Why I love this Grinch charcuterie board recipe
If you’re looking for a cute (and ridiculously easy) way to add a little Whoville fun to your holiday table, this Grinch charcuterie board is one of my favorite last-minute ideas.
It’s made with fruit and veggies arranged to look just like the Grinch’s face.
The bright green fruit, the little pops of red, and that unmistakable Grinch silhouette always get a big reaction.
Plus, you can assemble it ahead of time, which makes it perfect for taking to a potluck, or adding to the appetizer menu for a Grinch-themed Christmas party.
Looking for more Grinch recipes? You'll love these Grinch Party Food Drink Ideas.
Ingredients
Here is your shopping list (for 8 servings):
- Fresh produce – 1 cucumber, 2 kiwis, 1 black grape or olive, 8 large strawberries, Juice of half a lemon, 1 banana
- Dairy – 1 square slice cheddar cheese
- Candy – 4 black licorice sticks
How to make a Grinch charcuterie board
1 | Prep work
Start by rinsing all your fruit, berries, and cucumber in cold water. Gently pat them dry with a towel.
Slice the cucumber.
Peel and slice the kiwi. If you prefer not to peel the kiwi, just cut off the ends to get rid of the stem.
Cut the strawberries in half lengthwise.
Slice the bananas into half-inch thick rounds.
Squeeze the juice from half a lemon into a small bowl. Then dip the banana slices in it. This will prevent them from turning brown.
2 | Make the Grinch head
Choose a round cutting board or a large flat plate as your base.
Arrange the cucumber slices in a rounded T-shape in the center. This will be the Grinch’s forehead. Make sure to leave some space above for his hat.
Fill in underneath the cucumbers with the kiwi slices to form an oval shape. This creates the shape of his head.
The kiwi part should be about 2/3 of the oval with the cucumbers making up the other 1/3.
3 | Make the Grinch Eyes
Use a cookie cutter or the top of a wide glass to cut a circle out of your cheese.
Then cut the circle in half to make two semi-circles. These will be the outlines of his eyes.
Place the semi-circles at an angle where the cucumber and kiwi overlap, with the rounded side facing down.
For the pupils, cut 2 slices from the end of a black licorice stick. Place these small pieces in the middle of the cheese semi-circles.
Then put a black grape or olive between the eyes for the nose.
4 | Add the eyebrows and mouth
To make the Grinch eyebrows, cut two licorice sticks so they match the length of the cheese slices.
Place them above the eyes at an angle.
For his smile, cut the remaining licorice into ¼-inch slices and arrange them in a curved line over the kiwi to give him a Grinch-y grin.
5 | Make the Santa hat
Arrange the banana slices along the top of the Grinch’s face to form the fluffy fur of his Santa hat. Keep one banana slice aside for the pom-pom at the tip of the hat.
Next, fill in around the banana slices with strawberries, creating a curved shape that extends slightly down one side of his head. This is the main part of his hat.
Place the last banana slice at the very tip of the strawberry curve to finish the pom-pom.
And you’re done!
How to make ahead
The board can be made a few hours in advance.
Then covered with plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
I don’t like to make it more than a day before, or the fruit won’t look or taste as fresh.
Grinch Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 1 cucumber sliced
- 2 kiwis peeled and sliced
- 1 ounce slice cheddar cheese
- 4 black licorice sticks
- 1 black grape or olive
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 banana cut into ½” slices
- 8 large strawberries cut in half
Equipment
- round cutting board or flat tray
- Sharp knife
- round 3" cookie cutter, biscuit butter or the top of a glass.
Instructions
- Arrange the cucumber slices in a rounded T-shape in the center of a round cutting board or plate. This will be the Grinch’s forehead. Make sure to leave enough space above the cucumbers for the Grinch’s hat.1 cucumber
- Use the kiwi slices to fill in under the cucumbers so that it creates an oval shape. This will be the Grinch’s face.2 kiwis
- Cut a circle out of the cheese with a cookie cutter. Then cut the circle in half.1 ounce slice cheddar cheese
- Place the half circles on an angle where the cucumbers and kiwi overlap with the rounded side pointing down. These are the outline of the Grinch’s eyes.
- Cut 2 slices from the end of one of the black licorice sticks. Place them in the middle of the cheese eyes for his pupils.4 black licorice sticks
- Add a black grape or olive between the eyes for his nose.1 black grape or olive
- Cut 2 licorice sticks so they are the length of the top of the cheese slices. Place them at the top of the eyes for his eyebrows.
- Cut the remaining licorice into ¼” slices and form a smile on top of the kiwi.
- Dip the banana slices in the lemon juice to prevent them from browning.Juice of half a lemon, 1 banana
- Then arrange them along the top of the Grinch’s face. This is the fur on the Santa hat. Keep one slice for the pom pom at the end of the hat.
- Use the strawberries to fill in around the top of the banana slices and going slightly down one side of his head. This is his hat.8 large strawberries
- Place the last banana slice at the bottom of the strawberry curve for the tip of his hat.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Have comments or questions about our Grinch charcturie board? Tell us in the section below.
Pin It So You Don't Forget It!
