The Easiest 15 Minute Appetizer – 2025 Charcuterie – Quick & Easy Appetizers

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Updated for 2025: Looking for even more easy appetizers for holiday parties or last-minute guests? This 15-minute charcuterie board has become my go-to in 2025 for stress-free entertaining—plus, I’ve added some new tips and photos to help you create your own.

2025 holiday easy appetizer idea with text

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Looking for easy appetizers you can pull together in 15 minutes or less? This effortless charcuterie board is your go-to solution for last-minute guests, holiday parties, or casual weekends at home. By using pre-cut meats and cheeses, you’ll skip the fuss without sacrificing flavor or presentation. Just grab a wooden board, open a few packages, and start assembling—no cooking required. It’s the ultimate shortcut to a beautiful, crowd-pleasing appetizer that looks way more impressive than the time it takes to make.

finished make ahead appetizer for parties
One of my favorite easy appetizers for a last-minute party!

I know you’re thinking that a meat & cheese tray is so boring, but I promise, you can make something really impressive– without a lot of effort.

The best part? You stack everything together, and it looks perfect– you’ll have fun because it doesn’t need to be perfect, and you can pick out what works best for your family! Before you can start building your fancy meat & cheese tray, you need to decide on some great ingredients for your tray.

Are you drooling yet?

ingredients for a quick easy appetizer idea

How to Build the Easiest 15 Minute Charcuterie

First, sit down and create a simple game plan before heading to the grocery store.  The main components for a charcuterie are:

  • Meat (2-4 options)
  • Cheese (2-4 options)
  • Crackers & Bread (1-3 total options)
  • Salty (1 option)
  • Sweet (1 option)
  • Fruit (1-2 options)
  • Garnish Accent (Completely Optional, I used Rosemary and it was perfect!)

close up of pre-cut cheeses for an easy appetizer

The Charcuterie Meat

Here I promised you a shortcut— I used the Charcuterie Sampler from Columbus Craft Meats. It came with 4 meat options, already pre-cut. I loved having that convenience! In addition the sampler, I included Prosciutto and Salami Paninos. To save yourself the most amount of time, find pre-cut meat and buy a small amount of each!

The Charcuterie Cheese

Some may say cheese is the most crucial part of the tray, but I half-disagree! I think meat, cheese, and crackers are equally important. 🙂 For cheese, you’ll read rules of buying certain types. But I’d recommend buying what your family likes. For us, I like to play it safe with 2-3 well-loved cheeses and add in a new one for tasting. If you have a local grocery store that sells the end of wedges, you can pick up a few fun pieces for cheap. For this charcuterie, I used a pre-cut Sharp Cheddar & Swiss (the well-loved), along with a Brie wheel, and a log of soft, blueberry goat cheese.

The Crackers & Bread

For this tray, you can cut up a baguette or go the easy route– simply use crackers. I used 2 different types of crackers for our tray. (Double check what you have in your pantry before grocery shopping!)

looking at honey and meat and cheese board

The Charcuterie Sweet

If there is one thing I didn’t realize about charcuteries, it’s that they always include a sweet. I found this out at our first winery tour, and I’ve been hooked ever since. You could used a few pieces of chocolate. In these photos, I used chocolate nuggets, and in the original post photos, I used thin chocolate-covered pretzels.

The Charcuterie Fruit

To keep it simple, use pre-washed blueberries, grapes, or strawberries! If you’re feeling adventurous, you could add a pomegranate.

An Accent

In 2 tiny bowls, I added green olives. While I’m not a personal fan of olives, I knew they worked well with the cheese & meat. I drained the container and divided the olives into the bowls. I nested the bowls into open board spaces that looked like they could fit just one more item. 🙂

This is entirely optional, but adds that extra special touch and involves almost no additional time! I bought a plastic case of fresh Rosemary at the store. I placed it around the tray and it gave a wonderful aroma, looked fancy, and added a great tasting finish to our tray. Now that you’re grocery list is complete, it’s time to start building your charcuterie!

For even more delicious appetizers, you will like these:

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how to build brie charcuterie on wooden board collage
15 minute meat and cheese board being assembled

Why This Is One of the Best Easy Appetizers and How to Build the Charcuterie Board Quickly

  I know that they are supposed to be served on fancy wood platters— but that’s not us. In this case, I used a large baking sheet– and it was perfect! I lined the tray with parchment paper and started building. I’ll walk you through the steps of creating your own 15 minute charcuterie! First, place your cheese in tight piles in opposite corners of your tray. They don’t need to be perfectly aligned. Give yourself room around the cheese (kinda like little islands). Then, place your meat in the biggest open spaces. To make the Columbus Craft Meats prosciutto look extra special, I simply rolled each slice up and laid next to the cheddar cheese. A Simple trick that will make you look like a rock star entertainer!

To save yourself even more time, pick up pre-rolled Italian Dry Salami Paninos. They are already pre-rolled meats with cheese!

Next you add in your crackers and nuts. Keep everything in little mounds. You’re looking for texture rather than perfectly straight lines! 🙂

Next, add in your sweet item to an empty space and a little bit of fruit to lay over some cheese and meat. The last part is adding your favorite olives and any herbs you might have! And that is it! An easy charcuterie is your best secret to having guests over without having to bake a thing! Simply pickup some great quality ingredients, a few oldies but goodies, and one or two new items to try out. Have fun assembling it and know that even if you feel like you’re “doing it wrong,” it will turn out beautifully!

For even more party ideas, you will like these:

close up of meat and cheese appetizer sliced

Tips & Tricks: Save Time with What’s Already in Your Pantry

One of the best parts about building an easy appetizer charcuterie board is that you don’t need to buy everything fresh. Shop your pantry and fridge first before heading to the store.

Here are a few smart swaps and pantry staples that work beautifully:

  • Crackers or Pretzels – Any shape works, even buttery club crackers or tortilla chips.
  • Nuts – Almonds, pecans, pistachios, or mixed nuts add instant crunch.
  • Dried Fruit – Raisins, dried cranberries, or apricots add sweetness and color.
  • Jarred Olives or Pickles – These savory bites balance the board without extra prep.
  • Jam or Honey – Spoon a little into a ramekin for a sweet contrast to salty meats and cheeses.
  • Sweet Treats – A couple cookies, a chocolate bar broken into chunks, or even holiday candies can add a fun twist.

Pro tip: The best charcuterie boards mix textures and flavors, so don’t overthink it. Use what you already have—it’s a great way to save time, reduce waste, and still wow your guests.

serving a no bake appetizer

FAQs About Easy Charcuterie Appetizers

How do I build a charcuterie board quickly?
Start with pre-sliced meats and cheeses, like those from Columbus or pre-packaged from Kroger. Add small bowls of items like olives or nuts, and fill empty spaces with fruit, crackers, or something sweet. It does takes just 15 minutes when you keep it simple.

How much food do I need per person?
Plan for 2-3 ounces of meat and 2 ounces of cheese per guest for an appetizer-sized board. If this is the main course, increase the serving size to 4–5 ounces of meat and cheese per person.

What’s the best board to use?
A wooden cutting board, a round board, or even a baking sheet lined with parchment works great. Don’t stress about a fancy tray—use what you have!

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Do I need to serve the board at room temperature or cold?
Serve it at room temperature. Let meats and cheeses sit out for 15–20 minutes before serving so their textures and flavors shine.

Can I prep this in advance?
Yes! You can arrange most of the board an hour or two before guests arrive. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Just add crackers right before serving so they stay crisp.

easy 15 minute appetizer on board

15 Minute Charcuterie

Yield: 8 People
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

This is the easiest no bake appetizer ever! Use high-quality ingredients for the best-tasting charcuterie. Don't forget to buy pre-made ingredients to save time and use what you have in your pantry to save money!

Ingredients

Cheese & Dips

  • 1 Brie Wheel, Sliced
  • 8 Oz Pre-cut Cheddar Cheese Cubes
  • 8 Oz Pre-cut Cheddar Cheese Cubes
  • 1 Blueberry Goat Cheese Log

Meats

  • 12 Ounces Pack of Salami (folded into roses) and Soppressata slices
  • 6 oz package of pre-rolled Salami & Cheese Paninos
  • 8 Ounces Deli Turkey or Ham (optional)
  • 3 Ounces Prosciutto, folded (optional)

Fruits & Veggies

  • Pickles
  • Olives

Crackers & Bread

  • Round Buttery Crackers
  • Wheat or Herb-Flavored Crackers

Spreads & Extras

  • Fig Jam
  • Sweet Red Jelly
  • Honey

Snacks & Treats

  • Mixed Nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans)
  • Sweet Treats (Chocolate Nuggets, or other sweet treat)
  • Sweet and Salty Extras like Pretzels or Trail Mix (optional)

Garnish

  • Fresh Rosemary or Thyme Sprigs (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Board. Start with a large wooden board, serving tray, or a parchment-lined sheet pan for easy cleanup. Using a pumpkin or fall-themed cookie cutter, press down on top of the brie wheel. Cut along the cutout with a small, sharp knife. Lightly remove the white cheese rind from inside the cutout. Top the cutout opening with fruit jelly. This does not need to be precise since the jelly will cover and level out the empty areas.
  2. Place the Dips & Cheese. Slice the brie wheel and place in the center of your board. You'll top the Brie with meat, so the slices do not need to be precise. Place the goat cheese log opposite the brie. Slice the log. Place any jams that you have in small bowls spaced out on the board.
  3. Arrange the Meats. Place prosciutto or ham on top of the Brie slices. Layer pre-rolled meats in an open space. If you have the time, fold salami and soppressata into loose rosettes or ribbons. Otherwise, loosely pile them on the board. Roll deli turkey or ham slices. Cluster meats around dips.
  4. Add Cheese & Crunch. Pile cubed cheddar cheese and swiss cheese near dips or pickles. Stack crackers in small groups across the board for visual balance. If you run out of space, serve crackers and bread on a separate plate or bowl alongside the charcuterie board.
  5. Layer in Fruit & Pickles. Stack any available fruit in a space and place bowls of olives and pickles in the open spaces.
  6. Fill in the Gaps. Add handfuls of mixed nuts and chocolates. Or your favorite snack to complete the look.
  7. Garnish & Serve. Optional: Add fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs. Serve immediately or cover and chill until ready to enjoy.

Notes

This recipe is scalable for the size of the crowd you are serving! Add in regular favorites of cheese and a few new ones to try. I like to look in the small wedge cheese bins at the grocery store for a new variety without spending too much money.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 674Total Fat: 41gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 138mgSodium: 2099mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 4gSugar: 9gProtein: 41g

sign off keeping it simple, Brittany

More Looks at This Easy Appetizer Board

This is the easiest charcuterie you'll ever make! It's perfect for no bake recipe that you can make in just a few minutes! Click to see the recipe! #ad
This is the easiest charcuterie you'll ever make! It's perfect for no bake recipe that you can make in just a few minutes! Click to see the recipe!
This is the easiest charcuterie you'll ever make! It's perfect for no bake recipe that you can make in just a few minutes! Click to see the recipe!
This is the easiest charcuterie you'll ever make! It's perfect for no bake recipe that you can make in just a few minutes! Click to see the recipe!
This is the easiest charcuterie you'll ever make! It's perfect for no bake recipe that you can make in just a few minutes! Click to see the recipe!

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5 Comments

  1. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful post with us at Full Plate Thursday this week. Please keep our great state of Texas in your thoughts and prayers as we are struggling with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Hope you have a good week.
    Miz Helen

  2. Brittany, Your article is wonderful, very complete with so many ideas & options, and found it at the perfect time. I will be putting together a Charcuterie in the beginning of January for a friends retirement party, and cant wait! Thank You for putting together the step by step building process. Its beautiful. Happy Holidays! Cheers, JR

  3. This appetizer looks absolutely delicious and so easy to put together! I love the idea of using Columbus Craft Charcuterie; it’s perfect for a quick gathering. Can’t wait to try it out at my next get-together! Thanks for sharing!

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