Quick Answer: A charcuterie wreath is a ring of board food on a round board. Put a small bowl in the center, lay a ring of rosemary sprigs around it as the greenery, then build the ring on top: cheese cubes and stars, folded salami, green grapes, green olives, and red pomegranate seeds, cherry tomatoes or raspberries for the berries. Finish with a bow of prosciutto or red pepper strips. Before a holiday meal, plan 2 oz each of meat and cheese per guest, about 1½ lb of each for 12.
A regular holiday board looks good. A wreath board looks like Christmas, and it's no harder to build because the ring tells you where everything goes. It's also easier to serve from, since guests can reach the whole ring from any side of the table.
Board size and how many it serves
| Board | Wreath ring | Serves (before a meal) | Serves (as the party food) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 to 14 inch round | About 3 inches wide | 6 to 8 | 4 to 6 |
| 16 to 18 inch round | About 4 inches wide | 12 to 15 | 8 to 10 |
| Two 16 inch boards, or a round tray plus a side board | Two rings | 20 to 25 | 14 to 18 |
No round board? A round pizza pan or a large round platter works. Line metal with parchment first.
Shopping list for 8, 12 or 20 guests
These follow the Lab standard for a board before a holiday meal (2 oz each of meat and cheese per guest), with 10% extra from 20 guests up. If the wreath is the main food at a party, multiply the meat and cheese by 1.5.
| Item | 8 guests | 12 guests | 20 guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheese (2 to 3 kinds) | 1 lb | 1½ lb | 2¾ lb |
| Cured meat (2 kinds) | 1 lb | 1½ lb | 2¾ lb |
| Crackers or crostini | 50 to 65 | 75 to 95 | 135 to 175 |
| Fresh rosemary | 2 large bunches | 3 bunches | 5 bunches |
| Green grapes | 1 lb | 1½ lb | 2½ lb |
| Green olives | 1 cup | 1½ cups | 2½ cups |
| Red fruit (pomegranate, raspberries, cherry tomatoes) | 1½ cups | 2 cups | 3½ cups |
| Mini mozzarella balls (optional) | 8 oz | 8 oz | 16 oz |
The crackers don't fit on a wreath. Serve them on a plate or in a long tray beside it, or stand a few in the center bowl.
The red, green and white ingredients
A wreath reads as a wreath because of color. Pick at least two items in each color.
| Color | Cheese | Meat and savory | Fruit and garnish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | Sage Derby or a pesto-marbled cheese | Castelvetrano olives, cornichons, pistachios | Green grapes, kiwi, rosemary, thyme |
| Red | Wensleydale with cranberries, cranberry goat cheese | Genoa salami, soppressata, prosciutto, roasted red peppers | Pomegranate seeds, raspberries, cherry tomatoes, strawberries |
| White | Brie, white cheddar, Manchego, mini mozzarella | Marcona almonds | Coconut-dusted dates, yogurt pretzels |
Cut firm cheese like white cheddar and Manchego with a small star cookie cutter for a few pieces on top. Save the trimmings for the next morning's eggs.
How to build the wreath, step by step
- Center bowl. Set a 4 to 5 inch bowl in the middle of the board. Fill it with honey, fig jam, a cheese dip or stand crackers in it. Leave it empty until the end so you can see the ring.
- Greenery ring. Lay rosemary sprigs in a ring around the bowl, all angled the same way like the needles of a wreath. This is the base everything sits on.
- Cheese in clusters. Place the cheese in 5 or 6 groups spaced evenly around the ring. A small brie wedge, a stack of cheddar cubes, a fan of Manchego.
- Meat between the cheese. Fold the salami in quarters or into roses and tuck it between the cheese groups. Ruffle the prosciutto into loose piles.
- Green next. Fill in with grapes and olives on the inside and outside edges of the ring.
- Red berries last. Scatter pomegranate seeds, raspberries or cherry tomatoes all around. Red on top of green is what makes it look like a wreath.
- The bow. At the bottom of the wreath, shape a bow from two loops of prosciutto with a tail, or from strips of roasted red pepper. A real ribbon tied to the board handle works too.
- Final tuck. Add a few more rosemary sprigs poking out of the outer edge so the ring looks full.
Caprese wreath (no cured meat)
For a lighter or vegetarian option, build the same ring with mini mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, basil leaves and green olives over the rosemary, then drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze just before serving. Put a bowl of pesto in the center. Check the vegetarian guide for cheeses made with vegetarian rennet.
Greenery to keep off the board
Use only edible herbs that touch the food: rosemary, thyme, sage and bay leaves (as decoration, not to eat). Keep holly and mistletoe off the board. Their berries are poisonous, and a stray berry next to the raspberries is a real risk with kids around. Pine, cedar and poinsettia can sit around the outside of the board for decoration, but not on the food.
Make-ahead timing
- The day before: cube and star-cut the cheese, fold the salami, wash and dry the grapes, seed the pomegranate. Store each in its own sealed container.
- Up to 3 hours before: lay the rosemary ring and set the center bowl. Cover with a damp paper towel and refrigerate if your fridge has room.
- 1 hour before: take out aged cheese like Manchego and cheddar (45 to 60 minutes out of the fridge is best).
- 30 minutes before: take out the brie and meat, and build the ring.
- Once it's out: serve within 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F. For a long party, build a smaller wreath and refill it.
See the make-ahead guide for more.
What it costs
With grocery-store cheese, salami and fruit, a wreath before a meal costs about $4.50 to $7 per guest, the same as any holiday board. Pomegranate seeds and fresh rosemary add a few dollars, and a pesto or caprese wreath without cured meat is a little cheaper. Trader Joe's and Costco both carry most of the list; see the Trader Joe's shopping list and the Costco list.
FAQ
How do you make a charcuterie wreath? Set a small bowl in the center of a round board, lay a ring of rosemary sprigs around it, then build a ring of cheese, folded salami, green grapes, olives and red fruit on top of the rosemary. Finish with a bow made from prosciutto or red pepper strips at the bottom.
How much charcuterie do you need for a Christmas wreath board? Before a holiday meal, plan 2 oz each of meat and cheese per guest: 1 lb of each for 8 guests, 1½ lb for 12 and about 2¾ lb for 20. If the wreath is the main party food, plan 3 oz each per guest.
What size board do you need for a charcuterie wreath? A 12 to 14 inch round board holds a wreath for about 8 guests before a meal. Use a 16 to 18 inch round board or a large round tray for 12 to 15, and two wreaths or a wreath plus a side board for 20.
Can you use real holly or pine on a charcuterie board? Keep holly and mistletoe off the board, because their berries are poisonous. Use edible herbs such as rosemary, thyme and sage for the greenery instead, and keep decorative branches around the board rather than touching the food.
How far ahead can you make a charcuterie wreath? Slice and cut the cheese, fold the meat and wash the fruit the day before. Lay the rosemary ring up to a few hours ahead, then add the food about 30 minutes before guests arrive and serve it within 2 hours.
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