This post has been sponsored by Safeway and Boar’s Head Brand®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board will be a showstopper at your Christmas gathering! Savory Boar’s Head premium meats and cheeses make up this beautiful holiday grazing board.
Your guests will be so impressed when they lay eyes on this gorgeous Christmas tree-shaped charcuterie board! It’s such a fun, festive way to kick off a holiday gathering or cocktail party! Remember my Patriotic Charcuterie Board for the 4th of July and my super Simple Family Friendly Charcuterie Board?! This board is just as beautiful and delicious as those, but with a fun Christmas/holiday theme!
I crafted this holiday charcuterie board entirely from high-quality Boar’s Head Brand® meats and cheeses, along with other tasty accompaniments, all purchased at my local Safeway store. This board is simple, yet elegant, using exceptionally crafted artisan products.
I was sent this amazing gift box chock full of quality Boars Head meats and cheeses as well as delicious accompaniments like olives and crackers.
My local Safeway store has an entire case filled with premium Boar’s Head Brand® products from meats and cheeses, to delicious accompaniments like hummus, dips and spreads (the Boar’s Head mustard has been a long-standing family favorite and the only mustard we’ll buy! It’s addicting!)
Safeway is definitely your one stop shop for Boar’s Head charcuterie products, as well as any other extra items you’ll need for your festive holiday charcuterie board! To learn more about Boar’s Head Brand® products and get more recipe inspiration, check out their Instagram @boarshead_official or visit boarshead.com!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS HOLIDAY CHARCUTERIE BOARD
- Simple, yet festive way to kick off a holiday gathering!
- Lots of delicious options to choose from to include on your board.
- Can easily be refilled as guests graze.
- Can be made ahead of time for stress-free entertaining.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Simple Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board. Make sure you check out the Safeway mobile and “clip” a few coupons to save on your holiday shopping trip!
INGREDIENT OPTIONS: PICK 2 METHOD
To make assembling this board simple and stress-free, use the “Pick 2” method. There are five categories, and you just “Pick 2” from each! No need to overcomplicate things! The starred items are exactly what I used on my Christmas tree charcuterie board.
Meats: Boar’s Head has such a wide variety of superior-quality meats for your charcuterie board. All of their meats are free from artificial colors, flavors, and MSG. On my board, I used savory Boar’s Head Genoa Salami. I coupled that with flavorful, yet mild Boar’s Head pepperoni to add color to the tree as well as keeping it very family-friendly!
Here are some options for your charcuterie meats:
- Prosciutto: (such as: Boar’s Head Prosciutto di Parma)
- *Salami: (such as: Boar’s Head Uncured Genoa Salami*, Boar’s Head Hard Salami, Boar’s Head Uncured Bianco D’Oro® Italian Dry Salame)
- Sopressata: (such as: Boar’s Head Uncured Sopressata)
- *Pepperoni: (such as: Boar’s Head Pepperoni)
- Capocollo: (such as: Boar’s Head Hot Uncured Capocollo)
- Mortadella: (such as: Boar’s Head Mortadella)
Cheeses: Sky is the limit with cheese for your board! Some people say choose some hard cheeses and some soft cheeses. I say, choose what you think your guests will love! I used smoked gouda and fontina on my board. Both are rich, creamy and definitely crowd pleasers!
Here are some other crowd faves:
- Brie (such as: Boar’s Head French Brie)
- Medium/Sharp Cheddar (such as: Boar’s Head Vermont or Sharp Wisconsin Cheddar)
- Pamigiano Reggiano (such as: Boar’s Head Pamigiano Reggiano)
- Manchego (such as: Boar’s Head Manchego)
- *Gouda (such as: Boar’s Head Smoked Gouda or Boar’s Head Aged Gouda)
- *Fontina (such as: Boar’s Head Fontina)
Dips & Spreads: These dips/spreads deliver delicious, yet convenient options for your charcuterie board. Open the container and they’re ready to serve! And who doesn’t love to dip?! Some options include:
- Hummus (such as: Boar’s Head Hummus, my personal fave is the Boar’s Head Kalamata Olive Tapenade Hummus!)
- Jams & Jellies
- *Mustard (such as: Boar’s Head Honey Mustard or Boar’s Head Delicatessen Style Mustard*)
- Boar’s Head French Onion Greek Yogurt Dip
- Boar’s Head Tzatziki Greek Yogurt Dip
Bread/Crackers: I like getting at least 2 cracker varieties in different shapes, sizes or flavors. And you can’t go wrong stopping by the Safeway bakery for a freshly baked baguette, either! Other options include:
- *Water Crackers (such as Safeway Signature Select Water Crackers)
- *Flavored Crackers (such as: O Organics Rosemary Flatbread Crackers with Sea Salt)
- French bread/baguette
- Bread Sticks
- Pita chips/pita bread
See all cracker options here: 10 Best Crackers for a Charcuterie Board.
Extras/Garnishes (optional): If you are looking to elevate your charcuterie board, here are some other mouth-watering accompaniments, all of which can easily be found at your local Safeway store!
- *Rosemary sprigs: To make your Christmas tree look authentic 🙂
- Pickles (such as: Boar’s Head Kosher Dill Pickle Chips)
- *Olives
- *Nuts
- *Dried Cranberries
- *Fresh pomegranate seeds
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Grapes
- Cherries
- Chocolate
HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTMAS TREE CHARCUTERIE BOARD: STEP BY STEP
Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with exact ingredients will be in the recipe card below!
Once you have chosen your items from the “Pick 2” method above, start assembling your Christmas tree!
Step 1: Start at the base of your tree. Start with the bigger “main” items first–your meats and cheeses. Just make each “layer” slightly shorter than the next. The cute little pepperoni layer was done by just folding the pepperoni slices into quarters and threading them onto a toothpicks. So easy!
Step 2: Then, start layering your smaller items or “extras” such a nuts, olives, dried fruit, grapes, etc.
Step 3: Place rosemary stems between your layers for the Christmas tree look. Use a star cookie cutter (or freehand it with a sharp knife) to cut a star shape from a slice of cheese.
Step 4: Last, place any dips or spreads you are using around your board. I used Boars Head Mustard in a small ramekin for the “trunk” of my tree! Also, add bread or crackers around the board. “Decorate” the tree with red pomegranate seeds for another splash of color!
RECIPE TIPS & TRICKS
- Keep it Simple: To keep from getting overwhelmed with all the choices for your charcuterie board, use the “Pick 2 method” and keep it simple!
- Charcuterie Boards: A 18 x 14 wooden cutting board works great for assembling this board! There are also super fun Christmas Tree shaped charcuterie boards! Another great option I have used is a big 16 x 16 slab of marble tile you can pick up for about $5 at a home improvement store – it makes a beautiful backdrop for your Christmas charcuterie!
- Proper Portions: A good rule of thumb is to plan for 3-6 oz. of meat/cheese per person. For this charcuterie board, I used about 30 oz. of meat and cheese, which will serve about 6-10 people.
- Refills: I always like to have precut meat and cheese, along with extra condiments ready to go to easily refill the platter as your guest graze.
- Pepperoni Layer: Fold pepperoni slices in quarters, then stick them onto toothpicks to make that layer neat and pretty 🙂 You can do this with thinly sliced salami, too.
PREP & STORAGE
- A big time saver is to cut and prep all items the day before your gathering. For example, cut meat and cheese, wash grapes/fruit, portion out nuts, etc. The actual “tree” is a cinch to assemble once everything is prepped and ready to go!
- For the best flavor, let the charcuterie board with all of the goodies come to room temperature about 15-30 minutes before serving.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Charcuterie is the preparation of the actual goodies you assemble to graze on. Typical charcuterie includes cured meats, cheese, fruit, nuts and various dips, spread and condiments.
A charcuterie board, is the “tray” that displays the goodies. Typically, this is a large cutting board or a marble slab of some sort. Believe it or not, there are also Christmas tree shaped charcuterie boards! A plain, large wooden cutting board has always been my go-to.
You can make your board as big or as small as you like! A good rule of thumb is to plan for 3-6 oz. of meat/cheese per guest.
For this charcuterie board, I used about 30 oz. of meat and cheese total, so it will serve about 6-10 people.
Yes! There are two options:
Option 1: Assemble the entire tree. Cover tightly with several layers of plastic wrap. Store in the fridge up to 12 hours.
Option 2: Cut and prep cheese, meat, fruit and any other items you are using. Store in small containers or plastic bags up to 2 days. Assembling the tree is a cinch once you have all of your items prepped and ready to go!
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Simple Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Boar's Head Fontina Cheese, cubed see other cheese options below
- 8 oz. Boar's Head Smoked Gouda, cubed see other cheese options below
- 9 oz. Boar's Head uncured Genoa salami, cubed see other meat options below
- 6 oz Boar's Head Pepperoni see other meat options below
- 1/2 cup green olives
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 3-4 tbsp Boar's Head Honey Mustard or Delicatessen style mustard
- 1 5 oz package, O Organics® rosemary flatbread crackers see other cracker options below
- 1 4.25 oz package Signature Select water crackers see other cracker options below
- fresh pomegranate seeds for garnish see other garnish options below
- 8-10 rosemary sprigs for your "tree branches"
Instructions
- Start at the base of your tree with your meats and cheeses. Make one layer that goes almost the width of the board. Make each "layer" slightly shorter than the next. Remember to leave room at the bottom for your "tree trunk." The cute little pepperoni layer was done by just folding the pepperoni slices into quarters and sticking them onto toothpicks. So easy!
- Next, layer your smaller items or "extras" such a nuts, olives, dried fruit, grapes, etc.
- Place rosemary stems between your layers for the Christmas tree look.
- Last, place any dips and spreads you are using around your board. I used Boar's Head mustard in a small white ramekin for the "trunk" of my tree! Also, add bread and crackers around the board. "Decorate" the tree with red pomegranate seeds for another splash of color!
- Allow items to come to room temperature for 15-30 minutes before serving. OR wrap the board tightly with several layers of plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 12 hours.
Notes
- Prosciutto: (such as: Boar’s Head Prosciutto di Parma)
- *Salami: (such as: Boar’s Head Uncured Genoa Salami, Boar’s Head Hard Salami, Boar’s Head Uncured Bianco D’Oro® Italian Dry Salame)
- Sopressata: (such as: Boar’s Head Uncured Sopressata)
- *Pepperoni: (such as: Boar’s Head Pepperoni)
- Capocollo: (such as: Boar’s Head Hot Uncured Capocollo)
- Mortadella: (such as: Boar’s Head Mortadella)
- Brie (such as: Boar’s Head French Brie)
- *Gouda (such as: Boar’s Head Smoked Gouda or Boar’s Head Aged Gouda)
- *Fontina (such as: Boar’s Head Fontina)
- Pamigiano Reggiano (such as: Boar’s Head Pamigiano Reggiano)
- Manchego (such as: Boar’s Head Manchego)
- Cheddar (such as: Boar’s Head Vermont or Sharp Wisconsin Cheddar)
- Hummus (such as: Boar’s Head Hummus)
- Jams & Jellies
- *Mustard (such as: Boar’s Head Honey Mustard or Boar’s Head Delicatessen Style Mustard)
- Pesto
- Honey
- Spinach Dip
- Ranch Dressing
- *Water Crackers
- Whole Wheat Crackers
- *Flavored Crackers such as rosemary
- French bread/baguette
- Bread Sticks
- Pita chips/pita bread
- *Rosemary sprigs
- Pickles (such as: Boar’s Head Kosher Dill Pickle Chips)
- *Olives
- *Nuts
- *Dried Cranberries
- Fresh pomegranate seeds
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Grapes
- Cherries
- Chocolate
Stephanie says
This was perfect for my first time hosting Christmas and it was a great way for my teenage daughter to contribute to the prep. We chose the almost all the same ingredients as in the visual, but, of course, our picture is not as pretty. Lol Make it and enjoy it!
Nicolle says
Casey thank you so much for joining our Weekly Wednesday Link Party! I am happy to be featuring you this week! Have a great Wednesday my new friend!
Grandma's House DIY says
I’m featuring you when the next party starts this week, thank you for sharing with us at the To Grandma’s house we go Wednesday link party!
Nicolle says
Casey I came across your blog in this week’s Friday Favorites. This is stunning! I have never met me a charcuterie board I didn’t like! I would love to invite you to come link up at my weekly link party every Wednesday-Sunday! https://www.ourtinynest.com/2022/12/07/weekly-wednesday-link-party-325/
Have a great weekend!
Fran says
I am having trouble finding the meats in a size big enough to cube?
Casey Rooney says
I used a large salami stick (pictured) for this tree. You can find them in the deli section at most large chain grocery stores. You can also just so meats on toothpicks like I did for the peppeoni 🙂 Let us know how it turns ut!
Tara says
This is such a cute idea for a Christmas get together! Who doesn’t love a charcuterie board?! Yum!
Mirlene says
I love this idea of making a charcuterie board into a tree! I’m making this for my family’s christmas party this year!
Beth says
I am definitely making a Christmas Tree charcuterie board this year! So much fun and so tasty!
Claudia Lamascolo says
What a festive idea ! Everyone enjoyed this last year and will certainly make it again with such rave reviews thanks!
Renee | The Good Hearted Woman says
I love how effortless this is to pull together! It looks so festive on display, and it’s easy to keep refilled. Your “Pick 2” system for choosing really alleviates a lot of stress, too. Thanks!
Anonymous says
This was a perfect lunch for our little family on Christmas Day! So festive!