18 Valentine’s Charcuterie Boards Better Than Fancy Dinner Reservations (2024)

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Do you believe the way to the heart is through the stomach? We totally agree. Mostly because it’s way less awkward to ask for ice cream than a foot massage when on a first date. So for the most romantic holiday, try a Valentine’s charcuterie board to drum up the love.

A Valentine’s Day food platter is an automatic crowd pleaser at any kind of gathering, whether it’s with your long-time partner, best girlfriends, or your mailman who has inadvertently become your dream therapist.

Here are our favorite V-Day meat and cheese boards, plus a few that feature candies and chocolates.
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Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Boards You’ll Love

1. Sweet Mini Hearts

These charcuterie cups may be the only time when you want something mini on Valentine’s Day. They’re definitely not for the bedroom.

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2. Pretty in Pink

Monochrome is so in style this year. And not only because we stress out over making too many decisions.

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3. Savory Meets Sweet

They say that opposites attract, and there’s no better example of this than a sweet and savory Valentine’s Day charcuterie board. And a pickle-eater for every pickle-hater. Just don’t touch those heart-shaped macarons, ok?

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4. Classic Candies

Your inner 90s child will love this candy mix featuring old-school faves. Didn’t you miss having Airheads permanently lodged in your teeth?

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5. Bring the Bubbly

The only thing that would make this heart-shaped Valentine’s Day platter is a real bottle of bubbly. Our coworker said that wouldn’t be appropriate for a work meeting, but Boris Johnson disagrees.

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6. Vegan Love

Nothing says “I love you” like being mindful of dietary preferences. This vegan Valentine’s Day charcuterie board features wine brined ”cheez,” a veggeroni rose, and plenty of fruit. We hear that’s usually vegan-friendly.

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7. Dark Chocolate Romance

If you want a love like Gomez and Morticia, serve up this deep, rich, dessert board, with an abundance of dark chocolate and enchanting berries. Pair it with some lovely thorns and singing vultures, and you’re set!

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8. A Tasty Bouquet

If you don’t have a great track record for keeping flowers alive, try these salami roses. They work way better than real roses on a Valentine’s Day charcuterie board. Those thorns are just so hard to eat.

9. Queen of Hearts

Here’s a Valentine’s Day charcuterie board fit for the king or queen of your heart. And since it’s a holiday, everyone gets to keep their head.

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10. Hearts Aglow

Featuring a mix of heart-shaped sweets and savory snacks, you’ll want to put this lovely thing together for an evening of Netflix and chill. And by chill, we mean chilled wine. Did you bring a bottle for yourself?

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11. The Way to Their Heart

Take your gal pals on a lunch date, and give them these tiny picnic boxes as a little token of your affection. If you’re lucky, the ants will perform their rendition of Love on Top. They’ve really improved their choreography!

12. Candy Darling

This beautiful little board of pink candies, roses, and berries will satisfy the sweetest of sweet-tooths. Who would have thought that would be your dentist!

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13. I Love You Berry Much

This V-Day snack board has it all: meats, cheeses, fruits, and flowers. The only thing missing? Someone to make it for us. We haven’t had a steady enough hand for something this delicate since we started drinking coffee in high school.

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14. Candy Girl

Is your lover a tad oblivious? Spell things out for them with this cheese, chocolate, and cookies charcuterie box. And for good measure, maybe add “trip to Paris” in writing on the side.

15. Love is in the Air

If food is your love language, then show your devotion with this simple and stunning Valentine’s Day cheese and meat plate. It had chocolate on it too, but it must have…melted…

18. Candy and Cheese Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board

This sweet and salty board features strawberries, prosciutto, yogurt-covered pretzels and everything else you need for V-Day grazing. Try not to eat the roses this time, ok?

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  • These Valentine’s Charcuterie Boards Are Way Better Than Fancy Dinner Reservations - February 2, 2022
18 Valentine’s Charcuterie Boards Better Than Fancy Dinner Reservations (2024)

FAQs

How many people does an 18 inch charcuterie board feed? ›

Sure to bring the music to the party, this 18" round charcuterie board starts with 5 cheeses and 2 types of meats. It also includes other accompaniments such as cornichons, garlic stuffed olives, grapes, berries, nuts, honey, bacon jam and more. Feeds 15-22 as an appetizer.

Why are charcuterie boards so trendy? ›

With the advent of platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, food enthusiasts and culinary experts have begun showcasing their charcuterie creations, turning them into a viral trend. These boards are no longer just about food; they've become a canvas for creativity and a medium for expressing culinary artistry.

How much charcuterie do I need for 25 guests? ›

Here is the estimated amount of an ideal charcuterie per person serving: 2-3 oz meat, 4-5 sliced cheeses, and fewer additional accompaniments while presenting as an appetizer.

What is the secret to a great charcuterie board? ›

In general, a good charcuterie board will have 2-3 types of meat, 2-3 cheeses, 1-2 fruits, 1-2 crackers, nuts, bread, pickles, mustard and a dip or spread. The deliciousness of your board depends on the quality of your ingredients. Buy USDA Organic when possible and look for meats that are free from nitrates.

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.
Jan 15, 2023

How much to charge for a charcuterie board for 20 people? ›

To give you a rough idea of base prices for different charcuterie board sizes, consider the following suggestions: Small (serves 2-4 people): $40-$60. Medium (serves 6-10 people): $80-$120. Large (serves 12-20 people): $150-$250.

What is replacing charcuterie boards? ›

In place of the cheese and meats on a charcuterie board, a butter board is softened butter spread out on a wooden board and then covered in herbs to serve over bread.

What is the most popular charcuterie board size? ›

Ryan Culver, a co-founder of Platterful, a premade charcuterie board business, recommends ​​a board that is 12 x 8 for a more standard charcuterie board. If you are looking for something bigger or to feed a larger crowd, a board around 20 x 12 inches should do the trick.

Why are Americans obsessed with charcuterie boards? ›

People want and need to be social, all of the above cot that off at the knees, so folks are simply doing something that brings people together and is quick and easy to prepare.

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

Creating Interest with the 3-3-3-3 Rule

Choose three cheeses, three meats, three starches, and three accompaniments for a perfect and balanced board, every time!

Does Costco sell charcuterie boards? ›

You'll save some money by buying a mixture rather than individual nuts, dried fruits, and seeds. That said, you're sure to have some leftovers from a Costco charcuterie board, so make sure to choose foods you won't mind snacking on in the coming days. Here's what I picked to serve a party of 12 and why.

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.

What are 3 cheese for 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.

What are the 3 kinds of charcuterie? ›

Charcuterie is divided into three types: forcemeats, sausages and salumi, an Italian word for “salted meats,” which includes preserved whole cuts of meat. Forcemeats are spreadable mixtures of meat and offal (organ meats) like rillettes, pâtés and terrines.

What size charcuterie board for 20 people? ›

A large board is the perfect way to serve charcuterie for large gatherings of 10-20 people. The approximate dimensions for a gathering of this size should be about 24 inches in diameter or larger.

How do you calculate charcuterie per person? ›

Plan for about 1-2 ounces of meat per person. At the deli counter, ask for your meat selections to be sliced thin (at a 1-2 thickness) so they're easy to layer.

How many people does a 16 inch meat and cheese tray feed? ›

Deli Catering Tray Classic Meat & Cheese 16 Inch Square Tray 20-24 Servings - Each. The Deli Catering Tray Classic Meat & Cheese! This 16-inch square tray presents a delectable assortment of fine meats and cheeses. Indulge in the rich textures and savory goodness, perfect for any social gathering or special occasion.

How much charcuterie for 10 people? ›

If you're serving 8 – 10 people, you will need 1 – 1 1/2 lbs of meat, and you'll want to pick at least one from each category (more on that below) . Cheeses: It's usually sliced a little thicker, so 3 ounces of cheese per person or 1 1/2 – 1 3/4 pounds for 8-10 people (roughly 3 medium-size hunks) should do the trick.

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