Save I discovered the Tudor Rose at a dinner party where everything felt just slightly off—too formal, too quiet. Then someone brought out a platter of these ridiculous little salami flowers, cheese buttons centered like tiny suns, and suddenly everyone was laughing, reaching, asking how they were made. It turns out the answer was delightfully simple, which somehow made them even more charming. There's something about arranging five slices of salami in a circle that feels like you've done something clever, even though you haven't really done much at all. That's the magic of this one.
I made these for a potluck once and watched someone's toddler refuse the crackers but ask for three of these flowers off the plate. Her mom was mortified, but I was oddly proud—there's something about food that appeals to kids and adults equally that feels like winning at hosting.
Ingredients
- 5 slices of salami (about 6–8 cm diameter each): The diameter matters more than you'd think—too small and your petals look timid, too large and they won't overlap nicely. Look for slices cut from the thicker part of the package, not the paper-thin ends.
- 1 small round slice of yellow cheese (e.g., Gouda, Cheddar; about 3–4 cm diameter, 0.5 cm thick): This is your anchor, your center button that holds everything together visually. A slightly aged Gouda adds warmth to the plate compared to a bright cheddar, but either works beautifully.
Instructions
- Lay down your canvas:
- Set your serving plate in front of you and take a breath—this is where the arranging happens. You're going to create a flower, so think of the center of the plate as where the bloom should live.
- Create the petals:
- Take your first salami slice and lay it down at roughly the 12 o'clock position, then overlap the second slice at about 2 o'clock, and keep going around like you're drawing a pentagon. The overlaps are what make them look intentional, so let them stack slightly over each other.
- Place the button:
- Nestle your cheese round right in the center where all those salami edges meet. It should cover the overlaps and look like someone deliberately placed a golden button at the heart of a rose.
- Perfect the symmetry:
- Step back and look at it. If one petal looks slouchy, nudge it. If the cheese is sitting at an angle, adjust it. You're aiming for that satisfying moment when everything looks just right.
- Bring to the table:
- Serve immediately while everything is still fresh and the colors are most vivid. On a charcuterie board, it becomes the centerpiece everyone notices first.
Save A friend once made this for her art director job interview as part of a charcuterie board. She got the position, and I'm pretty sure this little flower had something to do with it—it said something without saying anything, which is its own kind of communication.
Getting the Visual Right
The Tudor Rose works because it's symmetrical without being boring. Your eye expects five points, it finds five points, and your brain is satisfied. If you want to skip the measuring and just eyeball it, that works too—the beauty is that it's forgiving enough to look intentional even when it's slightly off.
Variations That Actually Matter
Prosciutto creates a more delicate look than salami, and fresh mozzarella brings a creamier contrast to the center. I've seen someone use a thin slice of tomato as the button for a completely different mood. The structure stays the same, but swapping these elements changes whether this feels Mediterranean, Italian, or modern European.
When to Make This
Build these when you need something that looks like you tried harder than you actually did. They shine on a charcuterie board, at a cocktail party, or when you're bringing something to a gathering and want people to remember it fondly. Fresh herbs tucked between the petals add color and a hint of freshness that makes the plate feel intentional.
- Basil between the petals brings an Italian energy, parsley is more classic and neutral.
- Make these no more than thirty minutes before serving so the cheese stays firm and the salami doesn't start to curl.
- If you're worried about stacking, remember that slight imperfection reads as rustic charm, not failure.
Save This is one of those recipes that teaches you something quiet: sometimes the best moments come from the simplest things, arranged with a little intention. Make it whenever you want someone to smile before they even taste anything.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I assemble the Tudor Rose?
Arrange five salami slices in a circle on a plate, slightly overlapping to form a flower shape, then place a round yellow cheese slice in the center.
- → Can I use different types of cheese?
Yes, cheeses like Gouda or Cheddar work well as a round central button to complement the salami petals.
- → Is cooking required for this dish?
No cooking is needed; it’s a quick assembly perfect for last-minute platters.
- → How can I add color to the presentation?
Garnish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley tucked between the salami slices for added freshness and color.
- → What accompaniments pair well with the Tudor Rose?
Serve with crackers or fresh bread to complement the savory salami and cheese flavors.