There is something so cozy about gathering around a pretty board and nibbling together. This Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board brings sweet and savory bites in one gorgeous spread. It is simple to assemble, flexible for any budget, and guaranteed to make your evening feel special.
Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board
Equipment
- 1 Large serving board or rimmed baking sheet line with parchment
- 1 Parchment Paper (optional)
- 4 Small bowls or ramekins for dips, olives, and jam
- 2 Cheese knives
- 1 Paring knife
- 3 Small spoons or spreaders
- 1 Heart-shaped cutters (optional)
Ingredients
Cheeses
- 8 oz brie wheel
- 4 oz aged cheddar sliced or cubed
- 4 oz herbed goat cheese log
Cured and cooked proteins
- 4 oz smoked turkey sliced, folded into ribbons
- 4 oz beef salami sliced
- 2 oz bresaola sliced (optional)
- 4 oz smoked salmon optional
Crackers and breads
- 4 oz butter crackers
- 4 oz seeded crisps
- 1 small baguette sliced
- 8 breadsticks
Fresh fruit
- 1 cup strawberries hulled
- 1 cup raspberries
- 2 cup grapes stems trimmed
- 1 apple sliced, tossed in lemon water and patted dry
- 0.5 cup pomegranate arils
Dried fruit
- 0.5 cup dried apricots
- 0.5 cup dates pitted
- 0.5 cup dried figs halved if large
Nuts and crunch
- 0.5 cup pistachios shelled
- 0.5 cup almonds roasted
- 0.5 cup candied pecans
- 2 cup popcorn (optional)
Savory extras
- 0.75 cup marinated olives
- 0.5 cup cornichons
- 1 cup cucumber sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 0.5 cup roasted peppers sliced
Sweets
- 4 oz chocolate squares
- 6 chocolate-covered strawberries
- 8 vanilla shortbread hearts
- 1 cup pectin gummies
- 8 meringue kisses
Dips and spreads
- 0.25 cup whole grain mustard
- 0.5 cup hummus
- 0.33 cup fig jam
- 0.33 cup olive tapenade
- 0.5 cup whipped honey yogurt dip with alcohol-free vanilla
- 0.5 cup strawberry compote
Garnish
- 4 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 0.25 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1 handful edible flowers
Instructions
Assembly
- Choose a large wooden board, stone slab, or a baking sheet lined with parchment. Aim for a mix of colors and shapes.
- Set down 3 to 4 small bowls for dips, olives, and jam. Add a brie wheel and one firm cheese as visual anchors.
- Slice firm cheeses into triangles or batons. Use a small heart cutter to punch shapes from brie rind or melon. Fold meats into ribbons or little rosettes.
- Fan smoked turkey, beef salami, and bresaola around the bowls. Add turkey bacon crisps or smoked salmon in a neat cluster.
- Tuck crackers, baguette slices, and breadsticks in several spots so guests can reach them easily.
- Nestle strawberries, raspberries, grapes, and pomegranate arils in open spaces. Alternate red tones with lighter cheeses for contrast.
- Add chocolates, shortbread hearts, dried fruit, and nuts. Drizzle honey over the brie or serve on the side.
- Slide in rosemary sprigs and edible flowers. Serve with small knives, spoons, and napkins.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheat
- Pre-slice cheeses and portion meats, fruits, and nuts up to 24 hours in advance. Keep items in separate airtight containers.
- Assemble the dry components up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate. Add crackers and delicate sweets just before serving.
- Store cheeses and meats covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For melty brie, warm a wedge on a parchment-lined sheet at 300°F for 5 to 7 minutes, then transfer to the board.
Notes
Why You’ll Love This Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board
- Balanced and beautiful with pops of red and pink.
- Easy to scale for two or a crowd.
- Make-ahead friendly with smart storage tips.
- Customizable for different tastes and textures.
Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board Ingredients & Substitutions
Mix sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy. Use what you love and what you have.
- Cheeses: brie or camembert wheel, aged cheddar, gouda, pepper jack, herbed goat cheese log. Choose plain or herb-rubbed cheeses.
- Cured and cooked proteins: sliced smoked turkey, roast chicken, beef salami, bresaola, turkey bacon crisps, smoked salmon. Fold or roll for texture.
- Crackers and breads: butter crackers, seeded crisps, baguette slices, mini naan, pretzel thins, breadsticks.
- Fresh fruit: strawberries, raspberries, grapes, apple slices, pomegranate arils, clementine segments.
- Dried fruit: apricots, dates, figs, cherries.
- Nuts and crunch: pistachios, almonds, cashews, candied pecans, popcorn.
- Savory extras: marinated olives, cornichons, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers.
- Sweets: chocolate squares, chocolate-covered strawberries, vanilla shortbread hearts, pectin gummies, meringue kisses.
- Dips and spreads: whole grain mustard, hummus, fig jam, olive tapenade, whipped honey yogurt dip with alcohol-free vanilla, strawberry compote.
- Garnish: fresh rosemary or mint, edible flowers, heart-shaped cutters for cheese or fruit.
Substitutions
- No goat cheese? Use whipped ricotta.
- No turkey bacon? Use a pinch of smoked paprika on nuts for a smoky note.
- No fig jam? Try berry preserves or a quick grape juice reduction with a splash of balsamic vinegar.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board
1. Plan the board
Choose a large wooden board, stone slab, or a baking sheet lined with parchment. Aim for a mix of colors and shapes.
2. Place anchors
Set down 3 to 4 small bowls for dips, olives, and jam. Add a brie wheel and one firm cheese as visual anchors.
3. Slice and shape
Slice firm cheeses into triangles or batons. Use a small heart cutter to punch shapes from brie rind or melon. Fold meats into ribbons or little rosettes.
4. Add proteins
Fan smoked turkey, beef salami, and bresaola around the bowls. Add turkey bacon crisps or smoked salmon in a neat cluster.
5. Fill with carbs
Tuck crackers, baguette slices, and breadsticks in several spots so guests can reach them easily.
6. Fruit and color pops
Nestle strawberries, raspberries, grapes, and pomegranate arils in open spaces. Alternate red tones with lighter cheeses for contrast.
7. Sweet and salty finish
Add chocolates, shortbread hearts, dried fruit, and nuts. Drizzle honey over the brie or serve on the side.
8. Garnish and serve
Slide in rosemary sprigs and edible flowers. Serve with small knives, spoons, and napkins.
Tips for Success
- Work in odd numbers. Three cheeses and five accent items look natural.
- Pre-cut some cheese for easy grabbing, but leave a wedge for drama.
- Keep wet away from crisp. Place juicy fruit and olives in bowls to protect crackers.
- Temperature matters. Let cheeses sit 20 to 30 minutes at room temp before serving for best flavor.
- Use levels. A small inverted ramekin under parchment adds height and interest.
Variations of Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board
- All-cheese board: Add one blue, one soft, one aged, one flavored, plus honey and nuts.
- Seafood board: Smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, lemon wedges, cucumber ribbons, dill cream, capers.
- Brunch board: Mini waffles, turkey sausage, berries, yogurt dip with alcohol-free vanilla, maple syrup, candied pecans.
- Dessert board: Chocolate bark, strawberries, macarons, shortbread, marshmallows set with agar-agar, berries, raspberry sauce.
- Kid-friendly board: Mild cheddar cubes, turkey roll-ups, pretzels, apple slices, pectin gummies, mini cookies.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board
- Sparkling water with citrus and pomegranate arils.
- Berry spritzers with grape juice and seltzer.
- Earl Grey or mint tea, hot cocoa, or a cozy chai.
- Light salad with lemon vinaigrette or a tomato basil soup for a fuller meal.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Make ahead: Pre-slice cheeses and portion meats, fruits, and nuts up to 24 hours in advance. Keep items in separate airtight containers.
- Short rest: Assemble the dry components up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate. Add crackers and delicate sweets just before serving.
- Leftovers: Store cheeses and meats covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Crackers in an airtight container at room temp for 3 days.
- Rewarm brie: If you want melty brie, warm a wedge on a parchment-lined sheet at 300°F for 5 to 7 minutes, then transfer to the board.
Memories Made Around the Table
Every year we make this board together, trading tastes and stories between bites. It is playful, a little fancy, and always a reason to linger just a bit longer.
FAQs
How much should I buy per person?
Plan about 2 to 3 ounces of cheese and 2 ounces of meats per person, plus crackers, fruit, and extras.
Can I make it nut-free?
Yes. Skip nuts and add more crackers, seeds, or popcorn. Offer sunflower seeds or roasted chickpeas for crunch.
What cheeses work best for cutting into hearts?
Firm cheeses like cheddar, gouda, and colby work well. For brie, press gently with a small cutter and chill first.
How do I keep fruit fresh on the board?
Pat fruit dry with paper towels. Toss apple slices in lemon water, then dry before adding.
What if I do not have a big board?
Use two dinner plates, a rimmed baking sheet, or a combination of small boards placed together.
Final Thoughts
Keep it simple, lean into the colors you love, and focus on variety. With a few thoughtful touches, this board turns snack time into a sweet celebration.