Dinner

Easy Individual Charcuterie Cups Recipe

ByLily Monroe February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

Introduction

These Easy Individual Charcuterie Cups are perfect for gatherings or quick snacks. They combine a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts in convenient single servings that are visually appealing and delicious.

A white cup with a red and green plaid pattern is held by a woman's hand wearing a blue sleeve, filled with several layers of colorful treats. At the bottom, there are stacked dark red rolled slices of meat next to a bright green rosemary sprig. Above the meat, there are two small brown gingerbread cookies with smiling faces, positioned on the front side. Behind the cookies, there is a round white biscuit with a smooth texture, and to the side, a few small red raspberries and a black blackberry add vibrant color. The background shows a soft focus of similar cups. The surface is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

12 slices salami or pepperoni
12 slices ham or turkey
12 slices thick-cut cheddar cheese
12 slices Havarti cheese
24 cubes Asiago cheese
60 grapes
1 small Fuji apple
24 whole black olives
12 baby carrots
36 crackers
1.5 cups nuts, seeds, and dried fruit mix

Instructions

Step 1: Begin by laying out twelve 9-ounce clear plastic cups. Prep all ingredients by slicing cheeses, cutting the apple if using, and portioning the meats.
Step 2: Layer each cup starting with heavier items on the bottom: add about 2 tablespoons of the nuts, seeds, and dried fruit mix along with 5 grapes.
Step 3: Add 2–3 crackers along the side or on the top layer to help prevent sogginess.
Step 4: Fold or roll 2 pieces of meat, such as salami and ham, and place them inside each cup.
Step 5: Add 4–6 pieces of assorted cheese including cheddar, Havarti, and Asiago cubes.
Step 6: Tuck in extras like a baby carrot, black olive, or apple slice. Add the apple slices just before serving to prevent browning.
Step 7: For visual appeal and ease of eating, insert large toothpicks through olives, pickles, or cheese cubes.
Step 8: Refrigerate the cups until ready to serve, up to 2 hours ahead. Keep them chilled on ice during serving if outdoors.

Tips & Variations

Substitute the nuts and dried fruit mix with your favorite trail mix or roasted nuts for added crunch and flavor.
Use a variety of crackers like water crackers, wheat, or flavored crackers to add texture variety.
Try different cheeses such as gouda or Swiss to personalize your cups.
For a vegetarian option, replace meats with marinated vegetables or additional cheese varieties.

Storage

Store the assembled charcuterie cups covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours before serving. If preparing ahead for a party, keep them chilled on ice during outdoor events to maintain freshness. Add delicate ingredients like apple slices right before serving to avoid discoloration.

How to Serve

The image shows glass cups filled with five visible layers of snacks. The bottom layer consists of light beige pistachios, above them are dark red grapes mixed with bright red raspberries and green olives, followed by folded slices of pinkish-red salami and a small whole green pickle. On top of this, there are thin orange carrot sticks and white pretzels, and the cups are decorated with round white goat cheese, a raspberry on top, a cracker with holes standing up, and a green herb sprig. These cups are placed on a round wooden tray on a white marbled surface, with a bottle of rosé wine and two glasses in the blurred background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare these charcuterie cups a day in advance?

It’s best to prepare and assemble the cups no more than 2 hours ahead to keep the ingredients fresh and prevent crackers from becoming soggy. For longer prep, store components separately and assemble just before serving.

What can I use if I don’t have clear plastic cups?

You can use small glass jars, ramekins, or any small containers you have on hand. Just be sure they hold about 9 ounces and are easy for guests to handle.