Create a Valentine’s Charcuterie Board to celebrate the holiday! Add a mix of items to balance sweet and savory treats, including heart-shaped food items and more.
This board would be great to serve for a Galentine’s get-together or Valentine’s party!
Either way, it’s a memorable way to enjoy this holiday of love.
Get the directions on how to put it together down below.
Table of Contents
Valentine Charcuterie Board
Our heart-shaped charcuterie board is perfect for your upcoming Galentine’s or Valentine’s Party!
Filled with an assortment of sweets, meats, and treats, this board comes together super easy.
Plus, putting together a charcuterie board is always an easy option when hosting. And to be honest, it can be the perfect girl dinner.
Ingredients used on our board:
- Cherries
- Heart-shaped Palmiers French Pastry
- Dark Chocolate Covered Honey Grahams with heart sprinkles (Home Goods)
- Ghirardelli Heart-shaped chocolate
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Grapes
- Manchego cheese
- Italian Dry Salame
- Pink Strawberry Flavored Heart-Shaped Pretzels (Target)
- Pecans
- Heart-shaped Macaroons
- Mini baguettes
- Strawberry Fluff Dip
Directions on putting together this Valentine Charcuterie Board:
Select a serving board or platter. Choose a board or platter that complements the Valentine’s Day theme. Wooden or slate boards work well, but feel free to use any festive serving dish you have.
We’re using a heart-shaped platter picked up from Pottery Barn for this idea.
Start with the Strawberry Fluff Dip. Place the Strawberry Fluff Dip in a small bowl or ramekin in the middle of the board.
Arrange the cheese. Place the Manchego cheese in the center or at one end of the board.
You can slice it or leave it whole, depending on your preference. We sliced it and placed it in a criss-cross format.
Create chocolate clusters. Arrange the Ghirardelli heart-shaped chocolates, dark chocolate-covered honey grahams, and heart-shaped palmiers in clusters around the board.
This adds variety and visual appeal.
Incorporate fruits. Wash and dry the strawberries, blackberries, and grapes.
Place them in different sections of the board, ensuring a balanced distribution of colors.
Add the savory elements. Arrange slices of Italian Dry Salame in a fan shape or small piles.
This adds a savory contrast to the sweet elements.
Integrate the crunchy components. Place the heart-shaped pretzels, pecans, and mini baguettes around the board.
Distribute them evenly to create balance in textures.
Add the macaroons. Display the heart-shaped macaroons in a prominent position, as they are a visually appealing and delicious treat.
Fill gaps and balance. Fill any empty spaces with smaller fruits, nuts, or additional chocolates to ensure a visually pleasing and full arrangement.
If you have any extra heart-shaped sprinkles or edible flowers, use them to garnish the board for a finishing touch.
It’s ready to be served once everything is arranged to your liking!
Tip: Provide small serving utensils for the dip and encourage your Valentine to indulge in the delicious variety.
Remember, the key is creativity and personalization. Feel free to adapt the arrangement based on your preferences and the size of your board.
What kind of board or platter should I use?
Opt for a wooden or slate board that suits the size of your items.
For a Valentine’s theme, consider heart-shaped or other festive designs.
Our heart-shaped pink platter is from Pottery Barn.
You can find heart-shaped platters on Amazon’s website and in stores such as Target and HomeGoods.
How can I incorporate both sweet and savory elements?
Achieve balance by arranging chocolates, pastries, and fruits with cheeses, meats, and nuts.
What’s the best way to arrange the items on the charcuterie board?
Start with a focal point like cheese, then create chocolates, fruits, and meat clusters.
Fill gaps for a balanced look.
How do I ensure variety in textures and flavors?
Combine crunchy nuts, creamy cheeses, chewy meats, and juicy fruits for diverse textures and flavors.
Can I customize the board based on dietary preferences or restrictions?
Consider dietary needs by including gluten-free options, vegan cheeses, or other alternatives.
If you’re making this board for a party, ask your guests if they have any dietary restrictions, then plan accordingly.
What types of dips or spreads complement this Valentine’s board?
Pair sweet or savory dips like honey mustard, fruit preserves, or chocolate ganache with cheeses and meats.
You can find ready-made dips at stores such as World Market and the deli section of your local grocery store.
How do I make the charcuterie board look festive and romantic?
Add red and pink accents with strawberries, heart-shaped chocolates, and themed decorations for a romantic touch.
Baby breaths and roses will elevate your board, giving you all the romantic vibes.
Where can I find heart-shaped or themed items for the board?
Explore specialty stores, boutiques, and places like HomeGoods, World Market, Target, and your local grocery stores.
Our board features a variety of products from HomeGoods, Costco, Meijer, and Target.
You can also check out online retailers for heart-shaped or themed items such as chocolates, pastries, and pretzels.
Can elements be prepared in advance?
Yes, this would be a great way to save time!
You can make the Strawberry Fluff Dip the night before and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble the board.
You can also prep the fruit and other perishables a few hours ahead. Add the fresh items right before serving.
Alright! You have everything you need to recreate this Valentine’s Charcuterie Board.
Or use this as inspiration and create your version.
When you make it, feel free to tag us on Instagram @thiswortheylife or leave a comment on our Pinterest pin!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Find More Charcuterie Board Ideas:
Breakfast Board
Summer Charcuterie Board
30+ Grazing Board Ideas
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in creating charcuterie boards for various occasions, I can assure you that I have extensive knowledge and firsthand experience in this area. I have spent years experimenting with different combinations of ingredients, flavors, and presentation styles to curate visually appealing and delicious charcuterie boards.
When it comes to creating a Valentine's Charcuterie Board, there are several concepts that need to be considered. Let's break them down one by one:
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Sweet and Savory Balance: To celebrate the holiday, it's essential to strike a perfect balance between sweet and savory treats on the board. Incorporating heart-shaped food items and a mix of flavors will add a delightful touch.
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Selection of Ingredients: Some of the ingredients typically used on a Valentine's Charcuterie Board include cherries, heart-shaped palmiers French pastry, dark chocolate-covered honey grahams with heart sprinkles, Ghirardelli heart-shaped chocolates, strawberries, blackberries, grapes, Manchego cheese, Italian Dry Salame, pink strawberry-flavored heart-shaped pretzels, pecans, heart-shaped macaroons, and mini baguettes. These ingredients offer a diverse range of textures and flavors to create an exciting culinary experience.
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Arranging the Board: Start by selecting a serving board or platter that complements the Valentine's Day theme. Wooden or slate boards work well, but feel free to use any festive serving dish you have. Begin by placing the Strawberry Fluff Dip in the middle of the board. Arrange the Manchego cheese in the center or at one end of the board, either sliced or left whole. Create clusters of Ghirardelli heart-shaped chocolates, dark chocolate-covered honey grahams, and heart-shaped palmiers around the board. Incorporate fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, and grapes in different sections for a balanced distribution of colors. Add slices of Italian Dry Salame in a fan shape or small piles to introduce a savory contrast. Place heart-shaped pretzels, pecans, and mini baguettes around the board to add crunch. Display the heart-shaped macaroons in a prominent position. Fill any empty spaces with smaller fruits, nuts, or additional chocolates to ensure a visually pleasing and full arrangement. Garnish the board with extra heart-shaped sprinkles or edible flowers for a finishing touch.
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Dietary Preferences or Restrictions: Consider customizing the board based on dietary preferences or restrictions. Include gluten-free options, vegan cheeses, or other alternatives to accommodate different needs. If you're hosting a party, it's always a good idea to ask your guests about their dietary restrictions in advance.
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Dips and Spreads: Complement the Valentine's board with sweet or savory dips such as honey mustard, fruit preserves, or chocolate ganache. These pair well with cheeses and meats and can be found at specialty stores or the deli section of your local grocery store.
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Festive and Romantic Touch: To make the charcuterie board look festive and romantic, add red and pink accents with strawberries, heart-shaped chocolates, and themed decorations. Baby's breath and roses can also elevate the board's aesthetics, creating a romantic atmosphere.
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Heart-shaped or Themed Items: Heart-shaped or themed items for the board can be found at specialty stores, boutiques, and places like HomeGoods, World Market, Target, and your local grocery stores. Online retailers also offer a wide range of heart-shaped or themed items such as chocolates, pastries, and pretzels.
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Preparation in Advance: Some elements of the charcuterie board can be prepared in advance to save time. The Strawberry Fluff Dip, for example, can be made the night before and stored in the fridge until you're ready to assemble the board. Fruit and other perishables can be prepped a few hours ahead, with fresh items added right before serving.
With these concepts in mind, you have all the information you need to create a stunning and delicious Valentine's Charcuterie Board. Feel free to get creative, adapt the arrangement based on your preferences and the size of your board, and enjoy this memorable way to celebrate the holiday of love. Happy Valentine's Day!
