How to Make a Charcuterie Wreath to Add Some Festive Flair to Your Holiday Celebrations
Charcuterie boards are very trendy right now, likely because after months of quarantine, people are ready to entertain. And while you certainly can't go wrong with an expertly assembled charcuterie platter (especially one that was put together with help from the pros), sometimes you just want to step up your charcuterie game. This is particularly true if you plan to celebrate the winter holidays with others this year, and are ready to impress your friends and family.
Enter the charcuterie wreath. Sometimes dubbed a "charcutewreath" (because, why not), this festive display of cured meats and cheeses is exactly what it sounds like—a charcuterie spread shaped just like a holiday wreath. Though you can't fasten this edible arrangement to your front door or hang it above a fireplace, you can use it as a cute and clever way to welcome revelers into your home this winter.
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While charcuterie wreaths aren't brand new (they began popping up on TikTok and other social media platforms about a year ago), they are certainly having a moment in 2021 amid the larger holiday hosting comeback. Building a charcuterie wreath isn't that different from assembling a charcuterie board, but there are some tips and tricks you should keep in mind if you want to give this merry display a try.
How to Make a Charcuterie Wreath
Scroll down for some must-read charcuterie wreath tips from chef Meggan Hill, founder of the food blog Culinary Hill.
Use a round platter or cheese board
Since wreaths are round, begin preparing your charcuterie wreath using a round dish or similar piece. "If you are going for a more rustic look, a round wooden board is great," Hill says. "If you are having a gathering that is on the fancier side, don't be afraid to break out one of your favorite serving dishes."
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Build your wreath from the outside in
"Starting from the outside is the best way to get your shape solidified and you can work from there," Hill shares. "Symmetry is everything with a wreath like this, so I would suggest following a pattern until you reach the thickness and fullness you desire."
As with a regular charcuterie board, feel free to use fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other munchies in addition to the typical meats and cheeses. By switching up the types of food you use, you can give your wreath more texture and definition while creating a bold pattern.
Reach for the greens
Many of the prettiest charcuterie wreaths take a cue from the second half of their moniker and are made with some wreath-like greenery. "I love to use fresh herbs for garnish," says Hill. "Rosemary is a really great option because it already looks like tree branches and pairs great with staples like brie or mozzarella." To create a real wreath-like display, use rosemary sprigs on the outer and inner rim of your charcuterie spread. This will help ensure the herbs are visible, and also helps keep all of your meat and cheese in place.
Don't have a ton of rosemary on hand? Hill is also a proponent of another festive spice. "Sage would also be a beautiful addition to the rosemary," she adds.
Add other apropos foods, too
If you're really looking to embrace the wreath aesthetic, try to add pops of red and some additional green hues to your spread as well. "Pomegranate seeds and raspberries work great as holly berries or ornaments," Hill notes. Luckily some cured meats, like pepperoni, salami, and prosciutto, also fit the bill. Use the sturdier meats to form rosettes if you want to make your wreath even more festive, and fill in any gaps with red and green grapes, which just so happen to pair well with most cheeses.
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Don't forget dessert!
If you've already got a different charcuterie plan in mind for the holidays, consider using this joyful wreath method to display other foods instead. For example, instead of making a charcuterie wreath, you can throw together a dessert or ice cream sundae wreath using some of your favorite sweet treats.
"Candy would be really great here, as it is more malleable and can be manipulated into the perfect shape," Hill explains. "You could go a more classic route and use wrapped candy canes as decoration, or if you want an edible dessert wreath board, bake some green cookies to use as a border and fill the wreath in with your favorite green and red candies!"
