Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board - Homebody Eats (2024)

Published: by Jessica Mode · This content may include affiliate links.

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Make a Valentine's Day charcuterie board in just 25 minutes that's filled with salami, prosciutto, a heart shaped cheese ball, and lots of delicious fruit. This red and pink themed snack platter is perfect to celebrate the holiday of love.

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Need to whip up a beautiful yet easy-to-make Valentine's Day charcuterie board? This recipe is for you!

The board's red, pink, and white theme works well for a Valentine's Day date night, a Galentine's Day party, or even for sharing with your kids. Whoever you want to share this board with will feel the love!

What's unique about this Valentine's Day board is that it's filled with meats, including prosciutto and salami roses. The center of the board has a fig and goat cheese dip shaped like a heart and topped with dried cranberries. Plus, I love finishing the board with some fresh flowers and greenery.

Jump to:
  • What You'll Learn In This Recipe
  • The ultimate charcuterie board shopping list!
  • Ingredients You Need
  • How To Make This Recipe
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Charcuterie Recipes
  • Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board

What You'll Learn In This Recipe

  • How to make a heart shaped cheese ball.
  • My technique for rolling salami roses.
  • Tips for styling and assembling a Valentine's cheese board.

Want to learn more about charcuterie boards? Grab my go-to cheese board shopping list with over 100 food ideas to help you build your next grazing platter.

Ingredients You Need

All of the ingredients on the charcuterie platter are themed around Valentine's Day. You'll find lots of red, pink, and white ingredients. However, if you don't like or are allergic to any of the ingredients below, it's easy to substitute ingredients.

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  • Fig preserves or marmalade: This ingredient will be mixed into the goat cheese to make a delicious tasting dip for the Valentine's Day board.
  • Pecans: This ingredient is also included in the goat cheese dip. You could substitute pecans for walnuts if needed.
  • Goat cheese: Be sure to allow the goat cheese to soften to room temperature before making the dip.
  • Dried cranberries: The dried cranberries help decorate the heart shaped cheese dip. You could also use dried cherries.
  • Prosciutto: No charcuterie board is complete without prosciutto. However, if you can't find this ingredient, you can use another type of salami or capocollo.
  • Sweet Gherkin pickles: Every charcuterie board needs a salty/briny item. The pickles provide this flavor as well as a great palate cleanser.
  • Roasted pistachios: Pick up a bag of salted, roasted pistachios. I like the ones that still have the shells on for a pretty presentation.
  • Assorted crackers: Feel free to use your preferred brand of crackers.
  • Radishes: I like adding raw vegetables to the board. They pair nicely with a bite of cheese and meat.
  • Mozzarella cheese: Any white colored cheese will work for this board. You can also opt for a white cheddar, gouda, or Swiss.
  • Strawberries/Raspberries: Be sure to wash and dry the berries before adding them to the board.
  • Spicy Italian dry salami: It's important to purchase thinly sliced salami to make salami roses.
  • Chocolate covered pretzels: Be sure to purchase white chocolate covered pretzels to stick with the color theme of the board. You can also find yogurt covered pretzels. These heart shaped pretzels were from Walmart.

How To Make This Recipe

The hardest part of making a cheese board is styling and assembling it. Here's a step-by-step photo guide for how to build a Valentine's Day charcuterie board.

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1. First, start by making the goat cheese dip. Add fig marmalade, chopped pecans, and goat cheese to a mixing bowl. Mix together with a silicone spatula until fully combined.

2. Next, it's time to shape this dip into a heart. Think of this as a Valentine's Day cheese ball. Transfer the goat cheese mixture to a piece of parchment paper. Shape the dip into a heart using a silicone spatula.You can also wear food-safe gloves and shape with your hands.

3. Top the heart with dried cranberries.

4. Transfer the parchment paper with the heart shaped goat cheese onto the middle of a serving platter.If your parchment paper is messy, use a paper towel to clean it up before transferring it to the serving platter.

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5. Now it's time to begin building up the board. Start by layering pieces of prosciutto next to each side of the heart.

6. Add sweet Gherkin pickles and pistachios to small serving bowls. I like using these metal condiment cups and small glass bowls. This helps to ensure no juices leak onto the board and make other items soggy. Then, place the bowls around the serving platter.

7. Next, pile crackers around the outer edges of the platter.

8. Place the sliced radishes next to each side of the prosciutto.

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9. Make two piles of mozzarella cheese cubes on opposite ends of the platter.

10. Pile strawberries and raspberries in the remaining open space.

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11. Make 4 -6 salami roses by overlapping three pieces of salami on top of each other.

12. Fold the row of salami.

13. Then, roll the salami until it resembles a small rose.

14. Optionally, secure the bottom with a toothpick.

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15. Fill in any remaining spaces with the salami roses and chocolate covered pretzels.

16. Optionally, garnish with fresh flowers or greenery. Serve once the cheese has come to room temperature.

Expert Tips

  • Try pairing the board withsparkling Lambrusco sangria or red wine sangria.
  • Use a board or platter that is around 14 inches (35 cm) x 8 inches (20 cm). Don't use a much larger platter; otherwise, you will not be able to achieve this full and beautiful look.
  • The flavor and texture of cheeses are best at room temperature. Take the cheese board out about 15 - 30 minutes before serving.

Recipe FAQs

Can I add more chocolate to this charcuterie board?

Yes! The great thing about the modern-day charcuterie board is that you can add (almost) any ingredient that you like. For a more dessert-based board, add more chocolate elements like chocolate covered strawberries, Hershey Kisses, or other chocolate covered candies.

Incorporate these ingredients into the current board layout, or add them to a small serving bowl and place them around the serving platter.

Can I make this Valentine's Day board ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble this board ahead of time. However, wait until the last minute to add the crackers and chocolate covered pretzels.

All the other items can be assembled up to 24 hours before you serve the food. Wrap the entire cheese board in plastic wrap before placing it in the refrigerator to store.

How can I include hearts in my Valentine's Day charcuterie board?

There are many ways to include heart shaped food items in a Valentine's Day snack board:

- Make a heart shaped cheese ball.
- Buy heart shaped chocolate covered pretzels.
- Use a cookie cutter to cut cheese into heart shapes.

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More Charcuterie Recipes

  • Ultimate Charcuterie Board Shopping List | 100+ Ideas for Any Occasion
  • New Year's Eve Charcuterie Board
  • Insanely Easy Individual Cheese Board
  • Fig Charcuterie Board

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Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board

Make a Valentine's Day charcuterie board in just 25 minutes that's filled with salami, prosciutto, a heart shaped cheese ball, and lots of delicious fruit. This red and pink themed snack platter is perfect to celebrate the holiday of love.

Author: Jessica Mode

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Active Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 649 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup fig preserves or marmalade
  • ¼ cup pecans finely pulsed in a food processor
  • 8 ounces goat cheese softened to room temperature
  • 2.5 ounces dried cranberries
  • 3 ounces prosciutto
  • 4 ounces sweet Gherkin pickles
  • 2 ounces roasted pistachios
  • 4 ounces assorted crackers
  • 2.5 ounces radishes thinly sliced
  • 8 ounces mozzarella cheese cubed
  • 8 ounces strawberries
  • 6 ounces raspberries
  • 2.5 ounces spicy Italian dry salami
  • 2.5 ounces chocolate covered pretzels

Instructions

  • Add fig marmalade, chopped pecans, and goat cheese to a mixing bowl. Mix together with a silicone spatula until fully combined. Transfer the goat cheese mixture to a piece of parchment paper. Shape into a heart using a silicone spatula. Top the heart shaped goat cheese with dried cranberries.

  • Transfer the parchment paper with the heart shaped goat cheese onto the middle of a serving platter. Lay pieces of prosciutto next to each side of the heart.

  • Add sweet Gherkin pickles and pistachios to small serving bowls. Place them around the serving platter.

  • Pile crackers around the outer edges of the platter.

  • Place the sliced radishes next to each side of the prosciutto.

  • Make two piles of mozzarella cheese cubes on opposite ends of the platter. Pile strawberries and raspberries in the remaining open space.

  • Make 4 -6 salami roses by overlapping three pieces of salami on top of each other. Fold the row of salami then roll the salami until it resembles a small rose. Optionally, secure the bottom with a toothpick.

  • Fill in any remaining spaces with the salami roses and chocolate covered pretzels. Optionally, garnish with fresh flowers or greenery. Serve once the cheese has come to room temperature.

Notes

Try pairing the board withsparkling Lambrusco sangria or red wine sangria.

Use a board or platter that is around 14 inches (35 cm) x 8 inches (20 cm). Don't use a much larger platter, otherwise you will not be able to achieve this full and beautiful look.

The flavor and texture of cheeses are best at room temperature. Take the cheese board out about 15 - 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 649kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 26gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 1145mgPotassium: 434mgFiber: 6gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 852IUVitamin C: 33mgCalcium: 322mgIron: 3mg

Have you tried this recipe?Tag @homebody.eats on Instagram so we can see your creations!

More Charcuterie Board Recipes

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  • 20 Minute Thanksgiving Cheese Board

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Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board - Homebody Eats (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to a great charcuterie board? ›

After all that meat and cheese, you're going to need something to balance those rich flavors. Cairo suggests accenting the board with acidic pickles, crunchy nuts, whole grain mustard (Maille is his favorite brand), tinned fish, and something sweet like quince jam or a drizzle of honey.

What does charcuterie mean when is this eaten? ›

The word charcuterie comes from France and refers to the creation of meats such as salami and ham that are traditionally cured and served cold on a charcuterie board paired with cheese or other nibbles.

What foods compliment a charcuterie board? ›

Add savory and sweet accompaniments.

For example, mustard, briny foods and nuts near salami and sopresseta, and sharp cheeses like parmesan. Pair sweet accompaniments like fresh fruit, jams, and candied nuts, near the brie cheese or goat cheese. Cheddar cheese pairs well with savory and sweet.

How do I make my charcuterie board stand out? ›

Incorporate fresh and dried fruits, such as figs, grapes, or apple slices, to add a natural sweetness and refreshing element that balances the richness of the meats and cheeses. To balance out the bread-based vessels to hold your bites, consider including bell peppers or celery to serve as your base as well.

How to make cute charcuterie? ›

There are different ways to place the charcuterie: You can shape slices into a rose-like shape, by rolling them like a cinnamon roll. Little clumps and swirls of cured hams are easy and fun. Salamis can be rolled or folded on themselves so they stand up. The most important thing is to make them easy to grab.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for charcuterie board? ›

Creating Interest with the 3-3-3-3 Rule

Choose three cheeses, three meats, three starches, and three accompaniments for a perfect and balanced board, every time!

What are 5 things to avoid on a charcuterie board? ›

There are a few that I would stay away from eggplants, brussels sprouts, turnips, beets, zucchini and mushrooms. Many of these vegetables taste best when cooked, and Charcuterie boards generally don't include steamed or cooked veggies.

What are 3 cheese for charcuterie board? ›

Here are the best cheeses for your charcuterie board

Hard cheese: chunks of parmesan, aged gouda, asiago. Firm cheese: gruyere, comte, manchego, colby, cheddar. Semi-soft cheese: havarti, butterkäse, muenster. Soft cheese: burrata, mascarpone, stracchino.

Do you eat a charcuterie board with your fingers? ›

Charcuterie boards are the epitome of finger food. That means lots of fingers touching the food throughout your party. No host wants to play hand-washing police, so give your guests multiple options for picking up their food selections. Have plenty of picks, tongs, spoons and forks at hand.

What is a charcuterie board without meat called? ›

A vegetarian charcuterie board is an arrangement of appetizers on a serving platter or wooden board. Lay out fresh fruit, veggies, and a cheese board to create a colorful and dynamic spread of appetizers.

What finger foods go on a charcuterie board? ›

Build the board with:
  • Cured meats.
  • Cheeses (we recommend using at least one soft cheese, hard cheese, and blue cheese)
  • Crackers.
  • Herbed nuts.
  • Cornichons.
  • Radishes.
  • Olives.
  • Grapes or figs.
Nov 16, 2023

What are two main charcuterie items? ›

Charcuterie Made Simple: 5 Components You Need For Your Board
  • Cheeses.
  • Meats.
  • Fruits and/or veggies.
  • Crackers and/or bread.
  • Spreads.

What do you put in a charcuterie board gift? ›

Q: What can I give with a charcuterie board as a gift? A: Consider adding items such as specialty cheese, cured meats, nuts, fruits and spreads, when giving a charcuterie board as a gift. Beer and wine can also compliment your gift basket.

What to put on a charcuterie board besides cheese and meat? ›

Believe it or not, it's super simple to create an impressive presentation of cured meats, specialty cheeses and all the colorful complements. Get creative with olives, antipasti, fresh fruit, nuts, spreads, crackers and more.

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