How to Make a Stunning Valentine’s Charcuterie Board
Maybe I’m getting old and set in my ways, but I usually prefer to celebrate holidays like New Year’s and Valentine’s Day at home with my husband or family, or at someone else’s home! So I’m officially giving you permission to skip those pricey reservations and any fancy cooking. You’re off the hook!
Instead, in just a few simple steps, learn how to make this STUNNING VALENTINE’S CHARCUTERIE BOARD with delicious ingredients like creamy Gouda cheese, salami roses, brie with jam, and a few sweet treats. A valentine’s charcuterie is an easy way to create something beautiful, shareable, and fun – whether you’re celebrating with your family, friends, or hosting a casual Galentine’s night in.
**This post may contain affiliate links. The cost to you doesn’t change, but I may make a small commission from items purchased.
Why You’ll Love This Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board
- It looks stunning but is easy to make.
- No cooking required, only assembling, which is the fun part!
- You can customize for different tastes and budgets
- It’s so pretty that it becomes part of your table decor.
What You Need to Make a Valentine’s Charcuterie Board
Use pinks, reds, and heart-shaped touches for a festive look. Let’s break it down:
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Knife for cutting
- Heart-shaped cookie cutters
- Heart-shaped board or platter
- Cheese knife for spreading
Cheeses (Use Soft and Firm Cheeses)
This is completely customizable. Use your favorite cheeses, just make sure you have some variation between soft and hard cheese. Here are some ideas:
- Soft cheeses, like a double cream Brie and Boursin
- Semi-hard cheese, like Gouda
- A firmer cheese, like the Toscana cheese from Trader Joe’s
- Add some cheese rosettes for a unique touch
Cured Meats
- Thinly sliced salami for making salami roses
- Prosciutto or beef prosciutto
- Any other cured meats you like
Fresh Fruit & Herbs
- Fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries
- Apple sliced in the shape of a heart
- Fresh mint or rosemary for color
Sweet Treats
- Heart-shaped chocolate candies
- Pink, yogurt-covered almonds
- Petit fours
Little Something Special
- Add cranberry sauce, a fruit spread, jam, or honey to your brie as the centerpiece.
**Most of my ingredients were found at Trader Joe’s, but you should be able to find all of these options (or similar) at your local grocery store, especially in January and February.
How to Assemble a Valentine Charcuterie Board (Step-by-Step)
- First, make your salami roses and place them on your board. I made two roses for my board, but you can create more if you’re making a larger charcuterie. Here is a tutorial for making salami roses.
- If using, slice your apple in the shape of a heart. Here is a tutorial for making the apple heart.
- Next, start placing your cheeses around the perimeter of the board, and your central cheese, like the Brie, if using. Here is a tutorial for making a Brie cheese heart using a cheese slicer.
- Continue adding your cheeses and meats, rearranging as needed.
- Then fill in the gaps with sweets and fruit.
- Finish by tucking the mint or other herbs into small nooks for added color and texture.
- Serve with several different types of crackers and enjoy!
There are no rules and no pressure! Just keep filling in the gaps until it’s exactly how you like it!
Pro Tips for a Stunning Board
- Stick to a pink and red color palette.
- Use varied heights and spread out the colors to make the board feel dynamic.
- Mix up the way you display your cheese – slices, cubes, and in this case, I used a crinkle-cut slicer.
- Have fun with it!
Recipe Riffs & Swaps
Add in veggies like sliced red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes or rainbow carrots.
Use a heart-shaped board or arrange items in a heart outline.
Create a kid-friendly version with deli meats, simple cheeses and more sweets.
Skip the meat altogether and go vegetarian. Lean into cheeses, nuts, fruit, and sweets.
Make it a Valentine’s dessert charcuterie board instead and use all the Valentine’s Day sweets you can find!
How to Store Leftovers
Leftovers make an excellent next-day snack! Wrap cheeses tightly and store meats in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Keep fruits separate to avoid moisture. Chocolate and nuts can be stored at room temperature.
But if you’re lazy like me, just cover the entire board with tin foil, pop it in the fridge, and enjoy it the next day! Make sure to let the board warm up slightly before serving so that the cheeses aren’t too stiff.
Final Thoughts
Valentine Charcuterie Boards are a great way to host a fun night in with your special someone or with your ladies! You can bring this to a casual Galentine’s hang or an elevated Valentine’s Day celebration. This show-stopping Valentine’s Day cheese board is fun, flavorful, and definitely brings the wow factor!
Looking for other Valentine charcuterie boards or a Galentine’s Day charcuterie board? Check out my Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Pinterest Board or my Galentine’s grazing board night post with lots of beautiful boards and fun party ideas!
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- First, make your salami roses and place them on your board. I made two roses for my board, but you can do more if creating a larger charcuterie.
- If using, slice your apple in the shape of a heart.
- Next, start placing your cheeses around the perimeter of the board, and your central cheese, like the Brie, if using.
- Continue adding your cheeses and meats, rearranging as needed.
- Then fill in the gaps with sweets and fruit.
- Finish by tucking the mint or other herbs into small nooks for added color and texture.
- Serve with several different types of crackers and enjoy!
Notes
- Stick to a pink and red color palette for a Valentine’s vibe.
- Mix up the way you display your cheese – slices, cubes, and in this case, I used a crinkle-cut slicer.
- Use varied heights and spread out the colors to make the board feel dynamic.
- There are no rules and no pressure! Just have fun with it!
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Happy Hosting!
