This heart-shaped Valentine's Day charcuterie board will wow your loved one. Red berries, salami roses and heart-shaped cheeses, plus crackers, dried fruit and nuts to fill it out.
It's an impressive appetizer for a romantic night in and you can easily adjust it based on what you already have.
I like making charcuterie boards for dinner, especially when we have a lot of bits and pieces in the fridge and I don't feel like cooking up a meal. They're easily customizable and can be turned into something special like this one.
If you've made a cheese board before, this is the same idea, just arranged in a heart shape.
How to make a heart-shaped Valentine's charcuterie board
Shopping list
Please take the photos as a guide only. Use the foods you and your loved ones actually enjoy. You can also make my simple charcuterie board smaller and build this one the same way.
In general, choose a mix of red and pink foods. You can also add a few sweets you like or pick heart-shaped candies.
- Strawberries: They always go hand in hand with Valentine's Day.
- Raspberries: Want to take it up a notch? Try chocolate covered raspberries, or do the same with strawberries.
- Grapes: Optional. Use extra berries instead or swap in another fruit.
- Pistachios: Or other nuts you like.
- Salami, prosciutto: This is what I used here. Salami is the easiest for roses. If you don't want roses, use any deli meat you prefer.
- Dried pineapple pieces: Tasty, but you can swap in other dried fruit or skip it.
- Cheese: Cheddar, Babybel, sliced mozzarella, manchego, anything you like. To outline part of the heart shape, I cut small hearts out of sliced mozzarella.
- Crackers: With or without seeds, water crackers or crostini.
Tools and prep
Before you start filling the board, make the salami roses and cut the cheese hearts. Then everything comes together fast.
- Parchment paper, pencil & scissors: To cut out a heart shape. This helps you to keep the heart shape you are after, but also, if using a tray that is not intended for food, it will act as a base paper.
- Round cutting board, cheese board, serving tray, platter. You can also serve it just on a clean table if using parchment paper under.
- Cutting board and knife.
- Tiny heart-shaped cookie cutter and small cookie cutter.
- A champagne glass: To make the salami roses.
- Plastic wrap: If you want to make it ahead keep the ingredients from drying out.
How to make salami roses (2 ways)
- With a champagne glass (large rose): Fold one slice of salami halfway over the rim of the glass. Repeat with overlapping slices (I used about 8). Place one hand over the rim and flip the glass. The rose should land in your palm.
- Without a glass (small rose): Lay one slice of salami on a clean worktop. Place the next slice beside it, overlapping. Repeat with about 6 slices. Fold the row in half, then roll it from one end to the other to form a rose.
Quick assembly order
If you want to build it fast, this is the order that works best:
- Cut a heart out of parchment paper. Size is up to you. Place it on your serving tray or board (I used a wooden cheese board).
- Rinse and thoroughly dry berries and fruits.
- Make salami roses.
- Prep the cheeses.
- Assemble everything together in a heart shape. Check my pictures for inspiration.
Can I make it in advance?
Yes, you can. The key is drying all fresh fruit and berries really well so nothing turns soggy in the fridge.
I recommend using a tray or plate with an edge, so you can wrap the whole thing tightly in plastic wrap.
Another option: prep everything and store it on a baking sheet (wrapped well). Then arrange it on the serving board right before serving.
What drinks pair well with a Valentine's charcuterie board?
Sparkling wine, red wine, rosé or a festive mocktail all work nicely with the sweet and savory mix.
Tips for the best Valentine's Day charcuterie board
- Balance flavors: Combine sweet, salty and savory elements for variety.
- Use different textures: Soft cheeses, crunchy nuts and juicy fruits add contrast.
- Add a personal touch: Use heart-shaped bowls, toothpicks and decorative napkins, whatever matches your vibe.
- Keep it fresh: For the best food experience, prepare the board close to serving time to keep ingredients as fresh as possible.
More easy Valentine's Day appetizer ideas
- Strawberry Bruschetta: A tasty appetizer that goes well with a charcuterie board and it's always a hit
- Fruit Kabobs: An easy sweet option when you want to keep it simple.
- Heart-Shaped Appetizer: A quick caprese-style idea that looks great on the table.
Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 5 ounces salami (see note 1)
- 10 strawberries (or to taste, see note 2)
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup red grapes
- 4 classic Babybel (mini cheeses)
- 3 ounces cheddar (diced)
- 5 mozzarella slices (see note 3)
- 3 ounces prosciutto (see note 4)
- crackers (see note 5)
- ½ cup pistachios
- ½ cup dried pineapple
Instructions
- Choose a serving tray, platter or board. If you have a heart-shaped one, use it. If not, a round board works well. To help keep the heart shape, cut a heart out of parchment paper (see photos in the post if needed) and place it on your serving board.
- Salami roses: With a champagne glass (large rose): Fold one slice of salami halfway over the rim of the glass. Repeat with overlapping slices (I used about 8). Place one hand over the rim and flip the glass. The rose should land in your palm. Without a glass (small rose): Lay one slice on a clean worktop. Place the next slice beside it, overlapping. Repeat with about 6 slices. Fold the row in half and roll from one end to the other to form a rose.
- Fruit: Rinse the fruits under running water and dry thoroughly.
- Cheese: If you have a tiny heart-shaped cookie cutter, use it to cut heart shapes out of the Babybel wax. If not, add them as-is for color. Use a small cookie cutter (about 2 inches, 5 centimeters) to cut about 20 hearts from the mozzarella slices.
- Assemble the board: Start with the larger items first (salami roses, Babybel). Place strawberries around the parchment edges to define the heart. Then outline with diced cheddar and mozzarella hearts, and fill the gaps with grapes, raspberries, crackers, prosciutto, nuts and dried fruit. Add pistachios and dried fruit last, they're easiest for filling small spaces.
Notes
- Salami roses: You might need to secure them with toothpicks. It will depend on the salami you use. I did one but it was not needed at all.
- You can use chocolate-covered strawberries or raspberries if you like.
- With a small heart cutter, you can get about 4 hearts from 1 slice.
- Italian prosciutto can be swapped for jamón serrano or another deli meat.
- Crackers: Use as many as you like. You want to fill up the empty spaces, so you might need more or less. You can serve them on the side as well if there is not enough space on the board. Options: crostini, crackers with or without seeds, water crackers, ...
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates calculated from available data and may vary with ingredient brands and portion sizes.
Christine says
I love this idea for Valentine’s Day. I’m making it on Saturday as a surprise. It looks gorgeous and thank you so much for all the tips.
Julia says
You are welcome, Christine!