The pandemic sparked a whole slew of food inventions, from pancake cereal to cloud bread to whipped coffee. But our favorite by a mile is jarcuterie, single-serving charcuterie boards packed into cute little jars or containers. Also called graze bouquets, jarcuterie is the socially distant cheese board we didn’t know we needed (no communal tongs or knives here, folks). After seeing countless amazing ideas on TikTok, we were inspired to come up with some of our own, based on flavor combos we love. Here, seven themed jarcuterie ideas that are too delicious (and Insta-worthy) not to try.
7 Jarcuterie Ideas That Are Too Epic (and Adorable) Not to Try
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Published Feb 17, 2021
Kaitlyn Collins
1. The Jalapeño Popper
For those who like it hot. It’s no surprise this appetizer is a timeless favorite: Cream cheese is just the cool, rich match for spicy jalapeños. With this recipe, you can indulge in the classic combo without all the messy frying.
Instructions
Fry a few slices of bacon. While they cook, combine cream cheese, shredded cheddar and diced jalapeño in a bowl. Stir until evenly combined. Pat the bacon slices dry and crumble them. Take a small spoonful of the cream cheese mixture, wet your (washed!) hands with a bit of water and roll it into a small ball. Roll the ball in the bacon bits and stick them with toothpicks, repeating until you’ve used all the cream cheese. Take your jar and add a layer of jalapeño kettle-cooked potato chips to the bottom. Fill the rest of the jar with seeded crackers, cubed cheddar cheese and the cream cheese balls.
Kaitlyn Collins
2. The Italian Deli
When it comes to cheese boards, prosciutto is that b**** for a reason. It’s sweet, salty and goes beautifully with soft and hard cheeses alike. Here, we pair it with Italian cheeses and other antipasto favorites.
Instructions
Slice provolone and pecorino Romano however you’d like (cubes, slices, triangles—you name it). Take a few slices of prosciutto and roll each one into a cylinder-like shape so it can stand up straight in the jar. Skewer pepperoncini and roasted red peppers on toothpicks. Fill the bottom of the jar with pieces of crusty Italian bread (or prop a piece on the rim of the jar). Fill in the rest of the jar with the skewered ingredients and cheese.
Kaitlyn Collins
3. The Taco Tuesday
If you really want to wow your guests, look no further than this Mexican-inspired number that boasts tiny versions of your favorite handhelds. Fair warning: You just might want to make a double batch, because odds are everyone will want seconds.
Instructions
Start by making or buying a batch of mini empanadas (we’re partial to our recipe for beef empanadas). While they bake, fill the bottom of the jar with tortilla chips. Then, take either a cut piece of a full-size corncob or a few baby corn cobs and grill them. (You can also just lightly brown them in a grill pan or skillet on the stove.) Roll them in queso fresco crumbles and top them with cilantro, spices like chile powder or Tajín and a spritz of lime, and skewer them to create a mini elote. Top the tortilla chips with fresh pico de gallo, guacamole and queso fresco. Finally, prop the empanada and corn skewers up in the jar.
Kaitlyn Collins
4. The Pizza Night
Your kids will be psyched to see their favorite dinner’s latest glow-up. Think of this jarcuterie as a deconstructed pizza, plus a few bonus snacks.
Instructions
Place a small cup of warm marinara or pesto at the bottom of each jar for dipping. Make or buy a few mini garlic knots (we love these garlic “nots” that are stuffed with gooey mozzarella) and skewer them. Make a few bocconcini (aka fresh pearl mozzarella) skewers as well. Stand the skewers up in the jar alongside mozzarella cheese sticks, pepperoni sticks and thin, crispy breadsticks.
Kaitlyn Collins
5. The Greek
Admit it: We *know* you have a block of feta in your fridge at all times nowadays, thanks to TikTok’s viral baked feta pasta. Dress it up with other Mediterranean favorites for a portable charcuterie that doubles as dinner.
Instructions
Fill a small cup with tzatziki and place it at the bottom of the jar for dipping. Make a batch of Greek lemon chicken or gyro meat skewers. Slice a slab of feta, as well as some thin, long cucumber sticks. Stand the skewers, cheese and cucumber up vertically in the jar, along with pitted kalamata olives stacked on toothpicks. Toast some pita points, spread them with hummus and nestle them in the jar, or cut a slit in each and stick them on the jar’s rim.
Kaitlyn Collins
6. The Brunch
Psst: We know what you’re cooking Sunday morning. This recipe calls on a handful of breakfast essentials and assembles them in a fun way that’s impressive enough to serve to company. (Pro tip: Keep the cooked waffles/French toast sticks and scrambled eggs on a baking sheet in a 200-degree oven until you’re ready to assemble and serve, so they don’t get cold.)
Instructions
Whip up a batch of French toast sticks or cinnamon-sugar waffle quarters (or buy the premade, frozen kind—we won’t tell!). Stand them up in the jar, with or without skewers. Make scrambled eggs with shredded cheddar and put a layer at the bottom of the jar. Fry a few slices of bacon; while they cook, assemble fruit kebabs with produce of your choice. Skewer or stand the bacon up in the jar alongside the fruit. If you’re feeling extra, finish it off with a skewered mini biscuit (feel free to spread butter or honey on it, too).
Kaitlyn Collins
7. The Candy Land
Our favorite thing about charcuterie (and consequently, jarcuterie)? Cheese and meat don’t need to be included. You can go ham with just about any ingredients you can think of, from a pancake board to chocolate charcuterie. This dessert alternative is all about sweets. Might we suggest whipping these up before an epic movie marathon?
Instructions
Add a layer of yogurt- or chocolate-covered pretzels to the bottom of the jar. Next, add a layer of chocolate truffles or fun-sized chocolates. Cut up a few Rice Krispie Treats (feel free to use shaped cookie-cutters instead of just slicing them) and skewer them. Fold up a few Sour Strips or gummies and stick a skewer through them. Position all the skewers in the jar and fill the rest of the space with rock candy and lollipops.
