Charcuterie boards can be a great appetizer to serve your guests. Firstly, they’re easy to put together, and visually appealing. Secondly, and most importantly, who doesn’t like an adult snack plate? Typically they include meat, but a vegetarian charcuterie board is just as good. This recipe actually isn’t so much a recipe as it is a guide to building your own vegetarian charcuterie board. It provides lots of different ideas for you board, but leaves the creative freedom to you!

Ingredients:

Vegetarian charcuterie boards can be equally, if not more delicious and nutritious than your typical charcuterie. What’s more, with a well balanced and thought out board, you won’t have to feel like you’re missing out on anything. Since we want to make it as eye-catching and delicious as possible, make sure to include different colours, textures shapes, and flavours.

Cheese

Choose 1-3 different cheeses, regular or non-dairy . If you’re looking for vegan cheese brands I love Nuts for Cheese, which is available in most grocery stores, Please Cheeze Me – a small company from Sudbury, or Future of Cheese.

Give people options – include at least a soft and hard cheese, and make sure one is mild and one flavourful.

Crackers

Pick at least 1-2 types of crackers. I like Ace bakery, and PC has some good choices. Try to include a variety of flavours, like a plain cracker (with just salt), as well as some more flavourful options (like ones with herbs).

When selecting crackers, be sure to consider shape and texture as well – choose ones with different shapes and textures.

Of course, you don’t have to stick with just crackers. But they are a great vehicle for cheese and dip. Other foods that you can include are slices of bread (like baguette or focaccia), or vegetables – celery, peppers, carrots, etc.

Nuts

While vegetarian charcuterie boards don’t include meat, other foods can provide the saltiness people think they are missing out on. Include some nuts – almonds, walnuts, peanuts, cashews, etc or a mixture of your favourites.

Olives

Another source of some saltiness that will pair well with fruit and sweet dips. Provide one type of olive, like green or kalamata, or a mix. If they have a pit in them, be sure to provide a small bowl for the discarded pits.

Fruit

Fruit will provide a nice balance with the cheese, nuts and olives. Depending on what you have on hand, or what’s in season, feel free to include fresh or dried fruit. Ideas include slices of apple or pear, strawberries, grapes, figs, dried apricots, raspberries, blueberries, etc.

Dips & Spreads

Dips provide an alternative for something to dip rather than just cheese – think hummus, roasted red pepper dip, or olive tapenade. Generally speaking, if you have some veggies on the board, I guarantee they’ll get eaten if there’s a good dip.

Spreads might be a jam or jelly, basically something sweet to balance the flavours of the cheese, nuts and olives.

How to assemble your vegetarian charcuterie board:

Now that you have all your ingredients figured out, arrange all elements nicely on a large plate, wooden cutting board or charcuterie board. You want it to look full without being hard to eat. Don’t forget little spoons for the dips and spreads, and knives for the cheese.

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If you’re looking for plant-based meal ideas to serve guests or make for the holidays, be sure to check out my Stress Free Guide to a Plant-Based Holiday Meal. It includes 8 of my favourite holiday recipes that you can make to impress your guests, or make and bring to a gathering.

If you make your own vegetarian charcuterie board, be sure to take a picture and share it on your social media and tag me! I’d love to see your creations.

Follow me on IG @harvesttablenutrition for more plant-based recipes, cooking tips, tricks & info!

 

And if you’re in search of more seasonal, plant-based, fall recipes, I’ve got just the thing for you. Download my Fall Recipe Book which includes a 7-day meal plan with easy & tasty plant-based recipes.

It’s totally free and you can grab your copy right here