Charcuterie Cups

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Entertaining for a small group or a large crowd? These Charcuterie Cups are sure to be hit! They‘re fun and full of yummy flavors!

A charcuterie cup filled with meat, cheese and fruit skewers with a jar of honey next to it.

These Charcuterie Cups were a big hit at my niece Lauren Kennedy’s wedding. Filled with meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, sweets, and treats, they are the perfect starter for a lovely evening. At the wedding, we placed one at each guest’s plate setting beside a tiny jar of local honey.

Initially, Lauren wanted to have a large grazing table for guests to enjoy. While those are stunning and absolutely delicious, many folks don’t like the possibility of lots of hands touching food items they may decide not to take. My comfort level limit of people for a grazing table at an event is 50. Her wedding had over 250!

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It was our hope that guests would start eating their cups once they were seated while they waited for dinner to be served. It worked like a charm! The variety of textures and flavors in each cup makes for a unique and exciting eating experience. Besides weddings, Charcuterie cups are great for parties, showers, game-day events, and holiday get-togethers!

a tray filled with completed charcuterie cups

What You’ll Need

Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

Charcuterie Cups and Picks/Skewers

List of items that can be included in a charcuterie cup

Tools You’ll Need

Cutting Board
Chef’s Knife

Why You’ll Like This Recipe

They look beautiful at an event!
They’re filled with lots of delicious flavors and textures!
They’re easy to assemble!
You can get creative with the items you want to include!

How to Make Charcuterie Cups

To make charcuterie cups, you will need small cups or containers to assemble the individual servings. You can start by placing a layer of nuts and dried fruit. Add a variety of crackers and skewers of meats, cheeses, fruits, olives, and/or pickles. Lastly, add a sweet dessert touch like a wafer-style cookie or chocolate candy. See under “What You’ll Need” for a wide variety of items to include!

Tips and Substitutions

Make a plan ahead of time. I like creating 3 skewers per cup. Here is my Charcuterie Cup draft for Lauren’s wedding and the cost of the ingredients:

Draft plans for creating charcuterie cups. The image lists the ingredients and cost of the items.

Customize the charcuterie cups to suit individual tastes, preferences, and the event you’re preparing them for by including ingredients that the people you are serving will like.
French fry cups and punch cups work great for charcuterie cups.
Make sure the ingredient skewered at the top of the pick isn’t too heavy as it can cause them to topple over.
Don’t assemble more than 45 minutes-1 hour prior to serving as this will cause the crackers to absorb some of the moisture and cheese can harden.

Storage

The meat, cheese, and fruit picks/skewers can be assembled ahead of time and stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Dried fruits and nuts can be placed in the charcuterie cups ahead of time and stored in an air-tight container until ready for assembly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does charcuterie mean?

Charcuterie is just a fancy word for cured meat.

Are charcuterie cups gluten-free?

It depends on the items you include. Cheeses, meats, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, dried fruits, olives, and nuts are gluten-free. Crackers, wafer cookies, and some ground sausage-style meat sticks can contain gluten.

How much do charcuterie cups cost?

This will depend on where you live and what you choose for your cups. The cups and the ingredients we included for Lauren Kennedy’s wedding cost about $2.00 per Charcuterie Cup.

How long do Charcuterie Cups take to make?

This will depend on the number of items you are planning to include and how many skewers you’ll be making. For 275 cups for the wedding, it took 3 hours to clean/cut/prep the ingredients, 4 hours to make the skewers (with 4 people making them), and 1 hour to assemble the cups with the prepared skewers, crackers, and cookie.

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5 from 15 votes

Charcuterie Cups

Charcuterie cups are easy to customize and make for any occasion! You can pack them with all your favorite flavors, from savory meats and cheeses to fresh fruits. They're perfect for your any gathering, big or small!

Prep Time8

Cook Time0

Total Time8

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: holiday, holidays

Servings: Servings

Calories: 399kcal

Ingredients

Skewer 1

275 Kalamata olives
275 fresh basil leaves
275 cherry tomatoes
275 miniature mozzarella balls or cubes .33oz each
275 pepperoni slices

Skewer 2

138 strawberries halved
275 cheddar cheese cubes 1oz each
275 salame slices
275 red or green seedless grapes

Skewer 3

92 meat and cheese roll ups cut into thirds
275 red or green seedless grapes
275 sopressata slices

Additional Cup Additions

17 ½ cups salted mixed nuts 1 tablespoon each
275 praline pecans
5.5 cups dried cranberries 1 teaspoon each
275 long white crackers
275 wheat crackers
275 Triscuit crackers
275 Pocky’s or wafer cookies

Instructions

Gather Your Ingredients: Start by assembling all your ingredients and tools. Decide on the combinations of meats, cheeses, fruits, and veggies you want to use. You'll want a variety of flavors and textures.
Prepare the Ingredients:
Cheese: Cut cheeses into cubes or slices, depending on your preference.
Meats: Roll or fold the cured pieces of meat for an appealing presentation.
Fruits and Veggies: Wash and cut fresh fruits and oversized vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
Nuts: Keep nuts whole or chop them coarsely if desired.
Select Your Cups: Choose little cups or containers suitable for individual servings.
Start Layering:Base Layer: Begin with a layer of hard or soft cheeses cubes or folded meats as the base.
Add Crunch: Next, include a selection of crunchy vegetables around the edges for a colorful appearance.
Incorporate Fruits: Add fresh fruits in the middle or around the sides for a pop of color and freshness.
Add Nuts and Crackers: Sprinkle in a handful of nuts and/or add a few crackers or breadsticks. You can place the crackers vertically for a fun effect.
Include Condiments: If using dips or spreads, place them in small jars or cups next to the charcuterie cups, or use a toothpick to hold a small portion.
Garnish: For an extra touch, consider garnishing with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme or a sprinkle of freshly cracked pepper on top.
Repeat: Continue filling the remaining cups, assembling them in a similar fashion until all ingredients are used.
Cover and Chill: If preparing in advance, cover the assembled cups with plastic wrap or lids and refrigerate until you're ready to serve. For best results, add fresh items like fruits or veggies just before serving to keep everything crisp.
Serve: Arrange the cups on a platter or serving table for your guests to grab and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Tips and Substitutions

Balance Flavors: Aim for a mix of flavors and textures in each cup. Combine savory meats with creamy cheeses, crunchy vegetables, and sweet fruits to create a well-rounded snack.

Mix Colors: Choose a variety of colorful ingredients more vibrant.

Layer Thoughtfully: Start with a sturdy base to provide support for other ingredients. Make sure the heavier items are at the bottom. Layer items neatly so that each component is easily accessible.

Prep in Advance: If time permits, prepare the ingredients ahead of time. Slice meats and cheeses, wash and cut fruits and vegetables, and store them in the fridge until you're ready to assemble the cups.

Don’t Overstuff: While it’s tempting to fill the cups to the brim, avoid overcrowding them. This ensures that each ingredient is easily accessible.

Serve with Utensils: Provide toothpicks, skewers, or spoons for easy serving.

Keep It Chill: If serving outdoors or at a warm gathering, consider using small ice trays or a cooler to keep the charcuterie cups fresh and cool.

Choose a Sturdy Base: French fry paper cups and clear plastic cups work great for charcuterie cups. Charcuterie cones are a popular choice as well, but you'll need a display to hold them upright in as well.

Storage

Typically, you can prepare the meat/fruit/cheese skewers up to 24 hours in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Don’t assemble the cups more than 45 minutes to 1 hour prior to serving as this will cause the crackers to absorb some of the moisture and cheese can harden. If using fruits or wet items, consider adding them just before serving to prevent making the other ingredients soggy.

Nutrition

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Comments

5 from 15 votes (5 ratings without comment)

Charcuterie Cups

Save The Recipe!

What You’ll Need

Tools You’ll Need

Why You’ll Like This Recipe

How to Make Charcuterie Cups

Tips and Substitutions

Storage

Frequently Asked Questions

More Recipes Like This