How to Make a Vegan Charcuterie Board

Let’s talk vegan charcuterie boards. We know your typical charcuterie board is smothered in meats, sausages, gooey cheeses, and salami - not exactly the fare for a plant-based diet. However, that does not mean you can’t make a delicious vegan charcuterie board.  At Arden’s Garden, we’re all about sharing ideas for introducing more plant-based foods into your diet and incorporating our vegan dips into meals, so we’ve put together a video and tips on how to make a killer vegan charcuterie board. 

Think of a vegan charcuterie board as a plant-based smorgasbord of delight. After all, a vegan charcuterie board is healthy, delicious, colorful, and most importantly, good for you. There are no rules for assembling a vegan charcuterie board - just think plant-based over meat and cheese-based.  

That said, we’ve put together some tips and tricks to help you design your dream vegan charcuterie board, with suggestions on how to arrange it, ideal fruits and veggies, and how to make a spread that celebrates all things vegan. 

What is a Charcuterie Board?

Did y’all know that the word “charcuterie” comes from the French words chair (meaning flesh) and cut (meaning cooked)? Traditionally, a charcuterie board features meats and cheeses, but our version is all about fresh, vibrant, plant-based goodness.

The ideal charcuterie board lives on a slab of some sort - most commonly something wooden, like a cutting board, but remember, we said “there are no rules!”  Look at your platter collection - a large round platter is great and so is marble or a square of black slate. If you plan on transporting your vegan charcuterie board to a party and want something disposable, consider a compostable bamboo platter.  Food & Wine magazine offers a plethora of tips on charcuterie boards in different styles, shapes, and sizes.

How to Make a Vegan Charcuterie Board

Here’s a basic principle when making a vegan charcuterie board: Think crunchy, smooth, salty, and sweet. Next, think about colors and shapes on the plate. Lucky for us, fruits, vegetables, nuts and herbs come in all shapes, textures and colors under the sun so no challenge there!  When you’re at the store, look for vibrant colors (red radish, orange carrots, green grapes) and then think of taste variations. We like to pair our vegan charcuterie tray with dips (like our favorite Vegan Elote Corn Dip), because, let’s face it, who doesn’t love a dip?  The best part? Have fun with it. Just aim for a balance of color, crunch, and taste.

Must-Have Ingredients for Your Vegan Charcuterie Board

The key to a show-stopping vegan charcuterie board is variety. We recommend a rotation of fresh dips and vegan snacks. Here are some suggested additions to create a spread that will dazzle:

1. Dips: The Star of the Show 

A good dip takes your board from “nice” to “wow,” At Arden’s Garden, we have three flavorful and clever plant-based dips you can add to your charcuterie board. We like to put our dips into a small bowl, so pro-tip, when assembling the board, leave room for the dips! 

Kale Artichoke Dip – Creamy, savory, and downright satisfying. The Arden’s Garden version of this classic dip is filled with nutrient-packed kale, tender artichoke, and health-conscious vegan ingredients. 

Elote Corn Dip – Think classic street corn, but creamier, zestier, and totally plant-based. Sweet corn, zippy lemon, and smoky spices come together in a rich, velvety dip that’s ready to party—whether on chips, veggies, or straight off the spoon.

Smoked Queso Dip – Smoky, cheesy (but, you know, vegan), and irresistibly creamy. Made with roasted peppers, cashew cream, and a touch of smoke, this dip brings bold, melty goodness to your snack spread. Crackers, nachos, or just a spoon? No wrong answers here.

2. Fresh Fruits & Veggies: The Color and Crunch 

A little sweetness, a little crunch, and a load of freshness go a long way. The best vegan charcuterie board is balanced with a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. Don’t limit yourself to veggies alone.  A combination of dried fruits and vegetables is ideal.  When shopping, remember you don’t need a lot of any one thing - get a small bunch of grapes, a handful of loose carrots, a bunch of radishes, and one or two bell peppers.  

Fruits -Start with the freshest. What’s in season? If it’s summer, stack your vegan charcuterie board with raspberries and blueberries. In the fall, think pears or apples (different colors), and in winter, go for dried fruits like currents, dried pineapple, or mango. 

Veggies – Again, think of seasonal vegetables. Baby carrots are always available in the local supermarket, and cucumbers can be sliced as circles or spears.  Bell peppers come in vibrant green, orange, and red. If you have an organic section at the grocery store, check out multi-colored carrots. Celery is a crowd-pleaser, as are cherry tomatoes. We love radishes for the patch of bold color.  When picking your vegetables, look at color, shape, and variety.  

3. Crunchy Snacks & Crackers: The Perfect Scoopers 

You’ve got your dips, you’ve got your fruits and veggies, and now you need your crunchy, salty flavors and scoopers! We typically add the crackers to the vegan charcuterie tray last. Tuck them into corners and put a few right in the dip. Some recommended vegan add-ons include: 

Whole-grain crackers, pita chips, or gluten-free seed crackers – The perfect sturdy base for all that dip action.

Roasted Nuts - A handful of almonds, cashews, or pecans to add that satisfying crunch. Our Sweet & Spicy Nuts are perfect for this! 

4. Pair Your Tray With the Perfect Refreshment

What goes well with a vegan charcuterie board?  Mocktails! Pair your board with Arden’s Garden fresh juices or smoothies for an extra boost of goodness. Whether it’s a cold-pressed green juice for a refreshing kick or our Lavender lemonade, the right libation sets the stage for your vegan charcuterie experience. And if you’re missing bubbles, add some club soda to our Hotshot for a sweet, spicy, and bubbly beverage!

How to Arrange a Charcuterie Board

Let’s break it down, step by step, so that you can arrange a charcuterie board like a pro! For a TLDR version, check out our video guide on this below.

1. Start with the Large

Treat your charcuterie board like a piece of art. Place the more significant items—like bowls of dips, leafy greens, and fresh fruits—around the board first. If you look at our vegan charcuterie board video, you’ll notice we start with lettuce, our signature dips, and larger veggies first. It creates a colorful base for us to build on later on! 

2. Fill in The Gaps with Smaller Items

Place smaller items like crackers, nuts, and veggies with intention. Don’t just toss them on the board—organize your crackers, layer your veggies, and tuck everything in snugly. Aesthetics is one part of the equation here. If you watch our video, notice how we neatly layer our smaller vegetables and fruits alongside the crackers and nuts! 

3. Add Some Extra Herb Magic?

If you’ve got fresh herbs in the bin, add them.  We love a sprinkle of parsley, dill, or cilantro.  Herbs add fragrance and a zesty vibe to your board. It doesn’t have to be a lot, either. If you look at our charcuterie board, we added some cilantro to our dip. 

4. Have Fun While Doing It!

Indeed, presentation matters, but a vegan charcuterie board is not about perfection. It’s about creating a spread that brings your friends together, whether they are plant-based eaters or not. let your plant-loving creativity flow.