How to Make Salami Roses for Charcuterie Boards (2024)

Salami roses add a fun element to your charcuterie board, particularly for Valentine’s Day (because what’s a Valentine’s Day charcuterie board without some delicious meat roses!)

Ready to learn how to make these salami roses? This meat rose tutorial is easy; special skills are not required!

What are Salami Roses or Meat Roses?

Salami is typically laid flat, folded in triangles, or rolled onto a charcuterie board. Salami roses or meat roses are a fun way to make a beautiful presentation on a charcuterie board. The salami or cured meat is made into the shape of a flower, which adds an edible element of interest!

What Do I Need to Make Salami Roses?

The only supplies you will need to make a salami rose or meat rose are:

• Pre-sliced deli meat or cured meats. The important thing is that your meats are round in shape. Try using:
  • summer sausage
  • ham
  • salami
  • pepperoni

• Gather various sized cups or glasses, such as:
  • water glasses
  • wine/champagne glasses
  • canning jars
  • shot glasses

How Much Salami Does It Take to Make a Salami Rose?

The salami or deli meat needed to make the meat roses, depends on the look you are going for.In our tests, a ½ pound of sliced summer sausage made one large salami rose and one small salami rose. It worked out to be about 11-16 slices for a large rose and just 4-6 slices for a small rose.

How Do You Eat a Salami Rose?

Enjoy your salami rose on a charcuterie board or platter. Your guests can easily pick away at your platter and the layers of the meat rose to enjoy!

Can I Make a Salami Rose Ahead of Time?

Yes! You can make salami roses ahead of time. We suggest arranging the salami on the cup and storing in the refrigerator (prior to inverting the cup), until you are ready to assemble your charcuterie board.

If you want to assemble your charcuterie board and then refrigerate, we suggest inverting the meat rose and leaving the cup in place to preserve the flower form until ready to serve.

How to Make a Small Salami Rose?

The size of your salami rose will depend on the size of the mouth of the glass or jar. A water glass or canning jar would give you a larger salami rose, while a shot glass or champagne glass will give you a smaller salami rose.

How to Make Meat Roses for Charcuterie Boards

1. Gather the supplies you will need including the sliced deli meat and the glasses/jars.

2. Fold the sliced meat in half and over the rim of the glass. Continue covering the rim with overlapping meat slices. Each layer will use about 3 – 4 slices of meat.

3. Continue layering the meat onto the glass by covering the seams of the layer below. Complete approximately 4 – 6 layers or until you can no longer see through the center of the flower.

4. Flip the glass over on the charcuterie board so that the salami rose is placed where you want it on the board (leave the glass inverted to maintain the shape of the flower).

5. Repeat these steps until you are happy with the result. At least 2 – 3 meat roses would make the board look cohesive.

6. Gently remove the glass(es) to display the meat roses prior to serving.

Looking for more Charcuterie Board Inspiration? Check out our Game day Snack Board Ideasand our Halloween-Themed Charcuterie Board Inspiration.