Winter Forest Meat Cheese Board

Featured in: Seasonal Recipe Joys

Enjoy a beautifully arranged winter forest-themed assortment highlighting a variety of cured meats and rich cheeses. Featuring savory accompaniments like olives, nuts, dried fruits, and honey, this composition captures the essence of the season with touches of fresh rosemary and pomegranate seeds. Ideal for holiday celebrations or intimate gatherings, the board is quickly assembled and offers a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that evoke cozy, festive moments.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 16:57:00 GMT
Winter Forest Meat and Cheese Charcuterie Scene with rosemary sprigs and vibrant pomegranate seeds. Save to Pinterest
Winter Forest Meat and Cheese Charcuterie Scene with rosemary sprigs and vibrant pomegranate seeds. | recipesbies.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.

The first time I assembled this board, it brought festive cheer to our family holiday party and was a hit with every guest.

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 Winter Forest Meat and Cheese Charcuterie Scene features artfully arranged meats and cheeses for entertaining. Save to Pinterest
This Winter Forest Meat and Cheese Charcuterie Scene features artfully arranged meats and cheeses for entertaining. | recipesbies.com

This board was a family favorite, bringing warmth and festive spirit as everyone gathered around to savor the flavors.

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

A decadent Winter Forest Meat and Cheese Charcuterie Scene, showcasing various meats, cheeses, and garnishes. Save to Pinterest
A decadent Winter Forest Meat and Cheese Charcuterie Scene, showcasing various meats, cheeses, and garnishes. | recipesbies.com

This charcuterie board combines elegance and festivity, making it the perfect centerpiece for your winter celebrations.

Answers to Recipe Questions

What meats work best for this charcuterie board?

Use a selection of cured and smoked meats such as prosciutto, soppressata, smoked turkey breast, and wild boar salami to provide a variety of flavors and textures.

How can I add visual appeal to the board?

Arrange meats to resemble tree trunks and logs, use fresh rosemary sprigs to mimic pine branches, and scatter pomegranate seeds and edible flowers for color and a festive look.

What accompaniments complement the meats and cheeses?

Include mixed olives, cornichons, whole grain mustard, cranberry chutney or fig jam, roasted nuts, dried apricots, fresh grapes, and honey to balance savory and sweet flavors.

Any tips for serving this selection?

Chill the board until serving and bring to room temperature about 20 minutes before to enhance the flavors of meats and cheeses.

Can I customize the board for dietary preferences?

Swap meats or cheeses with local favorites or vegetarian options, and be mindful of allergens like dairy and nuts when selecting ingredients.

Winter Forest Meat Cheese Board

A visually stunning board with meats, cheeses, nuts, and seasonal accents perfect for winter evenings.

Prep duration
30 mins
0
Overall time
30 mins
Published by Sophie Turner


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type European

Serves 10 Serving size

Dietary Details Contains 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 substitute robust salami)

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 olives (green and black)
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 (to resemble 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 base: Select a large wooden board or platter as the presentation surface.

Step 02

Arrange cheeses: Position cheeses in distinct clusters across the board, leaving space for other items.

Step 03

Style meats: Fan out the meats in folds and rolls to mimic tree trunks and logs, layering for visual interest.

Step 04

Place condiments: Fill small bowls with mustard, chutney, and olives, then position them thoughtfully on the board.

Step 05

Add fruits and nuts: Distribute nuts, dried apricots, and grapes evenly throughout the arrangement.

Step 06

Incorporate garnishes: Tuck fresh rosemary sprigs among ingredients to emulate pine branches.

Step 07

Apply decorative touches: Scatter pomegranate seeds and edible flowers over the board to enhance color and elegance.

Step 08

Add honey element: Drizzle honey over blue cheese or serve honeycomb adjacent to the board.

Step 09

Include bread or crackers: Place crackers or sliced rustic bread along the edges or serve on the side as preferred.

Step 10

Chill and serve: Refrigerate until ready to serve. Remove 20 minutes prior to serving to reach optimal flavor.

Equipment You'll Need

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

Allergy Details

Review all ingredients for allergens, and reach out to a healthcare pro if unsure.
  • Contains dairy and tree nuts; mustard allergens possible in condiments.
  • Meats may contain nitrates or preservatives; check labels for sensitivities.

Nutrition info (by portion)

Nutrition info is for guidance. Please consult a medical expert if you need advice.
  • Total Calories: 340
  • Fat content: 24 g
  • Carbohydrate: 10 g
  • Protein content: 17 g