These easy individual charcuterie cups appetizers are simple to make, completely customizable, and ideal for celebrations, parties, holidays, and events.
Your guests will go crazy for these pint-size party containers!
They are a close cousin of traditional charcuterie boards with a single serving twist.
There are just so many reasons to love these little appetizer cups.
They look so festive and make you look fabulous for coming up with the idea.
There’s no cooking required, just simple assembly. They are just as fun to assemble as they are to eat. Oh! And everyone gets their very own.
Then next time, try this yummy breakfast charcuterie board for your guests.
Subscribe for more hosting & entertaining ideas, then check out More Hosting Ideas here!
A huge thanks to Sarah Drexler (@sarah_drexler on Instagram), the host of this party!
She created these charcuterie darlings for her sister’s baby “sprinkle” party and was so generous to share them with us today.
Trader Joe’s Charcuterie
You’ve got to love Trader Joe’s, where shopping and trying out new grocery products is always a fun adventure!
You can find all the ingredients you need for your appetizer cups at TJs, except the cups and skewers.
Scroll down to “Charcuterie Accessories” for more on that.
If you are planning for more than ten guests, consider buying some of your groceries at Costco or Aldi to save money.
Sarah went to Costco for grapes, fruit, olives, cheese, and meat.
Cold Finger Food Appetizers
These appetizer cups are fun for incorporating all your favorite finger foods!
When using room-temperature snacks and chilled varieties, you must be careful to keep them safe for your guests to consume.
Keep the cups in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
Below are common appetizer questions.
Keep the meat and cheese wrapped and separated until 2 hours before your event so they don’t dry out. Also, add fruit and crackers just before serving to maintain freshness and crispness.
Chop or cut your food to size, then store it in plastic wrap or an airtight container until you are ready to put the cups together. Then, the assembly is easy and stress-free before your event.
A charcuterie board or cups should only sit at room temperature for 2 hours. This will help prevent bacteria from growing on the meats and making people sick. Be sure to dispose of any leftover food that has sat out longer.
If you use glass or ceramic jarcuterie jars (not paper), display your appetizers on top of a pretty platter or shallow pan filled with ice. This will keep everything chilled and fresh.
Charcuterie keeps best in cooler-temperature environments. Avoid serving it outside on hot days.
Charcuterie Cups Ingredients
I’ve created a shopping list so you can make exactly what you see in these photos. Plus, I have more DIY charcuterie-filling ideas too.
For disposable cups, cones, cocktail skewers, and other fun accessories, keep scrolling for ideas and where to buy resources.
Sarah purchased from several grocery stores, so the quantity inside each package differed, but here is what she bought.
Costco
Sliced cheese, one package
Assorted salami, one package
Prosciutto, one package
One Cantaloupe
Strawberries, two packages
Sangria tomatoes, one package
Garlic stuffed olives, one jar
Trader Joe’s
Marinated mozzarella balls, three tubs
Blueberries, one regular container
Red grapes, one bag
Green grapes, one bag (table garnish)
Parmesan crisps, three packages
Honey wheat pretzel sticks, one bag
Regular Grocery Store
White bread, two loaves
Chicken salad, one quart, for the sandwiches
She did have some leftovers from the bulk packages.
This made about 65 cups. However, Sarah ran out of the parmesan crisps and filled in with some pretzel thins.
Separate cups can be made vegan, gluten, or dairy-free.
Fillers and Accompaniments
Below is more inspiration to fill in the nooks and crannies of your creative cups! All of these are typically available anywhere groceries are sold.
Nuts; cashews, macadamias, Marcona almonds, or pecans
Dried fruits; apricots, cherries, figs, mango, or pineapple
Crackers; various shapes, sizes, and flavors
Sweets; a small bar of good dark chocolate
Below is the “recipe” for the grocery items used in the photographs. Remember, anything goes. Have fun putting your own spin on it!
Print
Easy Individual Charcuterie Cups Appetizer
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Description
These easy individual charcuterie cups appetizers are simple to make, completely customizable, and ideal for celebrations, parties, holidays, and events.
Ingredients
Groceries
fruit; blueberries, strawberries, & cantaloupe
cherry tomatoes
garlic stuffed olives
salami, pepperoni or prosciutto
cheese; havarti, cheddar, & gouda
marinated mozzarella balls
Trader Joe’s parmesan crisps
honey wheat pretzel sticks
balsamic glaze for dipping
Charcuterie Supplies (see below)
cups, jars, or cones
cocktail picks or skewers
Instructions
Open all packaging, cup containers, and skewers. Scroll down for container and skewer design ideas and buying resources.
Design One Container First
Create and complete one charcuterie cup just as you want, so you have a plan.
First, thread 2 skewers for one cup (or more, depending on the size of your container). Remember to vary the skewers from each other and mix the food colors, textures, and flavors to create more interest and varied tastes. Fold your sliced meats 2-3 times to add depth to your skewers.
Now, add your loose elements to the container; the parmesan crisps and pretzels. Keep damp items like strawberries away from the crisp things until you are close to serving time. Next, fill in openings or add height if necessary with more oversized items like grapes, tomatoes, or tall parmesan crisps.
Set up your Assembly Line
Finally, set up your workspace in the order of items you want to put on your skewers and in your containers so you are as efficient as possible.
Repeat the process to make all of your charcuterie cups.
Your final finished cups may vary depending upon the size of your container and filling methods.
Notes
Preparation. Keep the meat and cheese wrapped and separated until 2 hours before your event so it doesn’t dry out. Also, add fruit and crackers just before serving to maintain freshness and crispness
Resources. For reference to the exact amount of food used in the photos and the stores where it was purchased, see the post.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: charcuterie cups, jarcuterie, appetizers, party food
Nutrition Label. The nutritional values listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card. Actual amounts may vary.
Charcuterie Accessories
Mix it up with charcuterie containers and additions such as cocktail skewers for the season!
Just click on the picture for more information. Affiliate links are included below.
Disposable Individual Charcuterie Cups
Cocktail Skewers
Charcuterie Cones
Charcuterie Boxes Kraft Boxes
Individual Charcuterie Cheese Boards
Jarcuterie, Glass Individual Charcuterie Jars
If you want a one-dish appetizer approach, try this delicious Thunder Cheddar Cheese Dip or this crazy good Sausage Cheese Dip.
And NOW, for dessert, try this easy and Amazing Chocolate Cake or this “shortcut” Chantilly Cake with Raspberry Mousse. You will thank me!
Enjoy your next event with these charming charcuterie appetizers. Your cup will overflow with compliments.
xo,
Cindy
More Party Ideas
Looking for more entertaining inspiration? Below are links to other ideas for hosting your friends and family.
More Hosting Ideas
Lunch Party Table
Friends Spring Lunch
Fourth of July Dinner Party
Subscribe to Bloom’s Newsletter
Sign up here for the Bloom newsletter. Select only the topics that interest you! Creative projects include crafts, sewing, recipes, hosting/entertaining, home/garden, and gnome-only emails.
The newsletters are 100% free. If you want to add, delete your topics, or unsubscribe, click “manage subscriptions” at the bottom of any email newsletters you receive.
Explore More
SHOP to purchase patterns
RECIPES for more recipes
INSPIRATION for creative project ideas
START HERE for blog home
The products with underlined text may contain affiliate links. When you buy through affiliate links on my site, I may earn a small commission, but at no cost to you. See the shop page for more information.
These turned out great! So easy. Thank you.
★★★★★
Love these!
★★★★★
Thank you Dani! 🙂
What a gorgeous party spread! Thanks for sharing all of the details with us, Sarah.
★★★★★