Charcuterie houses are the newest holiday food trend you’ll want to try ASAP. Yes, you read that right: The latest holiday food trend involves swapping out gingerbread, icing, and candy for cold cuts, cheese cubes, and fresh veggies.
This tasty trend takes things to a whole new level. Charcuterie boards aren’t totally new, but we’re starting to see more of them as we get closer to Christmas.
To make your own charcuterie house, take inspiration from some of the most creative versions on Instagram. The first step is finding a surface to build your house on. We recommend using a traditional charcuterie board or tray. We love the way this one is styled on a tray with a wide rim ($21, Target), which allows the whole scene to be covered in grated parmesan “snow” without creating a huge mess.
Next, build your structure. You can construct the walls from crackers, pretzels, or any other sturdy snack material. If food engineering isn’t your strong suit, you could also purchase an inexpensive gingerbread house kit ($10, Target) and cover it with your charcuterie supplies rather than frosting and candy—just be sure to let your family know so they don’t get a bite of both gingerbread and prosciutto.
Once you’ve chosen a structure, cover the house with all your favorite charcuterie ingredients: Crackers, cheese, meat, and veggies are a few favorite options. If your board uses meat and cheese, be sure to keep the entire house chilled until you’re ready to serve it. If you don’t eat it all at once, cover the house and put it back in the fridge right away.
Here’s a few more ideas to get you thinking about building your own charcuterie house. Who knows, this may just become your new favorite holiday tradition!
