This Christmas Veggie Tray is a cheerful, low-effort appetizer that looks festive and comes together in minutes — perfect for holiday gatherings when you want something pretty without a lot of fuss.
All you need is a cucumber, alphabet cookie cutters (or a steady hand), and a simple homemade garlic-dill dip. Use the cucumber cutouts to spell any seasonal message you like, or arrange the slices into a wreath or tree for a different look.
Serve the tray on its own as a light, healthy snack, or expand it into a fuller spread by adding crackers, cheeses, cured meats, fruit, and other vegetables to create a colorful charcuterie-style board.
How to Make a Christmas Veggie Tray
- Prepare the dip: Stir together sour cream (or crème fraîche), fresh or dried dill, minced garlic, onion powder, sea salt, and pepper until smooth. Transfer to a serving bowl.
- Prepare the cucumber: Slice the cucumber into even rounds and use alphabet cookie cutters to cut letters for your message. If you don’t have cutters, cut simple shapes or arrange plain slices into a festive design.
- Assemble: Place the dip bowl in the center of a platter. Arrange cucumber slices around it, adding the letter cutouts or shaping the slices into a wreath or tree. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve.
Recipe Tip
Cucumber letter cutouts are a fun addition to kids’ lunchboxes or party plates — they stay crisp if stored properly and add a playful touch to any meal.
Possible Variations
- Add more veggies: Include broccoli florets, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper strips, cauliflower, celery, radishes, olives, or any seasonal produce for more color and texture.
- Add more dips: Offer a selection of hummus, guacamole, tzatziki, whipped feta, or Ranch alongside the garlic-dill dip to suit different tastes.
- Presentation: For a wreath, arrange cucumber slices in concentric circles around the dip and add a red pepper bow. For a tree, stack slices into a triangular shape and use small cheese pieces or cherry tomatoes as ornaments.
How to Store Leftovers
Store the cucumber slices and dip separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Line the cucumber container with a paper towel to absorb moisture and keep slices crisp. Use within 48 hours for best texture and flavor.
FAQs
Short phrases work best: “Merry Xmas,” “Ho Ho Ho,” “Joy,” “Noel,” or “Believe.” Keep it brief so letters are clear on cucumber rounds.
Yes. Cut letters or shapes freehand with a small knife, or skip text and create a tree, wreath, or stocking shape with the cucumber slices for an equally festive display.
Absolutely. Slice cucumbers and make the dip a few hours ahead. Store cucumber slices in a sealed container with a paper towel and keep the dip chilled separately. Assemble just before serving for the best presentation.
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Christmas Veggie Tray
Rate
Equipment
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alphabet cookie cutters (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 cucumber
Garlic dip
- 200 grams sour cream, or crème fraîche
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, or 2 tsp dried
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
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Combine the sour cream (or crème fraîche), dill, minced garlic, onion powder, sea salt, and pepper in a bowl until well blended.
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Spoon the dip into a serving bowl and place it in the center of your platter.
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Slice the cucumber into even rounds.
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Arrange plain cucumber slices around the dip. Use alphabet cutters to create letter cutouts and place them on top, or shape the slices into a wreath or tree.
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Garnish with basil leaves and serve immediately.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
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