6 Christmas Charcuterie Board Ideas to Impress Your Holiday Guests

Christmas charcuterie boards can turn your holiday entertaining into something memorable—without keeping you in the kitchen for hours. These festive spreads bring together seasonal flavors, holiday colors, and crowd-pleasing ingredients that suit any gathering, big or small.

When you make a Christmas charcuterie board, you get to balance classic holiday touches with creative surprises that’ll make your guests smile. Whether you’re planning a cozy breakfast with family, a fancy dinner party, or just a laid-back hangout, the right mix of meats, cheeses, fruits, and sweet bites can really set the mood.

Classic Meat and Cheese Board with Prosciutto, Genoa Salami, and Aged Cheddar

This combo brings together savory Italian meats and sharp, rich cheese for a holiday spread that just works. Salty prosciutto and nutty aged cheddar make a perfect pair.

Genoa salami brings a bold, garlicky kick that rounds out the board. These three anchor the whole thing.

Complete List of Ingredients

• 4 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
• 4 oz Genoa salami, sliced
• 6 oz aged cheddar cheese, cut into wedges
• 1 sleeve water crackers
• 1 small baguette, sliced
• 2 tbsp fig jam or honey
• 1 cup mixed nuts (almonds and walnuts)
• 1 cup red grapes
• Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Numbered Step by Step Instructions

1. Put aged cheddar wedges in different corners of your board to anchor everything.
2. Fold prosciutto slices loosely and place them near a cheese section.
3. Fan out Genoa salami slices in a curved line close to the prosciutto.
4. Fill gaps with crackers and baguette slices, making sure they’re easy to grab.
5. Add small bowls of fig jam or honey near the cheese.
6. Scatter mixed nuts around the board for some crunch.
7. Drop grape clusters into empty spots for color and freshness.
8. Tuck in fresh rosemary sprigs for a festive, aromatic touch.

Festive Red and Green Board featuring Cranberry Goat Cheese and Pesto Crackers

This board pops with red and green for instant Christmas vibes. Creamy, tangy cranberry goat cheese meets herby pesto crackers—so easy, and you don’t even have to cook.

You’ll pull this together fast, and the colors just scream holiday.

Complete List of Ingredients

• 8 oz goat cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1 sleeve water crackers
• 2 tablespoons basil pesto
• 8 oz salami, sliced
• 6 oz aged cheddar cheese, cubed
• 1 cup fresh strawberries
• 1 cup red grapes
• 1/2 cup green olives
• 1/2 cup mixed nuts
• Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Numbered Step by Step Instructions

1. Mix goat cheese with chopped cranberries and pecans until combined.
2. Shape the mixture into a log or ball and place it on your board.
3. Brush half the crackers with pesto for a green accent.
4. Arrange both pesto and plain crackers in stacks around the cheese.
5. Roll up salami slices and cluster them around the board.
6. Pile cubed cheddar between other ingredients.
7. Drop strawberries and grapes into empty spots for color and sweetness.
8. Scatter green olives to even out the reds.
9. Fill any gaps with mixed nuts for crunch.
10. Add rosemary sprigs for a natural holiday look.
11. Serve right away with cheese knives and spoons for easy sharing.

Sweet and Savory Dessert Board with Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels and Mini Peppermint Brownies

This dessert board is all about the sweet and salty combo. Chocolate-dipped pretzels and peppermint brownies bring that holiday magic everyone looks for.

You can use homemade or store-bought treats—no one will mind. The contrast of chocolate and pretzels is just so satisfying.

Complete List of Ingredients:

• 2 cups pretzel rods or twists
• 12 oz dark chocolate chips
• 1 box brownie mix
• 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
• 1/4 cup peppermint extract
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• Assorted Christmas cookies

Numbered Step by Step Cooking Instructions:

1. Bake brownies as directed, but mix in 1 teaspoon peppermint extract before baking.
2. Once cool, cut brownies into 1-inch squares and set aside.
3. Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
4. Dip pretzels halfway in chocolate and lay them on parchment paper.
5. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on the wet chocolate.
6. Chill dipped pretzels in the fridge for 15 minutes until chocolate sets.
7. Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar and remaining peppermint extract for a dip.
8. Cluster mini brownies across your serving board.
9. Arrange chocolate pretzels in glasses or lay them between brownie clusters.
10. Add small bowls of peppermint cream cheese dip around the board.
11. Fill in with strawberries, mini marshmallows, walnuts, and cookies.
12. Serve right away or cover and chill until guests arrive.

Vegan Holiday Board with Roasted Chickpeas, Vegan Cheese, and Spiced Nuts

This vegan charcuterie board brings together warm, savory flavors that feel just right for the holidays. You’ll end up with a colorful spread that everyone can dig into.

Roasted chickpeas, creamy vegan cheese, and spiced nuts create a mix of textures and flavors. Fresh fruits and veggies brighten things up and balance the savory bites.

Complete List of Ingredients

• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 8 oz vegan cheese (assorted varieties)
• 1 cup red grapes
• 1 cup green grapes
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup dried apricots
• 2 cups mixed crackers
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Numbered Step by Step Cooking Instructions

1. Heat your oven to 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment.
2. Dry chickpeas with paper towels and toss them with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
3. Spread chickpeas on one baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until crispy.
4. Mix nuts with cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, and maple syrup, then spread on the other sheet.
5. Roast the nuts for 12-15 minutes, stirring once. Let chickpeas and nuts cool.
6. Arrange vegan cheeses around your board.
7. Fill small bowls with roasted chickpeas and spiced nuts, then place them on the board.
8. Add clusters of grapes, then fill gaps with dried cranberries and apricots.
9. Fan out crackers and arrange cucumber and bell pepper slices in little patterns.
10. Tuck rosemary sprigs between items for a festive feel. Serve right away or cover until guests arrive.

Winter Wonderland Board using Blue Cheese, Pear Slices, and Candied Walnuts

This wintery board feels elegant but comes together quickly. Sharp blue cheese meets sweet pear slices and crunchy candied walnuts—a classic trio.

You’ll whip up a stunning appetizer in no time. The flavors are sophisticated and perfect for a holiday crowd.

Ripe pears bring a natural sweetness that balances out the tangy blue cheese. Candied walnuts create a satisfying crunch in every bite.

Complete List of Ingredients:

• 8 oz blue cheese, crumbled or wedged
• 3-4 ripe pears, sliced
• 1 cup candied walnuts
• Assorted crackers or baguette slices
• Honey for drizzling
• Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Numbered Step by Step Instructions:

1. Wash, core, and slice the pears into thin wedges. Arrange them around your board.
2. Place blue cheese in small clusters—use crumbles or wedges, whatever you like.
3. Scatter candied walnuts in little piles throughout the board.
4. Add crackers or baguette slices along the edges. Go with neutral flavors.
5. Drizzle honey over the blue cheese for a sweet-savory boost.
6. Garnish with rosemary sprigs for a wintery look and lovely aroma. Place them where they look best.

Breakfast Christmas Board with Mini Pancakes, Maple Sausage, and Fresh Berries

If you want to make Christmas morning feel extra special, try putting together a breakfast charcuterie board. It’s honestly a gorgeous way to bring everyone together around the table.

You’ll get a mix of sweet mini pancakes, savory maple sausage, and a bunch of colorful fresh berries. It’s festive, a little bit fancy, and honestly doesn’t take much more effort than a regular breakfast.

Instead of plating up individual breakfasts, just build one big board. Everyone can pick and choose what they want, and you get to relax a little more.

Complete List of Ingredients

• 2 cups pancake mix
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 pound maple breakfast sausages
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar for dusting
• Small bowls for syrup and butter

Numbered Step by Step Cooking Instructions

1. Set your oven to 375°F. Grab a large skillet and heat it over medium heat for the sausages.
2. Brown the maple sausages in the skillet, turning them now and then. They should be golden and cooked through in about 12-15 minutes.
3. While the sausages sizzle, whisk pancake mix, milk, eggs, and melted butter in a big bowl. Don’t overthink it—just mix until it comes together.
4. Heat a griddle or non-stick pan on medium. Give it a light coat of butter or cooking spray.
5. Pour small puddles of batter onto the griddle—aim for pancakes about 2-3 inches wide.
6. Let the mini pancakes cook for 2-3 minutes. When bubbles pop up on top, flip them and cook for another minute or two until they’re golden.
7. Pop the finished pancakes in a 200°F oven to keep them warm while you finish the rest.
8. Rinse all your berries. Hull and halve the strawberries, and leave the rest as they are.
9. Start building your board by clustering the warm mini pancakes across a big wooden board or platter.
10. Nestle the cooked maple sausages between those pancake clusters.
11. Fill in the gaps with little piles of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. The more color, the better.
12. Set out small bowls of maple syrup and softened butter for dipping and spreading.
13. Sprinkle a dusting of powdered sugar over everything. It’s not required, but it does look like fresh snow.
14. Serve right away, while everything’s still warm. That’s when it tastes best—trust me.