Individual Charcuterie Cups

Individual Charcuterie Cups – easy grab-and-go appetizer – cured meats, cheeses, fruit, crackers, olives and more! Perfect for the holiday season, game day, showers and summer parties. Like a mini charcuterie board in a cup!

Charcuterie boards have been my go-to easiest and favorite appetizer for years running – especially around the holidays and for so many other get-togethers!

They’re easy to customize and feel fancy without all the work.

Here’s everything you need to know including my top tips, tricks and delicious ideas for what to tuck into your cups.

What you’ll need to make Charcuterie Cups:

Cheeses

Plan on 2-3 cheeses, about 4 ounces per cheese – the exception being blue cheese if you’re going that route. You won’t need as much blue because it’s so srong – a little goes a long way.

• Hard cheese options: smoked gouda, cheddar, dill havarti, gruyete, cotswald
• Soft cheese: brie, fresh mozzarella (balls or cubed bite size)
• Blue cheese: choose your crowd – a strong cheese with strong opinions about it.

Meats

• Salami or soppressata – thinly sliced so it folds easily
• Prosciutto (sometimes wrapped around mozzarella)
• Pepperoni
• Deli ham – rolled – works well too

Fruits and tasty extras

Generally, about 1/4 each of berries, fruit and nuts

• Fresh seasonal fruits: green and red grapes, blackberries (not raspberries – too fragile)
• Smoked almonds, pistachios, candied nuts or any mixed nuts
• Olives or pickles
• Dried fruits work well, like apricots, figs or dates
• Individually wrapped chocolates
• Edible flowers or hearty herbs, like rosemary for garnish.
• Jam or grainy mustard (mini jar or small bowl on the side)

A little crunch

• Crackers (thin, seeded, artisanal – I like a couple types of crackers)
• Cheese straws
• Mini breadsticks

How to Make Individual Charcuterie Cups:

1. Choose your container
   Clear plastic 9 ounce cups that are a little wider at the top work well. They hold a generous amount of charcuterie for one. You can also use small boards if you prefer.
2. Skewers
   Plan on 3-4 skewers per cup. Mini forks also work well.
3. Prep meats and cheeses
   Fold salami, cube cheese and wash fruit (dry well!).
4. Add nuts to the bottom of the cup.This gives the skewers some stability and the nuts will stay crisp when guests reach the bottom. Start adding items to your skewers with a mix of ingredients on each – a hard cheese, a soft cheese wedge, fresh fruit and something punchy like olives,  cornichons or mini pickles.
5. Some crunch is necessary – slim breadsticks or flat crackers are great options and give a little height variance to the cups.
6. Garnish for wow factor
   Add a sprig of fresh herbs or small edible flower.

More Charcuterie Inspiration:

Kids Charcuterie Board

Dessert Charcuterie Board

Breakfast Charcuterie Board

Themes and variations:

It’s simple to tailor these charcuterie cups to your guests, any dietary situations or themes, like a baby shower or bridal shower. Get creative and have fun!

Enjoy!