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    Home » Holidays and Entertaining

    Pepperoni Roses (With Video)

    Published: Jan 24, 2022 by Lee-Ann · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    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.

    Pepperoni folded into the shape of a rose in a white tray with basil leaves and arugula.

    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).

    Table of Contents

    • Why you will love these pepperoni roses
    • What you need to make pepperoni roses
    • Step by step photos
    • Top tips
    • Watch how to make pepperoni roses
    • Variations
    • Other recipes you may enjoy
    • How To Make Pepperoni Roses (With Video)
      • Ingredients
      • Instructions
      • Notes

    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.
    collage of images showing to make this recipe
    1. This example uses 11 slices.
    2. Then place one hand on top of the glass (the base of our finished flower).
    step by step photos showing how to make this recipe
    1. With your other hand, grasp the base of the glass and flip it over onto your serving board.
    2. Decorate your rose with small basil leaves (if using).
    photographs showing process of making this recipe

    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.

    Several examples of meat roses made of pepperoni and other deli meats on a white tray with arugula.

    Other options can include

    • pastrami (1)
    • mortadella (2)
    • ham (3)
    Numbered examples of meat roses made of pepperoni and other deli meats on a white tray with arugula.
    How do you eat meat roses?

    Guests can lift off and eat one "petal" at a time from the center of the meat roses.Fingers grasping a piece of pepperoni in a pepperoni rose on a wooden board with pita chips and arugula.

    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.

    Pepperoni folded into the shape of a rose in a white tray with basil leaves and arugula.

    How To Make Pepperoni Roses (With Video)

    Pepperoni Roses - take your charcuterie board or grazing platter to the next level with these super easy pepperoni roses made with folded slices of pepperoni salami.
    Print Pin Rate
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Total Time: 3 minutes
    Serving: 2 roses
    Calories: 70kcal
    Author: Lee-Ann Grace

    Ingredients

    • 22 slices pepperoni salami
    • basil leaves optional - to decorate
    • a glass for construction mine is 6½cm (2½") in diameter

    Instructions

    • Fold three slices of pepperoni in half, and place the folded center of each slice over the rim of a glass. They should slightly overlap each other.
    • Keep layering folded slices, overlapping each as you go. This example uses 11 slices.
    • To turn out your rose, place one hand on top of the glass (the base of our finished flower), and with your other hand, grasp the base of the glass and flip it over onto your serving board.
    • Decorate your rose with small basil leaves (if using).

    Notes

    • 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!
    *Please note that the amount of calories per serve is provided as a guide only, as ingredients and cooking methods can vary greatly*

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lori

      November 13, 2022 at 6:28 am

      5 stars
      So easy to make!! Great instructions and pictures ❤️

      Reply
      • Lee-Ann

        November 13, 2022 at 10:27 pm

        My pleasure, Lori!

        Reply
    2. Marion

      January 26, 2022 at 11:09 am

      5 stars
      These were so easy and looked great on my cheese board. Heaps of compliments. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Lee-Ann

        January 26, 2022 at 11:10 am

        That’s great Marion!

        Reply

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