Pin It A playful and festive appetizer platter featuring a savory gingerbread man made with meats, cheeses, and vibrant vegetables—perfect for holiday gatherings.
This appetizer is always a hit at our family holiday parties, bringing smiles and conversation around the table.
What's for Dinner Tonight? 🤔
Stop stressing. Get 10 fast recipes that actually work on busy nights.
Free. No spam. Just easy meals.
Ingredients
- Meats: 6 slices prosciutto 6 slices salami 6 slices smoked turkey breast
- Cheeses: 100 g cheddar cheese, sliced 100 g Swiss cheese, sliced 100 g goat cheese, crumbled
- Vegetables & Garnishes: 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips 1 small cucumber, sliced 10 cherry tomatoes, halved 1 medium carrot, cut into sticks 1/4 cup black olives, sliced 1/4 cup green olives, pitted and sliced 1/4 cup baby arugula or microgreens
- Crackers & Extras: 1 box assorted gluten-free crackers (or regular, as preferred) 2 tbsp whole grain mustard 2 tbsp fig jam
Tired of Takeout? 🥡
Get 10 meals you can make faster than delivery arrives. Seriously.
One email. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Instructions
- Step 1:
- On a large board or platter, use a gingerbread man-shaped outline (drawn on parchment or a large cookie cutter) as a guide.
- Step 2:
- Arrange the meats to outline the gingerbread man shape, layering prosciutto, salami, and turkey to form the arms, legs, and head.
- Step 3:
- Fill in the body with sliced cheeses, alternating colors and textures.
- Step 4:
- Use black olives for buttons, cherry tomato halves for cheeks, cucumber slices for hands and feet, and red bell pepper strips for a scarf or smile.
- Step 5:
- Sprinkle goat cheese to resemble icing along the arms and legs.
- Step 6:
- Surround the figure with crackers, vegetable sticks, arugula, and remaining cheese and meats for easy access.
- Step 7:
- Serve with mustard and fig jam on the side.
Pin It We enjoy gathering around this platter, sharing stories while nibbling on the festive charcuterie.
Still Scrolling? You'll Love This 👇
Our best 20-minute dinners in one free pack — tried and tested by thousands.
Trusted by 10,000+ home cooks.
Required Tools
Large serving board or platter Gingerbread man cookie cutter or parchment outline (optional) Small bowls (for spreads)
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (cheese) and may contain gluten (crackers—choose gluten-free for dietary needs) Contains processed meats (check for added allergens) Check all labels for hidden allergens or cross-contamination
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 210 Total Fat: 13 g Carbohydrates: 9 g Protein: 13 g
Pin It 
This charming gingerbread man charcuterie adds festive fun to any celebration and is easily customizable.
Recipe FAQs
- → What meats work best for this platter?
Thinly sliced cured meats like prosciutto, salami, and smoked turkey breast provide a savory and tender texture perfect for shaping the platter.
- → How can I make this gluten-free?
Use gluten-free crackers or skip crackers altogether to ensure the dish suits gluten-free preferences.
- → What cheeses complement the savory meats?
Cheddar, Swiss, and crumbled goat cheese offer a balance of sharpness, creaminess, and texture that pairs well with the meats and vegetables.
- → Can I prepare this in advance?
Yes, assemble close to serving time to maintain freshness, or prepare components separately and arrange just before guests arrive.
- → How do the vegetables enhance the platter?
Vibrant vegetables like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumber, olives, and arugula add color, freshness, and varying textures to the overall presentation.
- → Are there vegetarian alternatives?
Replace cured meats with grilled vegetables or marinated tofu slices to create a flavorful vegetarian version while maintaining presentation style.
