Butterfly Charcuterie & Vegetable Platter
Make a beautiful butterfly charcuterie platter with turkey, cheese, cucumbers, carrots and tomatoes. A fun appetizer for parties and gatherings.
Categories: SNACKS
Ingredients
- 1 large head green leaf lettuce, leaves separated
- 12–16 slices deli turkey or chicken
- 10–12 slices cheddar cheese
- 2 large cucumbers
- 3–4 medium carrots
- 24–30 cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 large black olive for the butterfly head
- 2 long chives for the antennae
- Optional: a few extra cucumber slices for the butterfly body
Cooking Instructions
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01
Prepare the vegetables: Wash and dry the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots. Slice the cucumbers into thin rounds and cut the carrots into thin sticks.
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02
Prepare the turkey roses: Take one slice of deli turkey, fold or roll it loosely, then curl it into a rose shape. Repeat with the remaining slices.
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03
Prepare the cheese: Cut the cheddar slices into large triangular or rectangular pieces.
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04
Create the butterfly wings: Place lettuce leaves around the four corners of a large rectangular or square white platter. Arrange cheddar slices over the lettuce to form the four wings.
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05
Add the turkey: Arrange the turkey roses and folded turkey slices over the cheese, keeping the four wings as symmetrical as possible.
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06
Add the vegetables: Place cherry tomatoes around the outside edges of each wing. Arrange carrot sticks horizontally through the center of the platter.
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07
Create the butterfly body: Place overlapping cucumber rounds vertically down the center, using larger slices around the middle and smaller slices toward the bottom.
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08
Add the head: Place one glossy black olive above the top cucumber slice.
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09
Add the antennae: Position two long fresh chives above the olive, curving them outward like butterfly antennae.
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10
Finish the wings: Add additional cucumber slices in curved rows between the upper and lower wings to create a natural butterfly-wing pattern.
Chef notes
- Slice everything evenly so the butterfly looks balanced and polished. - Arrange the ingredients symmetrically on both sides to create clean, matching wings. - Use contrasting colors like green vegetables, red tomatoes, and pale cheeses to make the butterfly stand out. - Keep the lettuce crisp by adding it just before serving and avoiding excess moisture. - Chill the platter before serving for 15–20 minutes so the cheese and charcuterie stay fresh and hold their shape.
