Pepperoni Roses (With Video)

Today I am sharing with you a great technique to create pepperoni roses for your next charcuterie or grazing board.

What are pepperoni roses? They are slices of pepperoni salami (or other sliced deli meats), folded in half then layered around the rim of a glass to form the shape of a rose. In my simple version you won't even need toothpicks.

This easy tutorial (with video) shows you how to use a glass to make an ordinary old stack of pepperoni into a beautiful blooming rose.

They are also known by lots of different names such as salami roses, salami flowers, meat flowers or meat roses (which sound like the perfect valentine gift for my husband). It just depends on your choice of meat.

These easy little charcuterie roses are a great way to add some extra wow factor to your already amazing grazing board or platter.

If you are looking for more ideas for creating a show-stopping, mike-drop-worthy grazing board for your next party, this Grazing Board How To post has all the answers. Full of helpful hints and tips that will make you the charcuterie queen (or king).

Why you will love these pepperoni roses

• They look spectacular!
• But they are so easy!
• Can be made ahead.
• No toothpicks, so they are easy to eat.

What you need to make pepperoni roses

• pepperoni - or other deli meat such as ham, mortadella, pastrami as long as it's round and thinly (and evenly) sliced
• a glass for assembling the roses - the top opening of mine is 6 ½ cm (2 ½ ") in diameter
• fresh basil leaves for decoration (optional)

*Please see the recipe card below for exact quantities and detailed instructions

Step by step photos

1. Fold three slices of pepperoni in half, and place the center of each slice over the rim of a glass. They should slightly overlap each other.
2. Keep layering folded slices, overlapping each time as you go.

3. This example uses 11 slices.
4. Then place one hand on top of the glass (the base of our finished flower).

5. With your other hand, grasp the base of the glass and flip it over onto your serving board.
6. Decorate your rose with small basil leaves (if using).

Top tips

• These salami roses can be made ahead, just cover them (glass and all) with cling wrap and keep them in the fridge until you need them.
• I find the sliced meat is easier to work with if it's not straight out of the fridge. It is easier to separate the slices without tearing them.
• The more you push the inside of the first layer of meat towards the sides of the glass, the more "open" your rose petals will be.
• The more slices you use, the bigger your rose. Feel free to keep going until the glass is full.
• Don't like how your pepperoni rose turned out? Just pull it apart and have another go!

Watch how to make pepperoni roses

Variations

I've put together a little cheat sheet with matching numbered images so you can get a feel for what some different deli meats will look like.

Different diameter meats and glass sizes will give you different size roses too.

Other options can include

• pastrami (1)
• mortadella (2)
• ham (3)

Other recipes you may enjoy

Seasoned Sour Cream - a great dip made from pantry staples.

Bread Bowl Dip - a party tradition, the bread bowl dip made with a hollowed out cob loaf filled with creamy dip.