Use these healthy charcuterie board ideas, tips, shopping list, and styling guide to help you make a beautiful board to serve to family and friends at your next get together.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in my post are affiliate links, and I will earn a small commission if you purchase through those links. I only recommend products that I find to be of great quality and use! All proceeds go back into maintaining and creating new content for this site. Thank you!
Table of Contents
WHAT SHOULD BE ON A CHARCUTERIE PLATTER?
A good charcuterie board has a balance of flavors and textures with items that contrast and complement each other. Some contrast could be chewy cured meat to smooth dip such as hummus. Add something spicy to contrast sweet. You could add hard and crips crackers with soft chewy bread.
HOW TO PRONOUNCE CHARCUTERIE
The word charcuterie originated in France, and it translates to “pork-butcher shop.” While the original French translation refers to pork, our charcuterie boards tend to include other types of food, such as fruits, vegetables, a variety of cured meats, nuts, spreads, crackers, dips, and bread.
ARE CHARCUTERIE BOARDS HEALTHY?
Charcuterie boards are a healthy option to vegan appetizers. You can choose all vegan meats, cheeses,and dips. Then layer the board with cut vegetables, fruits, nuts crackers and breads.
HOW DO YOU PLATE A CHARCUTERIE BOARD?
TRAYS FOR A HEALTHY SNACK BOARD
Start with a good board that gives you plenty of room to lay out a variety of foods. It can be made out of a wood cutting board, a metal tray, a stone cutting board, or a large flat ceramic platter. I used a wooden tray in the picture above. Just let your imagination go, look around your home to find an interesting serving item to start creating your charcuterie on.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Ironwood Gourmet Provencale Paddle Round, Acacia Wood
Large Multipurpose American Walnut Wood Cutting Board
Farmhouse 20 Inch Round Wood Platter with Handles
HOW TO MAKE A CHARCUTERIE BOARD PRETTY
Making a pretty charcuterie board is all about balance and pretty accents. Group your larger foods together, such as olives in a bowl or grapes in a cluster. I like to envision a triangle or star on my board and put these large items at each point.
Then group your medium size items together such as crackers, meats or cheese. Place them on the lines between your points. f
Next, fill in with small item groups such as nuts, fruit or vegetables. I also like to add some no edible items to make it pretty for example in the fall some wheat stalks or summer time some pretty flowers or herbs.
WHAT TO PUT ON A CHARCUTERIE BOARD
CHARCUTERIE BOARD PRINTABLE SHOPPING LIST
Print this shopping list, circle at least one or two items in each category to make a well-rounded board. Then take your printed list to your local grocery or farmers market.
HEALTHY TIPS FOR MAKING A CHARCUTERIE BOARD
WHAT SHOULD A VEGAN CHARCUTERIE BOARD INCLUDE?
Fruits
- Berries
- Mellon
- Apples
- Pears
- Dried fruits such as dates or figs
- Grapes
Vegetables
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Kohlrabi
- Mushrooms
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Cherry tomatoes
- Radishes
- Yellow squash
- Cauliflower
- Peppers in a variety of colors
- Celery
- Olives
- Snap peas
Dips
Easy Baba Ganoush ReciBoiled Peanut Hummus
Crackers and Breads
Any good crusty bread torn into pieces or a variety of crackers are a good choice. when I was in Italy potato chips were a staple appetizers so a small bowl on the board with chips might be nice
- Potato chips
- Crackers
- Breadsticks
- Bread
- Vegan Rob’s Puffs (my favorite)
Non-dairy Cheese
Add non-dairy cheese to a vegan charcuterie board is really easy to do now that there are so many options on the market now.
Nuttin Ordinary Plant-Based Cashew Cheese
WHAT NUTS TO ADD TO A CHARCUTERIE BOARD
- Sweet and Spicy Roasted Cashews
- BBQ Roasted Chickpeas
- Almonds
- Pecans
- Cashews
- Pistachios
KETO CHARCUTERIE BOARD
Build your board around meats and cheese. then fill in with some pecans, almonds and keto friendly crackers or bread.
Proudly Pure Keto Snacks Food Parmesan Cheese Crisps Bread
HOW TO PREP AHEAD TO MAKE A VEGAN CHARCUTERIE BOARD
- Wash and cut all your vegetables and fruits. Place in airtight containers that are designed for keeping fruit and veggies fresh.
- Make your hummus or other dips ahead and place them in airtight containers.
- Gather your crackers and bread.
- Set out with your large board any small bowls and spoons you will be using on your board for dips or olives.
- Assemble just before the guest arrives.
HOW TO TRAVEL WITH A HEALTHY CHARCUTERIE BOARD
If you are going on a picnic or need to make a charcuterie board for a party then it might be easier to assemble your board ahead of time. Use a board that his sides and handles for easy transporting. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap so it travels well.
Large Wooden Tray with Handles, Rectangle Serving Tray
VEGAN CHARCUTERIE BOARDS
HEALTHY CHARCUTERIE BOARD IDEAS
Leave a Reply