Learn how to make a Vegan Charcuterie Board - it's easier than you may think! In this guide I'll list a lovely selection of tasty finger foods. Building a vegan snack board is so fun and the possibilities are endless. Enjoy creating the perfect plant based charcuterie board for your next party.
Introduction
Building a Charcuterie Board around plant-based foods is easier than ever. Each board will be different, and you can choose foods that best fit your tastes and budget. Find some ideas to get you started on how to build a vegan grazing board below in the recipe section!
What is a Charcuterie Board?
Traditionally Charcuterie (from chair, 'flesh', and cuit, 'cooked') is a French term for a branch of cooking devoted to prepared meats primarily from pork, such as bacon, ham, sausage, galantines, ballotines, pâtés, and more. To put it short: it's an assembly of cured meats.
However, it has gained massive popularity all over the globe in recent times with a much more flexible approach. A modern Charcuterie Board usually includes meats, cheeses, crackers, dips, fruit & vegetables, olives, nuts, and spreads. When people talk about charcuterie boards, they are essentially referring to a cheese, or snack board now.
🥣 Storage
Don't let the board sit out for longer than 2 hours to avoid spoilage. If it's a hot day, no more than 60-90 minutes. Store any surplus leftovers accordingly eg: in air-tight containers, silicone bags, in the fridge, or at room temperature.
For more vegan appetizers and party food ideas browse our recipe page.
📖 Recipe
How to Make a Vegan Charcuterie Board
Equipment
- wooden board*, small bowls, cheese knives, small serving spoons/forks
Ingredients
Assortment of Vegan Meats
- Hickory Smoked Deli Slices from Tofurky
- Vegan Pâté from Plantcraft
- Vegan Bologna from Lightlife
- Veggeroni (Pepperoni/Salami) from Green Slice
- Other vegan deli meat brands: Unreal Deli, GTFO It's Vegan, Plant Provisions, Sweet Earth, Yves, Mia, Simple Truth, Field Roast
Assortment of Vegan Cheese
- Almond Jalapeno Jack Cheese from Lisanatti
- Mozzarella Cheese Ball from Miyokos Creamery
- Vegan Feta Crumbles from Follow Your Heart
- Vegan Cheese Wheels from Etsy e.g. Themansionspantry
- Other vegan cheese brands: Violife, CHAO Field Roast, Daiya Foods, Treeline, So Delicious, Koko Dairy Free, Vita lite, Sheese, Simply V, Tofutti
Assortment of Dips & Spreads
- Hummus from Sabra
- Garlic Paprika Butter made with Earth Balance
- Vegan Cream Cheese by Violife
- Everything Seasoned Cashew Dip by good&gather
- Cilantro Dip by Good Foods
- Roasted Eggplant Dip by Bitchin' Sauce
- Vegan Ranch by Follow Your Heart
- Bean Dip from Fritos
- Guacamole, Salsa, Pico de Gallo
- Olive Tapenade
- Cranberry sauce or spread
- Other vegan dip and spread brands: Siete, WayFare Dips, Good Karma, Trader Joe's, Core & Rind, Fabalish, The Dairy Free Co., Kite Hill, Whole Foods
Assortment of Bread
- French Sourdough
- Ciabatta
- Multi Grain or Rye Bread
- Baguette
- Focaccia
- Panettone, brioche or hawaiian rolls
Assortment of Crackers
- Vegan Cracker Brands: Triscuits, Mary's Organic Crackers, Nabisco Saltine Crackers, 365 Everyday Value Golden Round Crackers, Blue Diamond Nut Thins, Oh My Yummies, CrunchMaster Multi-Seed, Keebler Zesta Saltines, Earth balance, Back to nature, Wheat Thins, Ritz Original
Antipasti, Vegetables & Fruit
- Green Pitted Olives Herb De Provence
- Pitted Kalamata Olives
- Tomatoes on vine
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Bell peppers, roasted or sliced
- Marinated Antipasto Vegetables
- Paprika and/or Mushrooms stuffed with vegan cream cheese
- Cherry peppers
- Artichokes
- Capers
- Celery
- Cucumber, sliced
- Carrots, julienned
- Pickles
- Dolmas, homemade or for example from Whole Foods
- White, Red & Black Grapes
- Apples and pears
- Strawberries
- Figs
- Berries like Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries
- Dried fruit (e.g. apricots, figs
- Nuts: Cashews, Walnuts, Pecans
Sweets & Drinks
- vegan Red or White Wine (pair accodringly to served cheeses and meats; tip: pair with higher acid, lower alcohol wines)
- Beer
- Cocktails, like Gin Tonic
- Mini Apple Pies or Apple Turnovers
- Dark Chocolate
- Candied Nuts
Instructions
- All mentioned ingredients are examples and ideas. Don't serve it all at once! Select just a few to showcase a variety of different textures and flavors. Use a good selection of sweet and savory items along with more mild and strong flavors to provide a balanced selection of items. If serving vegan wine, choose only 1, max. 2, that pair well with the chosen foods.
How much food to buy and serve?
- To start, select your board size. Your board should allow for roughly 85g / 3 oz of vegan meat and cheese per person, if it's served as an appetizer. Double the serving size to 170g / 6 ounces per person, if the board is meant to be a main course.
Preparing the Charcuterie Board
- Grill, marinate or fry any vegetables in advance if desired. Prepare homemade dips & spreads a day in advance. Slice vegetables cold and on the same day as serving.
Assembling your Board
- Start by placing smaller trays or containers in opposite corners on the board. Fill with crackers, bread, olives, or dips (Basically separate anything in containers with liquid, such as olives or fruit spreads don't leak onto the other items). If you are serving a big loaf of bread, place onto the side of the board for people to cut. I also like to put out small plates and silver ware for everyone to easily grab.
- Arrange the vegan cheeses around the empty spaces on the board so they are spread out and not all in one place. Add cheese knives and small spoons or knives to dips, olives, and so on. Cutting into the cheese with a cheese knife (or sticking it into the cheese) beforehand makes the board seem more approachable. It will help your guests not to feel hesitant to cut into any cheeses. Add sliced vegetables and fruit of choice next and around the cheese.Fold the slices of vegan meat into quarters or into small bunches and tuck them between cheese, dips and trays. Fill in any remaining spaces left with things from the Antipasti section (like grapes, vegetables, fruit, nuts and so on).
- Once everything has been placed on the tray, adjustments can be made to make sure there are no empty spaces left, and that all of the items are easily accessible (Crackers work as great place fillers too). Fresh herbs and greens (eg celery tops) can give beautiful accents: Garnish finished tray with fresh herbs or celery tops if desired.
- Cover and place in refrigerator; remove charcuterie board 15 minutes before serving to let the cheeses get closer to room temperature, accentuating their flavors. Warm up bread shortly before serving, if desired.
- Remember: The details make a charcuterie board unique.
Notes
- Don't feel like the most expensive vegan cheeses and deli meats need to be purchased. Boards can be built with just a few inexpensive items and lots of affordable produce!
- *A big fancy wooden board for charcuterie isn't necessary. Alternatively use a cutting board(s), a collection of smaller platters placed together or set up the display on parchment paper directly on a counter top.
- On the look for vegan wine? Here is a list!
- Don't let the board sit out for longer than 2 hours to avoid spoilage. If it's a hot day, no more than 60-90 minutes.
PS: Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment on your experience - this helps improve my recipes and serves you with the best instructions, tips, and substitution ideas. Plus, I love hearing about your takes on my recipes! Tag me on Instagram @thesimplesprinkle to show me your pictures.
That's so cool! Finally, a vegan charcuterie board! I love all the selections! This is going straight to my Christmas table!
Thanks so much Tavo! And yes, nothing to miss out on a plant based diet - you just have to get a little creative.
Thank you for the recommendations on vegan items for a charcuterie board! I see a lot of items that I haven’t tried before that I do want to! Thanks for the great ideas
Awesome! I hope you have so much fun with it. Thank you for your feedback.
I love the attention to details that you have put in to make this. Loving all the selections!
Thank you so much Shilpa!
perfect for the holidays! definitely going to be making this for Christmas!
Wishing you so much fun with it, and happy holidays! Thank you for your feedback.