Introduction

Individual Charcuterie Cups are a fun and elegant way to serve a variety of tasty bites in a convenient, single-serving format. Perfect for parties or casual get-togethers, these cups combine savory meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts for a balanced and colorful snack.

Ingredients

3 ounces salami (thinly sliced)
3 ounces dry-cured sausage
1 cup seedless grapes
18 pickled pearl onions
18 green olives (pitted or stuffed)
2 blocks cheese (7-ounce each, diced or cut into wedges)
½ cup blueberries
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup almonds
½ cup pistachios
6 crackers or breadsticks
6 dried apricots

Instructions

Step 1: Rinse the grapes and blueberries, then pat them dry with a paper kitchen towel. Drain the pickled pearl onions and olives, patting them dry as well.
Step 2: Make salami skewers by threading 3 to 4 slices onto toothpicks or cocktail sticks; prepare 6 skewers. Repeat with the dry-cured sausage to make 6 skewers. You may also combine both meats on one skewer if preferred.
Step 3: Thread olives and pickled pearl onions onto toothpicks, either separately or together. Prepare at least 2 of these pickle skewers per glass.
Step 4: Cut the cheese into bite-sized cubes or wedges depending on your cheese type, ensuring pieces are easy to fit into your serving cups.
Step 5: To assemble, place one dried apricot at the bottom of each glass. Add a few almonds and pistachios, followed by about 4 grapes and some cubed cheese. Fill any gaps with dried cranberries and blueberries.
Step 6: Top each cup with the prepared skewers and add a slice of cheese on top. Finally, serve each cup with a cracker or breadstick on the side.
Step 7: Serve immediately and enjoy your individual charcuterie cups!

Tips & Variations

Use a variety of cheeses like cheddar, gouda, or blue cheese for more flavor contrast.
Substitute nuts with your favorites like walnuts or pecans to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Add fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to the cups for added aroma and a decorative touch.
Swap dried apricots for fresh figs or dates if in season for a fresh twist.

Storage

Assemble charcuterie cups shortly before serving to keep ingredients fresh and crisp. If you need to prepare in advance, store the components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours and assemble just before serving. Leftover assembled cups are best eaten within a few hours and should be refrigerated. To reheat, this dish is best served cold or at room temperature, so avoid heating.

How to Serve

Five clear wine glasses and small glass bowls sit on a round wooden board with stripes of light and dark brown. Each glass and bowl is filled with layers of snacks: at the bottom, there are mixed nuts with smooth brown almonds and cream-colored pistachios, followed by round green grapes and dark blueberries. Above the fruit are small cubes of orange cheddar cheese, then folded slices of dark red cured meat. Each glass and bowl is topped with a thin, long rectangular slice of pale yellow cheese, which is held in place by a toothpick stuck through a green olive on some glasses or just the slice itself on others. The setting is on a white marbled surface with a plain white background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of meat instead of salami and dry-cured sausage?

Yes, you can substitute with other cured meats like prosciutto, chorizo, or pepperoni based on your preference and availability.

What glassware works best for serving these charcuterie cups?

Small clear glasses, tumblers, or even sturdy stemless wine glasses work well, allowing the colorful layers to show and making for an appealing presentation.

Individual Charcuterie Cups Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.7 from 122 reviews

Individual Charcuterie Cups are a delightful and visually appealing way to serve a variety of savory and sweet snacks in single-serving portions. These cups combine thinly sliced salami, dry-cured sausage, an assortment of cheeses, olives, pickled onions, fresh grapes, nuts, dried fruits, and crackers for a perfect party appetizer or light snack. Easy to assemble, they provide a balanced mix of flavors and textures in each cup.

Author: Dana
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 6 individual servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Meats

3 ounces salami (thinly sliced)
3 ounces dry-cured sausage

Fruits & Vegetables

1 cup seedless grapes
18 pickled pearl onions
18 green olives (pitted or stuffed)
½ cup blueberries
6 dried apricots
½ cup dried cranberries

Cheese

2 blocks cheese (7-ounce each, diced or cut into wedges)

Nuts

½ cup almonds
½ cup pistachios

Other

6 crackers (or breadsticks)

Instructions

Dry any wet foods: Rinse the grapes and pat them dry thoroughly with a paper towel. Drain the pickled pearl onions and green olives, then pat them as dry as possible. Rinse and dry the blueberries carefully to prevent excess moisture.
Make skewers with meats: Thread 3 to 4 pieces of thinly sliced salami onto each toothpick or cocktail stick to make 6 salami skewers. Similarly, thread 3 to 4 pieces of dry-cured sausage onto separate toothpicks to create 6 sausage skewers. Optionally, you may combine slices of salami and sausage on the same skewer for variety.
Prepare olive and onion skewers: Thread green olives and pickled pearl onions onto toothpicks either separately or alternating to make at least 2 pickle skewers per cup. These add a tart and savory contrast to the meat and cheese.
Cut the cheese: If you have blocks of cheese, dice them into bite-sized cubes suitable for fitting inside the cups. For wedge-shaped cheeses, slice them into smaller wedges for easy assembly and presentation.
Assemble the cups: Start by placing one dried apricot at the bottom of each glass or cup. Add a few almonds and pistachios on top, followed by roughly 4 grapes per cup. Add some cubed cheese and fill any remaining gaps with dried cranberries and blueberries to add color and sweetness. Position the prepared skewers on top of the fruits and nuts. Finally, add a slice of cheese on top and finish by placing a cracker or breadstick beside each cup for an all-in-one snack.
Enjoy: Serve immediately or chill briefly before serving. These cups are perfect for entertaining and provide a balanced mix of savory, sweet, and crunchy components in each portion.

Notes

Note 1: Dry-cured sausage can be substituted with pepperoni or chorizo depending on preference.
Note 2: Seedless grapes are preferred for easy eating and cleanliness.
Note 3: If pickled pearl onions are unavailable, substitute with pickled shallots or cocktail onions.
Note 4: Choose cheeses that are firm and easy to cube such as cheddar, gouda, or manchego.
Note 5: Nuts can be toasted for extra flavor, but raw nuts work fine.
Note 6: Crackers can be swapped with breadsticks or crostini for texture variation.

Keywords: charcuterie cups, individual appetizers, party snacks, no-cook recipe, easy appetizer, meat and cheese cups