🧀 A Little History of Charcuterie
The word charcuterie originates from the French phrase chair cuite, meaning “cooked meat.” Traditionally, charcuterie was the art of preserving meats like salami and prosciutto through curing, smoking, or aging. Over time, the tradition evolved to include cheeses, breads, pickled vegetables, and fruits, creating a more varied and artistic spread (Charcuterie history).
While charcuterie has deep roots in French culinary history, it has grown far beyond its origins. Today, that tradition has been reimagined for plant-based living. A vegan charcuterie board captures the same balance of salty, savory, and sweet, but uses vegan cheeses, smoky meat alternatives, fruits, nuts, and dips to create a stunning centerpiece for any gathering.
Creating a vegan charcuterie board is all about variety, color, texture, and balance. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you build a stunning and delicious board which will be perfect for entertaining or indulging solo:
🧀 1. Start with a Solid Base
Use a wooden board, slate tray, or large platter. The surface doesn’t have to be fancy, just large enough to hold a diverse spread.
🧀 2. Choosing Vegan Cheeses
Every great vegan cheese board should feature a mix of textures and flavors. Try pairing creamy cashew spreads with firm, aged nut-based cheeses or tangy, fermented varieties for depth. Including at least two or three options ensures your guests get a well-rounded taste experience.
Go for different textures and flavor profiles. Here are some of our favorites:
- Aged & Firm: Reine Truffle Hound, Vtopian Caramelized Onion Camembert
- Creamy & Spreadable: Dare smoked pimento, Rebel Chevres
- Blue or Brie style: RIND Blue, Rebel Classic or Truffle Brie
- Firm Cheeses: Uncreamery Dill Havarti or Crimson King
➡️ Tip: Slice some and leave others whole with a cheese knife for visual appeal.
🥓 3. Add Vegan Meats or Proteins
Smoky, savory slices of plant-based salami or deli-style seitan are perfect additions to a vegan charcuterie board. These bring umami and heartiness:
- Vegan deli slices such as Prime Roots vegan salami which tops our bestsellers list. Try it and taste the hype.
- Seitan-based pepperoni or salami Smoky, sweet or savory whatever your flavor, Renegade Foods vegan salami is a standout on any plant-based board. If you are feeling adventurous check this recipe for a DIY Vegan Pepperoni.
- Marinated tofu cubes or tempeh
- Smoky mushroom jerky or coconut bacon Check out our wide selection of vegan jerky’s here.
🍇 4. Layer in Fresh, Dried Fruits & Extras
One of the best things about building a vegan grazing board is the freedom to play with color and texture.
For adding color, sweetness, and freshness:
- Fresh: Grapes, apple slices, figs, strawberries, blackberries
- Dried: Apricots, dates, cranberries, mango
- Fill in gaps with roasted nuts, olives, pickled vegetables or try out these Candied Citrus Pistachios
- Vegan Caviar
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Dark chocolate chunks or vegan truffles
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Edible flowers or fresh herbs for garnish
➡️ Tip: Slice apples and pears just before serving and drizzle with lemon juice to prevent browning.
🥖 5. Offer Crackers, Bread, and Crunch
Every vegan grazing board needs a base for all those delicious toppings.
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Include a mix of seeded crackers, plain crostini, or sliced baguette.
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Herb-infused crackers (like rosemary) add extra flavor without overpowering the cheeses.
➡️ Pro tip: Try Flouwer Crackers or Buckwheat Crackers for visual contrast.
🫙 6. Small Bowls for Spreads
Add layers of flavor and dipping options:
- Hummus, fig jam, stone-ground mustard
- Red pepper jelly, olive tapenade, or vegan pesto
- Maple-Dijon dip or cashew queso
🧩 7. Assemble Like a Pro
- Start by placing cheeses and dips.
- Then add vegan meats, followed by crackers and breads.
- Fill in with fruits, pickles, and nuts.
- Use small bowls for dips, olives, and spreads.
- Use repetition of colors and items in odd numbers to guide the eye.
- For a truly eye-catching vegan charcuterie board, mix textures, shapes, and colors so it feels abundant and inviting.
- Leave some negative space for visual breathing room.
🕯️ Bonus Tips:
- Use mini labels or flags to identify cheeses.
- Add small cheese knives and spoons for serving.
- Serve at room temperature for best flavor.
