This vegan charcuterie board (aka vegan snack board) is the perfect centerpiece for all your social and holiday gatherings. This extremely appealing appetizer offers something for everyone in an easy to share and sociable presentation.
Did you know that charcuterie is a French word for a cooking method devoted to prepared meat products, mostly pork. Today, charcuterie has become synonymous with serving a variety of foods like meats, cheeses, dried fruits, crackers, dips, nuts, etc. on a wooden board or platter. A charcuterie board, just like any other recipe or meal, can be veganized by replacing animal products with plant-based options and alternatives. Simple as that!
Whether you're a vegan or simply looking for a plant-based alternative to traditional charcuterie boards, a vegan charcuterie board is a delicious and colorful option that's perfect for any occasion. Packed with a variety of vegan cheeses, dips, fruits, nuts, and savory snacks, a vegan charcuterie board is not only visually stunning, but it's also a great way to showcase your creativity and culinary skills.
In this blog post, you'll learn tips and ideas for creating your own snack board that's sure to impress your guests and satisfy everyone's taste buds. Whether you're hosting a party, having a cozy night in, or just looking for a fun way to enjoy a variety of vegan snacks, a vegan charcuterie board is the perfect choice!
If you happen to be looking for other vegan-friendly sharable dishes, you must check out this easy, chickpea-based buffalo dip.
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What Makes a Great Vegan Charcuterie Board:
- Color: As the saying goes, we eat with our eyes first, so be sure to choose different colors of produce, olives, dips, chips, etc. to brighten up the board.
- Sweet and salty: Can you name a better combination? Serve salty, savory options like plant-based cheese, hummus, olives, pickles alongside fresh and dried fruits and jams for optimal flavor layering.
- Variety of textures: Contrasting textures add depth and satisfaction to a meal or snack. Pair crunchy foods like nuts, crackers, fresh vegetables with smooth, silky dips and vegan cheese, plus a few chewier options like dried fruits and olives to rounds things out.
- Easy to eat and share: Include a pair or two of small tongs, toothpicks, spoons in each dip, a cheese knife with the plant-based cheese, and have small plates near by the board so guests can easily serve themselves.
What You Need to Create a Vegan Charcuterie Board:
Minimal equipment is needed for this recipe. You'll need a serving board, tray, or platter to build your masterpiece on. Small bowls will create structure on the board and hold dips, spreadables, olives and/or pickled or marinated veggies. Feel free to mix and match different small bowls and ramekins you have on hand - they certainly don't all have to match.
The options are endless when it comes to putting together a vegan charcuterie board. Here are some items you can include:
- Fresh Vegetables: bell peppers, sugar snap peas, cucumbers, carrots, grape tomatoes, radishes
- Fresh Fruits: apples, pears, berries, grapes,
- Dried fruits: apricots, dates, raisins, prunes, figs, peaches, mangos
- Jarred Goods: olives, pickles, artichokes, roasted red peppers, sun dried tomatoes
- Dips and Spreadables: hummus, bean dip, guacamole, jams/jellies
- Nuts/seeds: fresh, roasted, candied nuts and seeds like almonds, cashews, peanuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, wasabi peas
- Plant-based Cheeses: store bought or homemade
- Crackers/Breads/Chips: crackers of choice, sliced baguette, pretzel chips
Instructions
Grab your serving board and start with placing the items in bowls & your cheese
Next, add fresh fruits & vegetables around the bowls and cheese
Add crackers, chips, pretzel crisps next to the fruits, veggies, and dips
Fill in gaps and spaces with nuts
Fill in gaps and spaces with nuts
Garnish board with sprigs of rosemary or thyme
Check out more plant-based recipes
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag a photo #plantempoweredkitchen on Instagram.
Vegan Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 1 Hummus served in bowl
- 1 Bean dip served in bowl
- 1 Plant-based cheese wheel Examples: Miyoko's or SriMu
- ½ cup Olives served in bowl
- 1 jar Marinated artichokes served in bowl
- 1-2 cups Raw veggies (Sliced apples, pears, berries, grapes, etc.)
- 1-2 cups Raw fruits (Sliced bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, celery, etc.)
- Crackers, chips, pretzel chips, pita
- ½ cup Dried fruit (Dates, apricot, figs, etc.)
- ½ cup Nuts (Almonds, Walnuts, cashews, peanuts, pistachios, etc.)
- Optional garnishes: rosemary or thyme sprigs
Instructions
Prep Work
- Prepare any vegan cheese, dips, spreads if you are making from scratch. (Or buy your favorites from the store)
- Wash and chop any raw vegetables and fresh fruit. Do this on a separate cutting board so that your presentation board is clean and dry
Build your Board
- Start with a clean serving board, tray, or platter First place items served in bowls (hummus, dips, olives, artichokes, etc.) and plant-based cheese wheel onto the board
- Add the fresh fruit and vegetables and arrange these around the bowls and cheese
- Add the crackers and bread in various groups around the board
- Fill in the gaps with nuts and dried fruits
- Garnish, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
Food safety
A few food safety tips to consider when making and serving up a vegan charcuterie board:
- In general it is advisable to not leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods of time. Perishable food should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours.
- Many foods used for a vegan charcuterie board like crackers, chips, dried fruits, and nuts are safe to eat at room temperature
- Most fresh fruits and vegetables are safe at room temperature for about two hours. Keep extras in the fridge and restock the board as needed over time.
- Serve dips like hummus, salsa, guacamole in smaller bowls and keep the reserves in the fridge and refill as needed over time. Wash the bowl before refilling or have a new clean bowl ready to fill and use.
- If serving a larger group, have tongs and tooth picks available for guests to use to serve themselves
- Place a spoon in each dip for serving purposes
Robin Shapiro
Gorgeous & Delicious
Emily
Thanks so much Robin!