15 Valentine's Charcuterie Board Ideas

A Valentine's charcuterie board is an easy way to make a night in feel special. Keep the board classic (salami, prosciutto, brie, cheddar and crackers) and let the color carry the theme: strawberries, raspberries, red grapes, salami roses and a little pink candy turn any board into a Valentine's board.

Below are 15 Valentine's charcuterie board ideas, from a red and pink board and a heart-shaped brie board to a date night board for two, a Galentine's board, a chocolate-dipped strawberry board, a kids' Valentine's board and a breakfast-in-bed board. Every board lists exactly what's on it, with amounts and how many it serves.

Romantic boards

1. Red and Pink Valentine's Charcuterie Board

A classic meat and cheese board in Valentine's colors: salami, prosciutto, brie, strawberries, raspberries and red grapes. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 8 oz brie (a small wheel)
• 6 oz white cheddar (a block), cubed
• 4 oz sliced hard salami (about 16 slices), folded
• 3 oz prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 7 strawberries
• 6 oz raspberries
• 12 oz red grapes
• 1 pomegranate, halved
• 4 oz dark chocolate bark with almonds and dried cranberries, broken into pieces
• 1/4 cup raspberry jam, in a small bowl
• 12 crackers

How to make it

1. Set the brie and the jam bowl on the board first.
2. Fold the salami and drape the prosciutto between them.
3. Add the cheddar cubes, then the strawberries, raspberries, grapes and pomegranate halves in red groups.
4. Fill the gaps with the chocolate bark and crackers.

2. Heart-Shaped Brie Board

A brie wheel cut into a heart with a cookie cutter, topped with raspberry jam and surrounded by salami, prosciutto and berries. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 1 brie wheel (16 oz), cold
• 2 tbsp seedless raspberry jam
• 6 oz sliced hard salami (about 24 slices), folded
• 4 oz prosciutto (about 8 slices)
• 8 oz white cheddar (a block), sliced
• 10 strawberries
• 6 oz raspberries
• 12 oz red grapes
• 20 crackers (two kinds)

How to make it

1. Cut the heart. Press a large heart cookie cutter (about 4 inches) straight down into the cold brie and lift away the trimmings; cold brie cuts cleanly. Save the trimmings for snacking.
2. Top it. Set the heart in the middle of the board and spread the jam over the top, leaving a thin white border.
3. Build around it with the salami, prosciutto, cheddar, berries, grapes and crackers.

Why it works: Tart raspberry jam brightens the brie heart, and fresh strawberries scatter more sweet bites around it.

Where to get it

Heart cookie cutters are in the baking aisle, especially in January and February.

3. Date Night Board for Two

Brie, aged gouda, prosciutto, soppressata, chocolate-dipped strawberries and honey, made for two and a bottle of wine. Serves 2.

What's on the board

• 1 small board, about 10 x 14 inches
• 8 oz brie (a small wheel)
• 4 oz aged gouda (about 5 large thin slices)
• 2 oz prosciutto (about 4 slices)
• 2 oz sliced soppressata (about 8 slices), folded
• 6 chocolate-dipped strawberries (see the chocolate-dipped strawberry board below)
• 3 oz raspberries
• 1 1/2 oz dark chocolate (half a bar), broken into pieces
• 1 tbsp honey, in a tiny bowl
• 10 thin crackers

How to make it

1. Set the brie and the honey bowl on the board.
2. Fan the gouda and fold the soppressata beside it; drape the prosciutto loosely.
3. Add the chocolate-dipped strawberries, raspberries and chocolate.
4. Tuck the crackers along one edge.

My tip: For two people I'd keep it small and simple: a small fruit, a meat and a cracker, maybe with a dip.

4. Salami Rose Valentine's Board

Five salami roses, grouped like a bouquet you can eat, on a board of cheese, berries and crackers. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 10 oz sliced hard salami (about 40 slices), for 5 roses
• 8 oz brie (a small wheel)
• 6 oz white cheddar (a block), sliced
• 8 strawberries, a few halved
• 6 oz raspberries
• 8 oz red grapes
• 8 crackers

How to make it

1. Make 5 roses. Hang 8 salami slices over the rim of a wine glass, each overlapping the one before by half. Flip the glass onto the board and lift it off; the slices fold into a rose about 3 inches across.
2. Group the roses together on one side of the board like a bunch of flowers.
3. Fill the board with the brie, cheddar, berries, grapes and crackers.

Where to get it

Use thin deli-sliced salami for roses; thick slices are too stiff to fold.

5. Wine and Chocolate Pairing Board

Three chocolates and three cheeses side by side, with berries and nuts, for a wine and chocolate tasting at home. Serves 4.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 3 oz dark chocolate (a bar), broken into pieces
• 3 oz milk chocolate (a bar), broken into pieces
• 3 oz white chocolate (a bar), broken into pieces
• 4 oz brie (a wedge)
• 4 oz aged white cheddar (a block), sliced
• 3 oz blue cheese (a wedge)
• 6 oz raspberries
• 8 oz red grapes
• 2 oz roasted almonds
• 14 crackers (two kinds)
• 1 small cheese knife

How to make it

1. Lay the three chocolates in a row on one side of the board and the three cheeses in a row on the other.
2. Fill the middle with the raspberries, grapes, almonds and crackers.
3. Taste from mildest to strongest: white chocolate with brie, milk chocolate with cheddar, dark chocolate with blue cheese.

My recommended tip: Blue cheese also loves ripe pear slices, grapes and dried fruit, and walnuts or pecans add crunch.

Galentine's and party boards

6. Galentine's Day Charcuterie Board

A pretty pink board for a girls' night: brie, goat cheese, prosciutto, berries, macarons and sparkling-wine-friendly snacks. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 8 oz brie (a small wheel)
• 4 oz goat cheese (a log)
• 4 oz prosciutto (about 8 slices)
• 6 oz sliced hard salami (about 24 slices), folded
• 8 pastel macarons
• 6 strawberries, halved
• 6 oz raspberries
• 12 oz green grapes
• 2 oz white chocolate (a bar), broken into pieces
• 3 oz pistachios (some shelled, some in the shell)
• 1/4 cup raspberry jam, in a small bowl
• 16 crackers

How to make it

1. Set the brie, goat cheese and jam bowl on the board.
2. Drape the prosciutto and fold the salami between them.
3. Add the macarons in a little row, then the berries and grapes.
4. Fill the gaps with white chocolate, pistachios and crackers.

Where to get it

Macarons are sold in some bakeries and in the frozen dessert section at some stores; stock varies, so pink sugar cookies work too.

7. Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Board

Strawberries dipped in dark and white chocolate with pink drizzle and sprinkles, on a board with brie and shortbread. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 18 large strawberries, washed and completely dry
• 6 oz semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 oz white chocolate chips
• 1 tsp coconut oil (optional, for shine)
• 2 tbsp pink and red sprinkles
• 8 oz brie (a small wheel)
• 8 shortbread cookies
• 6 oz raspberries
• 8 oz red grapes

How to make it

1. Dry the berries. Wash them early and dry them completely; any water makes the chocolate seize.
2. Dip. Melt the semisweet chips with the coconut oil in the microwave at 50% power in 30-second bursts, stirring each time. Hold each strawberry by its leaves, dip it about two thirds of the way, let the extra drip off and lay it on parchment.
3. Drizzle. Melt the white chips at 50% power in 20-second bursts, stirring each time. Spoon into a zip-top bag, snip a tiny corner and drizzle over the berries; add sprinkles while it is wet.
4. Set. Chill 20 minutes until firm. Serve the same day.
5. Build the board with the strawberries in rows, the brie on one side and the shortbread, raspberries and grapes around them.

Where to get it

Pick large, firm strawberries with fresh green leaves for dipping.

8. Valentine's Dessert Board

Pink and red sweets laid out like a charcuterie board: sugar cookies, brownie bites, conversation hearts, chocolate and berries. Serves 12.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 14 sugar cookies with pink frosting
• 6 brownie bites
• 16 chocolate-covered pretzels with sprinkles
• 6 oz conversation heart candies
• 6 oz pink and red candy-coated chocolates
• 12 chocolate truffles
• 7 strawberries
• 6 oz raspberries
• 1/2 cup chocolate dip, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Set the chocolate dip bowl on the board.
2. Lay the cookies, brownie bites, pretzels and truffles in large groups.
3. Pour the conversation hearts and candy into their own piles.
4. Fill the gaps with strawberries and raspberries.

Where to get it

Conversation hearts and pink candy are in the seasonal candy aisle in January and February.

9. Kids' Valentine's Charcuterie Board

Heart-shaped cheese, rolled turkey, crackers, strawberries and a little candy for a classroom party or after school. Serves 6.

What's on the board

• 1 tray, about 12 x 16 inches
• 12 slices cheddar, cut into 12 hearts with a heart cookie cutter
• 4 oz thin-sliced deli turkey, rolled (about 8 rolls)
• 2 oz sliced pepperoni
• 11 round crackers
• 14 mini pretzel twists
• 3 strawberries, halved (6 halves)
• 3 oz raspberries
• 3 oz conversation heart candies

How to make it

1. Press the heart cutter into each cheese slice to cut 12 hearts; save the scraps for snacking.
2. Roll the turkey slices into tubes and fan the pepperoni.
3. Arrange everything in small groups so little hands can pick easily.
4. Halve the strawberries so they look like hearts.

Pro tip: For a long party, set out a smaller board and keep backups in the fridge. Swap in fresh trays and clean bowls instead of topping off food that's been sitting out.

10. All-Pink Galentine's Board

Prosciutto, salami roses, strawberries, raspberries, pink macarons and pink candy, everything in shades of pink. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 1 1/2 oz prosciutto (about 3 slices)
• 10 oz sliced hard salami (about 40 slices), for 5 roses
• 8 oz brie (a small wheel)
• 12 strawberries
• 6 oz raspberries
• 12 oz red grapes
• 12 pink macarons
• 6 oz pink candy-coated chocolates
• 16 pink frosted animal cookies
• 3 round pink crackers
• 1/4 cup raspberry jam, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Make 5 salami roses with the wine glass method (8 slices each; see the salami rose board above).
2. Set the brie, jam bowl and salami roses on the board.
3. Drape the prosciutto and add the strawberries, raspberries and grapes.
4. Fill the gaps with the macarons, candy, cookies and pink crackers.

More Valentine's board ideas

11. Breakfast in Bed Valentine's Board

Mini croissants, strawberries, raspberries, chocolate-hazelnut spread and a little brie, a sweet surprise for Valentine's morning. Serves 2.

What's on the board

• 1 small board, about 10 x 14 inches
• 4 mini croissants
• 3 oz brie (a wedge)
• 2 oz thin-sliced deli ham, folded
• 7 strawberries
• 3 oz raspberries
• 2 tbsp chocolate-hazelnut spread, in a tiny bowl
• 2 tbsp strawberry jam, in a tiny bowl
• 2 tbsp raspberry jam, in a tiny bowl
• 1 tbsp butter, in a tiny dish

How to make it

1. Set the spread, the two jams and the butter dish on the board.
2. Add the croissants in a little pile with the brie beside them.
3. Fold the ham and fill in with the strawberries and raspberries.

Where to get it

Mini croissants are in the bakery section.

12. Chocolate Fondue Board for Two

A pot of warm chocolate for dipping strawberries, marshmallows, pound cake and pretzels. Serves 2 to 4.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches, with a small heat-safe bowl
• For the chocolate: 4 oz semisweet chocolate chips and 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 9 strawberries
• 10 large marshmallows
• 1/2 pound cake (about 8 oz), cut into 1-inch cubes
• 12 mini pretzel twists
• 3 oz raspberries
• 8 skewers or fondue forks

How to make it

1. Make the chocolate. Heat the cream just to a simmer, pour it over the chocolate chips in the heat-safe bowl, let it stand 5 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.
2. Build. Set the bowl in the middle of the board and arrange the strawberries, marshmallows, pound cake, pretzels and raspberries around it.
3. Keep it smooth. If the chocolate thickens, microwave it on medium power in 15-second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth.

Where to get it

Pound cake is in the bakery or freezer aisle.

13. Valentine's Dinner Charcuterie Board

A board hearty enough to be dinner for two: salami, prosciutto, two cheeses, crusty bread, olives and a chocolate finish. Serves 2.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 4 oz prosciutto (about 8 slices)
• 4 oz sliced soppressata (about 16 slices), folded
• 8 oz brie (a small wheel)
• 4 oz aged white cheddar (a block), sliced
• 1/2 baguette, sliced (12 slices)
• 12 green and black olives
• 12 cornichons
• 8 oz red grapes
• 5 strawberries
• 3 oz dark chocolate (a bar), broken into pieces
• 2 tbsp fig jam, in a tiny bowl

How to make it

1. Set the two cheeses and the fig jam bowl on the board.
2. Drape the prosciutto and fold the soppressata between them.
3. Add the baguette slices, olives, cornichons and grapes.
4. Finish the corners with the strawberries and chocolate for dessert.

Why it works: Salty soppressata loves sweet fig jam, and tangy cornichons refresh your palate between richer bites.

14. Pretzel Hug and Kiss Board

Pretzels topped with melted chocolate drops and candy, with salami, cheese and berries, a sweet and salty board. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 24 small heart-shaped pretzels (or mini pretzel twists), each topped with 1 chocolate drop and 1 pink candy-coated chocolate (see steps)
• 24 milk chocolate drops (unwrapped)
• 24 pink and red candy-coated chocolates
• 8 oz sliced hard salami (about 32 slices), folded
• 12 oz white cheddar, cubed (about 36 cubes)
• 12 strawberries, some halved
• 6 oz raspberries
• 16 crackers

How to make it

1. Make the pretzel bites. Heat the oven to 350°F. Lay the pretzels on a parchment-lined sheet pan and set one unwrapped chocolate drop on each. Bake 2 to 3 minutes, just until the chocolate starts to soften but is not melting.
2. Press. Right away, press a candy-coated chocolate into the center of each softened drop. Let them cool until the chocolate is firm again.
3. Build the board with the pretzel bites in a group, the salami and cheddar beside them and the berries and crackers in the gaps.

Where to get it

Chocolate drops (kisses) and pink candy-coated chocolates are in the candy aisle; seasonal colors show up in January.

15. Valentine's Party Grazing Board

One extra-large board in reds and pinks with three cheeses, three meats, salami roses, berries and sweets for a party. Serves 20.

What's on the board

• 1 extra-large board, about 18 x 30 inches
• 16 oz brie (a wheel), with a raspberry jam heart on top
• 8 oz white cheddar (a block), cubed
• 12 oz aged gouda (2 wedges)
• 8 oz sliced hard salami (about 32 slices), with 24 made into 3 roses
• 4 oz prosciutto (about 8 slices)
• 4 oz sliced pepperoni
• 2 lb red grapes
• 1 lb strawberries
• 6 oz raspberries
• 1 pomegranate, halved
• 6 oz dark chocolate (2 bars), broken into pieces
• 6 oz pink and red candy-coated chocolates
• 1 oz roasted almonds
• 12 round crackers

How to make it

1. Spoon 2 tbsp raspberry jam onto the brie in a heart shape and set it on the board with the other cheeses.
2. Make 3 salami roses with the wine glass method and fold the rest of the meats into groups.
3. Fill in with the grapes, strawberries, raspberries and pomegranate.
4. Fill every gap with chocolate, candy, almonds and crackers, and keep half the meat and cheese in the fridge to refill.

How to make a Valentine's charcuterie board

1. Start classic. Two cheeses (brie and a firm cheese) and two meats (salami and prosciutto) are the base.
2. Go red and pink. Strawberries, raspberries, red grapes, pomegranate, salami and raspberry jam carry the color.
3. Add one romantic touch. Salami roses, a heart-shaped brie or chocolate-dipped strawberries make it feel like Valentine's Day.
4. Size it right. A board about 10 x 14 inches is plenty for two; see our small charcuterie board ideas.

Love a sweet board? See our dessert charcuterie board ideas.

What to skip

Skip crowding a strong cheese against the others. Give it room so its flavor doesn't rub off.

Valentine's charcuterie board FAQ

What goes on a Valentine's charcuterie board?

A classic base of brie, cheddar, salami and prosciutto, plus red and pink foods: strawberries, raspberries, red grapes, pomegranate and raspberry jam. Add one romantic touch such as salami roses, a heart-shaped brie or chocolate-dipped strawberries.

How do you make a charcuterie board for two?

Use a small board about 10 x 14 inches, two cheeses, one or two meats and a few extras: about 2 ounces each of meat and cheese per person for an appetizer, or double that if the board is dinner.

How do you cut brie into a heart?

Use a large heart cookie cutter on a cold brie wheel straight from the fridge. Press straight down, lift away the trimmings and let the heart come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

What is a Galentine's charcuterie board?

It is a charcuterie board for a girls' night around Valentine's Day (Galentine's Day is February 13), usually pink and pretty, with brie, prosciutto, berries and sweets like macarons and pink candy.

Spot something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it. See how we check our content.