Description
Charcuterie Cups are beautiful individualized appetizers, snacks and even lunches. The variety in flavors, textures and color gives them great appeal for young and old. They’re simple to put together and the possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
Ingredients
- Deli Meat: I had turkey and salami on hand. I used about 1/8 lb. per person with two slices of meat. If you want only one slice in each cup, you could get 16 or more servings per pound, depending on the meat chosen. My Homemade Summer Sausage would also be a great option! Slice it thinly or cut it into chunks for skewers with fruit and cheese.
- Crudites: My charcuterie cups had a tasty assortment of fresh vegetables: cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, carrots, black olives and pickles. Any fresh veggie you have on hand would be beautiful. Radishes, spring onions, asparagus spears, bell pepper strips, jicama sticks, and small pieces of blanched broccoli or cauliflower florets would also be amazing.
- Nuts: I used roasted salted almonds. But, as long as you aren’t entertaining someone with a nut allergy, any variety of nuts would be delicious.
- Crackers, Bread & Crunchers: Pretzel rods and whole grain wasa crackers added some crunch to my appetizer snacks. Breadsticks, pita chips and bagel chips are also scrumptious in a related charcuterie collection.
- Fruit and Berries: While my charcuterie cups included blackberries and red grapes, your theme or occasion may call for mandarin orange slices, pineapple chunks, melon or other fruits and berries.
- Cheese: Cheese cubes, slices or even tiny wedges can be the perfect addition to the cups, depending on what else you are serving.
- Fresh Herb Leaves or Stems: Most people won’t eat an entire stem of rosemary leaves or a sprig of parsley, but they DO add texture, height and color to your charcuterie cup design. Consider fresh herbs like wispy thin tendrils of thyme, fresh mint or sage leaves or even chives, in addition to rosemary and parsley or cilantro.
Instructions
- Wash and prep/cut any fruit, berries and vegetables. Lay them aside on paper towels to dry while you prepare other items.
- Cube or slice any cheeses you are using.
- Cut and roll or skewer any meat choices.
- Skewer fruits and vegetables. Remember to think about varying textures and colors as you assemble skewers. Pair items that go well together.
- Lay out all your charcuterie cup ingredients in an assembly line fashion. This lets the assembly of the charcuterie cups be quick and consistent.
- Place heavy items in the bottom of your cups.
- Add tall items(crackers, pretzel rods, etc.), food on skewers, breadsticks and anything else with height to the back of the charcuterie cup.
- Drop radishes, baby carrots, meat rolls, cheese wedges and any other small items in front to help the taller items stand.
- Garnish with fresh herbs.
- Arrange your completed charcuterie cups on a table or counter for serving.
Notes
Nutritional information is based on the ingredients I used to make 8 charcuterie cups. Yours will be different based on your ingredient choices.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Appetizers, Snacks, Lunch
- Method: Cold Prep
- Cuisine: American