Description
The Christmas Tree Veggie Platter with Ranch Dip is a healthy, festive appetizer designed to resemble a Christmas tree. It uses a variety of colorful vegetables as its base—think broccoli florets for the branches, baby carrots for the trunk, and vibrant cherry tomatoes for tree ornaments. The platter is served with a delicious homemade ranch dip, made with sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and fresh herbs, which enhances the taste of the veggies.
Ingredients
Veggies for the “Tree”
4 cups broccoli florets (tree branches)
1 cup snap peas or green bell pepper strips (for added texture)
1 cup cherry tomatoes (tree ornaments)
½ cup yellow bell pepper (cut into star shapes, or strips)
½ cup baby carrots (tree trunk or accent color)
½ cup cauliflower florets (snow accents, optional)
For the Ranch Dip
1 cup sour cream
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
2 tbsp chopped fresh dill or parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
(Shortcut: use your favorite store-bought ranch dressing or Greek yogurt ranch dip!)
Instructions
Prepare the Vegetables:
Wash and pat dry all veggies thoroughly.
Cut into bite-sized pieces for easy snacking.
Assemble the Tree Shape:
On a large platter or cutting board, start arranging broccoli florets in a wide triangle shape — this forms the main “tree.”
Layer in snap peas or green bell pepper strips to fill gaps and add dimension.
Use baby carrots at the bottom to form the “tree trunk.”
Decorate the “tree” with cherry tomatoes as ornaments.
Add cauliflower florets around the base to resemble snow.
Cut a yellow bell pepper slice into a star and place it at the top of the tree.
Make the Ranch Dip:
In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, and salt & pepper.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve:
Place the ranch dip in a small bowl next to the platter (or in the center of the tree if you want a “tree base” look).
Keep chilled until ready to serve.
Notes
For a festive presentation, arrange colorful veggies like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and radishes in a tree shape and top with a star-shaped slice of yellow bell pepper or cheese. Serve immediately or cover tightly and refrigerate for up to a day—perfect for holiday parties and healthy snacking!
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: Appetizer / Snack
- Method: No-Cook / Raw
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup of veggies with 2 tbsp dip
- Calories: 90
Keywords: Christmas Tree Veggie Platter with Ranch Dip