Individual Charcuterie Boxes
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Individual Charcuterie Boxes (also known as grazing boxes) are loaded with sweet and savory treats that make great gifts for any occasion! Fill your mini grazing box with a variety of nuts, cheeses, fruits and chocolate...and watch the smiles appear!
Jump To
- The Perfect Snack!
- What are Individual Charcuterie Boxes?
- What Goes In a Charcuterie Box?
- Where to Find Supplies
- How Much Do Charcuterie Boxes Cost?
- Can They Be Made Ahead?
- How to Assemble Mini Charcuterie Boxes
- How to Create Charcuterie Boxes in Bulk
- How to Package and Store Boxes
- Recipe FAQs
- Charcuterie Box Recipes
- Valentine's Day Charcuterie Boxes
- Recipe Card
- Reviews
The Perfect Snack!
- great alternative to chips and dip
- fun twist on a cheese gift basket
- easiest way to gather snacks for a picnic or hike
- great options for gifts on special occasions
- guaranteed to make someone's day!
What are Individual Charcuterie Boxes?
If you've ever made large charcuterie boards, these mini grazing boxes are a smaller version that include tiny appetizers and desserts.
Anything you would add to a traditional charcuterie board works perfectly in a grazing box. They're portable and ready to pop in a bag or backpack to go on a fun adventure!
Mini charcuterie boxes are easy to put together and so much fun to make! Take them along on your next picnic, or wrap one up for date night with a nice bottle of wine. They also make perfect lunch boxes for special days!
Include a variety of cheeses and fresh fruit, or add your favorite cold cut and edible flowers to personalize them however you like. They're guaranteed to be a big hit at your next holiday party!
A charcuterie gift box is the perfect treat for girl's night, birthday parties, or spa day. They make great gifts at special events and are a big hit at bridal brunches, corporate events and Valentine's Day. They're awesome teacher gifts too!
What Goes In a Charcuterie Box?
Start with the freshest ingredients you can find. Choose from a variety of hard cheese (cheddar, cheshire, derby) and soft cheese (feta, brie, camembert, boursin). Sprinkle in a few dried fruits and nuts. Add some local honey and a dipper. The sky is the limit!
I like to divide DIY charcuterie boxes into savory or sweet themes, but you can also mix them up if you want a taste of everything in one box. I recommend you order larger boxes (9 x 9) if you're planning to combine both sweet and savory items for two people.
Savory
- pita crackers
- hummus with olive oil drizzle
- cheese sticks or wafers
- carrot sticks, spicy pickles
- salami roses, cured meats
- crostini or gluten free crackers
- pistachios, cashews, almonds
- kalamata and green olives
- cheddar wedges
- feta cheese slices or crumbles
- goat cheese log
- thin and crispy pretzels
Sweet
- seedless grapes
- coconut almonds
- chili dipped dried pineapple
- chocolate brownies
- toffee with nuts
- dried figs, cherries or apricots
- fresh berries, kiwi, mandarins
- lemon wafers
- coconut macaroons
- honey jar or jam with dipper
- chocolate covered strawberries
- truffles, candy, mints, cookies
Where to Find Supplies
- You can find disposable charcuterie boxes with lids on Amazon or at your local craft store. They have many different types of kraft boxes in all shapes and sizes. Or, you can purchase divided bento boxes. (ad)
- I like to use a 5 inch kraft box with a strong plastic lid that's see-through because it makes a great presentation. It's also food grade, which is essential when adding cheese and olives.
- Find the food you need for grazing boxes at stores like Trader Joes, Aldi, or your local supermarket. Aldi has lots of options for individual servings (like hummus, specialty cheeses, dips and guacamole).
- Order mini jars, jute twine, floral labels and honey dippers on Amazon. (ad) You can purchase a honey jar kit that comes with bee charms and twine like you see in the photos!
How Much Do Charcuterie Boxes Cost?
The more items you add to a grazing box, the more expensive it will be. However, you can keep the cost low by purchasing items from Aldi or Trader Joe's instead of specialty stores. You can also make many of the items yourself and save money by baking from scratch.
I've made DIY charcuterie boxes for as low as $5 each and as high as $20. If you order premade grazing boxes online, they run anywhere from $30 to $100 depending on the size and what's inside.
Can They Be Made Ahead?
The best part about mini charcuterie boxes is they can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, the crackers and bread products must be added at the last minute or they'll become stale and soggy. Some nuts will also get sticky when refrigerated.
If you're making these ahead, leave plenty of time to add crackers and tie the boxes before leaving for your destination.
How to Assemble Mini Charcuterie Boxes
- Gather all of your ingredients, boxes and supplies. Line them up side by side.
- If including honey, prep the jars by using a funnel to pour the honey in the jars. Wipe clean with a wet cloth and close lid tightly.
- Start at the left corner and line up the straight edged items (like crackers and cookies) down the left side of each box.
- Continue adding other foods until the left side is filled, then begin at the top right and work your way down until the entire box is complete. Fill in any empty spots with nuts or dried fruit.
- Add a honey dipper or sprig of fresh rosemary for decoration.
- Put lid on box and tie it up!
Another option is to place a large item (like a honey jar) in the bottom of the box and work your way around it. There's no right or wrong way to arrange the items...the more random the better!
How to Create Charcuterie Boxes in Bulk
When working in big batches, it's easier to start with a sample box and copy as you go. Always place the largest item (like a hummus cup) in the box and work around it. Then start at top left edge and work your way down and around.
Repeat the same process in order for each grazing box. Use smaller items (like nuts and olives) to fill in the gaps and spaces.
How to Package and Store Boxes
Once you've finished the design process and all of the food is in place, it's time to wrap it up and make it a to-go container!
Simply secure the lid, then tie jute or bakers twine around the box. Add a charm if you like, and tie a bow. You can also find thank you stickers or a variety of stickers with many different sayings.(ad)
Use immediately, give as gifts, or store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Remember to add crackers or bread products at the last minute so they won't get soggy.
Recipe FAQs
The small boxes you see here are 5 x 5 and serve one person. Larger boxes that are 9 x 9 inches will serve two people easily.
The jars are purchased empty and honey or jam is added from a larger container. I used sourwood honey that was made by a local farmer and filled up the little jars with a funnel.
Individual hummus containers can be purchased at Aldi. They come with their own lid, or you can take the lid off and add olive oil and spices on top. If you'd like to make your own hummus or use another type of dip, you can order plastic containers here. (ad)
Charcuterie Box Recipes
Looking for more ideas that you can make yourself? These recipes make the perfect grazing box stuffers!
Valentine's Day Charcuterie Boxes
Since Valentine's Day is one of the biggest 'date nights' of the year, here are a few ideas on how you can create a Mini Valentine's Day Charcuterie Box for your sweetie or 'Galentine'!
You can find all of the Valentine's Day goodies you see in these photos at your local Aldi store. Sometimes you have to look on the end caps of the aisles to find holiday content, and it's a good idea to shop 2 weeks in advance for the best selection.
The red heart is made of a delicious cheddar cheese, so add lots of crackers, nuts and chocolate hearts to that box. You could even place a small cheese knife inside if desired.
In the other charcuterie box, there are two sugar cookies, and a small log of goat cheese rolled in cranberries and cinnamon. Nuts, crackers and cheese make great fill-ins when you need to close the gaps with something yummy!
Both of these mini charcuterie boxes go great with a nice glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. 🙂 Enjoy!
Recipe Card
Individual Charcuterie Boxes
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Equipment
- charms (optional)
Ingredients
Savory (makes 6 boxes)
- 8 ounce wheel white cheddar cheese (sliced in 6 wedges)
- 8 ounce block feta cheese (sliced)
- 8 ounces crackers (any type)
- 4 ounces cheese wafers
- 8 ounces almonds (any type)
- 8 ounces olives (any type)
- 2 cups baby carrots
- 6 each individual hummus containers (find at Aldi)
- 8 ounces pistachios
- 8 ounces dried fruit (figs, cherries, apricots, etc.)
Sweet (makes 6 boxes)
- 6 each honey jars (filled with honey)
- 6 each honey dippers
- 6 each coconut macaroons (or other cookie)
- 36 each lemon wafers
- 24 each thin pretzel chips
- 6 pieces toffee
- 6 pieces brownies
- 6 ounces chile spiced pineapple
- 6 ounces coconut almonds
- 2 cups seedless grapes
- ½ cup blackberries
Instructions
- Gather all of your ingredients, boxes and supplies. Line them up side by side.
- If including honey, prep the jars by using a funnel to pour the honey in the jars. Wipe clean with a wet cloth and close lid tightly.
- Place the largest item in the box first and work around it. (like honey or hummus).
- Start at the left corner and line up the straight edged items (like crackers and cookies) down the left side of each box.
- Continue adding other foods until the left side is filled, then begin at the top right and work your way down until the entire box is complete. Fill in any empty spots with nuts or dried fruit.
- Add a honey dipper or sprig of fresh rosemary for decoration. See photos in recipe post for more ideas.
- Put lid on box and tie it up with twine! Add a charm if you like, or garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary.
Notes
- Ingredients will make 6 savory and 6 sweet 5 x 5 inch charcuterie boxes for a total of 12.
- See recipe notes on where to find supplies and individual boxes, as well as tips and pics.
- Make any substitutions you wish.
- You may have some food items left over. Feel free to assemble more boxes or use the extras for snacks.
- Each box serves 1 person. Larger boxes serve more.
- Boxes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, do not add crackers or bread products until ready to serve or they will get soggy in the fridge.
- View the Google Web Story for Individual Charcuterie Boxes!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
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Hey Debi! I love these!! I can't wait to find a reason to make them. These would be a fun treat for everyone on the beach for "happy hour"! Portable and easy clean up. So pretty and yummy.
Those are great ideas Susan! So good to hear from you! 🙂
Oh how cute! I love these little boxes! What a great idea for a baby shower!
Yes, and they are great for Valentine's Day and bridal showers too!