Perfect for Valentine’s Day, date nights at home, Galentine’s parties, or special gatherings, this simple technique shows you how to make pepperoni roses for a charcuterie board using just deli meat and a wine glass.
You’ll also see how to use the same method to create a ham rose for your finished board.
This is a fun easy appetizer you can use for any occasion any time of year!
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Recipe at a Glance
Prep: 15 min | Difficulty: Easy | Servings: 1 meat rose
Main Ingredients: pepperoni, ham
Best For: Charcuterie boards, parties, and snack boards
Make Ahead: Can be made a few hours ahead and kept refrigerated until serving
Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days
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Table of Contents
- Recipe at a Glance
- Why This Is Such an Easy Charcuterie Board Upgrade
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Storage & Serving Tips
- Recipe FAQ's
- More Charcuterie Ideas You'll Love!
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- 🗒️Shopping List
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Food Safety Tips
- 💬 Comments
Why This Is Such an Easy Charcuterie Board Upgrade
This is an easy way to make a board feel special for Valentine’s Day, bridal showers, anniversary parties, or date nights at home.
The roses look thoughtful but take just a few minutes to make using simple deli meat, making them a quick upgrade for any snack board.
Looking for more romantic Valentine's Day Recipes? Try my Heart Shaped Strawberry Hand Pies or this collection of 16 Charcuterie Boards for Valentine's Day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. For exact amounts and an easy way to shop, use the Instacart button in the recipe card below to add everything to your cart.
Substitutions and Variations
Different meats: This method works best with deli meat sliced into circles. Pepperoni, salami, and ham all hold their shape well and create a clean, rounded rose. Square or irregular slices are not recommended, as they do not form the rose as neatly.
Different sizes: Add more or fewer layers of meat slices to make smaller or larger roses depending on the size of your board and how you plan to serve them.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step-by-Step Instructions
This section provides step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Start by layering the meat slices around the rim of the glass, using fewer slices for the first layer. For example, begin with three overlapping slices placed evenly around the rim.
Step 2: Add a second layer by placing slices between the first ones, using about five overlapping pieces. Continue building additional layers the same way, adding more slices each time, until the rose reaches your desired size.
Step 3: Carefully flip the glass over onto your serving board.
Step 4: A perfect rose made from pepperoni. When the slices of meat are pulled out of the flower it does not fall apart it will continue to hold its shape until all of the meat is off the board.
Step 5: A perfect rose made from deli ham.When creating your board remember to add layers of crackers, cheese, meats, fruits, and nuts if you would like in order to offer a variety of things on your platter
Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
✔️ DO use thinly sliced pepperoni, salami, or ham and layer a few different sizes for roses that hold their shape and look full on the board.
❌ DO NOT make the roses too far in advance or use thick slices, as they won’t shape as neatly or stay looking fresh.
Storage & Serving Tips
Refrigerate: Store the meat roses in a covered container in the refrigerator until ready to serve. For best texture and appearance, use the same day.
Freezer: Freezing is not recommended, as the texture of the meat can change once thawed.
Serving Tips: Arrange on the board shortly before serving for the best presentation, and avoid leaving at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
You can make the meat roses a few hours in advance and keep them covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. For the best texture and appearance, it’s best to assemble and place them on the board the same day. Try to avoid making them too far ahead, since the slices can dry out and lose their shape over time.
No, you don’t need toothpicks for this method. When the slices are layered tightly around the glass, the rose holds its shape on its own. As slices are taken, it will continue to stay together until the meat is gone.
Guests can simply pull slices from the outside of the rose, just like they would from a regular stack of deli meat. The rose will keep its shape as slices are removed and won’t fall apart, so it stays neat on the board until the meat is gone.
It’s best to use thinly sliced pepperoni for this method. Thin slices bend and layer easily, which helps the rose hold its shape and look smooth and rounded. Thick-cut slices are stiffer and don’t curve as well, so the rose won’t form as neatly.
More Charcuterie Ideas You'll Love!
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📖 Recipe Card
How to Make Pepperoni Roses for a Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 12 slices pepperoni
- 12 slices deli ham
Method
- Arrange a small number of meat slices around the rim of a glass, slightly overlapping, to form the first layer.
- Add more slices in between the first ones to create a second ring, increasing the number of slices as you go.
- Keep building outward with additional layers until the rose reaches the size you want.
- Place your serving board over the top of the glass, then carefully flip everything over so the rose releases onto the board. Leave the glass in place until you are ready to serve. The rose will hold its shape as slices are removed, so it stays neat until the meat is gone.
- When assembling your board, add layers of crackers, cheese, meats, fruit, and nuts to offer a good variety on the platter.
Nutrition
Notes
Tips:
- Use thin, round slices of pepperoni, salami, or ham so the rose holds its shape and forms clean, even layers.
- Build the rose in small layers, adding more slices as you go, to create a fuller look without it slipping apart.
- Keep the glass in place until you are ready to serve to help the rose keep its shape.
Storage & Make Ahead:
- You can assemble the meat roses a few hours ahead and store them covered in the refrigerator.
- For best texture and appearance, arrange them on the board shortly before serving.
- Leftovers should be covered and refrigerated and used within 1 to 2 days.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Food Safety Tips
- Cook foods to a safe internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) when applicable.
- Use separate utensils for raw and cooked ingredients.
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling uncooked foods.
- Avoid leaving food at room temperature for extended periods.
- Stay nearby while food is cooking.
- Use cooking oils suited for higher-heat cooking.
- Ensure proper airflow when using a gas stove.
- More kitchen safety guidance is available at USDA.gov.
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