DIY Vegan Charcuterie Board

Hi all, its Bails again from Basics With Bails! Today I wanted to share my best DIY tips on how to make the ultimate vegan charcuterie board! Charcuterie boards are my favourite, especially when they’re cruelty-free! They are perfect for entertaining and can be enjoyed all year round!

I think most people shy away from making charcuterie boards because it seems intimidating and hard to make aesthetically pleasing. Imagine if you found out it’s actually the secret to a super chill, no-stress gathering or brunch? Over the years of making MANY charcuterie boards, I wanted to share my top 6 tips on how to make the ultimate VEGAN charcuterie board!

My 6 Tips on how to make the Ultimate Vegan Charcuterie Board

1. Vegan cheese is a MUST

More vegan cheese options are available now than ever before. A few of my favourite local ones are Black Sheep Vegan Cheese, Spread’ Em Kitchen Cashew Cheese, and Pulse Kitchen Vegan Cheese! There are a few newer ones out now that I haven’t tried, like The Cultured Nut, which I’m eager to try as well! If you’re not based in the Okanagan and can’t get your hands on any of these brands, there is always Daiya, Kite Hill, and Tofutti!

2. CARBS – of course.

Finding a good gluten-free cracker is my favourite, but you can also serve it with a baguette! Keep it simple. The crackers and bread are just vehicles for all the other toppings you’re adding to it!

3. Fresh fruit

I love switching up my fruit depending on the season! Apples, pears, and figs are great in the summertime. In the winter I like using red and blackberries, cranberries, and pomegranate seeds. Fruit adds a gorgeous colour to the board, as well as adds sweetness and lots of flavour! For this board, I used grapes, dried apricots, and pineapple!

4. Vary textures and heights on the board

Using a variety of textures and heights is pleasing to the eye and the palate! I like using different types of nuts, olives, and soft cheeses/hard cheeses. I love the look of adding olives, and spreads to mini bowls to add height!

5. Don’t forget the garnishes and condiments!

Jams, jellies, mustard, and delicious dips are a great way to add some “zip” to the board! I like to garnish with rosemary and other fresh herbs to pull everything together!

6. Most importantly, WINE

Is a charcuterie board even a charcuterie board without wine?? I love supporting local wineries as much as possible. Some of my favourite wineries are Sandhill Winery, Quails Gate Winery, and Kitsch!

Styling Your Board

It all begins with the board. Choose a beautiful marble slab, wooden board, or colourful tray! You can always add a sheet of parchment paper on top of a cutting board as well. I have done this many times!

Begin by placing your small bowls of olives, dips, and jellies as far away from one another as you can. Add some fruit around the bowls, then add your vegan cheese to a few places around the board.

Proceed by filling in some gaps with your carb source, in this case, I used crackers. I like to arrange my crackers near the cheeses, almost like petals on a flower. I also added a few dates and sprigs of rosemary to start tying things together.

Then I fill in the rest of the blank space with more cheese and crackers, more fruit, nuts, and more garnishes if need be! I like my charcuterie boards to look full, so I make sure to cover the board completely!

I LOVE making charcuterie boards because you are choosing all of your favourite things and bringing them all together in a beautiful way on a board! Really make sure you are thinking about flavour combinations and textures! At the end of the day, it’s really customizable, so use whatever you want and eat it all up!

A vegan charcuterie board is a fantastic party appetizer that is both gorgeous and delicious! Everybody loves a pre-dinner snack, so give the people what they want! Get creative with different flavours and placements on the board, and I promise everyone will thank you for it!

I can’t wait to see what you create! Share your vegan charcuterie board with Jillian and me by tagging @basicswithbails and @jillianharris on Instagram, and visit my website for more recipes and tips!

Let’s get the party started!

xo

Bailey