Charcuterie Skewers

These easy Charcuterie Skewers are a fun and flavorful twist on the classic charcuterie board trend without all the effort of putting that big board together! These mini skewers are packed with savory meat and cheese for a delicious and simple appetizer for game day, bridal showers, BBQs or picnics.

I love charcuterie boards – eating them, that is, not putting them together. Until now. These Charcuterie Skewers are so much easier than planning and putting together a whole charcuterie board. Plus, cleaning up and dealing with leftovers is a breeze.

These are great when you want to serve a big crowd with minimal effort. I mean, who doesn’t love the combination of savory meats and salty cheese and sweet fruits? And these simple skewers come together so, so quickly. You can even make them the day ahead and chill – both you and the skewers – until ready to serve.

Why You’ll Love Charcuterie Board Skewers

• Delicious – These are so tasty! Savory meats and creamy cheeses are a wonderful combination.
• Quick – These come together quickly and there is minimal mess. You can even easily prep ahead and customize easily.
• Party Ready – Great when you want to serve a crowd with minimal effort, and they are the perfect skewer appetizers for holidays any time of year!

Ingredients for Charcuterie Appetizer Skewers

These are my go-to ingredients. But I’ve included a plethora of possibilities in the section below as well!

• Sliced salami – My favorite, but see below for other meat options
• Cheeses – I like mozzarella balls, cheddar cubes, gouda, brie bites
• Gherkin pickles – sliced to large bite size pieces
• Grapes – red or green, but make sure they are seedless
• Cherry tomatoes – grape tomatoes can also be used

Equipment Needed To Make Charcuterie Skewers

• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Serving skewers – I usually use these appetizer skewers, but for game day, I like these football skewers.

Substitutions & Alterations

• You can sub or add prosciutto, capicola, pepperoni, etc for the meats.
• You can use cubed feta, goat cheese, or any cubed cheese.
• Try some baked marinated tofu for a vegetarian/vegan option.
• Add sweet bell peppers or pepperoncini for more vegetable options.
• If you prefer salty to sweet, use pitted olives along with or in place of some of the grapes.
• You can also add hulled strawberries or melon balls into the skewer rotation.
• Strain a jar of giardiniera and alternate the various vegetables.
• Dried or fresh figs or dates are also an excellent addition to these skewers for a touch of sweetness.

How to Make Charcuterie Skewers

This process is actually so much easier than designing and preparing a whole board!

Step 1 – Cube the cheese, if needed, and prepare the rest of the ingredients. Start the skewer with a cube of cheese.

Step 2 – Continue to fill the skewer, alternating ingredients for color and complementary flavors. Serve chilled.

Time Saving Tips & Tricks

• Skewers can be assembled 24 hours in advance.
• Be sure to serve these chilled so they stay firm and fresh.
• Take the time to fold the meats for volume and flair. See photos for inspiration.
• Don’t overload the skewers. 5–6 items is ideal. You can vary the types of skewers so guests get a wide selection.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Leftover individual ingredients can be stored separately.

How to Serve Charcuterie Appetizer Skewers

Arrange the prepared skewers on a platter or use a skewer holder. Serve with a dip or mustard, honey or jam drizzle on the side. You can also serve these with crackers or breadsticks.

If you love these charcuterie skewers, be sure to check out my Jarcuterie Cups for a fun and portable way to serve individual charcuterie in small jars. 

For a heartier twist, my Antipasto Bites are packed with bold Italian flavors like marinated mozzarella, salami, olives, and roasted peppers. Both are great options to mix and match with these skewers for a beautiful and balanced party spread!

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

You can store leftover ingredients separately in storage bags or airtight containers..

More Appetizer Recipes

• Mini Caprese Skewers
• Tater Tot Appetizer – in process
• Ranch Cheese Ball
• Marinara Meatballs

If you are not yet subscribing to my CELEBRATE THE SEASON newsletter, you can subscribe here. I share easy recipes for the season that the entire family is sure to love and also a few things that I don’t share here.