• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Grits and Gouda
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Meats and Mains
    • Breakfast Brunch Brinner
    • Veggies and Sides
    • Desserts and Cakes
    • Cookies and Candy
    • Shortcut Cooking
    • Lighten Up
    • Canning and Condiments
    • Wild Game
    • Salads & Slaws
  • About
    • About
    • Community
  • Work With Me
  • Cooking Classes
  • Shop
    • AMAZON
    • Cookbook
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Cooking Classes & Holiday Cooking Show
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home > Food > Jarcuterie (Charcuterie Board in a Jar)

    Jarcuterie (Charcuterie Board in a Jar)

    November 25, 2020 by gritsandgouda 2 Comments

    Share
    Pin
    Tweet
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See full disclosure.
    Jump to Recipe

    Jarcuterie is a play on the words charcuterie board. All the sweet and salty party snacks that are arranged on a charcuterie board are artfully stacked in a small Mason jar to create individual charcuterie servings. These charcuterie jars eliminate guests touching spreaders and serving utensils of a communal board and perfect for portion control.

    Small Mason jar filled with charcuterie snacks

    What is a charcuterie board?

    A charcuterie board is a collection of cured meats, cheeses, nuts, olives, dipping sauces, fruit, and crackers typically served on a wooden board or platter.

    The word charcuterie is derived from a French term "chair-cuit" that in short, means "cooked meat". It also refers to a place that sells cured meats.

    It is pronounced "shahr-ku-tuh-ree".

    What is cupcuterie?

    Once you've caught on to the term "jarcuterie" as a fun, creative alternative to a charcuterie board it is easy to use your imagination with names. These same cured meats, fruit, cheeses, etc. can be arranged in a clear plastic punch cup, tea cup, or small cup of any kind.

    What do I use to make jarcuterie?

    The exact same items you would use to build a charcuterie board can be arranged in a 4 ounce Mason or Ball jar to make jarcuterie. There's no limit to what you can add to the jar. Start with what is already in your fridge and pantry and make a list of what to add from there.

    Here's a list of examples to use in a jarcuterie appetizer divided in 6 categories: Meats, Cheese, Fruits & Vegetables, Nuts & Seeds, and Crackers & Bread, Pickles & Spreads

    • Meats: Genoa salami, Capicola, Prosciutto wrapped around string cheese, pepperoni, homemade venison jerkey (my family favorite), cubed ham, crisp bacon
    • Cheese: Gouda wedges, Cheddar slices, large shreds of Parmesan or Asiago, blue cheese wedges, large feta crumbles, goat cheese slices, Pepper Jack, Mozzarella pearls, string cheese
    • Fruits & Vegetables: Grapes, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, persimmons, blueberries, pomegranate seeds, fresh and dried figs, fresh and dried apricots, dried cranberries, raisins, mandarin oranges, carrot sticks, celery sticks, grape tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, fresh herbs for garnish, cucumber slices, radishes, Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts
    • Nuts & Seeds: Toasted pecans, honey-roasted Alabama peanuts, pistachios, chocolate-covered almonds, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), sunflower seeds
    • Crackers & Bread (Cookies): Grissini thin breadsticks, pretzels, chocolate-covered pretzels, honey wheat braided pretzels, crostini, bruschetta, baguette slices, cookies, Pocky biscuit sticks, buttery crackers, water crackers, rosemary crackers, woven wheat crackers, gluten-free crackers, pita bread wedges, cheese straws
    • Pickles & Spreads: Gherkins, Shortcut Sweet Heat Pickles, Cinnamon Candy Christmas Pickles, green olives, Kalamata olives, black olives, pickled vegetables (Giardiniera), pickled beets, hot pickled okra, Pimiento Cheese with Fire Roasted Peppers, hummus, Ranch dressing, Tzatziki dip, fig jam, Red and Green Freezer Pepper Jelly, honey

    How do I arrange or stack jarcuterie?

    Blackberry, blueberries, and pickled okra on skewers in a tiny jar; salami, prosciutto and cheese in the jar

    Arrange items in the 4 ounce jars in this order so they will stack easily.

    • Smaller items like nuts, seeds and small grapes can be place in the bottom.
    • Spreads and jams can also be placed in the bottom especially if crackers or vegetables are added for dipping.
    • Fold cold cuts like salami in so it creates a fan and place in the jar.
    • Wrap thin meats like prosciutto around string cheese and place in the back of the jar because those are taller.
    • Thread berries and small items like olives and mandarin oranges on plain or decorative skewers.
    • Add taller items like Grissini breadsticks, Pocky biscuit sticks, and skewers of fruit in the back so the shorter items will not be hidden in the front.
    • Then, fill in any gaps with smaller items like nuts, cubes of cheese, and blueberries that are not skewered.

    How can I make a cheap jarcuterie?

    I'm all about being a good steward of my money even during the holidays! Here are some of my best tips for creating inexpensive, frugal jarcuterie.

    • Visit the snack section of the Dollar Tree for nuts, seeds, crackers, thin breadsticks, olives, and chocolate-covered pretzels.
    • Buy small amounts of anything. No need to buy in bulk. The jars are small and will fill up with just a few items.
    • Check your pantry and fridge before making your shopping list. You will be surprised at how many items you already have.
    • Use clear plastic punch cups and call it cupcuterie!
    • Check your thrift store and online marketplaces for little Mason jars or ask your family and friends if they have some.
    • Buy red party picks and skewers after Valentines Day when they are on clearance to use for Christmas. Red is red, no matter the holiday.
    • Plan ahead and buy cold cuts and cheese when they go on sale.
    • Cut blocks of cheese into cubes instead of buy pricey pre-cut cubed cheese.

    Can jarcuterie be made ahead of time?

    Yes. You can make jarcuterie ahead all the way or in steps.

    • Skewer several items
    • Fold salami
    • Wrap string cheese with prosciutto
    • Cube cheese
    • Wash fruit ahead of time
    • Store the items in groupings in airtight plastic containers. Then, assemble the jars a few hours before serving them.

    The jars can also be completely assembled ahead (minus crackers and breadsticks that might get soggy). Place the jars on a tray or baking sheet that will fit in your fridge. Wrap the entire tray and jars in plastic wrap to keep everything fresh. Slip in the crackers and breadsticks right before serving.

    hand holding a tiny jar of charcuterie items

    Other party food recipes you will love

    • Bacon-Wrapped Dove Jalapeno Poppers
    • Bacon Tomato Dip
    • 3 Ingredient Cinnamon Sugar Toasted Pecans
    • Cranberry Apple Jalapeno Salsa with Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips

    If you make this recipe I'd love to see it! Tag me on social media with #gritsandgouda or @gritsandgouda. Leave a comment below the printable recipe if you have questions or tell me how you liked the recipe. Don't forget to give the recipe a rating of 5 stars if you love it!

    Pin for later

    Pinterest pin for jar of charcuterie snacks; blackberry, salami, skewered pickled okra, cheese
    Small Mason jar filled with charcuterie snacks
    Print Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Jarcuterie (Charcuterie in a Jar)

    Jarcuterie is a play on the words charcuterie board. All the sweet and salty party snacks that are arranged on a charcuterie board are artfully stacked in a small Mason jar to create individual charcuterie servings.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Servings: 8 servings
    Author: Kathleen Phillips | GritsAndGouda.com
    Cost: 8
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Eight 4-oz Mason jars

    Ingredients

    • 8 pieces Meats such as: Genoa salami, Capicola, Prosciutto wrapped around string cheese, pepperoni, homemade venison jerkey (my family favorite), cubed ham, crisp bacon
    • 8 cubes, slices, or wedges Cheese such as: Gouda wedges, Cheddar slices, large shreds of Parmesan or Asiago, blue cheese wedges, large feta crumbles, goat cheese slices, Pepper Jack, Mozzarella pearls, string cheese
    • 8 Fruits & Vegetables such as: Grapes, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, persimmons, blueberries, pomegranate seeds, fresh and dried figs, fresh and dried apricots, dried cranberries, raisins, mandarin oranges, carrot sticks, celery sticks, grape tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, fresh herbs for garnish, cucumber slices, radishes
    • 8 Nuts & Seeds such as: honey-roasted peanuts, toasted pecans, pistachios, chocolate-covered almonds, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), sunflower seeds
    • 8 Crackers &; Bread(Cookies) such as: Grissini thin breadsticks, pretzels, chocolate-covered pretzels, honey wheat braided pretzels, crostini, bruschetta, baguette slices, cookies, Pocky biscuit sticks, buttery crackers, water crackers, rosemary crackers, woven wheat crackers, gluten-free crackers, pita bread wedges, cheese straws
    • 8 Pickles & Spreads such as: Gherkins, pickles, pickled okra, pimiento cheese, hummus, fig jam, pepper jelly, Ranch dressing

    Instructions

    • Smaller items like nuts, seeds and small grapes can be place in the bottom.
    • Spreads and jams can also be placed in the bottom especially if crackers or vegetables are added for dipping.
    • Fold cold cuts like salami in so it creates a fan and place in the jar. Wrap thin meats like prosciutto around string cheese and place in the back of the jar because those are taller.
    • Thread berries and small items like olives and mandarin oranges on plain or decorative skewers. Add taller items like Grissini breadsticks, Pocky biscuit sticks, and skewers of fruit in the back so the shorter items will not be hidden in the front.
    • Fill in any gaps with smaller items like nuts, cubes of cheese, and blueberries that are not skewered.
    Did you make this recipe?If you love it, share it! Tag me on Instagram @gritsandgouda using #gritsandgouda Comment below before you go!

    More Food

    • White sheet cake with butter pecan icing in sheet pan with square cut out.
      White Texas Sheet Cake (with Cake Mix)
    • Close up image of crostini topped with cream cheese and instant pot bacon jam on a white platter
      Instant Pot Bacon Jam
    • Oreo truffle balls coated in white chocolate with green sprinkles. Stack of green Oreos in back and bite out of one in front.
      Oreo Mint Truffles
    • Serving of chicken cornbread dressing on plate with broccoli and salad.
      Crockpot Chicken and Dressing

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carolyn Bishop

      January 17, 2023 at 10:10 pm

      5 stars
      I did this tonight for my Bunco group. It was a big hit! Everyone loved it. And my husband put them together.

      Reply
      • gritsandgouda

        January 18, 2023 at 7:36 am

        What a perfect treat for a Bunko game! How nice that was of your husband to make them. He's a keeper!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi y'all! I’m Kathleen. I share Southern shortcut recipes! I’m a food stylist, cookbook author, and former test kitchen director in Alabama. I take traditional Southern recipes you know and love (and a few new ones) and make them with shortcuts so you can enjoy them faster.

    More about me →

    • Mail
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Popular Recipes

    • Rectangle white plate of red and green oreo shortbread cookies.
      Cookies and Cream Shortbread Cookies
    • Stack of blonde brownies on brown paper.
      Blonde Brownies with Cheaters Caramel Icing
    • Close up of creamy chicken fettuccine mixture sprinkled with bacon and parsley.
      Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Alfredo
    • Yellow Squash Casserole with Scoop out on right in a gray dish.
      Easy Yellow Squash Casserole

    More Popular Recipes →

    Footer

    Hi y'all! I’m Kathleen. I share Southern shortcut recipes! I’m a food stylist, cookbook author, and former test kitchen director in Alabama. I take traditional Southern recipes you know and love (and a few new ones) and make them with shortcuts so you can enjoy them faster.

    Copyright © 2023 Grits and Gouda · Privacy Policy