Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board
Dec 12, 2020 Updated Mar 11, 2026
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Table of Contents
- How To Make a Charcuterie Wreath
- Vegan Charcuterie Wreath
- Charcuterie Wreath Step-by-Step
- Video Tutorial: Wreath Charcuterie Board
- What Are Mozzarella Balls?
- Alternative Charcuterie Wreath Idea
- What is Antipasto?
- Beverage Pairing Ideas
- FAQs
- Show Me Your Charcuterie Wreaths
- Christmas Wreath Appetizer Recipe
- Shop This Post
How cute is this charcuterie wreath (aka charcuterwreath) appetizer? Similar to my Charcuter-TREE board, this festive board is perfect for holiday entertaining. You can make it in any size (single serving, anyone?) and change up the ingredients to suit your tastes.
I chose to go with Italian flavors to give my wreath an antipasto flair. Of course, Brie isn’t very Italian, but I couldn’t resist using Trader Joe’s brie bites to help shape the wreath and add another cheese option for guests.
Looking for other recipes to get you in the holiday spirit? Check out my Hot Chocolate Board, Oh Christmas Brie Board, Charcuterie Chalet, Christmas Dessert Board, and Holiday Charcuterie Board.
And, for a non-holiday version of antipasti, make my Italian Antipasti Platter.
How To Make a Charcuterie Wreath
I used a 14.5-inch board to serve 5 to 7 people, but you can always increase or decrease ingredient amounts to scale the wreath up or down–just be sure to adjust your board (or plate) accordingly!
Ingredients
- 5 Brie bites (I got mine from Trader Joe’s)
- 4 ounces mozzarella balls (Ciliegine)
- 4 to 5 ounces dill Havarti, cubed
- 3 salami rosettes (check out my salami rose tutorial!)
- 2 ounces Kalamata olives, pitted
- 3 to 4 ounces Castelvetrano olives, whole
- 2 ounces pepperoncini
- 2 ounces peppadew peppers
- Rosemary sprigs, for garnish
- Crackers or crostini, for serving
Directions
- Using the edge of a round board as a guide, space the brie bites, mozzarella balls, and cubed cheese out in a circle.
- Evenly distribute olives, pepperoncini, and peppadews between (and on top of) the cheeses. Arrange the salami rosettes around the wreath (I like to do two on the bottom and one on top) and garnish with rosemary sprigs to help define the wreath shape.
- Serve with crackers or crostini and enjoy!
Pro tip: Serve this board with toothpicks (these are my favorite fancy toothpicks from Simply Baked) to make eating easier and cleaner.
Vegan Charcuterie Wreath
To make this board vegan or dairy-free, all you need to replace are the cheeses and crackers! And, of course, ditch the salami. Unfortunately, there isn’t a great vegan mozzarella option, so try a different cheese! You can also switch up the flavor combo to be less Italian–find more wreath flavor ideas below.
Vegan Cheeses
Vegan Crackers
- Triscuits
- Wheat thins
- Wellington Traditional Water Crackers (not all water crackers are vegan, so be sure to check!)
- Good Thins Sea Salt Corn Snacks (also gluten free!)
Charcuterie Wreath Step-by-Step
- Space the brie bites, mozzarella balls, and cubed cheese around the edge of the board.
- Add the olives.
- Arrange the peppadew peppers and pepperoncini between the cheese and olives.
- Fill in any holes with any remaining ingredients.
- Place 2 salami rosettes at the bottom of the wreath and 1 at the top.
- Garnish with rosemary.
Video Tutorial: Wreath Charcuterie Board
What Are Mozzarella Balls?
I love adding fresh mozzarella to my boards. It’s so easy to eat, and it pairs well with a variety of vegetables and fruit. Its mild flavor goes great with briny, spicy, or flavorful ingredients like pickles and olives.
Fresh mozzarella is sold in several different sizes. All types are most often sold in tubs with their whey (the liquid that the mozzarella is swimming in).
- Mozzarella balls. These are the ones you’ve definitely seen in stores. They are about the size of a small orange. If I use these on a board, I’m more likely to slice the balls into smaller pieces so they’re easier for guests to just take and eat.
- Bocconcini balls. These are slightly smaller than the regular ones. They are about the size of an egg. This is the size I used on this wreath board.
- Ciliegine balls. These are the smallest mozzarella balls. They are about the size of a cherry.
Alternative Charcuterie Wreath Idea
If you want a wreath that’s a little more finger-food friendly, make these adorable antipasto skewers with cooked bowtie pasta, cubed Havarti, Manzanilla olives, salami (folded), hot peppers, cherry tomatoes, and rosemary, then arrange them in a wreath shape on a round platter or board.
Pro tip: if you can’t find long skewers, I love the 6-inch bamboo sticks!
What is Antipasto?
What do Italians serve before their main pasta entree? Antipasto is the singular, and antipasti is for multiple portions. And “antipasta” is actually not an Italian word. The more you know!
The simplest definition of antipasti is what’s eaten “before pasta”. It’s the Italian version of the French charcuterie dish. Although a charcuterie spread traditionally has no cheese, as well as a wider variety of ingredients.
Other traditional antipasto ingredients to try:
- Anchovies
- Artichoke hearts
- Marinated mushrooms
- Cured meats like prosciutto, Parma ham, or speck
- Pickled vegetables (like giardiniera)
Beverage Pairing Ideas
This Snow Globe Cocktail is my favorite way to serve a cocktail during the holidays, and it pairs especially well with this board. You can also try:
- Sparkling wine, like Prosecco
- White wine, like Pinot Grigio or Riesling
- Gin and tonic
- White Cranberry Cosmo
- Surprise Fix
FAQs
Flatbreads and crostini
– Caprese Wreath: mozzarella pearls, cherry tomato halves, basil, and balsamic glaze
– Mediterranean Wreath: marinated artichoke, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, feta cubes, and olive oil
– Brie & Cranberry Wreath: mini brie bites, whole cranberry sauce, thyme, and candied walnuts
– Pesto & Mozzarella Wreath: pesto, mozzarella pearls, and cherry tomato halves
– Burrata Wreath: burrata, prosciutto, arugula, figs, and balsamic glaze
– Goat Cheese & Beet Wreath: goat cheese medallions, roasted beet cubes (you can buy these at Trader Joe’s), arugula, and pistachios
– Mini Donut Wreath: mini powdered doughnuts, glazed doughnuts, sugared cranberries, dark chocolate, and rosemary
– Fruit Wreath: green grapes, raspberries, blackberries, apples, and yogurt-covered pretzels with Chocolate Fruit Dip on the side
– Shop for olives and cheese at discount retailers like Walmart & Aldi
– If you have leftovers, don’t discard them–use them to make mini appetizers, like pre-dinner antipasti or a charcuterie lunch for your kids! You can even use some of the leftover cheese for breakfast omelets or grilled cheese.
This is not a great board to prep ahead because the cheese and olives have a lot of moisture! That said, you can definitely pre-cut the Havarti and make the salami rosettes in advance. You can plate the brie, Havarti, salami rosettes, and rosemary ahead of time, but save the mozzarella, olives, and peppers until just before serving.
If you have leftovers, deconstruct the board and store everything in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
Show Me Your Charcuterie Wreaths
I hope this post inspires you to create Christmas-themed cheese boards. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the beautiful snacks and spreads you create from my tips. If you make something inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttooproudtomeg so I can see and share!
And, if you liked this recipe, please rate and review.
Christmas Wreath Appetizer
Ingredients
- 5 Brie bites
- 4 oz mozzarella balls (Ciliegine)
- 4-5 oz dill Havarti cubed
- 3 salami rosettes (check out my tutorial)
- 2 oz Kalamata olives pitted
- 3-4 oz Castelvetrano olives
- 2 oz pepperoncini
- 2 oz peppadew peppers
- Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
- Crackers or crostini for serving
Instructions
- Using the edge of a round board as a guide, space the brie bites, mozzarella balls, and cubed cheese out in a circle.
- Evenly distribute olives, pepperoncini, and peppadews between (and on top of) the cheeses. Place the salami rosettes (I like to do two on the bottom and one on top) and garnish with rosemary sprigs to help define the wreath shape.
- Serve with crackers or crostini and enjoy!
You always have the best ideas for charcuterie boards! And your posts are always an inspiration.
This board was my inspiration for this holiday season! It was the holiday party hit!! Everyone just loved it as much as I did. Thank you for your amazing boards that influence me to try new “fun” things!
I love the video and thorough instructions. You make a daunting task seem doable. Thank you for all the details to make it happen.
I love a themed board!! I plan to make one of these for our small family gathering this weekend!
Love all your super cute super fun boards! Thank you for making people smile during these times❤️
Gorgeous!! Meg, your boards are always my go to for inspiration!
This is absolutely gorgeous!!! Can’t wait to make one!!
Love this! Such great inspiration
I love the shape boards!!!
Can’t wait to make this on Christmas!!