If you’re hosting Thanksgiving or any fall gathering, Thanksgiving Charcuterie Cups are the easiest way to look like you went all out, without actually going all out.
Instead of arranging a giant charcuterie board (and constantly reshuffling it as people snack), each guest gets their own grab-and-go cup filled with delicious bites.
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Cups are:
- Beautiful and eye-catching
- Easy to prep ahead
- Portable for effortless snacking
- Flexible for different tastes and budgets
Whether you’re hosting Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving dinner, a neighborhood gathering, or a fall party, these cups make entertaining easier and delicious.
Plus, they are perfect for busy hosts who want an impressive appetizer without spending hours in the kitchen.
These charcuterie cups were a crowd favorite at our fall party. Guests were lining up for seconds!
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Why You’ll Love These Charcuterie Cups
They look fancy with minimal effort – These cups take only minutes to assemble, but they look upscale and make an instant impression on your appetizer table.
No awkward hovering around the food table – Guests can mingle, move, sit, or snack on the couch without needing a plate.
They’re customizable – I’ll share which ingredients I used, but truly, the possibilities are endless. Cater to what your guests will love the most and/or your budget. Mix and match cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, and extras based on taste, your store deals, or holiday theme. This makes them perfect for larger parties and gatherings.
They’re hearty – Want something that actually keeps your guests happy until dinner? These will do it!
Prep-friendly – You can wash, cut, and prep your ingredients ahead of time and assemble your cups a couple of hours before your party. Store them in the fridge until party time.
Pro Tip: Don’t make them more than three hours in advance. Meat and cheese can dry out, and crackers will lose their crunch.
Ingredients For These Fall Charcuterie Cups
Here’s what went into the Thanksgiving/fall-themed charcuterie cups shown:
Everything is bite-sized, easy to eat, and visually appealing. Perfect for Thanksgiving hosting!
Note: When choosing your ingredients, you’ll want color, flavor, shape, and height differences.
More Charcuterie Cup Ingredients Ideas
Choose a mix of:
Holders
Cheeses
- Cheddar
- Havarti
- Gouda
- Gruyère
- Colby
- Pepper jack
- Brie wedges
Meats
- Salami
- Pepperoni
- Summer sausage
- Prosciutto
- Turkey bites (fun Thanksgiving twist!)
Fruits
- Grapes
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Apple slices (toss in lemon to prevent browning)
Savory Add-Ons
- Marinated olives
- Gherkins
- Pickled veggies
- Peppers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber slices
Crunchy Fillers
- Mixed nuts
- Pretzels
- Crackers
- Breadsticks
- Seasoned snack mix
Fun Holiday Extras
- Mini caramel squares
- Chocolate squares
- Candied pecans
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sprigs of rosemary or thyme
How to Assemble These Fun Thanksgiving Charcuterie Cups
1. First, prep your ingredients. Chop cheese, fold meat slices, wash fruits, and dry olives or marinated items so they don’t drip.
2. Start with a base layer. Add nuts, grapes, or snack mix to fill space and help cocktail picks stand upright.
3. Add 1–2 cocktail picks to each cup, stacked with meats, cheeses, and fruit for easy snacking.
4. Fill in the gaps. Tuck in olives, berries, crackers, and crunchy fillers.
5. Finish with flair. A rosemary sprig, mini cookie, or piece of chocolate adds a sweet component.
Related: Thanksgiving Charcuterie Boards
Time-Saving Tips For Busy Hosts
- Prep ingredients the day before. Store everything in airtight containers so assembly is quick on party day.
- Use store-bought shortcuts. Pre-cut cheese cubes, pre-sliced meats, or olive snack packs save tons of time.
- Make an assembly line. Lay out all your ingredients and fill cups in batches. This definitely makes it go faster!
Budget-Friendly Tips
A few small tricks can help keep costs down:
- Use what you already have like leftover cheese, berries, crackers, nuts. This is the perfect way to use them up.
- Cheese and meat are the most expensive ingredients. So go heavy on fruits and crunch.
Bulk stores, Aldi (my favorite!), and store brands are also great if you’re serving a crowd.
Related: FREE Thanksgiving Menu Template
What’s Next?
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Don’t forget to save these popular Thanksgiving charcuterie cups on Pinterest for Later!
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