Winter Forest Meat Cheese

Featured in: Hearty Soups & Stews

This vibrant platter offers a captivating mix of cured meats, aged cheeses, nuts, dried fruits, and fresh seasonal garnishes arranged to mimic a winter forest. Delicate folds of prosciutto, soppressata, smoked turkey breast, and wild boar salami are layered artfully alongside cubes and slices of cheddar, brie, gouda, and blue cheese. Accents like olives, cornichons, cranberry chutney, and honeycomb add depth and contrast. Fresh rosemary sprigs resemble pine branches while pomegranate seeds and edible flowers bring seasonal color. Perfect for holiday entertaining with a gluten-free option when served without bread.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:55:00 GMT
A festive Winter Forest Charcuterie Scene offers delicious meats, cheeses, and garnishes perfect for entertaining. Save
A festive Winter Forest Charcuterie Scene offers delicious meats, cheeses, and garnishes perfect for entertaining. | amberladle.com

A festive and visually stunning charcuterie board inspired by a snowy winter forest, featuring premium meats, cheeses, and seasonal accompaniments—perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy evenings.

This winter charcuterie board has become a favorite at our holiday gatherings and always impresses guests with its seasonal charm.

Ingredients

  • Meats: 100 g prosciutto, 100 g soppressata, 100 g smoked turkey breast, 100 g wild boar salami (or substitute with another robust salami)
  • Cheeses: 120 g aged cheddar cubed, 120 g brie sliced, 100 g smoked gouda sliced, 100 g blue cheese crumbled
  • Accompaniments: 1 cup mixed olives (green and black), 1 cup cornichons or small gherkins, 1/2 cup whole grain mustard, 1/2 cup cranberry chutney or fig jam, 1 cup roasted nuts (walnuts pecans or almonds), 1/2 cup dried apricots, 1/2 cup fresh red grapes, 1 small honeycomb or 3 tbsp honey
  • Garnishes & Decorative Elements: Fresh rosemary sprigs (to resemble pine branches), Pomegranate seeds (for a pop of color), Edible flowers (optional for a magical winter effect), Crackers and/or sliced rustic bread (optional)

Instructions

Step 1:
Choose a large wooden board or platter as your base.
Step 2:
Arrange the cheeses in different areas of the board, creating clusters and leaving space for other elements.
Step 3:
Fan out the meats in folds and rolls to resemble tree trunks and logs. Layer for visual interest.
Step 4:
Fill small bowls with mustard, chutney, and olives. Place them strategically on the board.
Step 5:
Scatter nuts, dried apricots, and grapes throughout the board.
Step 6:
Use fresh rosemary sprigs to mimic pine branches and tuck them among the ingredients.
Step 7:
Dot the board with pomegranate seeds and edible flowers for a touch of color and elegance.
Step 8:
Drizzle honey over the blue cheese or serve honeycomb nearby.
Step 9:
Add crackers or sliced bread to the edge of the board or serve on the side.
Step 10:
Chill until ready to serve. Bring to room temperature 20 minutes before serving for optimal flavor.
This beautiful Winter Forest Charcuterie Scene features artfully arranged meats and cheeses, ready to eat alongside garnishes. Save
This beautiful Winter Forest Charcuterie Scene features artfully arranged meats and cheeses, ready to eat alongside garnishes. | amberladle.com

Our family enjoys assembling this board together each year, making it a fun and festive tradition.

Required Tools

Large wooden board or platter, Small bowls for condiments, Cheese knives, Serving tongs or forks

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (cheese), tree nuts, and may contain mustard (in condiments). Some meats may contain nitrates or other preservatives. Always check ingredient labels for potential allergens if serving to guests with food sensitivities.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 340, Total Fat: 24 g, Carbohydrates: 10 g, Protein: 17 g (per serving based on 10 servings)

Imagine a mouthwatering Winter Forest Charcuterie Scene—an enticing board packed with savory meats, flavorful cheeses, and more. Save
Imagine a mouthwatering Winter Forest Charcuterie Scene—an enticing board packed with savory meats, flavorful cheeses, and more. | amberladle.com

This winter forest charcuterie board is perfect for making any gathering feel special and inviting.

Recipe FAQs

How can I substitute wild boar salami?

You can replace wild boar salami with a robust salami variety such as soppressata or a spicy Genoa salami to maintain a rich flavor profile.

What cheeses complement this board best?

Aged cheddar, creamy brie, smoked gouda, and crumbled blue cheese provide a balanced mix of textures and flavors ideal for layering on the board.

How should I arrange the meats and cheeses?

Place cheeses in clusters and fan meats in folds resembling tree trunks and logs to create visual depth and seasonal appeal.

What garnishes evoke the winter forest theme?

Fresh rosemary sprigs mimic pine branches, while pomegranate seeds and edible flowers add pops of festive color throughout the arrangement.

Can this be made gluten-free?

Yes, by omitting crackers or rustic bread, the spread remains gluten-free while still offering satisfying textures and flavors.

What drinks pair well with this board?

Try pairing with a crisp white like Sauvignon Blanc or a light red such as Pinot Noir to complement the rich meats and cheeses.

Winter Forest Meat Cheese

A festive board featuring premium meats, cheeses, nuts, and seasonal touches inspired by a snowy winter forest scene.

Prep time
30 min
0
Overall time
30 min
Created by Rachel Hayes


Skill required Easy

Cuisine European

Makes 10 Serving size

Diet preferences No gluten

What you need

Meats

01 3.5 oz prosciutto
02 3.5 oz soppressata
03 3.5 oz smoked turkey breast
04 3.5 oz wild boar salami or robust salami substitute

Cheeses

01 4.2 oz aged cheddar, cubed
02 4.2 oz brie, sliced
03 3.5 oz smoked gouda, sliced
04 3.5 oz blue cheese, crumbled

Accompaniments

01 1 cup mixed green and black olives
02 1 cup cornichons or small gherkins
03 0.5 cup whole grain mustard
04 0.5 cup cranberry chutney or fig jam
05 1 cup roasted nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
06 0.5 cup dried apricots
07 0.5 cup fresh red grapes
08 1 small honeycomb or 3 tablespoons honey

Garnishes & Decorative Elements

01 Fresh rosemary sprigs resembling pine branches
02 Pomegranate seeds for color
03 Edible flowers, optional
04 Crackers and/or sliced rustic bread, optional

How to make it

Step 01

Prepare Serving Base: Select a large wooden board or platter to serve as the base.

Step 02

Arrange Cheeses: Place the cheeses in several areas on the board forming distinct clusters with space between.

Step 03

Display Meats: Fan out the meats in folds and rolls mimicking tree trunks and logs, layering for visual appeal.

Step 04

Position Condiments: Fill small bowls with mustard, chutney, and olives; place these strategically on the board.

Step 05

Scatter Accompaniments: Distribute nuts, dried apricots, and grapes evenly across the board.

Step 06

Add Garnishes: Use fresh rosemary sprigs to mimic pine branches and tuck them among ingredients.

Step 07

Add Color Elements: Dot the board with pomegranate seeds and edible flowers to enhance visual elegance.

Step 08

Drizzle Honey: Drizzle honey over blue cheese or serve honeycomb nearby.

Step 09

Complete Presentation: Arrange crackers or sliced bread around the edge of the board or serve on the side.

Step 10

Chill and Serve: Chill the board until ready to serve; remove from refrigerator 20 minutes prior to serving to enhance flavor.

Equipment needed

  • Large wooden board or platter
  • Small bowls for condiments
  • Cheese knives
  • Serving tongs or forks

Allergy info

Always review ingredients for allergens. Talk to your healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Contains dairy (cheese), tree nuts, and may contain mustard.
  • Meats may contain preservatives such as nitrates.

Nutrition details (each serving)

Nutritional details are for reference and aren't a substitute for healthcare guidance.
  • Calorie Count: 340
  • Fat content: 24 g
  • Carbohydrate: 10 g
  • Protein amount: 17 g