Vegan Charcuterie Board

Today I have a step by step guide and video showing you how easy it is to make your own custom Vegan Charcuterie Board.

I blame it on Instagram that eye-popping grazing boards are all the rage these days, but I can’t say that I am complaining. They’re actually super easy to put together and such a fun break from pizza night on Fridays.

Trust me, even if you’re not on a plant-based diet, you will enjoy this rich, colorful and delicious grazing board! It’s perfect for celebrating with family and friends or a fun way to snack your way through dinner on a Friday night.

Elements of a Vegan Grazing Board

Choose a Centerpiece

Traditional charcuterie boards are based on one or more starring terrine or pate or a variety of cured meats. But in the case of a plant based grazing board, you’ll want to create a centerpiece with one or more vegan starring character.

Here I’ve used my vegan paté made with lentils and walnuts. You could also use vegan cheeses or other vegan dips or spreads. Or you could use hummus such as Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Garlic Hummus or Edamame Hummus to act as the central focal element.

If you are serving four to six people, I recommend choosing one starring element, and for larger gathering choose three to compare and contrast.

Here I chose to put the starring element, the vegan pate, in the center of the board and to build the charcuterie board around it. If you are using three starring elements (say three different vegan cheese or three different hummus recipes) space them out evenly on the board. From there you can arrange the supporting elements around them.

Include Something Fresh

Whether it is fresh raw veggies or fresh fruit, it is always nice to include something with a bit of water content.

Grazing boards are all about contrast, and having a bite of something juicy like the grapes I included today or cold and crispy like sliced cucumber can be a nice compliment to the rich buttery tasting paté.

Here are some examples of Fresh Elements To Include in your Grazing Board

• Grapes
• Pomegranates
• Oranges
• Apple slices
• Pear slices
• Cucumbers
• Carrots
• Sliced Peppers

Add Something Crunchy

Besides the crackers, I always like to include something crunchy and munchable like spiced nuts or roasted salted nuts.

During the holidays I often include dark chocolate covered almonds because I love the shiny dark elegance they add.

These Chocolate Chili Spiced Pecans add spice, sweet and crunch. If you’re short on time, you could always pick up your favorite variety at the bulk section of the health food store.

Choose a Tangy Element or Two

Usually paté and charcuterie are paired with pickled elements. Their acidity help to cut the richness of the fatty paté. Today, I have added in homemade pickled onions as well as some cornichons to add sharp acidity and brineyness.

Here are some other ideas for tangy elements to include in your vegan charcuterie board:

• Pickled Onion
• Pickled Carrots
• Cornichons or pickles
• Whole grain mustard
• Giardiniera
• Olives or marinated olive salad
• Caper Berries
• Peppadew Peppers
• Cocktail Onions

Crackers, Breads and Crostini

Once I have filled more than half of the charcuterie board I make sure that I add in the crackers, breads and crostini. It’s important to have enough space for them and I like to add them in several places so that folks don’t have to reach across someone else to find a cracker.

I used both crackers and homemade crostini for this grazing board.

If you have gluten-free grazers at your table, make sure to pick up some gluten free crackers too. Two of my favorites are Crunchmaster and Simple Mills.

How To Make Crostini

1. Brush olive oil over slices of baguette
2. Bake at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes or until crisped and lightly browned.
3. Let cool completely.

Add Finishing Touches

Fill in any remaining spots on your charcuterie board with smaller elements and garnishes.

Examples of finishing touches

• Dried fruit: I used dried apricots for their pop of color contrast and intense flavor. Other yummy options that go well with vegan paté and cheeses are dried apple rings, dried cranberries,
• Candied fruit such as sugared cranberries, candied citrus peel. These are very strong flavors, so a little goes a long way. You won’t need much of them but they add a festive touch.
• Chocolate: Look for vegan chocolates to add a final touch to your grazing board. This is a nice element if you’re planning to make a meal out of your grazing board or if you’re serving it at an open house style party that lasts from appetizers through desserts.
• Fresh Herbs: The last thing I add to all of my cheese boards, grazing boards and charcuterie boards is always fresh herbs. I love how it gives them a polished look and the green sets off all the other colors.

Tips For Making Your Vegan Charcuterie Board Picture Perfect

Repeat Colors

When I shop for grazing boards I always like to purchase ingredients that have a harmonious color story. You can see how I used yellows and oranges for example on my instagram here.

Today I repeated the pink color of the pickled onion in the pink grapes. I chose apricots as well for not just their taste but the fact that they are orange, which is an analogous color, and works well as a design element.

Color Pairing Ideas

• Green grapes and green olives
• Purple olives (like alfonso) and purple grapes
• Red Apples and Pickled Red Peppadew Peppers
• Oranges, roasted squash and Dried Apricots
• Red and Green Theme (for Christmas) using green olives, rosemary, red peppers and silver wrapped chocolate

Balance

Instead of making one giant pile of grapes or one big row of crackers, I like to break up the board by putting them on the board in several clumps.

I try to do three clumps of grapes, a couple clumps of nuts etc. They don’t all have to be the same size. Your eye will bounce between them.

Repeat in Odd numbers

I know it sounds strange, but our eye likes to see groupings and repetition of odd numbers. If you don’t believe me, look it up! This is a rule in art, design, gardening and yes vegan cheese boards. Of course you don’t have to always stick to it if you’re running out of room.

Work From the Center Out

Once you place your starring elements into the cheese board, work your way out to the edges. I try to reserve the edges for nibbles and crackers.

Don’t be too fussy!

While carefully shingled cheeses are fun to look at, they don’t exactly invite your guest to feel free to dive in! I mean who wants to be the one to break up that perfectly arranged shingle?

I think arranging food in a less structured way is more delicious looking and inviting. It gives your board an effortless look that says “let’s party” or “eat me!” It also means that your charcuterie board will continue to look great even as folks eat from it.

Thanks so much for reading. I would love to see your creations on Instagram. Please take a photo and tag me @healthyseasonal so I can see what you make! 

Happy Cooking!

~Katie

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