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    Home » Appetizers

    Charcuterie Skewers with Salami Roses

    Published: Sep 6, 2023 · Modified: Apr 16, 2025 by Ashley · As an Amazon affiliate, this post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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    These individual charcuterie skewers with salami roses are the perfect appetizer for your next party. Skewers are stacked with cheeses, accompaniments, and the cutest mini salami rose that will wow the guests at your celebration!

    Meat and cheese skewers on a wood and marble cutting board

    In the past few years, the charcuterie board trend has really taken off. Picture-worthy platters have been gracing the internet with platters that look almost too pretty to eat.

    But what exactly is a charcuterie board? Think of it as a fun and glorified meat and cheese platter that can consist of different cheeses, meats, nuts, fruits (fresh or dried), vegetables and/or sauces displayed in a beautiful, intentional way.

    As a stay-at-home mom I have acquired a few side jobs that feed my passion for food. Besides The Darling Apron, I also work "on-call" for my sister-in-law and her charcuterie business, The Grater Good. She is a dairy farmer who is passionate about educating people about the farming and dairy industry. The Grater Good is her opportunity to combine these two loves with charcuterie platters as well as cheese education classes.

    My experience working with her has inspired this recipe. Be sure to check her out here, and if you're local to MN be sure to order a board or book a class!

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe Variations
    • FAQ
    • Other Appetizer Ideas You'll Love
    • Charcuterie Skewers with Salami Roses

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Easy entertaining - These little handheld skewers are the perfect individual appetizer for your next holiday or party. They are an easy grab and go item that isn't messy or difficult to eat.
    • Beautiful presentation - A platter of these charcuterie skewers can become a beautiful edible centerpiece for your table.
    • Customizable - In this recipe I'm teaching you the foundations for building these skewers. From there, you can switch up the cheese, meat or accompaniments to suit your tastes. The possibilities are endless!
    • Scalable - This recipe makes 12 skewers but just double or triple the amounts to make more skewers.

    Ingredient Notes

    The ingredients listed here should be considered more of categories than specific ingredients. Remember, the various items throughout this list are totally customizable!

    Cheese - Two different kinds gives some nice variety. You want a cheese that isn't too soft where it will fall apart, or too hard where it will crumble when you try to thread it on the skewer.

    Some good options include: gouda, cheddar, Swiss, Colby, havarti, Monterrey jack, pepper jack, gruyere or manchego. I also love using ciliegine, which are the bite-size mozzarella pearls.

    In these photos, I used a mild cheddar and mozzarella pearls.

    Meat - My favorite thing about these skewers are the mini salami roses. They create so much visual appeal and are a fun way to display the meat on the skewer.

    Hard or Genoa salami works great for these roses. You want the slices to be thin and no bigger than 2 ½ inches in diameter. I usually find these in the specialty meat and cheese section of my grocery store. Deli-sliced salami will usually be too big in diameter, and the roses won't fit nice on the skewer.

    Slices of pepperoni or thinly sliced summer sausage would also work.

    Olives - Plain or marinated black or green olives. Be sure they are pit-less. Look for ones that are larger so they are similar in size to the other items. I like using marinated Greek olives as they provide nice flavor.

    Pickles - Depending on their size, cut baby dills into ½ or ⅓. Again, you are aiming for all the items to be a similar size on the skewer.

    Bread & butter or spicy pickles are a fun way to switch things up.

    Grapes - Seedless red or green grapes finish off these skewers. Fruit along with cheese can create a unique and surprising combination.

    You can also add additional fruit if you prefer. A large blueberry, blackberry or strawberry half would also work.

    Olives, salami, cheddar, mozzarella, pickles, grapes and skewers in separate containers laid out on marble countertop

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Step 1 - Prep all ingredients - Taking the time to get all the ingredients cut up and ready to go will make these skewers come together so quickly.

    I use these 6-inch bamboo skewers from Amazon. They are the perfect length and thickness to easily thread the items onto.

    Since the salami roses will not stay together if not skewered, we are going to start the skewers then build the roses.

    Step 2 - Skewer first cheese and olive - On 12 skewers thread the first cheese and olive. I like to use the harder of the 2 cheese first. Set these aside while you make the salami roses.

    Step 3 - Make salami roses - Place 2 slices of salami on counter overlapping each other about an inch. Fold the pieces in half the long way. Starting on one end, tightly roll the pieces into a rose.

    Thread each salami rose onto a skewer after making it (next to olive).

    Two pieces of salami on countertop overlapping by an inch
    Two salami pieces overlapping and folded in half the long way on marble countertop
    Hand rolling salami into a rose shape
    Six bamboo skewers with cheddar cube, Greek olive and salami rose threaded on. All skewers are on a white square plate

    Step 4 - Finish skewers - Thread pickle, second cheese and grape on all 12 skewers. Voila, a charcuterie board on a stick! Place skewers on a pretty platter or tray for serving.

    Expert Tips

    • Choose 2 cheeses that are different from each other. One sharper flavor and one more mild creates a nice variety that will please a variety of preferences. Using one cubed cheese and a mozzarella ball creates some visual appeal just as using one orange and one white cheese does.
    • Drain and dry the olives and pickles. This will prevent the brine from leaking onto the other items.
    • Think about the order of items on the skewer as if you are eating it. Don't place the pickle right next to the grape as no matter how much to try, some pickle juice will leak onto the grape. Making charcuterie is more intentional of a process than making any meat and cheese board or skewer.
    Six finished charcuterie skewers lined up horizontally on a square white plate

    Recipe Variations

    • This entire recipe is customizable. Have fun experimenting! This is a great time to branch out and try different kinds and flavors of cheeses.
    • Make a kid-friendly version with some mild flavored cheeses. This is a great activity to get them involved with!
    • Use decorative skewers and switch out the fruit and olive colors for a festive looking appetizer for any holiday.

    FAQ

    How do you display charcuterie skewers?

    Skewers can be laid out on a platter, tray or nice wooden or marble cutting board. You can also display the skewers in an "O" shape to create a charcuterie Christmas wreath!

    Can you make salami roses the night before?

    You can assemble your salami roses the night before, but you'll want store them on a smaller toothpick in a plastic airtight container in the refrigerator so they stay together. When you're ready to assemble, just move the rose to your skewer using the same hole.

    How to you skewer cheese without breaking it?

    Make sure the cheese cubes are at least 1 inch big, up to 1 ½ inches. Choosing a semi-soft to semi-hard cheese will help ensure it doesn't break apart when skewering. Hard, more aged cheeses will not work well for these skewers.

    Can I make charcuterie skewers ahead of time?

    Assembled skewers can be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving.

    Other Appetizer Ideas You'll Love

    • White bowl of pickle salsa with a gold spoon resting in it on a wooden tray with yellow corn tortilla chips surrounding the bowl.
      Pickle de Gallo (Pickle Salsa)
    • Hand dipping a whole strawberry into mascarpone dip surrounded by fresh fruit and a bowl of graham crackers in the background.
      Mascarpone Cheese Fruit Dip
    • Hand dipping pita chip into a small round bowl of dip surrounded by fresh veggies on a white tray.
      Ranch Cottage Cheese Dip
    • Overhead view of poutine on a parchment lined white oval platter
      Cheesy Tater Tot Poutine

    Be sure to follow The Darling Apron on Facebook & Instagram along with what I’m pinning on Pinterest!

    Have you made one of my recipes? I’d love your feedback on the comment box and star rating below the recipe!

    Meat and cheese skewers on a wood and marble cutting board
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Charcuterie Skewers with Salami Roses

    These individual charcuterie skewers with salami roses are the perfect appetizer for your next party. Skewers are stacked with cheeses, accompaniments, and the cutest mini salami rose that will wow the guests at your celebration!
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time20 minutes mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Keyword: charcuterie skewers, meat and cheese skewers, salami roses
    Servings: 12 skewers
    Author: Ashley Leonard

    Ingredients

    • 24 cubes cheese see notes below for ideas
    • 24 slices hard or Genoa salami 2 ½ inches in diameter
    • 12 olives black or green
    • 12 baby dill pickles pieces similar in size to other ingredients
    • 12 grapes red or green

    Instructions

    • On 12 - 6 inch skewers, thread 1 cheese cube and an olive. Set aside to make salami roses.
    • To make salami roses, place 2 slices of salami on counter overlapping each other about an inch. Fold the pieces in half the long way. Starting on one end, tightly roll the pieces into a rose.
    • Thread each salami rose onto a skewer after making it (next to olive).
    • Next thread a pickle piece, second cheese and a grape onto the skewer.
    • Repeat to make 12 total skewers. Place on a serving platter to tray to serve.

    Helpful Equipment & Ingredient Links

    Bamboo Skewers - 6 inch

    Notes

    You want a cheese that isn't too soft where it will fall apart, or too hard where it will crumble when you try to thread it on the skewer.
    Some good options include: gouda, cheddar, Swiss, Colby, havarti, Monterrey jack, pepper jack, gruyere or manchego. I also love using ciliegine, which are the bite-size mozzarella pearls.
    In these photos, I used a mild cheddar and mozzarella pearls.

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    • Loaded Deviled Eggs on wooden tray
      Loaded Deviled Eggs
    • Close up of a triangle piece of Greek Pita Pizza
      Greek Pita Pizzas

    Comments

      5 from 2 votes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jen says

      September 14, 2023 at 8:48 pm

      5 stars
      I love how easy and customizable this recipe is! Will be making again for the holiday season!

      Reply
      • Ashley says

        September 14, 2023 at 9:00 pm

        They will be perfect for the holidays!

        Reply
    2. Michelle says

      September 29, 2023 at 4:49 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe was a total win for a High Tea birthday party that we hosted. The kids loved the range of flavors! My kiddos were excited that there were leftovers so that they could take them for lunch.

      Very clear directions. Remarkably easy to assemble. Love how the little "roses" turned out.

      Reply
      • Ashley says

        October 01, 2023 at 1:43 pm

        So glad you enjoyed them, Michelle!

        Reply

    Welcome to The Darling Apron! I'm a wife, mom, & chai tea latte lover who uses food as her love language. I believe some of life's best moments happen when gathered around the kitchen table. Whether making time-honored family recipes or developing new favorites, I love creating memories through delicious food. I hope this space inspires you to do the same!

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