Charcuterie boards are so last year—try these charcuterie cups instead!

It’s time to switch things up with a new trend: charcuterie cups. These adorable, customizable cups are like mini personal charcuterie boards. They are perfect for any occasion and will elevate your snacking game like never before.

This idea might sound familiar, as I’ve shared a few versions of these here on Inspired by Charm. In fact, I made these exact charcuterie cups (with a holiday twist) for Christmas last year. However, I thought a version for every day and every occasion was in order.

TABLE OF CONTENTS hide

1 Why a Charcuterie Cup?

2 Why You’ll Love This Idea

3 Ingredient Ideas

4 Serving Containers

5 How To Make

6 Other Charcuterie Cup Ideas

7 Charcuterie Cups

Why a Charcuterie Cup?

If this idea is new to you, then you might be wondering what a charcuterie cup is.

Charcuterie cups are single-serving charcuteries assembled in small cups. They typically contain things like cured meats, cheeses, olives, fruits, berries, nuts, and crackers arranged in a pleasing way. The beauty of these cups is that they can be customized to suit any taste and occasion.

These charcuterie cups are a beautiful gourmet appetizer idea that can be served at potlucks, celebrations, or even small get-togethers at home. They can be made with a variety of ingredients, so you can customize them to suit your party and menu.

up close photo of charcuterie cup ingredients.

charcuterie cups on a table set on green gingham napkins.

Plus, they provide an elegant and sophisticated touch to any event, making them the perfect choice for everything from a formal dinner party to a casual get-together with friends.

With their compact size and creative presentation, these cups are also a great option for outdoor gatherings like picnics and barbeques. They are easy to transport and can be served without the need for plates or utensils.

Additionally, charcuterie cups are easy to prepare in advance. Simply make the cups a few hours before your event and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

several charcuterie cups stacked in a row on a white plate.

If you’re loving this idea as much as I am, you might want a few more creative ideas for presenting food. You’ve got it! Check these out:

jarcuteries (a single serving charcuterie in a jar),
snackle boxes (a charcuterie in a tackle box),
charcuterie wreath (a round wreath shaped charcuterie),
charcuterie boxes (a to-go single-serving charcuterie board packed in a box.)

Why You’ll Love This Idea

With endless options for fillings and toppings, you can create a custom appetizer that caters to your taste buds, the season, or your celebration.
What really sets these charcuterie cups apart is their practicality. Unlike a charcuterie board, these cups are ideal since you get everything you need in one convenient handheld cup.
These are also great if you want to avoid lots of hands picking up items from one board. With individual cups, there’s less opportunity for germ-spreading or double dipping.
Also, they are easy to assemble and require no special tools or equipment. While they do take some time to put together, anyone with any skill level can handle it. Plus, the adorable results are totally worth extra time.

adorable charcuterie cups filled with snack stacked in a row.

Ingredient Ideas

You’ll likely want to stick to things you find on a charcuterie or grazing board, but in the end, you can do whatever you’d like. Consider your guests’ dietary restrictions and preferences when selecting ingredients. Get creative and experiment with different flavor combinations to make your charcuterie cups unique and memorable.

If you’re looking for a little more guidance, here are some of the things I included with some additional suggestions as well.

Cheeses: Use what you love. I find harder cheeses a bit easier to manage, but you could certainly make anything work. Personally, I used cheddar, pepper jack, and mini mozzarella balls. I love the mini mozzarella balls on the fork. You can also use this marinated mozzarella.
Meats: Cured meats like prosciutto, salami, or pepperoni are classic choices for charcuterie boards and work equally well in charcuterie cups.
Berries and Fruits: Fresh or dried fruits like grapes, strawberries, blueberries, figs, or apricots not only add a sweet and tangy element, but also a pop of color to the cups.
Nuts: From almonds to walnuts, nuts provide a crunchy texture and rich flavor.
Olives: Kalamata, stuffed olives, etc. (I recommend using pitted olives.)
Crackers/Bread: Tall and thin work best. I really love La Panzanella crackers. The tall thin crusty breadstick-style crackers work great too.
Fresh Herbs (to garnish): A sprig of fresh herbs makes any dish look gourmet. Rosemary, thyme, or sage is perfect here. I especially like rosemary for Christmas.
Dips and spreads: Consider adding hummus, veggie dip, jam, bruschetta, or mustard to the bottom of your cup for some extra flavor.

up close photo of charcuterie cups filled with snacks.

Serving Containers

You can use a small jar, paper cup, or even a rocks glass to assemble your charcuterie cups. Use what you have or buy something special. Here are a few of my favorite container ideas:

Paper Cups – what I used here (12 ounce)
4 ounce Ball Jars
Double Old-Fashioned Glass – amazing price, and I use these for everything from wine to cocktails to jarcuterie!

Tip: If you enjoy Oui yogurt, it comes in the cutest little glass jar that would be perfect for a jarcuterie.

How To Make

Here’s a quick rundown of how to put together these charcuterie cups. A detailed recipe with an ingredient list is available as a printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Start by filling your containers with smaller items like nuts and grapes, distributing them evenly. (If you wanted to use a dip instead, you could add that here.)
Tuck the crackers towards the back of the container, leaving some space in the front for the toothpick-skewered items.
Using toothpicks, skewer a variety of ingredients such as cheeses, meats, olives, berries, and other desired items.
Use mini forks or additional picks to present individual pieces of cheese or other specialty items, placing them strategically within the container.
Insert the toothpick-skewered items into the cup, varying their heights and colors to create visual interest.
Fill in any remaining gaps with extra ingredients to hold everything securely in place.
For an added touch, garnish the charcuterie cup with a sprig of fresh herb and cheese slices cut from mini cookie cutters.

Other Charcuterie Cup Ideas

Charcuterie cups are a versatile and fun way to present so many delicious foods. Here are some ideas for different charcuterie cup themes to get you started:

Breakfast Charcuterie Cup:

Miniature pancakes or waffles
Maple syrup or honey for dipping
Sausage or bacon crumbles
Fresh berries or sliced fruits
Yogurt or cream cheese for spreading
Granola or cereal toppings

Cookie Charcuterie Cup:

Assorted cookies (chocolate chip, oatmeal, sugar cookies, etc.)
Miniature candies (M&Ms, chocolate chips, gummy bears, etc.)
Nutella or peanut butter for dipping
Sprinkles or crushed nuts for toppings
Marshmallows or caramel sauce as additional treats

Candy Charcuterie Cup:

Assorted candies (gummies, chocolates, licorice, etc.)
Popcorn or pretzel sticks
Miniature cookies or biscotti
Dried fruits (cranberries, raisins, apricots)
Caramel or chocolate sauce for drizzling

Taco-Inspired Charcuterie Cup:

Tortilla chips or mini taco shells
Guacamole, salsa, or queso for dipping
Shredded cheese or Queso Fresco
Sliced jalapenos or pickled vegetables
Chopped tomatoes and onions
Sour cream or Greek yogurt

Mediterranean Charcuterie Cup:

Pita chips or toasted baguette slices
Hummus or tzatziki for dipping
Assorted olives and pickled vegetables
Feta or goat cheese crumbles
Grape tomatoes and cucumber slices
Roasted red peppers or marinated artichoke hearts

Dessert Charcuterie Cup:

Bite-sized brownies or blondies
Fresh fruits (strawberries, grapes, melon, etc.)
Whipped cream or chocolate ganache for dipping
Miniature pastries or cake pops
Chocolate-covered pretzels or nuts
Shredded coconut or rainbow sprinkles

Remember, get creative with your charcuterie cup arrangements! Feel free to add your personal touches by incorporating seasonal ingredients or unique flavors. Enjoy experimenting and creating beautiful and delicious charcuterie cups!

cheese, meats, and fruits stacked into a charcuterie cup.

I hope you’ll try making these charcuterie cups for your next party or festive celebration. I think you and your guests are going to LOVE them! If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.

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