Quick Vegan Charcuterie Board

Putting together a plant-based appetizer spread that pleases everyone can feel like a tricky puzzle to solve. Between accommodating different dietary preferences and making sure the board looks inviting, it’s easy to get overwhelmed – especially when you’re hosting friends or family who might be skeptical about vegan options.

That’s why this vegan charcuterie board is such a game-changer: it’s packed with familiar favorites and creative plant-based alternatives that even non-vegan guests will enjoy, plus it comes together quickly with ingredients you can find at most grocery stores.

What Kind of Vegan Cheese Should I Use?

When it comes to vegan cheese for your charcuterie board, you’ll want to include a variety of textures and flavors to create an interesting spread. Soft spreadable cashew-based cheese works great as a centerpiece, while firmer varieties like almond-based cheddar or coconut-based mozzarella can be sliced or cubed just like traditional cheese. You can find these at most grocery stores now, with brands like Miyoko’s, Follow Your Heart, and Violife offering different styles. If you’re making your own, cultured cashew cheese is pretty straightforward to prepare and can be flavored with herbs or spices to match your board’s theme. Just remember to let store-bought vegan cheese come to room temperature before serving – it helps develop the flavors and gives you a better texture.

Options for Substitutions

One of the great things about putting together a vegan charcuterie board is how easy it is to swap ingredients based on what you have or prefer:

• Vegan meats: Can’t find Tuscan-style veggie sausages or plant-based ham? Try marinated tempeh, seitan slices, or smoked tofu instead. You can even use roasted mushrooms seasoned with smoky spices for a whole-food option.
• Vegan cheese: If you can’t find ready-made vegan cheese, try cashew cheese spreads, almond ricotta, or even mashed avocado seasoned with herbs and nutritional yeast.
• Fruits: Feel free to swap grapes and cranberries with any seasonal fruits like apple slices, pear wedges, dried apricots, or fresh berries. Just make sure to toss apple or pear slices in lemon juice to prevent browning.
• Nuts: Any nuts work great here – try walnuts, cashews, or pistachios. If you’re avoiding nuts, roasted chickpeas or pumpkin seeds make excellent alternatives.
• Vegetables: The veggie options are endless – swap in cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, radishes, or sugar snap peas. Pretty much any fresh, crunchy vegetable that you enjoy raw will work well.
• Crackers: Instead of whole grain crackers, try rice crackers, bread sticks, or toasted baguette slices. For a gluten-free option, use rice cakes or gluten-free crackers.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Preparing

The biggest mistake when assembling a vegan charcuterie board is overcrowding the space – remember to leave some breathing room between items so guests can easily grab what they want and your presentation stays neat throughout serving. Temperature control is crucial too, so avoid leaving temperature-sensitive items like vegan cheese and plant-based meats at room temperature for more than 2 hours, and consider placing them on a chilled marble or ceramic board. A common oversight is not providing enough textural variety – make sure to balance soft elements (like hummus and preserves) with crunchy components (nuts and crackers), and remember to slice your vegan meats and cheeses right before serving to prevent them from drying out. For the best visual impact, arrange your board in odd-numbered groups and create height variation by folding sliced vegan meats and clustering fruits in small mounds.

What to Serve With a Vegan Charcuterie Board?

A charcuterie board is already a complete spread, but you can make it even better with some tasty extras! Try serving it with a few different types of crusty bread – think sliced baguette, sourdough, or rye bread to give your guests more options for building their perfect bites. A few dips like balsamic glaze, whole grain mustard, or extra virgin olive oil can add more flavor possibilities to the spread. Since charcuterie boards are perfect for gatherings, consider serving some light cocktails or mocktails alongside – sparkling water with fresh fruit, kombucha, or your favorite wine would all work great here.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Each component of your vegan charcuterie board has different storage needs. Keep opened plant-based meats and cheeses in sealed containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Fresh veggies stay crisp in airtight containers with a paper towel to absorb moisture for 3-4 days. Nuts and crackers should be stored separately in airtight containers at room temperature.

Prep Ahead: You can prep most components up to 24 hours in advance. Cut your vegetables, arrange your plant-based meats and cheeses on a covered platter, and store in the fridge. Keep nuts, crackers, and dried fruits separate until serving time to maintain their crunch. Add fresh herbs and arrange everything just before guests arrive.

Leftovers: After serving, separate different components into individual containers. Most items will keep well in the fridge for 3-4 days. Remember to store crackers and nuts at room temperature in sealed containers to prevent them from getting stale or soft.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	10-15 minutes
Total Time	25-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1800-2100
• Protein: 50-65 g
• Fat: 90-110 g
• Carbohydrates: 220-250 g

Ingredients

• 1 pack of tuscan-style veggie sausages
• 1 pack of plant-based ham
• Vegan cheese, homemade or purchased
• 1/2 cup chickpea spread (hummus)
• 1/2 cup fruit preserves or jelly
• 1 pound green or purple grapes
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup assorted olives (such as stuffed, kalamata, or black)
• 2 medium carrots, cut into sticks
• 2 celery stalks, cut into sticks
• 1 bell pepper, cut into slices
• 1 box of whole grain crackers
• 1/2 cup pecan halves (or your choice of nuts)
• 1/2 cup almonds (or your choice of nuts)
• Fresh rosemary for decoration

Step 1: Prepare and Cook the Veggie Sausages

Start by cooking the veggie sausages according to the package directions.

This may involve pan-frying, grilling, or microwaving, depending on the type of sausages and cooking instructions provided.

Once cooked, place the sausages and veggie ham slices neatly on a large serving tray.

Step 2: Arrange Dipping Options

Take separate small bowls and fill them with your choice of vegan cheese, hummus, and jam.

These will serve as tasty dipping options for your snacks.

Carefully place these bowls on the serving tray, leaving enough space for other items.

Step 3: Add Fruits, Vegetables, Crackers, and Nuts

Arrange an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables around the tray.

You can use a variety of options such as grapes, apple slices, cherry tomatoes, and carrot sticks.

Add a selection of crackers and a handful of nuts to the tray for added texture and flavor.

Step 4: Garnish and Final Touches

Add sprigs of fresh rosemary or any other herbs you like to the tray for a fragrant garnish.

This not only adds visual appeal but also enhances the aroma of your serving tray.

Ensure everything is arranged in a visually pleasing and accessible way for easy serving.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

With everything prepared and arranged on the tray, your hearty assortment of plant-based goodies is ready to be served.

Present it to your guests and enjoy snacking on a variety of flavors and textures!