How to Create the Best Vegetarian Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards have been all over my feed for some time now. Their popularity has been growing because they make the perfect food option to satisfy a variety of taste buds. Plus, they’re totally customizable! My preferences change in terms of what I want to include, but right now we are talking about a yummy Vegetarian Charcuterie Board.
If you aren’t interested in a certain ingredient, switch it out for something of your preference, or, well, more cheese never hurts. Fruits are also a great addition, just remember that certain ones, like strawberries, can stain the board. This charcuterie board is best served and eaten directly from the refrigerator. You can definitely make it in advance, just keep it cool until you are ready to eat it.
Crackers
Crackers are a classic ingredient in charcuterie boards, right? They make a great filler option for those open holes on the board. Plus, they can be easily manipulated to create shapes that give the board some dimension.
Celery & Carrot Sticks
Celery and carrots both bring some color to the board. Cut the vegetables into bite-sized sticks to make them easier to pick up, while also keeping the board more...sanitary. Dips are a great addition if these vegetables are being used! A few options could include a light ranch, hummus, or a homemade garlic & herb dip.
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are another great addition to a charcuterie board. Not only do they add to the color and dimension of the board, but they are typically a fan favorite. My kids are on a kick right now with peppers that I cannot explain. They are specifically looking for red, orange, and yellow since those tend to be sweeter!
Tomatoes
Using small, cherry tomatoes gives you the option to add a different element to make the board eye-catching. If the tomatoes are rolling around on the board, try using a small bowl or basket to present them in.
Hummus
Calling all hummus lovers! Hummus is packed with protein and fat, so it makes the perfect dip for our crackers or veggie sticks. Red pepper or roasted garlic hummus is my favorite, but any variety will do! I like to look for hummus that is simply made - ie not a lot of ingredients. It truly should just be chickpeas (garbanzo beans), tahini, lemon, garlic, and Keep in mind, if you want to have some fun - adding a dessert hummus (a la chocolate) is a unique choice. This pairs well with pretzels or strawberries!
Nuts
Different nuts like almonds, pecans, walnuts, or pistachios fit nicely on a charcuterie board. They often break up the larger food options like the veggie sticks. They also add tons of healthy fats that help balance out the board.
Grapes
Both red and green grapes are almost always used on my charcuterie boards. They offer a nice acidity that the other ingredients lack. Plus, they make the board look good!
Olives
Olives are typically a hit or miss ingredient. If you know who’s going to be picking from your board, add olives accordingly! Green and black options both work nicely. I typically buy the prepared olives that have a bit of spice on them.
Cranberries
Cranberries can be dried or fresh. They add nice color, acidity, and sweetness to your board. They’d also make a great addition to a Christmas-themed board that we’ll have to make together in the future!
Jam
Homemade jams like grape or strawberry are useful for the crackers that we’ve placed earlier and usually also taste delicious with cheeses. Use a similar dish to the one used for the cherry tomatoes to tie the board together.
Vegan meats
Listen, I’m not big on vegan meats. I think they taste weird a lot of the time. What I do suggest adding here is mushroom jerky! It’s dried and seasoned mushrooms that have the consistency of beef jerky. It would add a nice chewy, salty component to your board.
Cheese
Finally, for the star of the show: cheese! This is arguably the most important part of a charcuterie board. My favorite additions include cheddar, gouda, and parmesan, and you may also love brie or gruyere. The texture that the cheese gives brings the entire grazing board together. Make sure to have different serving pieces, like knives, to cut your yummy cheeses! If you want to keep this vegan - you can find a few good hard and soft cheeses in the grocery store as well - I love Kite Hill and Treeline for these.
Are you going to be making any charcuterie boards this summer? There are so many different options, so I cannot wait to see what else I come up with! Let me know your ideas in the comments!