Winter Forest Meat Cheese

Featured in: Cozy Comfort Plates

Embrace the flavors of the season with this stunning winter forest charcuterie board. Featuring an artful arrangement of prosciutto, soppressata, smoked turkey, and wild boar salami paired with aged cheddar, brie, gouda, and blue cheese, it offers a delightful balance of textures and tastes. Complemented by olives, cornichons, mustard, cranberry chutney, roasted nuts, dried apricots, fresh grapes, and honey, this board provides both visual appeal and rich flavor. Fresh rosemary sprigs, pomegranate seeds, and edible flowers add festive touches mimicking a snowy woodland scene. Ideal for holiday entertaining or cozy evenings, this easy-to-assemble board can be personalized with seasonal swaps and pairs beautifully with crisp whites or light reds.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 16:20:00 GMT
Winter Forest Meat and Cheese Charcuterie Scene with rosemary sprigs and rich meats, perfect for serving. Save to Pinterest
Winter Forest Meat and Cheese Charcuterie Scene with rosemary sprigs and rich meats, perfect for serving. | amberkettle.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.

I love assembling this charcuterie scene because it brings friends and family together around a beautiful seasonal spread every time.

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.
A festive Winter Forest Meat and Cheese Charcuterie Scene with a stunning arrangement of flavors and textures. Save to Pinterest
A festive Winter Forest Meat and Cheese Charcuterie Scene with a stunning arrangement of flavors and textures. | amberkettle.com

Gathering around this board has become a cherished family tradition especially during the holidays.

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

This visually appealing Winter Forest Meat and Cheese Charcuterie Scene offers delicious meats, cheeses and accompaniments to enjoy. Save to Pinterest
This visually appealing Winter Forest Meat and Cheese Charcuterie Scene offers delicious meats, cheeses and accompaniments to enjoy. | amberkettle.com

This charcuterie board is both a feast for the eyes and palate perfect for making any gathering special.

Recipe FAQs

How can I substitute the wild boar salami?

You can swap wild boar salami with another robust salami or cured meat like chorizo or soppressata for similar flavor depth.

What cheeses work well on this board?

Aged cheddar, brie, smoked gouda, and blue cheese provide a variety of textures and rich flavors that complement the meats and accompaniments.

How do I create the snowy winter forest effect?

Use fresh rosemary sprigs to mimic pine branches and dust brie or cheddar lightly with powdered sugar to resemble snow.

What are good beverage pairings with this board?

Crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or light reds such as Pinot Noir balance the rich flavors and enhance the tasting experience.

Can this board be customized for dietary needs?

Yes, swap meats and cheeses for vegetarian or vegan alternatives and ensure accompaniments are gluten-free if needed.

How should I arrange the items on the board?

Cluster cheeses in distinct sections, fan meats in folds to mimic logs, and distribute nuts, fruit, and garnishes evenly for visual appeal.

Winter Forest Meat Cheese

Festive winter board with meats, cheeses, nuts, and seasonal flavors for entertaining and cozy moments.

Prep duration
30 min
Time to cook
1 min
Total duration
31 min
Created by Molly Easton


Skill level Easy

Cuisine European

Makes 10 Portions

Dietary details Wheat-free

What You'll 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 with 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 green and black olives
02 1 cup cornichons or small gherkins
03 ½ cup whole grain mustard
04 ½ cup cranberry chutney or fig jam
05 1 cup roasted nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
06 ½ cup dried apricots
07 ½ cup fresh red grapes
08 1 small honeycomb or 3 tbsp honey

Garnishes & Decorative Elements

01 Fresh rosemary sprigs to mimic pine branches
02 Pomegranate seeds for color
03 Edible flowers (optional)
04 Crackers and/or sliced rustic bread (optional)

Directions

Step 01

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

Step 02

Arrange cheeses: Place cheeses in distinct areas on the board, forming small clusters and leaving space for other components.

Step 03

Arrange meats: Fan out the meats in folds and rolls to imitate tree trunks and logs, layering for depth and visual appeal.

Step 04

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

Step 05

Distribute fruits and nuts: Scatter roasted nuts, dried apricots, and red grapes evenly across the board for balanced coverage.

Step 06

Add rosemary: Tuck fresh rosemary sprigs among the ingredients to resemble pine branches.

Step 07

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

Step 08

Add honey: Drizzle honey atop the blue cheese or place honeycomb nearby for sweet contrast.

Step 09

Add bread or crackers: Arrange crackers or sliced rustic bread at the edge of the board or serve separately.

Step 10

Chill and serve: Refrigerate until serving; remove from fridge 20 minutes prior to allow flavors to reach optimal temperature.

Equipment needed

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

Allergy details

Be sure to look at every ingredient. If you have concerns, ask your healthcare provider.
  • Contains dairy, tree nuts, and may contain mustard
  • Meats may include nitrates or preservatives
  • Check labels for allergens when serving sensitive guests

Nutrition Info (one portion)

Information shown is for general reference. Please speak to your doctor for nutrition advice.
  • Energy: 340
  • Lipids: 24 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Proteins: 17 g