Check out my recipe for making this perfect little Vegetable Wreath!
When it comes to the holidays, we all tend to indulge in the great things in life…and the less healthy food options! Why? Because some of those unhealthy options are just so festive and perfect for the holidays! Well, now you can have a festive appetizer/side dish that’s also a healthy option!
I’ll admit it. I’m a sucker for a veggie tray! I could literally eat cucumbers and ranch every single day! Lucky for me, whenever I go to a holiday gathering, there’s usually some sort of a veggie tray to snack on! Making a vegetable wreath is super easy to do and it uses easy-to-find ingredients while looking super festive!
One of the nice things about making a Christmas wreath veggie tray is that you can fully customize it to your liking. I would recommend sticking with vegetables that are red and green in color just so that it still looks like a holiday wreath.
One of the trickiest parts about making a Christmas wreath veggie platter is finding the perfect tray to put it on! You want a fairly large, round tray of some sort. My secret little trick for this one is to use a lazy Susan. Yep, that’s right. A lazy Susan. I happen to have a 15-inch round, marble, lazy Susan. And, let me tell you…it was absolutely perfect for making the Christmas wreath vegetable platter! Everything fit perfectly and it actually looked like a wreath since the base of it was round. Oh…and it spins so that everyone can reach whatever they want on the tray!
Do you want to kick up your holiday appetizers a notch or two? Then pull out your cookie cutters! Yes, I said cookie cutters for a Christmas veggie tray! And let me tell you, the cookie cutters made such a big difference! I mean, I put mini Christmas trees on the vegetable tray! The cookie cutter that I used is about 2 inches in size and it was perfect for cutting the cucumber slices into trees! How cute are they!
Tips for making a Vegetable Wreath
Any large, flat tray or board can be used. Serving trays or cutting boards are great options. I used a round, 15-inch, marble lazy Susan that worked perfectly! Adjust the size of your wreath based on the size of your board or tray.
Put the leftover raw vegetables in a ziplock bag or airtight container and refrigerate for up to a week. It’s recommended to sort the vegetables and store each type separately as not all veggies have the same lifespan and they have different moisture content.
Use small cookie cutters. They work wonderfully and you’ll end up with uniform shapes throughout.
Yes, you can make it in advance. However, since the cucumbers have a high moisture content, they may start to either dry out or get soggy if they are cut too far in advance. To prepare in advance, make the wreath as instructed, place a dry paper towel over the wreath (be sure to cover the cucumber slices), cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Looking for more Appetizer Recipes? Check out all of our appetizer recipes here!
Ingredient substitutions and tips for making a Vegetable Wreath:
The full ingredient list is found at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Cucumbers-Wash and slice the cucumbers into ¼ inch thick slices.
Celery-Wash and slice in half lengthwise and then in thirds so that you have celery sticks that are about 3 or 4-inch celery sticks.
Broccoli-Wash and cut the stems off to make bite-sized florets.
Grape Tomatoes- Grape or cherry tomatoes can be used. It’s not recommended to use full-sized tomatoes as they will have to be cut and there is a lot of moisture in the tomatoes.
Ranch-You can make your own ranch dressing or ranch dip or buy it pre-made at the grocery store. Different flavors of dip can be used like veggie dip, artichoke dip, cream cheese dip, dill dip, or anything that you think goes well with veggies!
Any red or green vegetables can be used to make the vegetable wreath. Feel free to use snap peas, red bell pepper, or radishes.
Directions for making a Vegetable Wreath:
1. Place a ramekin filled with ranch dip in the center of the platter.
2. Overlap the cucumbers to form a ring around the outermost part of the platter. Save a few cucumber slices to use as a garnish in step 6.
3. Place the celery sticks in 5 sections to connect the ramekin to the cucumbers. You may need to trim the celery sticks so that they fit.
4. Depending on the size of your celery, you’ll need 5 or 6 celery sticks for each section.
5. Fill the gaps between the celery sticks with broccoli florets.
6. Place 3 grape tomatoes in the center of each of the broccoli sections. The tomatoes should look like holly berry clusters.
7. Use a small holiday-themed cookie cutter and cut the remaining cucumbers. Place on top of the “wreath” to add a festive touch.
Pin Vegetable Wreath on Pinterest:
Recipe
Vegetable Wreath
Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin RecipeEquipment
- Round Serving Tray or Lazy Susan About 15-inches in diameter
Ingredients
- 2 (2) Cucumbers (Cut into ¼-inch slices.)
- 8 Ribs (8 Ribs) Celery (Washed and sliced in half and then cut into 3rds.)
- 4 Cups (364 g) Broccoli (Washed and cut into small florets.)
- 15 (15) Grape Tomatoes
- 1 Cup (240 g) Ranch Dip
Instructions
- Place a ramekin filled with ranch dip in the center of the platter.
- Overlap the cucumbers to form a ring around the outermost part of the platter. Save a few cucumber slices to use as a garnish in step 6.
- Place the celery sticks in 5 sections to connect the ramekin to the cucumbers. You may need to trim the celery sticks so that they fit. Depending on the size of your celery, you'll need 5 or 6 celery sticks for each section.
- Fill the gaps between the celery sticks with broccoli florets.
- Place 3 grape tomatoes in the center of each of the broccoli sections. The tomatoes should look like holly berry clusters.
- Use a small holiday-themed cookie cutter and cut the remaining cucumbers. Place on top of the "wreath" to add a festive touch.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only.
Leave a comment and rate this recipe!
Keep scrolling to see my newest recipes!
-
The BEST Ninja Creami Full Fat/Sugar/Dairy Recipes
Check out my favorite classic Ninja Creami ice cream recipes made with real dairy and real sugar. These are just good, old-fashioned ice cream flavors with no special diet focus, no swaps, and no compromises. If you are new to the Ninja Creami or just want dependable recipes that taste like actual creamy ice cream, this is exactly where to start. You will find familiar favorites like chocolate chip, chocolate lovers ice cream, Butterfinger, M&M ice cream, mint chocolate chip, strawberry ice cream, frozen yogurts, and even Dole Whip style treats. These recipes are meant to be fun, nostalgic, and […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Grape Kool-Aid Ice Cream
I love experimenting with low-calorie ice creams, and this Grape Kool-Aid version is a fun throwback to drinking Kool-Aid as a kid. Using 2% milk, allulose, sugar-free instant vanilla pudding, and just a touch of grape Kool-Aid powder, this pint comes together with the perfect balance of sweet and fruity flavor. It’s creamy, satisfying, and still keeps the calories low. This recipe comes in at 257 calories, 12 grams of protein, 18 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fat, 81 carbs, 33 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for […]
-
Flodesk Email Marketing Platform That Finally Made Email Easy (and less stressful!)
Your email platform should make your life easier. It shouldn’t feel confusing, clunky, or like a full-time job to figure out. If you want beautiful emails that are quick to create and backed by great customer service, Flodesk is the one for you. It’s basically the only email tool that hasn’t made me want to throw my laptop out the window. ***I am a Flodesk partner but all of the opinions below are mine. I wouldn’t make a post about something that I didn’t actually like enough to recommend. Email matters. It’s one of the best ways to stay connected […]
-
Ninja Creami Blueberry and Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt
If you’re looking for a light and fruity frozen treat that’s simple to make, this Ninja Creami Blueberry and Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt is the perfect recipe. It’s made with just four ingredients: blueberry yogurt, coconut yogurt, vanilla bean paste, and blueberries. The Ninja Creami machine does all the work for you, creating a soft, creamy texture that tastes amazing every time. This recipe comes in at 598 calories, 23 grams of protein, 71 grams of sugar, 23 grams of fat, and 75 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition […]
-
Ninja Creami Cinnamon Green Apple Protein Ice Cream
If you love the flavor of warm cinnamon and tart green apples, this Ninja Creami Cinnamon Green Apple Protein Ice Cream will be your new favorite recipe. It’s sweet, creamy, and packed with protein, making it a dessert you can actually feel good about eating. Every spoonful tastes like a crisp fall day in the best way possible. This recipe comes in at 248 calories, 25 grams of protein, 18 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fat, 49 carbs, 25 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Horchata Ice Cream
This is a unique recipe for making Ninja Creami ice cream that tastes like horchata. It’s low in calories and includes a couple of secret ingredients to achieve amazing flavor and perfect texture while keeping the calories super low. This recipe comes in at 250 calories, 9 grams of protein, 8 grams of sugar, 17 grams of fat, 60 carbs, 12 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. You’re probably wondering what horchata is and what it tastes like. Horchata is a drink that started in […]
-
Ninja Creami Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
If you enjoy a creamy, fruity, frozen, sweet treat, you’ll love this Ninja Creami Strawberry Frozen Yogurt. Made with just two simple ingredients, it’s incredibly easy to make at home using your Ninja Creami. This recipe keeps things simple with no hard to find, complicated, or unusual ingredients, just pure, delicious strawberry flavor in every bite. This recipe comes in at 401 calories, 23 grams of protein, 65 grams of sugar, 6 grams of fat, and 66 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. Making frozen yogurt at home […]
-
What to Do With Ninja Creami Leftovers and How to Keep Them Soft After Refreezing
Are your leftovers frozen solid? Don’t panic…this is NORMAL! One of the tricky things about Ninja Creami ice cream is the leftovers can become rock solid, like a chunk of ice, after refreezing. Usually, the leftovers are not soft enough to scoop. This can be problematic if you don’t want to have to process leftovers every time you want to eat them or if you have added mix-ins (mix-ins get completely mixed into the ice cream if you process them again). A couple reasons why the leftovers are not scoopable… How to resolve this issue… How to use FOOD GRADE […]
-
What is the ideal freezer temperature for Ninja Creami creations?
If you freezer temperature is not ideal, your Ninja Creami creations might not turn out as expected. If the freezer is too cold, the ice cream could be very hard or dry and powdery. If the freezer is not cold enough, the ice cream is likely to be softer than expected and oftentimes will be icy. What temperature should the freezer be set to? The recommended temperature for the freezer for Ninja Creami treats is between -7 and +9 degrees Fahrenheit. This calculates to be between -21.7 and -12.8 degrees Celsius. A few tips on properly freezing Ninja Creami creations Not […]
-
What Do You Do About the Bump on Ninja Creami Ice Cream? Can It Damage the Machine?
Let me start off by saying that not all bumps are treated equally. This is not a one-size-fits-all all answer. The information in this post is for informational purposes only and is based on my own personal experiences and the experiences of the folks in the Ninja Creami Community on Facebook. You should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This is one of the most common and controversial troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Sometimes after freezing Ninja Creami creations, a mound or hump can develop on the top of the ice cream. Per the instructions from the manufacturer, the top […]
-
How to Clean Your Ninja Creami: Spindle, Paddle, Bowl, and Lid
Learn how to clean every part of your Ninja Creami, including the spindle, paddle, outer bowl, and lid. Simple tips to keep your machine working great! Some parts are much easier to clean than others. It’s really important that you keep your Ninja Creami and the accessories nice and clean. If you don’t the pieces can start to smell bad, or in severe cases, can attract insects or start to mold. How do you clean the Ninja Creami spindle? How do you clean the Ninja Creami paddle, outer bowl, and outer bowl lid? The paddle, outer bowl, and outer bowl […]
-
Ninja Creami Functions-What to Use and When
Depending on the Ninja Creami model that you have, the function that you will use to process your frozen treats can vary. Choosing the correct function can be a bit overwhelming at times. But, it’s not a perfect science. You can look at the chart below and determine what process might work best for your recipe based on the ingredients used. But, don’t overthink it or overcomplicate it. The majority of the time, you’ll probably use ice cream or lite ice cream. The below charts give you an idea of how long and at what speed the paddle moves […]
-
Do You Need Stabilizers and Thickeners in Ninja Creami Recipes?
For most Ninja Creami recipes, you need some sort of stabilizer to thicken the ice cream and reduce the ice crystals. Most recipes that come in the inspiration guide with the machine use cream cheese as the stabilizer. But you don’t have to use cream cheese. There are a bunch of other options. The information provided below is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to change your regular diet. Please consult with your physician before changing your diet. Thickeners/Stabilizers These are approximate measurements for a 16-ounce Ninja Creami recipe. The amount needed varies based on the other […]
-
Dry or Crumbly Ninja Creami Ice Cream? Here's How to Fix It
One of the most common “issues” with making ice cream in the Ninja Creami is that the consistency or texture can be very dry and crumbly, instead of creami. Don’t panic! It’s usually a really easy fix. Once you get the hang of how to fix it, your Ninja Creami creations will be creamy and smooth, just like you’d expect. This is probably the most common issue with Ninja Creami recipes. If your ice cream looks like this…don’t panic! It’s COMPLETELY normal and happens all of the time. It’s super easy to fix it so that it becomes nice and […]
-
How do you use frozen fruit in the Ninja Creami?
The manual that comes with the Ninja Creami says that you cannot use frozen fruit in the machine. This can be confusing because, technically, you can use frozen fruit in the Ninja Creami. However, you have to follow a few rules when doing so. I’ve seen a lot of people on social media tossing frozen fruit chunks straight into the Ninja Creami and spinning it like it’s a blender. But the Creami isn’t a blender, and it’s not meant to be used like one. Even though some people have gotten lucky doing it that way, it can actually damage the […]
-
Ninja Creami Original Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
If you’re looking for the official Ninja Creami Original manuals, quick start guides, or inspiration guides, you’ve come to the right place! Usually, if you buy your Ninja Creami brand-new, it will come with a bunch of info in the box like the owner’s manual, inspiration guide, quick start guide, and a small recipe book. But if you lost yours or didn’t get the machine brand new, it probably didn’t come with this information. Sometimes it can be really hard to find what you’re looking for and it can take, what seems like, forever to actually find it. So I’ve […]
-
Ninja Creami Deluxe Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
When you buy a new Ninja Creami Deluxe, it usually comes with an owner’s manual, quick start guide, inspiration guide, and a couple of basic recipes to help you get started. If you bought your machine second-hand or misplaced the original paperwork, you’ll probably want to get another copy. Unfortunately, Ninja doesn’t send out physical replacements, but you can download most of the information from Ninja’s site. If the information isn’t available as a PDF to download, there’s usually some info directly on the product or FAQ pages. Sometimes, it can be time-consuming and tricky to find the exact information […]
-
Ninja Swirl by Creami Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
When you buy a new Ninja Swirl by Creami, it usually comes with a manual, quick start guide, inspiration guide, and a few basic recipes to help you get started. If you bought your machine second-hand or misplaced the original paperwork, you’ll probably want to get another copy. Ninja doesn’t send out physical replacements, but you can download most of the information from Ninja’s site. If the information isn’t available as a PDF to download, there’s usually some info directly on the product or FAQ pages. It can be a little tricky to find the information that you are looking […]
-
Ninja Creami Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
When you purchase a brand-new Ninja Creami, it will usually come with a manual, owner’s guide, quick start guide, troubleshooting guide, FAQs, inspiration guide, and basic recipe book. If you purchased your machine second-hand, it may not include these items. Ninja does not mail out physical copies of these items if you have misplaced yours or if your machine did not come with one. However, they do have this information available as a free download online. If you can’t find the information that came with your Ninja Creami, don’t worry! I’ve pulled together all of the info that is available […]
-
Ninja Creami Models Compared: Which One Is Right for You? (With Side-by-Side Chart)
There are several different Ninja Creami models available, and it can be hard to decide which one is right for you and your family, based on features, price, and accessories. The chart below should help you decide. Ninja Creami Models There are a couple of different versions. One is not necessarily better than the other. It is a matter of preference. Each model has different variations in the numbers and letters for the model. The numbers and letters in the model number vary based on retailer, accessories, and color. If you buy an original machine with 7 functions, you’ll see […]
-
What's the black greasy stuff on the Ninja Creami lid and in the ice cream?
Some Ninja Creami users have reported that they have found black, greasy residue when wiping down the spindle, under the lip of the machine where the spindle comes out, and even in the ice cream. Find out if this is normal and what to do if it happens with your machine. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… Some have found that putting warm, soapy water in a container and processing it helps keep the spindle clean. However, I DO NOT […]
Comments
No Comments