilton, a milder yet distinctive blue cheese, is an excellent choice for its creamy texture and tangy, earthy flavor. Camembert, with its rich, buttery taste, or any other pungent cheese you enjoy can add that intriguing flair, inviting guests to explore bolder tastes.

Here’s What You’ll Need for Your Board

The beauty of a charcuterie board lies in its flexibility. While these are highly recommended components, feel free to customize based on your preferences and what’s available seasonally. Aim for a balance of savory, sweet, salty, and tangy elements to create a dynamic grazing experience.

• Cheeses: A minimum of 3 different types of cheese is recommended to offer variety in flavor and texture. For larger gatherings, consider bumping that number up to 5 or 6, incorporating a mix of hard, semi-hard, soft, and perhaps a ‘funky’ cheese.
• Meats: Variety is truly the spice of life when it comes to cured meats. Select a few different types to provide a range of flavors and textures. Options like thinly sliced salami, delicate prosciutto, and spicy soppressata are excellent. Many local stores offer convenient charcuterie packs with pre-sliced meats. For an added textural delight, include some crispy prosciutto.
• Crackers & Breads: Offer an assortment of vehicles for your cheeses and spreads. A variety cracker box is a great starting point, or pick specific types like water crackers, artisanal crisps, pretzel sticks (fantastic for wrapping prosciutto and dipping in jam!), or crunchy breadsticks. Don’t forget some thinly sliced and toasted baguette rounds for a classic touch.
• Fruit: Embrace the festive colors and flavors of seasonal winter fruits. Clementines, cranberries (dried or roasted work best, as raw can be quite tart), vibrant grapefruit segments, kiwi slices, kumquats, sweet mandarins, juicy oranges, crisp pears, unique persimmons, sparkling pomegranate jewels, tangerines, and quince are all excellent choices for this time of year.
• Extras & Spreads: These elements add depth, sweetness, and crunch.
  • Jams & Compotes: Fig jam, cranberry compote, orange marmalade, or apricot preserves are wonderful for pairing with cheeses.
  • Honey: A drizzle of classic honey, or even homemade hot honey, provides a beautiful sweet counterpoint to salty meats and sharp cheeses.
  • Nuts: Add a satisfying crunch with a selection of nuts. Marcona almonds, pistachios, regular almonds, cashews, or pecans (perhaps lightly candied or roasted) are fantastic.
  • Pickled Items: Small gherkins (cornichons), pickled onions, or other pickled vegetables add a much-needed tangy, acidic bite that cleanses the palate.
  • Sweet Treats: For a delightful balance, include a little something sweet. Slices of a chocolate orange or a few candy canes can add a playful, seasonal touch.

This Recipe’s Must-Haves (Tools)

You don’t need fancy, single-use serving ware to create a stunning charcuterie board. A large, sturdy cutting board serves as an excellent base for your festive spread. This is a practical solution as it always looks appealing and eliminates the need to store a specialized board that only comes out once a year.

For preparing all your delicious elements, ensure you have a sharp chef’s knife and a reliable cutting board for safe and efficient slicing and dicing.

Here’s How to Assemble a Christmas Charcuterie Board

Assembling a visually appealing charcuterie board is an art, but it’s simpler than you think! Follow these steps to create a stunning and inviting display for your holiday guests:

1. Strategically Place Bowls

Begin by placing your largest items, particularly any small bowls or ramekins, on your board. These bowls will hold jams, honey, olives, nuts, or pomegranate seeds. Distribute them evenly across the board to create anchor points, helping you to build around them and prevent ingredients from clumping together.

2. Arrange the Meats

Next, it’s time for the various cured meats. While you can simply lay out slices in neat rows, getting creative with presentation can significantly enhance the board’s visual appeal. Fold pieces in half or quarters and fan them out artfully, as seen with salami. For delicate meats like prosciutto, gather them into loose, inviting piles or elegant “roses” to add height and texture.

3. Introduce the Cheeses

Before placing your cheeses, prepare them for easy serving. Slice harder cheeses into manageable wedges or cubes, crumble soft blue cheeses, or cut softer varieties into elegant chunks. Brie, for instance, looks lovely served as a whole wheel, allowing guests to cut their desired portion. For firm cheeses like Gouda or Parmesan, pre-slicing makes it much easier for guests to serve themselves. Distribute the different cheese types strategically to ensure variety is available across the board.

4. Incorporate Fruit and Crackers

Now, use your chosen fruits to fill in some of the larger open areas. Arrange thinly sliced fruits like pears, persimmons, or oranges in elegant rows or clusters, making them easy to grab and pair with cheese and crackers. Place your variety of crackers and breadsticks strategically around the cheeses and spreads, ensuring they are easily accessible.

5. Sprinkle in the Extras

This is where you add the delightful small details! Use nuts, dried fruit, olives, and pickled vegetables to fill in any remaining larger spaces. Scatter them artfully, creating pockets of interest and texture throughout the board. These “extras” are crucial for adding diverse flavors and visual appeal.

6. Add Finishing Touches and Fill Gaps

At this stage, your board should be looking quite full and inviting. However, you might still find a few small gaps. Fill these tiny spaces with fresh herbs like rosemary sprigs or sage leaves for a festive aroma and touch of greenery. Dried citrus slices, cinnamon sticks, or even a few decorative candy canes can also add charming seasonal flair, making your Christmas charcuterie board truly complete and picture-perfect.

Expert Tips and Ideas for Your Board

Creating a gorgeous and delicious Christmas charcuterie board is all about smart planning and thoughtful touches. Here are some expert tips to make your holiday spread a huge success:

• Prep Ahead Where You Can: Save yourself stress on the day of your gathering by preparing certain elements in advance. Cheeses can be sliced and stored in airtight containers, marinated mozzarella balls can be made, and homemade cranberry jam or other spreads can be prepared. Store each component separately in the refrigerator. Just remember to skip slicing fruits like pears or apples that brown quickly when exposed to air.
• Utilize Dried Fruit for Flavor and Texture Variety: Beyond fresh seasonal fruits, dried fruits offer an intense burst of flavor and a chewy texture that complements cheeses beautifully. They are also a fantastic option for adding fruitiness when certain fresh varieties aren’t in season. Consider dried cranberries, apricots, figs, dates, or even dried orange slices for a festive touch.
• Aim for Simplicity and Quality: While it’s fun to go all out, remember that simple elegance is often the most impactful. Don’t feel pressured to include every single type of meat or cheese. Focus on a curated selection of high-quality ingredients that you and your guests genuinely enjoy. A few exceptional items are far better than an overwhelming array of mediocre ones.
• Serve at Room Temperature for Optimal Flavor: Cheeses, especially, taste best when brought to room temperature before serving. This allows their complex flavors and textures to fully develop. Take your cheeses and meats out of the refrigerator about 30-60 minutes before you plan to serve.
• Consider Dietary Needs: Be mindful of guests with dietary restrictions. Offer gluten-free cracker options, clearly label vegetarian or vegan sections, and consider including nut-free alternatives if allergies are a concern.
• Add Small Serving Utensils: Provide individual cheese knives, small spoons for jams and honey, and mini tongs for meats and pickled items. This promotes hygiene and makes serving more elegant.

More easy board ideas to try: Fall Charcuterie Board| Tailgating Snack Board | BBQ Charcuterie Board | Fruit Charcuterie Board | Italian Charcuterie Board | Easy Charcuterie Board

What Fruits Can You Put on This Board?

You might be pleasantly surprised by the abundance of winter fruits available to add to your festive charcuterie board! These seasonal gems not only add bursts of flavor but also vibrant colors, making your board even more appealing. For my board, I love to use a combination of crisp pears, unique persimmons, bright orange segments, and jewel-like pomegranate seeds. A selection of four different types of fruit is usually plenty to offer good variety without overcrowding.

If you’re seeking even more inspiration, here’s a comprehensive list of fruits that are typically in season during the winter and would make fantastic additions to your holiday spread:

• Clementines & Mandarins: Sweet, easy to peel, and brightly colored.
• Cranberries: While raw cranberries are very tart, dried or roasted cranberries offer a lovely sweet-tart flavor and deep red hue.
• Grapefruit: Adds a beautiful pink or yellow color and a refreshing, tangy citrus note.
• Kiwi: Its vibrant green flesh and tiny black seeds provide a striking visual contrast.
• Kumquats: These tiny citrus fruits can be eaten whole, offering a sweet-tart burst.
• Oranges & Tangerines: Classic winter citrus, perfect for segments or decorative slices.
• Pears: Crisp and juicy, they pair wonderfully with various cheeses.
• Persimmon: A unique, sweet, and slightly spicy fruit, especially Fuyu varieties.
• Pomegranate: Its arils (seeds) add a pop of color, juicy sweetness, and a pleasant crunch.
• Quince: Often used in jellies and pastes, it offers a distinct aroma and flavor, especially good when cooked lightly.

How Long Can This Board Sit Out?

For the best flavor experience, serve your Christmas cheese and charcuterie board at room temperature. This allows the cheeses to soften and release their full aroma and taste, and the meats to become more tender.

However, it’s crucial to be mindful of food safety. Do not let any board featuring meats and cheeses linger at room temperature for more than 2 hours in total. If your gathering extends beyond this timeframe, it’s safest to remove and properly package any remaining meats and cheeses separately. Store them promptly in the refrigerator to preserve their freshness and prevent spoilage.

How Do I Decorate a Holiday Charcuterie Board?

Decorating your holiday charcuterie board is all about embracing the season and adding those special touches that make it truly festive. I love to incorporate natural, seasonal elements that enhance both the look and aroma of the board. For winter, this often means:

• Fresh Herbs: Hearty herbs like rosemary sprigs or sage leaves are perfect. Tuck them into gaps to add a vibrant touch of green and a wonderful festive scent.
• Dried Citrus Wheels: Dried slices of lime, lemon, or orange add a beautiful, natural decoration with a touch of rustic charm. Not only do they look great on the board, but any extra slices can be used to garnish festive holiday cocktails, creating a cohesive theme.
• Cinnamon Sticks: A few cinnamon sticks strategically placed can add a warm, inviting aroma and a textural element.
• Star Anise: These star-shaped spices are not only aromatic but also incredibly decorative, fitting perfectly with a festive theme.
• Small Ornaments or Figurines: For a truly whimsical touch, consider adding a few small, food-safe holiday ornaments, miniature pinecones, or even tiny festive figurines (just make sure they are clearly decorative and not to be eaten).
• Fairy Lights (Safely!): If your board is large and has space around it, a string of battery-operated fairy lights placed carefully around the perimeter (not touching food) can create a magical glow.

The goal is to create a visually rich tableau that invites guests to gather and indulge, making your board not just a meal, but a piece of holiday art.

How Much Should I Plan On Per Person?

This particular Christmas charcuterie board recipe is designed to generously serve about 4 to 6 people if it’s considered a light meal, or comfortably serve 6 to 8 as an appetizer. To help you scale for your specific gathering, here are some general guidelines for portion planning:

• As a Pre-Dinner Appetizer: If your charcuterie board is just a light bite before a larger meal, plan for approximately 3 ounces of meat and cheese per person. This allows guests to enjoy a few delicious samples without getting too full.
• As the Main Event (Meal): If your cheese and charcuterie board is intended to be the primary food offering, perhaps for a casual lunch or dinner, increase your estimate to about 6 ounces of meat and cheese per person. This ensures everyone has enough to truly graze and feel satisfied.

These amounts specifically refer to the meat and cheese components. The quantities for “extras” – such as fruits, nuts, crackers, and spreads – are more flexible and can be guided by your intuition and the preferences of your guests. Feel free to be generous with these complementary items to fill out the board and offer abundant choices. For a more detailed breakdown and specific quantities for this recipe, refer to the ingredient list and instructions below.

Need more inspiration for appetizers? Check out my appetizer recipe page!

What to Serve with a Christmas Charcuterie Board

When you present a beautifully crafted Christmas charcuterie board, you’re offering such an incredible variety of flavors and textures that you often won’t need to prepare any other appetizers. The medley of cheeses, cured meats, crispy crackers, fresh fruits, and savory extras provides a complete and satisfying culinary experience. I personally adore meals centered around grazing, so this board can easily serve as a delightful lunch or a light dinner, allowing guests to mingle and pick at their leisure.

However, to truly enhance the festive atmosphere and complement your stunning spread, consider pairing it with a celebratory drink. A well-chosen beverage can elevate the entire experience:

• Festive Cocktails: For a crowd-pleasing option, my Christmas sangria is always a hit and can be made in a large batch. Alternatively, a batch of festive Christmas punch or a classic Spanish-inspired red sangria would be perfect.
• Seasonal Margaritas & Mules: If you love to take advantage of seasonal fruits, whip up a vibrant pomegranate margarita, a themed Christmas margarita, or a refreshing cranberry orange Moscow mule.
• Wine Pairings:
  • Red Wines: A light-bodied Pinot Noir or a medium-bodied Merlot pairs well with most cheeses and meats without overpowering them.
  • White Wines: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a dry Riesling can cut through the richness of the cheeses. For something a bit sweeter, a Moscato d’Asti works beautifully with fruit and soft cheeses.
  • Sparkling Wine: A Prosecco or Champagne always adds a touch of elegance and festive effervescence, complementing virtually everything on the board.
• Beer Pairings: Craft beers like a Belgian Tripel, a crisp Saison, or even a spiced winter ale can offer intriguing pairings with various cheeses and meats.
• Non-Alcoholic Options: Don’t forget delicious non-alcoholic choices like sparkling cider, festive cranberry-ginger ale, or homemade infused water with citrus and herbs.

More Tasty Holiday Favorites

Looking to round out your holiday menu or explore more festive delights? Here are some additional tasty holiday favorites that complement a Christmas charcuterie board beautifully or stand alone as delightful treats:

• For an extra warm and gooey element on your holiday cheese board, consider an easy baked camembert topped with sweet cranberries and crunchy walnuts.
• Bite-sized bacon-wrapped dates are always a guaranteed hit for any holiday gathering, offering a perfect blend of sweet and savory.
• Need a sweet treat to satisfy those holiday cravings? Nothing beats a classic holiday dessert like tender snowball cookies!
• Raise a glass to the season with a vibrant and refreshing cranberry margarita.
• Make Christmas morning even more special and delicious with this fun and customizable breakfast charcuterie board!

Finally, if you make this festive Christmas charcuterie board, please be sure to give this recipe a rating and/or leave a comment below! I absolutely love hearing when you all try out the recipes, and I make it a point to respond to every single comment. Your feedback means the world to me!

Feel free to drop any questions you have about creating your board – I’m here to help!

Oh, and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you share photos of your masterpiece! Seeing these recipes come to life in your homes is truly my favorite thing, and I cherish looking through all your wonderful photos. Thank you for being a part of this community!

Very Merry Christmas Cheese Board Recipe

This festive and customizable cheese and charcuterie board is the perfect appetizer or light meal for any holiday gathering you have planned!

Prep Time:
15 minutes mins

Total Time:
15 minutes mins

Servings:
6

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Ingredients

Cheeses – 8 oz total (minimum)

• Brie
• Goat cheese
• Blue cheese
• Cheddar or other hard cheese like havarti or gouda

Meats – 8 oz total (minimum)

• Salami
• Prosciutto
• Soppressata

Fruits

• Orange segments
• Pears
• Persimmon
• Pomegranate seeds

Extras

• Marinated mozzarella balls
• Crispy prosciutto
• Crackers – I like to have at least three kinds you can also use sliced toasted pieces of baguette too!
• Nuts you can use a mix or narrow it down to a couple types – I like using almonds and pistachios
• Cornichons/pickles
• Dried fruit
• Jam or marmalade particularly orange, cranberry, and/or fig
• Honey

Decoration

• Fresh herbs – sage rosemary, thyme to fill in gaps

Instructions

• Place larger items like bowls on your board first. Evenly space them out across the board.
• Next, add your items in groups to distribute everything evenly. Do meats, then cheeses, followed by crackers. Finish with produce and the extras.
• Use fresh herbs to fill in the gaps between items.
• Finally, add spoons to any jams/compotes.

Video

Category:
Appetizer, Snack