How to Make Perfect Salami Roses for a Charcuterie Board
Looking for an easy way to make your next charcuterie board a truly unique charcuterie board? Simply add some salami roses! Also known as "meat flowers", salami roses are a beautiful way to create show-stopping centerpieces for your next party or the holiday season. And you'll be happy to know that they require surprisingly minimal effort (hooray!!!) Simply follow my easy tutorial, below.
Salami roses: a fun way to take your simple charcuterie board to the next level
Social media sensation
Have you noticed? Charcuterie roses are everywhere. Over the past couple of years, thanks to a viral TikTok trend, delicious flowers of all different sizes have been spotted on everything from a two-person small charcuterie board to a table-long grazing board for hundreds. Now's your chance learn that trend, which is so much easier than it looks. Be prepared to impress!!
Perfect for so many special occasions
Want to add some edible rose petals to your Valentine's Day cheese plate? Maybe gift your mom with the most delicious salami bouquet for Mother's Day? Or perhaps you're just looking for a great appetizer to kick off your dinner party. No matter what the occasion, these roses will make a perfect addition.
Video tutorial: Watch this beautiful salami rose "bloom!"
Ingredients and tools
Salami
The best deli meat to use for these roses is a thinly sliced Italian dry salami. The one pictured below is found in most grocery stores. Not only does the flavor pair well with a variety of cheeses, but the size and thickness are perfect for making the rose shape.
Instead of salami, you can also make pepperoni roses, using the same technique with thinly sliced pepperoni. This would be a great way to add a little variety to your homemade pizza night presentation!
Drinking glasses
The drinking glass that you use for your salami roses depends on the desired size of your rose or rosette. The larger the size of the glass, the larger the size of the rose. Keep in mind that the shape of the glass, no matter what size, should be round to produce round salami flowers.
Larger glass options for larger roses
Use wine glasses or larger mouthed drinking glasses to make larger roses. In these cases, you will need more salami pieces to create more layers of salami that fill up the centers of the glasses.
Smaller glass options for smaller roses
To make smaller flowers or "salami rosettes," use a narrow champagne glass or champagne flute, a smaller mouthed drinking glass, or even a shot glass!
Alternatives to drinking glasses
If you don't have an appropriately sized drinking glass on hand, use small ramekins, small bowls, or any container that has a round shape and thin enough sides for a piece of salami to wrap around.
Salami roses in four easy steps
- Center one of the salami slices along the rim of your glass. Press down the sides of the slice so that they stick to either side of the glass. Half of the slice should be on the inside of the glass and half on the outside of the glass.
2. Add more slices of salami, one at a time. Overlap each slice slightly with the slice before it, until the rim of the glass is covered and you've created your first layer of salami.
3. Use the same technique to create a second layer of salami. Add pieces of salami in concentric circles around the glass, and press firmly as you go, until you are left with only a small hole in the center of the glass.
4. Carefully invert your glass onto a flat surface, serving plate, or cheese board. Next, allow the rose to separate from the glass. Repeat the process to make as many roses as you need.
5. Add some of your favorite cheeses, fresh fruit, crackers, or nuts alongside the roses and serve!
Troubleshooting salami roses: FAQ
Yes. The best way to store salami roses is in an airtight container or a deep container covered with plastic wrap. For best results, place roses in a single layer with room around them to maintain their shapes.
The amount of salami slices needed for a single salami rose depends on the size of glass you are using. For a large rose and a large glass you may need 30 or more slices. But for a small rose and a small glass, you may only need 10-15 slices.
There are two main reasons why your salami rose most likely fell apart when inverted onto a board. First, you may not have layered enough pieces of salami to create a tight rose. Make sure there is only a small hole in the center of the glass when you have finished your layering. Second, the round slices need to be pressed firmly along the rim of the glass. This way they adhere to each other and won't "open up" after being inverted.
Here are some more of my favorite recipes for entertaining, (perfect alongside a charcuterie board)!
- Panzanella Toscana
- The BEST Spinach Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing
- Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad
- Mini Apple Strudels (Apfelstrudels)
Tried this recipe and loved it? Take a photo and tag me on Instagram or give it a review!
How to Make Salami Roses for a Charcuterie Board
Equipment
- 1 wine glass, champagne flute or small glass (see Ingredients and Tools section, above)
Ingredients
- 30-40 slices thinly sliced dry salami (see Ingredients section, above)
Instructions
- Center one of the salami slices along the rim of your glass. Press down the sides of the slice so that they stick to either side of the glass (half of the slice on the inside of the glass and half on the outside of the glass.)
- Add more slices of salami, one at a time, overlapping slightly with the slice before it, until the rim of the glass is completely covered and you've created your first layer of salami.
- Create a second layer of salami, using the same technique. Continue adding pieces of salami in concentric circles around the glass, pressing firmly as you go, until you are left with only a small opening in the center of the glass that you are using (see Step by Step Photos, above.)
- Carefully invert your glass onto a flat surface, serving plate or cheese board, allowing the salami rose to separate from the glass. Repeat the process to make as many roses as you need.
- Add some of your favorite cheeses, fresh fruit, crackers, or nuts alongside the roses and serve!
