These individual Charcuterie Cups are an easy to prepare, super versatile party appetizer that’s perfect for game days, New Years Eve, or any other get-together. Filled with all of the meats, cheeses, fruits, and snacks you might find on a traditional charcuterie board, our Charcuterie Cups Ideas below are just the beginning.
There are unlimited ways to get creative with the idea of making a charcuterie appetizer in a cup, so feel free to make this recipe your own. These mini charcuterie cups are ready to serve and can be eaten while mingling.
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Charcuterie Cups Ideas
These single serving Mini Charcuterie Cups are a fun and functional way to serve handheld appetizers at your next party. Individual appetizer cups can be assembled ahead of time so that once your guests arrive, they can just grab and enjoy.
Hardly a recipe, this post is meant to give you plenty of Charcuterie Cups ideas so that you can add ingredients that you and your guests will love. Just like a traditional charcuterie board, you’ll want to include a variety of textures, flavors, meats, cheeses, crackers, and even sweets. Feel free to get creative and switch it up.
Charcuterie Cup Ingredients
- Cheese - I like to use a couple of different types of cheese on each skewer to give a little variety. This recipe calls for both sharp cheddar cheese and Pepperjack cut into ¾” cubes. Other types of cheese to use would be any kind of cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella balls, Havarti, or really any other type that you like. Softer cheeses like goat cheese and Brie can be sliced into wedges and placed into the cups but don’t work as well on skewers.
- Meat - this recipe calls for 2 slices of salami and 2 slices of pepperoni per skewer. You could also use prosciutto, sliced beef sticks, or any other type of cured meats.
- Fruit - berries are easy and delicious. I like to use either a whole or half strawberry per skewer along with blackberries and 2-3 blueberries. Grapes, berries, and figs work well, as would dried fruits such as apricots and cherries.
- Cookies - macarons are a great option for Mini Charcuterie Cups because they add some color and give the cups a bit of a fancier look. Any other type of small individual cookies would work great.
- Chocolate Covered Pretzels - these add a nice bit of sweetness and chocolate while also giving a little salty flavor from the pretzels. Plain pretzels would also work.
- Crackers - choose any of your favorite crackers or cheese twists to add to the cups.
- Twists - Our Cinnamon Twists with Puff Pastry or our Cheese Twists are a perfect addition.
- Bamboo Toothpicks - you’ll want bamboo toothpicks that are about 5-6” long so that they are able to hold enough and stick out from the individual Charcuterie Cups.
- Individual Cups - you can use plastic cups or choose from a variety of different decorative cups. Mini takeout containers are another cute option to use for this appetizer in cups.
How to Make Mini Charcuterie Cups
- Prep the ingredients. Prep any ingredients, including cutting cheese cubes or slicing meats. Gather 12 individual cups, 24 large toothpicks, and the rest of your ingredients.
- Arrange the skewers. Arrange 1 whole strawberry, 1 whole blackberry, and 2-3 blueberries onto 12 toothpicks. On the other 12 toothpicks, arrange 1 cube of cheddar cheese, 1 cube of Pepperjack cheese, 2 slices of salami, and 2 slices of pepperoni.
- Assemble the appetizers cups. Place 1 fruit skewer, 1 meat and cheese skewer, 1 cracker, 2 chocolate covered pretzels, and 1 macaron into each individual cup.
- Enjoy!
More Charcuterie Cup Ideas
This recipe for DIY Charcuterie Cups is really just to get you started. There are countless ways to create different versions. Here are a few of our favorite Charcuterie Cup ideas to get you started making all sorts of individual appetizers in a cup:
- Caprese Charcuterie Cups. Create Caprese skewers by adding cherries tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella balls.
- Vegetarian Charcuterie Cups. To increase the amount of vegetarian options, try using sliced veggies, olives, and more pickles.
- Build-Your-Own Charcuterie Cups. You could also turn this into a build-your-own Charcuterie Cups station by laying out all of the items, including premade skewers, and letting guests add the things that they love.
- Seafood Appetizer Cups: Smoked salmon, boiled shrimp, and crab meat paired with crackers, cream cheese, and lemon wedges.
- Spicy Charcuterie Cups: For those who like a little heat, add sliced candied jalapenos, spicy chorizo, and pepper jack cheese spears to your Charcuterie cup. Don't forget the hot sauce!
- Dessert Charcuterie Cups: Indulge in a Charcuterie cup filled with dried fruits, chocolate-covered nuts, and a variety of sweet spreads. Perfect for dessert or a sweet snack!
- Breakfast Charcuterie Cups: Start your day off right with a Charcuterie cup filled with breakfast favorites like bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and croissants. Add some fruit and jam for a sweet touch.
Storing and Making Ahead Instructions
- Refrigerator: keep skewers refrigerated until ready to serve. If you have leftovers, it’s best to disassemble and refrigerate in airtight containers.
- Make-ahead: skewers can be made the day before and stored in the fridge covered loosely with plastic wrap.
Individual Charcuterie Cups Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 plastic cups
- 24 6-inch bamboo toothpicks
- 12 cubes sharp cheddar cheese ¾" (about 8 ounces)
- 12 cubes Pepper Jack cheese ¾" (about 8 ounces)
- 24 slices salami
- 24 slices pepperoni
- 12 whole strawberries
- 12 whole blackberries
- 36 whole blueberries
- 12 macarons (or another cookie)
- 24 chocolate covered pretzels (or plain pretzels)
- 12 crackers
Instructions
- Prep any ingredients, including cutting cheese cubes or slicing meats. Gather 12 individual cups, 24 large toothpicks, and the rest of your ingredients.
- On 12 toothpicks, arrange 1 whole strawberry, 1 whole blackberry, and 2-3 blueberries. On the other 12 toothpicks, arrange 1 cube of cheddar cheese, 1 cube of Pepper Jack cheese, 2 slices of salami, and 2 slices of pepperoni.
- Place 1 fruit skewer, 1 meat and cheese skewer, 1 cracker, 2 chocolate covered pretzels, and 1 macaron into each individual cup.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- Refrigerator: keep skewers refrigerated until ready to serve. If you have leftovers, it’s best to disassemble and refrigerate in airtight containers.
- Make-ahead: skewers can be made the day before and stored in the fridge covered loosely with plastic wrap.
Nutrition
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These Individual Charcuterie Cups are an easy make-ahead party appetizer that are as delicious as they are adorable. These individual appetizers in a cup are ready to serve and super versatile.
Michelle Jankowski
what size cup did you use to fit everything?
Jill Baird
I used the shorter 9 ounce clear cups.