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    Home » Recipes » Gluten Free Appetizers

    Easy Vegetable and Dip Christmas Tree

    Published: Dec 3, 2024 by Cinde LittleThis post may contain affiliate links3 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy Vegetable and Dip Christmas Tree is simple yet stunning for any holiday party. ‘Tis the season for high fat, sugar laden dishes but there's always room on the buffet for a veggie tray. Naturally gluten free and gorgeous!

    Vegetable and Dip Christmas tree made with broccoli, cauliflower and cherry tomatoes all set on top of a platter with dip. this gluten free recipe

    Buffets are hard so keep reading for tips to navigate these high-risk, high-stress holiday events. For more recipes check out these two roundup posts; Best Holiday Appetizers and Holiday Baking.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Get The Tools
    • Tips for Holiday Buffets
    • Top Tip for Party Food
    • Vegetable and Dip Christmas Tree

    Ingredients

    There are lots of gluten free dips to buy but this 4-ingredient homemade dip is the right thickness to hold the veggies. Remember, the less ingredient labels you're reading, the better you're eating.

    • Sour cream & Miracle Whip/mayonnaise - this makes a thick dip needed to hold the veggies
    • Green onion & dried dill weed - as simple as it gets
    • Broccoli, cauliflower & cherry tomatoes - for the red & green theme

    See recipe card for exact amounts.

    Instructions

    This is so simply you don't need a recipe but a few tips always help.

    • Choose a tray with a slight lip to hold the dip, especially if you're taking it somewhere.
    • Keep it simple. It's a triangle! My friend tried to make her broccoli tree with branches like you might draw one. Don't over complicate a simple idea.
    • This same friend did add a star she made using a cookie cutter and a yellow pepper. That is a cute addition.
    • Encourage people to dig in right away! I guarantee they're worried about wrecking your beautiful tray and wondering where the dip is.

    Substitutions

    Vegetable Dip - Substitute any store bought gluten-free dip that you know is thick enough to hold the vegetables.

    Variations

    There's nothing like individual portions to ease the concern about cross contact. Show the way by taking a variation of just about anything.

    Shot glasses - Vegetable and dip shooters are fun too. Choose a red and green theme for the season and have fun.

    Mason jars - Make individual servings in Mason jars for easy transport and assembly.

    Martini glasses - I serve this Pear and Pomegranate Guacamole in martini glasses but veggies and dip would be awesome too!

    A tray of eight Vegetable and dip Shooters in liqueur glasses.

    Get The Tools

    • A large round glass platter, square or even rectangular tray will work if you're not transporting these veggies.
    • An unbreakable holiday tray is ideal for taking your tray to a party. I've been using the metal tray in the photo ever since someone gave it to me with holiday goodies on it.

    Tips for Holiday Buffets

    Buffets cause anxiety for people with food restrictions. Anything that might be safe when it's set on the table, will be questionable once people start sharing utensils and using their hands. Here are a few tips and ideas for navigating holiday buffets.

    • Talk to the host in advance so you know what to expect. Bring the dish you most want to have.
    • Be the first at the buffet and take a generous portion because there's no going back.
    • Find your party dish and take the same thing all the time to decrease stress and decision making. Pick something you love but don't usually make for yourself.

    Top Tip for Party Food

    What you take to parties demonstrates to others what is possible. This tray is big and fabulous as is my Smoked Salmon Pate. But individual portions can be too. Buy the Mason jars and lids for desserts in a jar. Borrow shot glasses to serve Nutella Mousse or White Chocolate Mousse with flare. Do what makes you happy!

    Vegetable and Dip Christmas tree made with broccoli, cauliflower and cherry tomatoes all set on top of a platter with dip.

    Vegetable and Dip Christmas Tree

    The best Christmas version of vegetables and dip! The tray is spread with dip so it holds the veggies in place and people get some with every bite.
    4.50 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Canadian
    Keyword: Vegetable and dip Christmas tree
    Author: Cinde Little

    Ingredients

    EASY HOMEMADE VEGETABLE DIP

    • 1 cup sour cream
    • ½ cup Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
    • 1 tablespoon finely chopped green onion
    • 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    VEGETABLES

    • 1 broccoli stem
    • 3 cups broccoli florets
    • 3 cups cauliflower florets
    • 10 cherry tomatoes
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Make Vegetable Dip

    • Combine all dip ingredients in a bowl and stir well.
    • Spread dip over the entire tray.

    MAKE CHRISTMAS TREE

    • Create a tree trunk by cutting a piece of the broccoli stem in half horizontally. Place the tree trunk at the bottom of the tray.
    • Using broccoli florets outline a tree starting with a piece at all three corners to create a triangle. Fill in the sides to create the shape then fill in the middle to finish your tree.
    • Using cauliflower florets fill in around the tree to the edges of the tray.
    • Decorate the tree with whole or halved cherry tomatoes.
    • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Notes

    You can create this using a store bought vegetable tray too and it is guaranteed to be the best veggie tray at the party!

    __________________________________________________________________________

    New here? I've got the help you need to learn to make gluten free food the whole family wants to eat. Subscribe and get your free resource, 29 Tips for GF flour.

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    🎉 I made it into the Top 100 Gluten Free Blogs for 2025 and the Top 40 Gourmet Food Blogs. Learn all the ways I can help you by visiting this page, Everyday Gluten Free Gourmet.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.50 from 2 votes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Mary

      December 24, 2024 at 12:24 pm

      4 stars
      Great!

      Reply
      • Cinde Little

        January 10, 2025 at 10:28 am

        I'm glad you liked it Mary, thanks for your comment.

        Reply
    2. Cinde Little

      December 23, 2024 at 10:26 am

      5 stars
      Delicous christmas snack for the house!

      Reply

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