This easy Christmas charcuterie wreath is a festive way to serve meats, cheeses, fruit and savoury bites during the holiday season. Fresh rosemary creates the look of an evergreen wreath, while red and green grapes, cherry tomatoes and dried cranberries add natural Christmas colour.

It may look impressive, but it's surprisingly simple to assemble. Use the ingredients below as a guide and adjust the quantities or selections to include your family's favourite meats, cheeses and accompaniments.

Ingredients

Cheese

—6–8 ounces sharp white cheddar, cut into cubes
—1 small wheel or wedge of Brie
—4–5 ounces herb-crusted goat cheese, Boursin or another soft herb cheese

Meat

—4 ounces thinly sliced salami
—3–4 ounces prosciutto
—3–4 ounces soppressata or a second variety of sliced salami

Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

—1 small bunch red grapes
—1 small bunch green grapes
—1 firm pear, thinly sliced
—1 cup cherry tomatoes

Olives and Pickles

—¾ cup mixed green and black olives, well drained
—½ cup small cornichons, well drained

Crackers, Nuts and Extras

—1–1½ cups assorted crackers
—½ cup mini pretzels
—⅓ cup candied pecans
—¼ cup shelled pistachios
—¼ cup dried cranberries
—8–10 fresh rosemary sprigs, plus more if needed
—½–¾ cup cranberry pepper jelly

What You'll Need

—A large round wooden serving board or platter
—A small serving bowl
—A small spoon for the cranberry pepper jelly
—A cheese knife or spreader

How to Make a Christmas Charcuterie Wreath

Step 1

Position the Cranberry Pepper Jelly

Place a small bowl in the centre of the serving board and fill it with cranberry pepper jelly.

Add a small serving spoon to the bowl, positioning the handle so it's easy for guests to reach.

Step 2

Create the Rosemary Wreath

Arrange fresh rosemary sprigs in a loose circle around the outside of the board. Allow the ends to overlap slightly and point in the same general direction to create the look of an evergreen wreath.

Create a smaller ring of rosemary around the centre bowl, leaving space between the inner and outer greenery for the food.

Save a few extra rosemary sprigs to tuck into open areas once the board is assembled.

Step 3

Add the Cheeses

Position the Brie, herb-crusted cheese and cheddar in three separate areas around the board.

Cut the cheddar into bite-sized cubes. Leave the Brie in a wedge or small wheel and place a cheese knife or spreader beside it. The herb cheese can be left whole, cut into smaller portions or shaped into small rounds.

Step 4

Arrange the Meats

Fold or loosely roll the salami and soppressata slices, then arrange them in separate clusters around the wreath.

Gently ruffle the prosciutto and place it in two areas on the board. Avoid laying the meat completely flat — folding and gathering the slices gives the arrangement height and texture.

Step 5

Add the Grapes and Pear

Cut the red and green grapes into small clusters and place them in separate areas around the board.

Fan the pear slices near the Brie. If assembling the board ahead of time, brush the pear slices lightly with lemon juice to help prevent browning.

Step 6

Add the Tomatoes, Olives and Cornichons

Fill several open spaces with cherry tomatoes, mixed olives and cornichons.

Drain the olives and cornichons thoroughly and pat them dry before placing them on the board. This prevents the brine from spreading into the crackers, cheese and meats.

Step 7

Add the Crackers and Pretzels

Arrange the crackers in a loose, curved fan near the centre bowl, keeping them completely supported by the board.

Add the mini pretzels in a separate cluster. If your serving board is smaller, place additional crackers and pretzels in a bowl or basket beside it and refill the board as needed.

Step 8

Add the Nuts and Dried Cranberries

Place the candied pecans and pistachios in small clusters around the wreath.

Scatter dried cranberries into a few of the remaining spaces. Use them sparingly so they add colour without making the arrangement look overly busy.

Step 9

Fill the Remaining Spaces

Tuck additional rosemary sprigs into open areas until the circular wreath shape looks full and defined.

Make any final adjustments, keeping the placement loose and slightly irregular. The arrangement should look abundant and inviting rather than perfectly symmetrical.

Optional Dried Fruit

Dried apricots and dried mango also work beautifully on this board. They add warm golden colour, chewy texture and a sweet contrast to the salty meats and cheeses.

Add approximately ½ cup of mixed dried fruit in two or three small clusters. You can use it in addition to the dried cranberries or replace some of the grapes or tomatoes if your board is becoming too full.

Tips for a Beautiful Charcuterie Wreath

—Begin with the bowl and cheeses, then add the meats and larger clusters of fruit.
—Arrange similar colours in different sections instead of placing them all together.
—Fold and ruffle the cured meats to create height and texture.
—Cut grapes into small clusters so guests can take a portion easily.
—Drain olives and cornichons well to keep the other ingredients dry.
—Place moist ingredients away from the crackers and pretzels.
—Leave small areas of the wooden board visible so the arrangement doesn't look overcrowded.
—Keep the rosemary underneath and around the food rather than covering it completely.

Make-Ahead Instructions

The cheeses can be cut, the fruit washed and the remaining ingredients prepared several hours in advance. Store everything separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

The board can be partially assembled up to two hours before serving. Add the crackers, pretzels, nuts and pear slices shortly before guests arrive so they remain fresh and crisp.

Cover the assembled board loosely and refrigerate it until approximately 20 minutes before serving. Allowing the cheese to lose some of its chill will improve its flavour and texture.

For food safety, don't leave the charcuterie wreath at room temperature for longer than two hours.

Easy Substitutions

One of the best things about a charcuterie wreath is how easily it can be customized. Try substituting:

—Smoked Gouda, Havarti or aged cheddar for the white cheddar
—Garlic-and-herb cream cheese for the goat cheese
—Pepperoni or summer sausage for one of the cured meats
—Apple slices for the pear
—Marinated artichokes for the cherry tomatoes
—Almonds or walnuts for the candied pecans
—Fig jam, hot pepper jelly or apricot preserves for the cranberry pepper jelly
—Dried apricots, mango, figs or dates for some of the dried cranberries

Wishing you a warm and cozy Christmas from The Hungry Raven.

Homemade. Heartfelt. Seasonal.

Easy Christmas Charcuterie Wreath