Christmas Charcuterie Board for Holiday Parties
This Christmas Charcuterie Board is the ultimate festive grazing spread. It’s overflowing with creamy cheeses, savory meats, jewel-toned fruits, and rustic crackers, making it an effortlessly elegant centerpiece perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, or cozy winter nights.
There’s nothing more inviting than a generous, overflowing grazing board at the center of a holiday table. This Christmas Eve Grazing Board combines everything you love about the season — creamy cheeses, rich charcuterie, jewel-toned fruits, and rustic touches — layered together for a display that feels both festive and effortless.
Featuring homemade favorites like Hot Honey Baked Brie with Pistachios and Whipped Ricotta Crostini with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, this board strikes the perfect balance between cozy and elegant. It’s an ideal choice for Christmas party food, New Year’s celebrations, or even a laid-back weekend gathering with friends.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Charcuterie Board
- Visually stunning yet approachable. Simple ingredients styled beautifully for a showstopping centerpiece.
- Perfect for entertaining. Serves 8–10 guests and encourages relaxed, communal snacking.
- Balanced flavors and textures. Creamy, crunchy, salty, and sweet all in one spread.
- Evergreen idea. Adapt the theme for Easter, summer picnics, or cozy winter wine nights.
What You’ll Need to Build the Ultimate Christmas Charcuterie Grazing Table
Homemade Elements
If you’d like to take your charcuterie board a step further, try one or more of these suggestions for homemade elements.
- 1 wheel Hot Honey Baked Brie with Pistachios and Thyme
- 12 Whipped Ricotta Crostini with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
- Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites
Cheeses
- Camembert wedge
- Blue cheese (Stilton or Gorgonzola)
- Semi-soft cheese (Fontina or Havarti)
- Aged cheddar
Charcuterie
While many use the term “charcuterie” to describe any grazing board, it actually refers to cured meats. You can, of course, omit the charcuterie for a vegetarian crowd.
- Prosciutto
- Salami or soppressata
- Coppa or other cured meats (fold or roll into “roses” for dimension)
Crackers & Bread
- Toasted baguette slices
- Artisan crackers and breadsticks
- Fruit and nut crackers
- Homemade sourdough or gluten-free sourdough bread
Fruits, Vegetables & Nuts
- Figs, strawberries, blackberries, and grapes
- Pomegranate arils
- Mini sweet peppers and vine cherry tomatoes
- Marinated artichoke hearts
- Green or Castelvetrano olives
- Mixed nuts (cashews, pistachios, almonds)
- Fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs
Condiments
- Fig jam or cranberry chutney
- Hot honey for drizzling
Ready to make your own beautiful Christmas grazing board? Print the recipe card below and bring it with you to the store so shopping (and assembling!) feels effortless. Happy Holidays!
Christmas Charcuterie Grazing Board
This Christmas Charcuterie Board is a stunning holiday appetizer platter filled with creamy cheeses, savory meats, colorful fruits, and festive garnishes. It’s easy to assemble, endlessly customizable, and perfect for Christmas parties, family gatherings, or any festive occasion.
Ingredients
Homemade elements:
- 1 wheel of Brie with Chopped Pistachios and Hot Honey (see recipe)
- 12 Whipped Ricotta Crostini topped with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes (see recipe)
Cheeses:
- camembert wedge
- blue cheese (such as stilton or gorgonzola)
- semi-soft cheese (like fontina or havarti)
- aged cheddar
Charcuterie:
- slices of prosciutto
- salami or soppressata
- coppa or other cured meats, folded or rolled into “roses” for height and texture
Crackers & bread:
- baguette slices (toasted for crostini)
- artisan crackers and breadsticks
- fruit and nut crackers
Fruits, vegetables & nuts:
- fresh figs, strawberries, blackberries, and grapes
- pomegranate arils
- stuffed mini sweet peppers
- vine cherry tomatoes
- marinated artichoke hearts
- green olives or stuffed Castelvetrano olives
- mixed nuts (cashews, pistachios, almonds)
- sprigs of rosemary and thyme, for garnish
Condiments:
- fig jam or cranberry chutney
- hot honey, for drizzling
Instructions
- Start with the baked Brie, placing it slightly off-center on your largest board, leaving space for the crostini and accompaniments. Surround it with crackers or slices of baguette for dipping.
- Arrange the crostini in a fan or crescent shape near the Brie, so the board feels visually balanced. Their pop of red from the roasted tomatoes adds warmth and vibrancy.
- Next, add the cheeses, include a mix of shapes and textures, and cut wedges. Crumble soft cheese, and cube firm ones. Allow each to have a knife or a spreader nearby.
- Fold and tuck in the charcuterie. Gently fold or roll the slices to add height and dimension. Salami roses add sculptural flair and visual luxury.
- Fill in the gaps with fruit, nuts, and olives. Cluster grapes and berries, then scatter nuts and small crackers to fill gaps and create a sense of abundance.
- Finish with festive touches by adding sprigs of fresh rosemary, thyme, or eucalyptus, and a few Christmas ornaments for decoration if serving as a holiday centerpiece.
