Looking for something simple to bring to a holiday party? This Antipasto Christmas Wreath is it. Folded deli ham, salami, pepperoni, pepper jack, mozzarella pearls, olives, and colorful peppers sit on a ring of fresh herbs, and the whole thing comes together in about 20 minutes with no cooking.
Why We Love This Antipasto Christmas Wreath
- No cooking - It's all assembly, about 20 minutes start to finish.
- Feeds a crowd - It easily serves 8 to 10 people as an appetizer.
- Festive without the fuss - The red and yellow peppers and tomatoes pop against the green herbs, so it looks like a wreath without any special skills.
- Easy to grab and eat - Everything is bite-size, so all your guests need is a toothpick.
Antipasto Christmas Wreath Ingredients
- Lettuce and fresh herbs - Leafy lettuce makes the base ring. Curly parsley, fresh basil, and rosemary sprigs layered on top give it the evergreen wreath look.
- Deli ham - Ham is the largest meat on the wreath. Fold each deli slice into quarters before adding it.
- Salami and pepperoni - We use both. They go on as is, with no folding needed.
- Cheese - We use pepper jack cubes. Monterey jack works if you want something milder. Mozzarella pearls add a second cheese without any cutting.
- Olives and pepperoncini - Drain them and pat them dry before adding them to the wreath.
- Red and yellow bell peppers - Cut them into strips for pops of color.
- Cherry or grape tomatoes - Use them whole.
How to Assemble an Antipasto Christmas Wreath
Start with the lettuce. Lay the lettuce leaves in a ring around the platter, leaving the center open.
Add the herbs. Layer the parsley, basil, and rosemary over the lettuce.
Fill it out. Keep adding herbs until the ring looks full and green. This is your wreath.
Ham goes first. Fold each slice of deli ham into quarters and tuck the pieces around the ring, sliding some edges under the greenery. Ham is the biggest meat, so it fills the most space.
Add the salami and pepperoni. These go on as is, filling in the gaps around the ham.
Add the cheese. Scatter the pepper jack cubes and mozzarella pearls around the wreath.
Add the color. Tuck in the red and yellow pepper strips and the tomatoes, spreading the colors all the way around.
Finish it off. Add the drained, patted-dry olives and pepperoncini last.
Set out toothpicks and serve with thin slices of baguette.
Mom Tip
If you're looking for something simple to bring to a holiday party, this is a good choice. Just remember the toothpicks!
Antipasto Christmas Wreath FAQs
You can prep the ingredients ahead of time: wash the herbs, cut the peppers into strips, fold the ham, and drain and pat dry the olives and pepperoncini. Build the wreath no more than a few hours before serving so it stays crisp and pretty. Cover it with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator until your guests arrive.
Set out toothpicks so guests can grab bites, and serve thin slices of baguette on the side.
We use pepper jack for a little kick. Monterey jack is a good milder swap, and the mozzarella pearls round it out.
Storing Antipasto Wreath Leftovers
Put leftovers in a covered container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator. The lunch meat and cheese will last about a week, and they make great snacks.
More Christmas Appetizers and Party Boards
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Complete Recipe
Antipasto Christmas Wreath
Equipment
- 1 Large Round Platter or Plate
Ingredients
- 1 head Leafy Lettuce 5 to 6 leaves
- 1 bunch Curly Parsley
- 1 bunch Fresh Basil
- 5 Fresh Rosemary Sprigs branches
- ½ pound Sliced Salami
- ½ pound Sliced Pepperoni
- ½ pound Sliced Ham deli sliced, folded in quarters
- ½ pound Mozzarella Pearls
- ½ pound Pepper Jack Cheese cubed, or Monterey Jack
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes or grape tomatoes
- ½ cup Black Olives or green olives, drained and patted dry
- 1 Red Bell Pepper cut into strips
- 1 Yellow Bell Pepper cut into strips
- 8 Pepperoncini Peppers drained and patted dry, more to taste
Instructions
- Arrange the lettuce leaves in a ring on the platter.
- Layer the parsley, basil, and rosemary over the lettuce until the ring looks full.
- Fold the ham slices into quarters and tuck them around the ring, sliding some edges under the greenery.
- Add the salami and pepperoni.
- Add the cheese cubes and mozzarella pearls.
- Add the pepper strips and tomatoes.
- Finish with the olives and pepperoncini.
Notes
- Prep ingredients ahead, but assemble no more than a few hours before serving. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving.
- Serve with toothpicks and thin baguette slices.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to about a week.
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