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My easy yet stunning Vegetarian Cheese Board is packed with high-quality cheeses, fresh fruits, and crunchy nuts. It's a healthy, delicious, and oh-so-inviting appetizer that's ready in just 15 minutes, a make-ahead party favorite that looks fancy but is secretly so simple to build.
I've poured my hosting experience into creating this vegetarian cheese board, so now you can learn how to impress your guests with a platter that's both stunning and delicious. I'll show you how to build the ultimate board everyone will love, and if you're a cheese fan like me, you've got to try my cheese buns recipe. They're absolutely irresistible!
I've made countless cheese boards over the years, but my vegetarian version is a must-try. It's versatile, packed with variety, and caters to everyone, from devoted cheese lovers to mindful eaters.
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🥘 Ingredients
The ingredients I've listed are just suggestions for what I think makes an amazing vegetarian cheese board. Mix and match different flavors, textures, and colors to create a stunning spread, and be sure to include items you and your family love!
I love heading to the cheese section at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, or my local grocery store to pick out my favorites, usually cheeses I don't buy regularly, which makes the board feel extra special.
Cheeses And Proteins
Blue Cheese: I love the bold flavor of Roquefort, but Gorgonzola is perfect if you prefer something milder. Both add a nice touch of funk to the board.
Brie: is a must-have for any cheese board. Its creamy texture and mild flavor make it a crowd-pleaser.
Goat Cheese: Goat cheese is another classic option. I love how its tanginess pairs perfectly with fruits and nuts.
Gouda: Smoked or regular gouda is always a great choice.
Parmesan or Sharp Cheddar: Hard cheeses like Parmesan or aged white cheddar bring a strong, tangy flavor to the board. They're always a hit with guests.
Pepper Jack: Adding a little spice with pepper jack is so much fun! It's a great way to mix things up.
Extra Firm Tofu (Optional): Smoked tofu makes a delicious addition for some vegetarian protein. Or try adding my air fryer tofu nuggets, they'd be perfect here!
Fruits
Olives: I love Castelvetrano olives for their buttery flavor, but any kind you enjoy will work. Pitted Kalamata olives are also great, especially for a Mediterranean vibe.
Kiwi Slices: Kiwi adds a bright, tangy touch, but pears are another lovely option.
Dried Papaya: Dried papaya is delicious, but you can swap it with dried mango or even dried coconut for variety.
Grapes: I always include red or green grapes - or both - for a sweet, juicy addition.
Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are a favorite, but any fruit that feels fancy to you works perfectly.
Figs: Fresh figs are wonderful, but dates are a great alternative if you can't find figs.
Sliced Apples (Optional): Sliced apples are a crisp, refreshing option, but don't forget to toss them with lemon juice to keep them from browning if they'll sit out for a while.
Veggies
Carrot Sticks: I love using carrot sticks, but sliced bell peppers, celery sticks, or sugar snap peas are just as tasty.
Cucumber Slices: Crisp cucumber slices are always refreshing, but thinly sliced radishes make a great swap.
Heirloom Tomato Slices: Heirloom tomatoes are beautiful, but I also like using medley grape or cherry tomatoes for a pop of color.
Nuts And Condiments
Honey: Feel free to substitute agave syrup for a vegan cheese board.
Hummus: Homemade hummus is always better. Try my butter bean hummus for a fun variation.
Roasted Almonds: Smoked or other flavored almonds are also a good option.
Grains
Whole Wheat Crackers: Pita chips are also a great choice. You could even do toasted baguette slices!
Rice Crackers Or Other Gluten-Free Crackers: Seed crackers are a lovely option.
🧀 How To Make
Making my vegetarian cheese board is easier than you think and so much fun! With a mix of cheeses, fresh fruits, crunchy nuts, and flavorful spreads, you can create a stunning and delicious centerpiece for any gathering in no time.
Step 1: Choose the Board
There are so many great options for cheese boards, so I try to pick one that's big enough to hold all the toppings and really lets the ingredients shine! I usually go for a wooden cutting board, it's practical since it works as both a cutting surface and a serving board.
Pro tip: If it's your first time building a charcuterie board, I'd suggest starting with a smaller plate or board. It's a great way to ease into it and get a feel for the process!Step 2: Cheeses First
I always start my board by placing the cheeses first, they're the star of the show! I like to mix textures and shapes, arranging wheels, wedges, and cubes to make the board visually interesting. Including a variety of five cheeses is my go-to: sharp cheddar, Parmigiano-Reggiano, goat cheese, blue cheese, and gouda. Sometimes I'll add pepper jack or cream cheese for an extra twist.
Step 3: Arrange the Produce
Next, I arrange the produce, starting with the fruits. It's my favorite way to add fiber and a filling option to pair with the cheese. Some of my favorites are Fuji apples, fresh pear slices, avocados, berries, apricots, kiwi, grapes, figs, and dried fruits like papaya, raisins, currants, and medjool dates. They add so much flavor and color to the board!
Following by the veggies, they are a great addition to cheese boards because they help bulk up the board and add a ton of fiber and nutrients. My favorite charcuterie vegetables include carrot sticks, tomato slices or cherry tomatoes, and cucumber slices - but you can add any vegetables you like! Bell peppers, celery, or pickled veggies all work well too. Any vegetables can be charcuterie board vegetables if they're what you like!
Step 4: Time to Add the Carbs
I like choosing whole grain crackers and breads when making cheese plates, to add a healthy dose of fiber and whole grains. Good options include: Baked wheat crisps, freshly baked whole grain bread, whole wheat pita chips, and any other whole wheat crackers you can find!
Step 5: Add Any Extras!
Extras include nuts, spreads, oils, and fresh herbs - basically anything that will add a variety of different flavors to this cheese board without meat! You can even add a little bit of dark chocolate for a special treat! I like serving all of the extras in small bowls spaced throughout the cheeseboard.
Nuts And Seeds
I love adding nuts to my cheese board because they're a great source of protein and healthy fats, balancing out the natural sweetness of the fruit. My go-to options are almonds, peanuts, walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds, they all pair so well with veggies and cheese!
Pro Tip: Many nuts are roasted in hydrogenated oils, so opt for raw nuts or dry roasted nuts if you can find them.Spreads & Oils
I love adding these extras to my vegetarian cheese board, they bring so much variety and flavor while staying relatively low in calories and added sugar. Some of my favorites are hummus, spicy Dijon mustard, honey, whole fruit compote, cranberry sauce, and high-quality extra virgin olive oil. They're the perfect finishing touches!
Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage, dill, and basil are perfect for adding a burst of flavor to your cheese board. I love how they pair beautifully with different cheeses while making the board look extra vibrant and fresh!
📖 Variations
I love how versatile this vegetarian cheese board is, it's easy to customize for any occasion or taste! For a fun variation, try my favorites:
Christmassy: I love making this festive by using red like my cranberry sauce from dried cranberries and green ingredients between the cheeses and spreads. It's perfect for adding holiday cheer to your table!
Appetizer Board: I like to turn my board into more of a snack spread by adding fun cooked appetizers like vegetarian wontons, my friends' favorite Indian samosas or my delicious vegan egg rolls. It's always a hit at parties!
Gluten-Free Option: If I'm serving someone with a gluten allergy, I use certified gluten-free crackers and double-check all ingredients to keep things safe. It's an easy swap to make the board inclusive.
Vegan Option: A vegan charcuterie board is just as delicious! I swap dairy cheeses for vegan ones like Violife or Miyoko's and load up on veggies, fruits, nuts, and dips.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
I love serving this board with a side of my vegan dinner rolls or alongside a crisp apple walnut salad for a light yet satisfying meal.
And of course, drinks are a must! I love pairing my vegetarian cheese board with something special to sip on, a sparkling water infused with fresh herbs for a refreshing touch or a glass of my favorite wine to make the experience feel extra special.
🫙Storage Directions
Refrigerating: I always refrigerate the leftovers by placing each item in its own airtight container. If possible, I keep the cheeses separated to maintain their individual flavors and textures.
❓Recipe FAQs
CAN YOU REALLY MAKE A HEALTHY CHEESE BOARD?
As a nutritionist, I always say the key word here is "healthier" because it's all about balance. A good cheese plate needs great cheese, which naturally comes with fat and calories but that's okay in moderation! The trick is to make the rest of the plate nutritious by skipping processed, sugary foods and focusing on whole, fresh ingredients like fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds. It's all about creating a delicious, well-rounded meal.
WHAT IS THE RULE OF THUMB?
You don't want to end up with too little cheese!If your board is packed with extras like crackers, spreads, and olives, I usually go with about 1 ounce of each cheese per person. For a large cheese platter with fewer accompaniments, I'd double that amount. My golden rule for a vegetarian cheese board? Choose five types of cheese to ensure a great variety of flavors and textures!
WHAT NOT TO PUT ON A CHARCUTERIE BOARD?
I would stay away from cooked vegetables which tend to be soft and hard to eat with your fingers. Bland foods are also not great for charcuterie boards. For example, although dragon fruit is pretty, it doesn't have much of its own flavor! It's best to pick flavorful options for everything on your board.
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