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”
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4 cups broccoli florets (tree branches)
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1 cup snap peas or green bell pepper strips (for added texture)
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1 cup cherry tomatoes (tree ornaments)
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½ cup yellow bell pepper (cut into star shapes, or strips)
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½ cup baby carrots (tree trunk or accent color)
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½ cup cauliflower florets (snow accents, optional)
For the Ranch Dip
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1 cup sour cream
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½ cup mayonnaise
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1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp onion powder
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2 tbsp chopped fresh dill or parsley
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Salt and pepper to taste
(Shortcut: use your favorite store-bought ranch dressing or Greek yogurt ranch dip!)
Instructions
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Prepare the Vegetables:
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Wash and pat dry all veggies thoroughly.
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Cut into bite-sized pieces for easy snacking.
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Assemble the Tree Shape:
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On a large platter or cutting board, start arranging broccoli florets in a wide triangle shape — this forms the main “tree.”
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Layer in snap peas or green bell pepper strips to fill gaps and add dimension.
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Use baby carrots at the bottom to form the “tree trunk.”
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Decorate the “tree” with cherry tomatoes as ornaments.
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Add cauliflower florets around the base to resemble snow.
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Cut a yellow bell pepper slice into a star and place it at the top of the tree.
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Make the Ranch Dip:
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In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, and salt & pepper.
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Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
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Serve:
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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).
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Keep chilled until ready to serve.
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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