Handheld mini charcuterie cups are ideal for parties and gatherings. Mix and match the filling to make unique and fun combinations that wow guests and fit your budget. This easy individual appetizer recipe only takes 15 minutes to prepare!
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These easy charcuterie cups are ideal for a variety of events such as bridal showers and baby showers, holiday parties, and even game day.
There is just something about individual appetizers that feels fancy. Plus these can be a nice change from our extra large charcuterie Christmas tree.
In the summer I pair them with chips and mango salsa. our famous corn ribs recipe alongside a vodka margarita.
For chillier weather, they complement our spicy shrimp deviled eggs and cream cheese stuffed peppers perfectly. Serve with a cranberry gin cocktail.
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📖Charcuterie in a Cup
Charcturie cups are just like a traditional charcuterie board but are handheld. Perfect for mixing and mingling and they have fantastic visual appeal.
Individual appetizer cups are a great way to accommodate multiple food allergies and restrictions like vegetarian, or gluten-free.
Each single serving cup can be unique and labeled as needed.
You can mix and match ingredients to find your favorite new combinations. By changing up the ingredients these can go from the holiday season to wedding showers.
🧾What to Put in Charcuterie Cups
For the individual charcuterie boxes, boards, or cups, you can use any variety of meats, cheeses, and any accouterments that you like. Here are my recommended items.
Cheese- Pick one easy-to-eat soft cheese like mozzarella cheese balls or chunks of soft cheese like feta. Avoid mini cheese balls and goat cheese logs as they are too soft to skewer.
Small wedges of semi-soft cheeses like brie can work. I suggest cutting and skewering them while they are very cold.
And two kinds of hard cheese. For visual interest, I cut one into cubes and the other into thin slices.
Possible Hard Cheese Options:
- Dill Harvarti
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Monterey Jack
- Pepper Jack (a personal favorite for game days)
A note about blue cheese, I find it too crumbly to skewer and prefer to skip this when making individual servings.
Meats- Again I like to play with shapes and a variety of textures. I used one round of salami that I sliced. Thick-cut pepperoni would make a great substitution. For a softer look, I cut prosciutto into think ribbons and loosely folded them.
More Meat Options:
- Any type of Smoked Hams
- Cappicoloa
- Bresaola
- Soprasetta
Plan on 3 ounces of meat and cheese per person.
Vegetables- I prefer to use smaller cucumbers and grape tomatoes for my fresh items. And add pickled vegetables like gherkins, olives, or peppers for tang.
Fruit- I like to use a mix of dry and fresh fruit on my charcuterie boards. Red grapes or green grapes, berries, or figs. For dried fruit, I like dried apricots, cherries, and dates.
Nuts- I used toasted pecans but almonds, or even crunchy chickpeas.
To decorate the cups you can add a sprig or two of fresh herbs.
To complement your charcuterie cups serve with little jars of jam, honey, or mustard. Plus, regular crackers, pita chips, gluten-free crackers, and toasted bread.
See the recipe card for suggested quantities.
💭 Charcuterie Cup Ideas
Use your imagination! But here are a few recommended combinations.
⏲️How to Make Charcuterie Cups
Chop all your items into bite-size pieces varying the shapes and textures. If you have great knife skills or a special mandolin you can mix a few fun shapes if you like.
Assemble the Skewers
Try to create a balanced mix of flavors and textures, with a mix of soft and crunchy items. Mixing flavors like sweet with salty and spicy with creamy is what you want.
I usually do ⅔ of the items on skewers and the rest directly in the bottom of cups.
How do you fold the meat for charcuterie cups?
For then long pieces of meat like prosciutto and ham, slice into ribbons and roll the piece up. For thin round pieces, like pepperoni or salami, pinch in the center to make a flower.
Fill the Cups
Arrange the ingredients in the cup in an attractive way. Start by placing the nuts and dried fruits in the bottom of the cup. Add 2 to 3 skewers per cup,
Fill in with the extra items. Add a fresh sprig of rosemary or parlsey for garnish.
You can place the crackers in the cups or to the side.
Where to Buy Charcuterie Cups
For smaller events I use glass cups and martini glasses that I already have. For larger events, you may want to purchase disposable cups.
You want a cup that holds between 4 ounces and 6 ounces.
You can either do a paper cup with the front cut out. Or use clear plastic cups, the same ones you serve drinks out of.
I use these bamboo knot skewers for my toothpicks.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Serve the charcuterie cups with a variety of crackers, bread, and spreads to allow guests to create their own flavor combinations. This will make the charcuterie cups more interactive and fun to eat.
- Vary the height by adding a tall rosemary sprig or long crackers of breadsticks.
- Add a pop of color with fruit, herbs, and veggies.
- Presentation is the point, so vary the sizes and shapes of your cheese cuts and fold the thin cuts of meat.
- Have fun! There is no wrong way to create a mini charcuterie cup.
🌡️Making Charcuterie Cups In Advance
You can buy all the ingredients for this recipe up to 3 days in advance. Store according to package instructions. Vegetables and fruits should be stored in their respective crisper drawers in the fridge.
This will prevent the cheese from drying out and other items from getting soggy.
You can cut all the individual pieces up the night before and store them in airtight containers in the fridge.
Assemble up to 2 hours before party time. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Charcuterie Cups
Equipment
- Knife
- 16-20 Cups glass, plastic, or paper
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- 2 cups dried fruit like dates and apricots
- 8 ounces mozzarella pearls or bocconcini
- 8 ounces harvarti cheese any flavor
- 12 ounces sharp cheddar
- 8 ounces salami
- 3 ounces prosciutto
- 1 cup seedless cucumber sliced thin
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1 cup pickled vegetables or olives
- 2 boxes crackers
Instructions
- Chop all your items into bite-size pieces varying the shapes and textures. Add 2 to 4 pieces per skewer.8 ounces mozzarella pearls, 8 ounces harvarti cheese, 12 ounces sharp cheddar, 8 ounces salami, 3 ounces prosciutto, 1 cup seedless cucumber, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1 cup blackberries, 1 cup pickled vegetables or olives
- Evenly divide the dried fruit and nuts into the bottom of the cups. Add 2 to 3 skewers per cup. Any remaining items can be tucked in between the skewers. Add 3 crackers per cup.2 cups pecans, 2 cups dried fruit, 2 boxes crackers
Video
Notes
- Ingredients and quantities are suggestions. Adjust according to your personal preference and dietary requirements.
- See the post for recommended combinations, including vegetarian options.
- Serve with or without crackers. Or let guest add their own.
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