Mini Pumpkin Charcuterie Cups for Thanksgiving

Looking for a Thanksgiving appetizer that doubles as a place setting? These mini pumpkin charcuterie cups hold individual portions of salami, cheese, olives, crackers, and a sweet treat. Below, I’ll show you how I assembled mine, including the small opening detail that helps keep the food picks from falling inside.

I wanted an alternative to a shared charcuterie board, so I filled mini pumpkins with individual appetizer portions. Each guest gets their own little assortment, and the pumpkins add a fall touch to the table. My favorite detail is the combination of a savory salami-and-cheese pick with a white chocolate pretzel.

What You Need for Mini Pumpkin Charcuterie Cups

For the version shown in my photos, I used:

• Five mini pumpkins
• Sliced hard salami
• Cheddar cheese, cut into cubes
• Pimento-stuffed green olives
• Crackers
• White chocolate-covered pretzels

You’ll also need a small, sharp knife, a spoon for removing the seeds, and food picks or toothpicks for assembling the salami, cheese, and olives.

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Let’s Make Them Together!

Let me show you how to make your own mini pumpkin charcuteries—your guests will love them!

1. Wash and dry the pumpkins. Rinse the mini pumpkins under running water, scrub the outside with a clean produce brush, and dry them before cutting.
2. Cut a small opening at the top. Carefully remove the top of each pumpkin. Keep the opening small enough to help support the food picks rather than letting them fall into the hollow center.
3. Remove the seeds. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy flesh. Pat the inside dry with a clean paper towel.
4. Assemble the food picks. Thread a folded slice of salami, a cheddar cheese cube, and a green olive onto each pick.
5. Fill the pumpkins. Arrange the crackers inside each pumpkin, position the assembled picks, and add a white chocolate-covered pretzel. Adjust the arrangement so the food is supported and easy for guests to pick up.

My assembly tip: Keep the opening small. A wide opening gives the food picks less support, allowing them to fall into the pumpkin. Start with a smaller opening and check the fit before removing more of the top.

And that’s it! Easy peasy, right? These mini pumpkin charcuteries are not only simple to make but also incredibly adorable and festive! Your guests will love having their own personal appetizer to snack on while they mingle and wait for the main meal to be served.

These mini pumpkin charcuteries are almost too cute to eat! Seriously, I couldn’t stop smiling when I got done assembling them for my family! They are just so adorable!

I love that these tiny pumpkins can be filled with a variety of charcuterie goodies…and that they are perfectly portioned for each guest! You don’t want everyone filling up on the appetizers before you’re ready to serve your Holiday Ham or Sweet Potato Soufflé!

Ways to Customize Your Pumpkin Cups

I used salami, cheddar, and green olives for the cups pictured here. For a different combination, consider another firm cheese cut into cubes or a different ready-to-eat sliced meat that folds onto a food pick.

Choose crackers that fit your pumpkins, and keep the portions small enough that guests can easily remove each item. Serve dips or spreads separately rather than pouring them into the pumpkin.

• Meats: Cured meats like salami, prosciutto, ham, or chorizo
• Cheeses: A mix of soft, semi-soft, hard, and aged cheeses (e.g., brie, cheddar, gouda)
• Crackers and/or Bread: Crostini, artisan crackers, breadsticks, or slices of baguette
• Fruits: Fresh (grapes, berries, apple slices) or dried (apricots, figs, raisins)
• Nuts: Almonds, pistachios, or candied nuts
• Spreads and Dips: Jams, honey, mustard, or savory spreads like hummus
• Pickles and Olives: Cornichons, marinated olives, or other pickled vegetables
• Garnishes: Fresh herbs, edible flowers, or nuts for visual appeal

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

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