Valentines Charcuterie Board (20 minutes) (2024)

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This 20-minute Valentines charcuterie board is the ultimate day of love snack or meal. It is filled with meats and cheeses in heart shapes plus yummy sweet treats and chocolates!

Everyone will love the mix of sweet and salty on the this board. With cheese, chocolate, fruit and even dips, there is something for everyone. Or go BIG and make a cute Valentines grazing table for a crowd!

Valentines Charcuterie Board (20 minutes) (1)

CharCUTErie Board

I have been SO excited to create this charCUTErie board in a gorgeous heart shape. I found this board at Williams Sonoma as well as the mini heart marble boards below. That are probably coasters but they are so dang cute for mini charcuterie boards!

Putting a coupleheart dishesand red velvet cake mix cookies on the board add so much pizzaz and give it that really Valentines look. I also like popping on a few heart shaped chocolate and cookies with jammy heart cut outs.

Of course, adding our red velvet cake mix cookies for a delicious and festive red addition makes it perfect. You can even cut cheese into little hearts and arrange salami slices like a rose for a bit more WOW!

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Serve the whole board up with one of our Valentines mocktails and vegan chocolate sauce topped dessert nachos at your next Galentine’s party! You could also make this Valentine’s board but in a charcuterie cone.

Valentines Charcuterie Board (20 minutes) (2)

For mini boards or individual charcuterie boxes, simply add smaller portions of your favorite things to each board. I recommend a meat, a cheese and a veggie but crackers are also great.

Adding herbs to your charCUTErie board gives it life and color. I love fresh rosemary because it gives the board and authentic wreath feel which I love. Fresh sage is also great because it looks like leaves.

We have used them on almost all our boards including our Christmas charcuterie board. Even our small charcuterie board can feature tiny little fake trees or a sprig of rosemary. Some don’t need it especially when they are on the sweeter or more masculine side like our Super Bowl charcuterie board, Halloween charcuterie board, pancake charcuterie board, Mexican charcuterie board, or Thanksgiving charcuterie board.

Valentines Charcuterie Board (20 minutes) (3)

What usually goes on a charcuterie board

Beautiful boards are a great way to enjoy a casual date night or family dinner. They typically include meats, cheeses, crackers and fresh fruit.

You can even add chocolates and nuts in a small bowl on the board or fill in empty spaces with fresh greenery.

Valentines Charcuterie Board (20 minutes) (4)

What you’ll need for this one

  • Sweet dips and savory if you like
  • Crackers
  • Heart shaped chocolates
  • Valentines cookies
  • Variety of cheese
  • Variety of meats
  • Fresh greenery for esthetic
  • Berries or other fresh fruit
  • Chocolate covered pretzels

No matter what you choose, the whole family will love this Valentine’s charcuterie board even if they only get it on special occasions. It’s a great way to get even the teenagers excited for this lovey dovey holiday.

Valentines Charcuterie Board (20 minutes) (5)

Best meats for a charcuterie board

When it comes to what meats to include on your cheese board, it comes down to personal preference. Like it spicy? Get that hot chorizo salami and slice it right onto the marble or wooden board.

Here are some of my personal favorites to get you thinking…

  • sopressata
  • Italian dry salami
  • prosciutto di Parma
  • wagyu beef salame

Although I will say the latter is hard to find at a really good quality. Get creative in what you choose though and go with what your taste buds prefer. Note: you can estimate about 2 ounces of each cheese and meat for each guest.

Best cheeses for a charcuterie board

Again, the choice for cheeses for creating the perfect board are entirely up to you but we recommend having a variety. I like a simple sliced cheddar that you can easily find at your local grocery store for making heart shapes with a cookie cutter.

I also really like having some sort of soft cheese. My favorite is Boursin but we also love goat cheese. It goes great with little dark chocolate hearts and sweet dip with crackers.

If you are more of a savory charcuterie board fan, then grab some smoked gouda and aged havarti plus savory dips. If you like a sweeter board, blueberry Wensleydale and a fruit encrusted goat cheese.

How to make it

This Valentines charcuterie board is a fun idea for any February gathering. I love how it is perfect for kids and adults and can be made so fast! So let’s make it…

Step 1: Get a board and place heart cups and little spreading knives where you would like them

Step 2: Add some dips, sauce or berries in the little cups as well as things like pickles which are wet and can make a mess

Step 3: Add heart cut out cheeses around the board, I recommend at least three varieties

Pro tip: Use mini heart cookie cutters to get the little shapes out of your cheese

Valentines Charcuterie Board (20 minutes) (6)

Step 4: Make salami roses and add those in as well

Step 5: Add the cured meats, crackers (I used some heart shaped veggie chips here!), fruits and veggies (I love adding fresh lots of fresh red raspberries and blackberries to this board!)

Step 6: Add all the yummy treats! Chocolate covered pretzels, heart shaped chocolates, cookies with hearts and whatever else your HEART desires

Step 7: Finish by adding in the green herbs to give it a live, effervescent look

Valentines Charcuterie Board (20 minutes) (7)

What are the best Valentines sweets to put on the board?

I love putting heart shaped chocolates and York peppermint patties on my boards but linzer cookies with a heart shaped jam center also makes a great addition!

Really, any heart shaped candies or cookies will do. You can even make Valentine’s Day sugar cookies made into little chocolate shapes or other love themed decorated sugar cookies for your board.

How far in advance can you put it together?

Grazing andgluten-free cheese and charcuterie boardsare fantastic for gatherings because they are so easy to put out and then let everyone nibble on at their own pleasure. As a host, you couldn’t ask for a better set up.

No more running in and out of the kitchen, you can now sit down and relax with everyone else! Don’t feel like you have to keep it only savory, you can add in the sweets as well for an all inclusive board.

The cheeses for your Valentines’s day charcuterie board can be cut into heart shapes and meats can be put together into roses and refrigerated until you are ready to put them on the board. Leave off the crackers until right before serving so they are crisp.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Leftovers deli meat, cheeses, fresh fruit and veggies can be stores in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Crackers and cookies can be places into bags or containers and kept at room temperature.

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Valentines Charcuterie Board (20 minutes)

Valentines Charcuterie Board (20 minutes) (8)

5 from 15 votes

This 20-minute Valentines charcuterie board is the ultimate day of love snack or meal. It is filled with meats and cheeses in heart shapes plus yummy sweet treats and chocolates!

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: charcuterie, valentines

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 771kcal

Ingredients

  • 1-2 jars Sweet dips and savory if you like
  • 1 box GF crackers (I love using heart shaped veggie chips)
  • 24 oz Variety of cheese
  • 24 oz Variety of meats
  • 16 oz Berries or other fresh fruit
  • 1 box Valentines cookies
  • 8 oz Heart shaped chocolates
  • 8 oz Chocolate covered pretzels
  • Fresh greenery for esthetic

Instructions

  • Step 1: Get a board and place heart cups and little spreading knives where you would like them

  • Step 2: Add some dips, sauce or berries in the little cups as well as things like pickles which are wet and can make a mess

  • Step 3: Add heart cut out cheeses around the board, I recommend at least three varieties

  • Step 4: Makesalami rosesand add those in as well

  • Step 5: Add the cured meats, crackers (I used some heart shaped veggie chips here!), fruits and veggies (I love adding fresh lots of fresh red raspberries and blackberries to this board!)

  • Step 6: Add all the yummy treats! Chocolate covered pretzels, heart shaped chocolates, cookies with hearts and whatever else your HEART desires

  • Step 7: Finish by adding in the green herbs to give it a live, effervescent look

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 771kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 2078mg | Potassium: 345mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 586IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 435mg | Iron: 3mg

Valentines Charcuterie Board (20 minutes) (2024)

FAQs

How long should a charcuterie board sit out before serving? ›

Harmful germs can grow in perishable foods, including meat and cut fruit, if they're left out for more than two hours. Pay attention to how long your charcuterie board has been sitting out. To avoid tossing the tidbits after two hours, consider making more than one board.

How long should a charcuterie board be? ›

The recommended size for a cheese platter board or a charcuterie board runs from 12” x 18” inches to 24” x 36” inches. Wooden chopping boards also meet ergonomic standards, so you won't have to bend to place cheese dips, meat slices, or other party appetizers.

How to make a last minute charcuterie board? ›

Build the board with:
  1. Desired cured meats.
  2. Bold cheese (we used cubed feta and goat cheese)
  3. Pickled or fresh veggies.
  4. Dried and fresh fruits like dates, apricots, figs, and plums.
  5. Olives.
  6. Bread slices or crackers.
  7. Herbed nuts.
Nov 16, 2023

How do you make the most beautiful charcuterie board? ›

Divide your board into quadrants, and place one type of meat in the middle of each quadrant. 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.

What are three tips for making your own charcuterie board? ›

  1. Tip #1: Start With How Many People You'll Be Serving. ...
  2. Tip #2: Visit Your Local Cheese Shop. ...
  3. Tip #3: Choose a Variety of Textures, Milk Types, and Cured Styles for your Charcuterie Board. ...
  4. Tip #4: Get Creative With Shapes & Colors. ...
  5. Tip #5: Choose Wines from the Same Region as Your Cheeses.

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

5 Mistakes You are Making on Your Charcuterie Board
  • Peppers: Whether green, red, or yellow, peppers are best avoided. ...
  • Tricky vegetables: Namely, tomatoes or Asparagus. ...
  • Jalapeno stuffed olives (or anything too spicy): Very hot foods simply don't work well with most wines, and they can overwhelm your taste buds.

Are there rules for charcuterie boards? ›

The flavors can be paired with the cheeses or chosen for their unique qualities, but always aim to have something spicy, something smoky, and something unexpected. Rule of thumb: 1 small salami, 1 large salami, 1 whole-muscle meat.

Is it OK to make a charcuterie board the day before? ›

Yes, Charcuterie boards can be prepared ahead of time. I would recommend waiting to slice any fruit until right before serving. Otherwise, the ingredients can be prepped and arranged up to 24 hours in advance. Just be sure to wrap it with cling wrap and store it in the refrigerator.

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

What is the 3-3-3-3 Rule for Charcuterie Boards? No matter the style of the wood charcuterie board, you can always follow the 3-3-3-3 rule. Every charcuterie board should have three meats, three cheeses, three starch options, and three accompaniments, such as fruit, nuts, or veggies.

What are three good cheeses for a charcuterie board? ›

Here's some of the best cheese for charcuterie boards:
  • 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.
  • Blue cheese: gorgonzola, dunbarton blue, marbled blue jack.

How do you calculate charcuterie board? ›

No worries! Here is the estimated amount of an ideal charcuterie per person serving: 2-3 oz meat, 4-5 sliced cheeses, and fewer additional accompaniments while presenting as an appetizer. 5-6 oz meat, 6-7 sliced cheeses, and plenty of additional accompaniments while serving as an entire meal.

What finger foods go with a charcuterie board? ›

Briny, pickled or marinated: olives, co*cktail onions, cornichons, dill pickles, pepperoncini. We love green olives stuffed with garlic or feta, and I also like including olive tapenade and bruschetta. Savory Dips and spreads: Whole ground mustard, hummus, ranch, balsamic dip. Veggies – cold cut, if desired.

What is a 2 3 person charcuterie board? ›

Enjoy a Charcuterie board for two to three people. Which will include 2 Artisan Cheeses, 2 Cured Meats, assorted seasonal fruits, dried fruits, olives, humus or artichoke dip (choice of 1), honey, assorted nuts, crackers, and dried bread and chocolate candy or chocolate-covered pretzels.

How long can cheese sit out on a charcuterie board? ›

Cut produce and cheeses need to be refrigerated until served and should not be kept at room temperature for more than 2 hours total (one hour if the temperature is above 90 °F). Use clean serving utensils, spoons for dips, tongs, or toothpicks to keep guests from contaminating the entire board.

What are the rules for making a charcuterie board? ›

When making a charcuterie board, try following the 3-3-3-3 rule:
  1. 3 meats.
  2. 3 cheeses.
  3. 3 starches.
  4. 3 accompaniments.
Dec 14, 2023

What do you put on a homemade charcuterie board? ›

You can customize your charcuterie board however you like, however typically it will include the following:
  1. Cured meats.
  2. Various cheeses – Nice cheeses and meats are generally on the pricier side. With that said, it feeds A LOT of people.
  3. Olives and Nuts.
  4. Fruit.
  5. Dried Fruits.
  6. Crackers or small slices of bread.
  7. Jelly or Jam.
Nov 20, 2023

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