Vegan Charcuterie Board
Enjoy a delicious charcuterie board that is completely plant-based. It’s easier than you think! This vegan charcuterie board is perfect for your next party.
I’ve been a vegetarian for over a decade but once upon a time, I went vegan for 6 months. Back then it was nearly impossible to find a plant-based substitute for cheese. Although vegan cheese has come a long way over the past decade, I still skip over most of the “fake cheese” and reach for other options if I want to avoid dairy.
While you can absolutely add vegan-friendly cheese substitutes to your charcuterie board, I thought it would be fun to keep the options entirely meat- and cheese-free to give you some other ideas of things to snack on. With enough flavor and variety, you won’t miss the meat or cheese!
The Essentials of a Vegan Charcuterie Board
The key to a fantastic vegan charcuterie board is variety. Aim for a diverse selection of flavors, textures, and colors. Here’s a breakdown of essential elements to include:
- Crackers and Bread: Provide a mix of crackers or bread to enjoy with various spreads and dips. Choose options like baguette slices, gluten-free crackers, and whole-grain options for a well-rounded selection.
- Fruits: Fresh and dried fruits add a burst of color and natural sweetness to your board. Consider grapes, dried mango, blackberries, strawberries, sliced apples, fresh figs, or dates.
- Nuts: Nuts add texture and a dose of healthy fats. Almonds, cashews, walnuts, and pecans are all excellent choices. I like mixing things up with spicy cashews, roasted nuts, or candied pecans. It’s a great way to add a little additional flavor and interest to your board.
- Pickles and Olives: A few tangy, briny elements like pickles, stuffed olives, and gherkins can balance the flavors of your board. I love spicy cornichons.
- Spreads and Dips: Include savory spreads like hummus, vegan pesto, or tapenade for an extra layer of flavor. I used beet hummus to add a pop of color to my board!
- Mustards and Jams: Provide an array of condiments, such as Dijon mustard, fruit jams, tomato jam, or chutneys, to complement the flavors on your board.
How to Arrange a Vegan Charcuterie Board
Now that you’ve gathered your ingredients, it’s time to assemble your vegan charcuterie board. Here are some tips for creating an eye-catching arrangement:
- Balance Colors and Shapes: Place contrasting colors and shapes next to each other for visual appeal. For example, arrange red grapes next to green olives or round berries near rectangular crackers.
- Texture Variety: Mix textures by alternating creamy dips with crispy crackers, soft fruits with crisp vegetables, and smooth chocolate with crunchy nuts.
- Layering: Build your board in layers, starting with larger items like strawberries and gradually filling in gaps with smaller items like nuts and grapes.
- Focal Point: Create a focal point by placing a stunning centerpiece, like a dip or a pile of colorful fruit, in the center of your board.
What to Serve with a Vegan Charcuterie Board
If you’re creating this board for a party, consider what beverages you want to pair with your charcuterie board. Some of my favorite options are:
- Vegan Wines: Ensure your wine selection is vegan-friendly by checking for labels that specify no animal-based fining agents were used. (I’m not strict about this one but some vegans or vegetarians are!)
- Non-Alcoholic Options: Consider providing non-alcoholic beverages like sparkling water, kombucha, or alcohol-free beer for those who prefer not to drink.
- Cocktails or Mocktails: I love making a signature cocktail or mocktail for a party. Try my Spicy Ranch Water or Moscow Mule mocktail!
More Vegan Charcuterie Board Ideas
Looking for more plant-based inspiration? Check out these ideas from a few of my blogger friends:
PrintVegan Charcuterie Board
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8
- Category: Snack
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Enjoy a delicious charcuterie board that is completely plant-based. It’s easier than you think! This vegan charcuterie board is perfect for your next party.
Ingredients
- Hummus or vegan pesto
- Crackers (gluten-free and/or regular)
- Celery and/or carrot sticks
- Cornichons or pickles
- Black or green olives
- Roasted cashews or roasted nuts
- Blackberries and/or strawberries
- Tomato jam or fruit jam
- Dark chocolate (be sure it’s dairy-free)
Instructions
Assemble all the ingredients on a large cutting board and serve immediately.
I think you’re not aware that charcuterie IS meat – smoked, cured, confits, terrines, pâtés, and much more. Charcuterie is not about the platter.
You’re right! This definitely isn’t “real” charcuterie. This is just to give people some ideas for vegan alternatives, kind of like vegan “mac and cheese” when there’s no actual cheese. 🙂
Okay! I just see it misused a LOT. Having a French mother, I grew up eating charcuterie, and then all of a sudden – this crazy trend! As an old lady, I just wanted to make sure that you were aware of what it really is, in case you weren’t. Great blog!