Valentine's Charcuterie Board - Cheerful Choices (2024)

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Learn how to make the perfect Valentine’s Charcuterie Board for your sweetheart, galentine, or family. This beautiful board is filled with all the good stuff like cheeses, meats, dips, fresh fruit, vegetables, and sweet treats. Read on for ways to customize and make this board your own!

Valentine's Charcuterie Board - Cheerful Choices (1)

This post was originally published February 8, 2021. It was updated on January 10, 2022.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own; I never feature a brand that I don’t love! See mydisclosure policyfor more details.

Charcuterie boards may also be referred to as a snack board or smorgasbord. It’s essentially a platter filled with small bites of different, delicious foods. These boards aren’t just reserved for special occasions or holidays— you can also make this type of snack board on other days. Or if you want to surprise your sweetheart with breakfast in bed, try this pancake charcuterie board!

Table of Contents

How do you make a Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board?

The great thing about charcuterie boards is it’s totally customizable! You get to pick and choose which cheeses, meats, dips, fresh fruit, vegetables, and sweet treats you use. This is a great option if you want an elegant meal but only have random bits and pieces lying around.

Ready to make your one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Charcuterie board? Go through this list of foods and slowly fill your platter until it’s full. You can use a large wooden block, a cutting board, or a serving tray to build your board.

1. Cheese

A charcuterie board is only as good as its cheese. Add a variety of both soft and hard cheeses. I always like to go to my local cheese shop and ask for their recommendations. Here are some you might try.

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2. Meat

Most charcuterie meats are some hue of pink or red–making them perfect for this valentine’s charcuterie. If you’re feeling extra festive, use a heart shaped cookie cutter to shape slices of cheese or meat. If you are vegetarian or vegan, you can leave the meat out or use a plant-based alternative.

3. Dips and Jams

I love adding a bit of dip or jam on a cracker before topping it with cheese or meat. Don’t be afraid to use a variety of both sweet and savory dips.

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4. Bread and Crackers

My favorite section! This is a great way to clean out your pantry and arrange all those opened cracker and chip bags. Choose whole grain products for a little extra fiber and nutrition boost if you’d like.

5. Fruits and Vegetables

Try to use mostly red, pink, and purple fruits and vegetables to add to the valentine’s feel. Here are some to try adding.

  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Blackberries
  • Cherries
  • Grapes
  • Figs
  • Sliced apples
  • Dried cranberries
  • Raisins
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Red pepper slices
  • Purple cauliflower
  • Purple or red rainbow carrots
  • Beets or beet chips

6. Chocolate and Extras

It’s not Valentine’s Day with a little extra sweets. Use any random bits of candy, chocolate, or baked goods you have on hand. It’s so important to allow yourself the freedom of flexibility when it comes to food during special occasions and holidays. Aim to fit in nutritious, whole foods but also be sure to enjoy your favorite indulgent bites in moderation. It’s all about creating a healthy balance.

  • Yogurt covered strawberries
  • Chocolate covered strawberries
  • Chocolate squares
  • Avocado truffles
  • Candied nuts
  • Lightly salted mixed nuts
  • Energy bites
  • Oreos
  • Rice Krispie treats
  • Edible protein cookie dough
  • Heart shaped cookies
  • Biscotti
  • Stuffed dates
  • 2Betties healthy donuts(included on myfall charcuterie board!)

What are your favorite combos for this valentine’s charcuterie board? Tag me on Instagram at @cheerfulchoices… I would love to see!

Valentine's Charcuterie Board - Cheerful Choices (4)

Valentine's Charcuterie Board - Cheerful Choices (5)

Valentine’s Charcuterie Board

Mackenzie Burgess, RDN

This customizable board is filled with all the good stuff like cheeses, meats, dips, fresh fruit, vegetables, and sweet treats. Perfect to make for your loved ones on Valentine's Day!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings 4 -6 servings

Ingredients

Cheeses of your choice

  • Blueberry goat cheese log
  • Cheddar
  • Swiss
  • Brie
  • Parmesan
  • Gouda
  • Blue cheese
  • Vegan cheeses

Meats of your choice

  • Salami
  • Soppressata
  • Prosciutto
  • Summer sausage
  • Lunch meats rolled up
  • Vegan meats

Dips of your choice

  • Hummus
  • Baba Ganoush
  • Salsa
  • Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip
  • Greek Yogurt Peanut Butter Dip
  • Jams – use red or purple colored jams
  • Homemade 2 Ingredient Chia Seed Jam
  • Hazelnut Spread

Bread and Crackers of your choice

  • Raincoast Crisps
  • Rice cakes
  • Baguettes
  • Triscuits
  • Chia Seed Crackers
  • Pita Chips
  • Tortilla Chips
  • Pretzels
  • Nut Thins

Fruits and Vegetables of your choice

  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Cherries
  • Grapes
  • Figs
  • Sliced Apples
  • Dried Cranberries
  • Raisins
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Red Pepper Slices
  • Purple Cauliflower
  • Purple or Red Rainbow Carrots
  • Beets or beet chips

Chocolate and extras of your choice

  • Yogurt covered strawberries
  • Chocolate covered strawberries
  • Dark chocolate bar pieces
  • Biscottis
  • Truffles
  • Candied Nuts
  • Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts
  • Oreos
  • Rice Krispie treats
  • Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies
  • Nut Butter Stuffed Dates

Instructions

  • Choose a board to use. This could be a wooden cutting board, baking sheet, or large platter.

  • Then, go through this list of foods and slowly fill your platter or board until it’s full.

  • Enjoy with your sweetheart, galentine, or family!

Video

Tried this recipe?Tag us @cheerfulchoices and let us know how it was!

save this valentine’s charcuterie board recipe on pinterest:

Valentine's Charcuterie Board - Cheerful Choices (6)

Related

Valentine's Charcuterie Board - Cheerful Choices (2024)

FAQs

Valentine's Charcuterie Board - Cheerful Choices? ›

The 3333 rule applies to the number of foods to create the perfect board. To follow the 3,3,3,3 rule, stick to three cheeses, three meats, three starches, and three accoutrements.

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

The 3333 rule applies to the number of foods to create the perfect board. To follow the 3,3,3,3 rule, stick to three cheeses, three meats, three starches, and three accoutrements.

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

CHARCUTERIE // Stop Adding These 10 Ingredients To Your Charcuterie Boards!
  • STINKY CHEESES. The cheese section at the grocery store can be overwhelming and intimidating. ...
  • FRUITS THAT GO BROWN. ...
  • SPICY FOODS. ...
  • CRACKERS & BREAD. ...
  • Veggies. ...
  • Allergens and Sensitivities. ...
  • Dips, Sauces and Jams. ...
  • Boring and Bland Foods.

How do you make an aesthetically pleasing charcuterie board? ›

Use small side dishes to elevate some foods and keep the board neater. Then, use fruit, nuts, and chocolate to fill in the extra spaces. For garnish, use fresh herbs like thyme to add extra decorations. You can also add small sides of sauces and jams.

What finger foods go on a charcuterie board? ›

Accompaniments: Olives, pickles, cornichons, nuts, baguette slices, bread sticks and crackers are all great options. They add flavor and texture to your charcuterie board. Fruit: Choose whatever fresh fruit is in season.

What foods compliment a charcuterie board? ›

Add savory and sweet accompaniments.

For example, mustard, briny foods and nuts near salami and sopresseta, and sharp cheeses like parmesan. Pair sweet accompaniments like fresh fruit, jams, and candied nuts, near the brie cheese or goat cheese. Cheddar cheese pairs well with savory and sweet.

How do you impress a charcuterie board? ›

Charcuterie Board Styling Tips & Tricks
  1. Consult the guest list. ...
  2. Work with uneven numbers. ...
  3. Keep organized. ...
  4. Start with your bowls or round shapes. ...
  5. Next, move on to your biggest pieces and arrange by category. ...
  6. Avoid same category items touching. ...
  7. Move and adjust as you go. ...
  8. Fill final empty spaces with nuts.
Nov 24, 2021

What should every charcuterie board have? ›

Recipe Ingredients
  • Cured meat. Use a selection of 3-4 different cured meats for your charcuterie board. ...
  • Cheese. Select 4 or more cheeses of varying texture and flavor. ...
  • Bread and crackers. I love to include a baguette with a charcuterie board. ...
  • Nuts and chocolate. ...
  • Condiments and jams. ...
  • Fruit. ...
  • Garnish.
Dec 16, 2023

What are the do's and don'ts of charcuterie? ›

Rules to follow for the perfect Charcuterie Board
  • Everything should be easily accessible. Hard cheeses should always be on the outside of the board. ...
  • Something Hard, Something Soft & Something BLUE. ...
  • Meats should stand out! ...
  • Something Sweet & Something Spicy. ...
  • Garnish!
Sep 22, 2019

What are 3 good cheeses for a charcuterie board? ›

Here are the best cheeses for your charcuterie board
  • 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 to make a Valentine charcuterie board? ›

Valentine Charcuterie Board via The Curious Plate

Arrange a variety of red, pink and white savory and sweet treats for this board. It includes raspberries, brie cheese, cheese cut into little hearts with a heart cookie cutter, chocolates, popcorn, crackers, and prosciutto.

What dips go on a charcuterie board? ›

Good dips for a charcuterie board include hummus, guacamole, salsa, spinach and artichoke dip, baba ganoush, and tzatziki. Other options include various types of cheese dips, such as queso and pimento cheese, as well as fruit-based dips like strawberry cream cheese and honey cinnamon yogurt.

What is the key to a good charcuterie board? ›

Five Keys to a Great Charcuterie Board
  • Fruits Should Always Be Seasonal. Make sure whenever you're preparing the charcuterie board, you're using fresh, in-season fruits. ...
  • Keep Color in Mind. Fruits are a great way to bring color into the picture. ...
  • Pair Meats and Cheeses Creatively. ...
  • Presentation is Huge. ...
  • Keep Flow in Mind.
Sep 23, 2019

What are the best 3 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.

What goes first on a charcuterie board? ›

Start by adding structure with little dishes, then place your ingredients on the board starting with the largest elements like the cheeses and meats, followed by smaller items like crackers and fresh produce.

What are the three starches for a charcuterie board? ›

3 Starches: we like Taralli (a traditional Italian cracker almost like a small, circular breadstick), Artisan Crisps by Rustic Bakery, and baguettes from Gilles Baguettes. 3 Accompaniments: Cerignola olives, Marcona almonds, French cornichons.

References

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