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There are so many things you can do for Valentine’s Day food. While there are lots of options, this Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board should be at the top of your list. It is totally customizable and perfect for anyone you love.
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What is a Charcuterie Board?
A traditional charcuterie board is a combination of your favorite meats and cheeses, surrounded by foods that pair well with them.
Oftentimes those items include nuts, fruit, vegetables, cookies, crackers and dips. The best part is that this is where you can get creative.
There are not any rules, so the sky’s the limit and you can customize it to be whatever you want it to be.
What do I put on a Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board
The truth is that you can put anything on a Valentine’s Day themed board. To make a big impact go with items that are heart-shaped foods, red or pink colors and fresh items.
Guide for choosing food
Meats
A variety of meats is always the way to go. Slices of salami, prosciutto, soppressata and pepperoni are all great options. You can also go with your favorite meats from the deli section, like turkey or ham slices.
You can also elevate the look of the meats by folding them in different patterns or even making them into gorgeous andsimple salami roses.
Cheeses
Go with a variety of cheeses. I love to start with a wheel of brie but goat cheese and mozzarella balls are also a great soft cheese. I also suggest adding a hard cheese so that there are a variety of choices.
There are so many delicious cheeses and they can be found at almost any supermarket.
Starches
A typical charcuterie board always has a variety of everyone’s favorite crackers. You could also use baguette slices, pita chips or thin pretzels.
Fruits & Vegetables
Start with your favorite fresh fruit. Seasonal red produce like slices of apples, raspberries, red grapes, fresh strawberries and pomegranate seeds are a great way to put a holiday twist on the board. Of course you could always use a variety of dried fruit which is easy to find all year long {and shelf stable}.
Using seasonal veggies from a farmers market or the local grocery store is great because everything you find will be ripe and ready to use. I love using colorful vegetables like cherry tomatoes and go with the color scheme.
Dips
A good dip is a great idea to add. I always think of fruit dip when I am making a Valentine snack board but other dips, like hummus would also be a great addition. You can also never go wrong with savory dips like ranch or onion dip.
Accompaniments
Every good board has a few sweet treats, especially for Valentine’s Day. Make your life easier and go with store bought treats that everyone will love. Small heart-shaped macarons and candies that are in the shape of a heart {like conversation hearts or chocolate hearts} are especially wonderful this time of year.
Try to keep all of the desserts bite sized so that they don’t take up a ton of room on the board. TheseCookie Cupswith chocolate-covered strawberries andMini Chocolate Chip cookieswould be delicious additions if you wanted to make your own.
Cut finger sandwiches using a heart shape cookie cutter. You can also use a cookie cutter to shape your go-to cheeses. Adding a Monterey Jack heart to the board brings a fun touch in an easy way.
Final Touches
Using edible flowers and fresh herbs {like rosemary} are a fun way to add a nice pop of color to a Valentine’s Day Board. Add them at the end to give the appetizer board the perfect finishing touch.
Expert Tips
- Get creative with what you use as the base.Awooden boardis traditional but there are so many items you can use. Laybrown paperon the counter, use a marble slab or wood crate for other options. It would also be fun to arrange the items into a heart shape. You can also find a heart-shaped board.
- Know how many people you are serving and the size of the board you want to use before you go shopping.Both of these numbers will determine how much food you need to purchase and make shopping so much simpler.
- Always start with the larger and main ingredients first.Adding the meat products, cheeses and crackers first allows you to arrange all of the supporting ingredients around them.
- Look around the grocery store for heart-shaped treats. There are things you might not think of. Both a palmier cookie and pretzels are heart shaped. You will also find that the inside of a strawberry is heart shaped and that you can easily transform a cherry tomato into a heart.
- Usesmall bowlsto contain smaller items you don’t want rolling around the board.Using bowls for things like olives, pickles and fruit can keep everything in place and help with pulling it all together. You could also hollow out a red pepper to use as the bowl for a super festive touch.
- Go back and add in smaller foods like nuts and heart candies to fill in any empty spaces. To get a lush and gorgeous Valentine’s charcuterie board it should be bountiful and every inch should be covered.
- Always addserving utensilsto make grabbing items easier.Small spoons, cheese knives and tongs are all great additions.
Charcuterie FAQS
Can I make it ahead of time?
A charcuterie board can be made a couple of hours ahead of time. However, I would not keep it longer than that to ensure it is fresh.
Be sure to cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
What is the 3-3-3-3 rule?
This rule helps you get a well rounded board. With it you need at least 3 meats, 3 cheeses, 3 starches and 3 accompaniments for a complete board.
Where can I serve this board?
Serve this a simple Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board for family dinner or a dinner party. It would also be super fun on a date night with a glass of wine.
Do you love making Charcuterie Boards? Try these fun ideas…
- How to make Easy Individual Charcuterie Cups
- How to Create an Epic Fall Charcuterie Board
- How to make an Easy Breakfast Charcuterie Board
- How to Create a Simple Mini Charcuterie Board
Did you try this recipe?Leave a ⭐️ review below and tag @practicallyhomemade on Pinterest!
Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board you will Love
Here are all of tips, tricks and food ideas for making an epic Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board.
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Author: June Albertson-Dick
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 841kcal
5 from 1 vote
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces cured meats {or deli meats}
- 8 ounces cheese {a variety of soft and hard}
- 8 ounces crackers {or other starches}
- 6 ounces fruit {seasonal is best}
- 6 ounces vegetables {seasonal is best}
- 1 cup olives {black or green}
- 1 cup valentine candy
- 2 cup cookies
- herbs & edible flowers {for garnish}
Instructions
Add the large items {meats & cheeses} to the board. Then place the crackers {or starches} around the board.
Next, arrange seasonal fruits and vegetables around the meat and cheese. Add bowls of dip, olives and pickles {or whatever you prefer}.
Fill in any empty areas with valentine candy and cookies. Finally, go back and fill in any areas and add fresh herbs and edible flowers. Serve or cover for up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Get creative with what you use for the base.Awooden boardis traditional but there are so many items you can use. Laybrown paper on the counter, use a baking sheet, wood crate or heart shaped board for other options.
- Have a combination of fresh and shelf stable items. Foods like crackers and nuts can be bought ahead of time and will last long after.
- Usesmall bowls to contain items you don’t want rolling around the board.Using bowls for smaller items like olives, pickles and fruit can keep everything in place and help with pulling it all together.
- Go back and add in smaller foods like nuts and valentine candies to fill in any empty spaces. To get a lush and gorgeous Valentine-themed charcuterie board it should be bountiful and every inch should be covered.
- Always addserving utensilsto make grabbing items easier. Small spoons, cheese knives and tongs are all great additions.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 841kcal | Carbohydrates: 93g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 1559mg | Potassium: 286mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 1545IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 271mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @PracticallyHomemade or tag #practicallyhomemade!
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Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board
A Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board is a customizable assortment of meats, cheeses, and complementary foods, often featuring heart-shaped or red and pink items to create a festive and romantic display. It's a versatile and creative way to celebrate the occasion with a spread that can be tailored to personal preferences and dietary restrictions.
What is a Charcuterie Board? A traditional charcuterie board typically consists of favorite meats and cheeses, accompanied by foods that pair well with them, such as nuts, fruits, vegetables, cookies, crackers, and dips. The beauty of a charcuterie board lies in its flexibility, allowing for endless customization and creativity [[1]].
What to Put on a Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board For a Valentine's Day-themed board, the focus is on incorporating heart-shaped foods, red or pink colors, and fresh items to make a big impact. This can include heart-shaped meats and cheeses, seasonal red produce like strawberries and pomegranate seeds, heart-shaped treats, and small heart-shaped macarons and candies. The goal is to create a visually appealing and thematic arrangement [[1]].
Guide for Choosing Food
- Meats: A variety of meats, such as salami, prosciutto, soppressata, and pepperoni, are popular choices. Additionally, turkey or ham slices from the deli section can be included. Creativity can be expressed by folding meats in different patterns or creating simple salami roses [[1]].
- Cheeses: A variety of cheeses, including soft cheeses like brie, goat cheese, and mozzarella, as well as hard cheeses, offer a diverse selection for the board [[1]].
- Starches: A typical charcuterie board includes a variety of crackers, but other options like baguette slices, pita chips, or thin pretzels can also be used [[1]].
- Fruits & Vegetables: Fresh fruits like apples, raspberries, red grapes, strawberries, and pomegranate seeds, along with colorful vegetables like cherry tomatoes, contribute to the holiday twist on the board. Dried fruits are also an option for year-round availability [[1]].
- Dips: Consider adding fruit dip, hummus, or savory dips like ranch or onion dip to enhance the flavor variety [[1]].
- Accompaniments: Small heart-shaped macarons, heart-shaped candies, and bite-sized desserts can add a sweet touch to the board. Additionally, cut finger sandwiches using a heart-shaped cookie cutter and using a cookie cutter to shape cheeses can bring a fun and thematic element to the display [[1]].
Final Touches Adding edible flowers and fresh herbs, such as rosemary, can provide a pop of color and a visually appealing finishing touch to the Valentine's Day board. Arranging the items into a heart shape or using a heart-shaped board can further enhance the thematic presentation [[1]].
Expert Tips
- Get creative with the base of the board, considering options like wooden boards, marble slabs, or even arranging the items into a heart shape.
- Determine the number of servings and the size of the board before shopping to simplify the process.
- Look for heart-shaped treats at the grocery store, such as palmier cookies and pretzels, and consider using small bowls to contain smaller items and keep everything in place.
- Fill in any empty spaces with nuts and heart candies to create a lush and gorgeous Valentine-themed charcuterie board.
- Always add serving utensils, such as small spoons, cheese knives, and tongs, to make grabbing items easier [[1]].
Charcuterie FAQs
- Can I make it ahead of time?: A charcuterie board can be made a couple of hours ahead of time, but it's best not to keep it longer than that to ensure freshness. Covering it in plastic wrap and refrigerating until ready to use is recommended.
- What is the 3-3-3-3 rule?: This rule suggests including at least 3 meats, 3 cheeses, 3 starches, and 3 accompaniments for a well-rounded board.
- Where can I serve this board?: A Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board can be served for family dinner, dinner parties, or as part of a date night with a glass of wine [[1]].
