Charcuterie boards are such a great way to make a beautiful spread of appetizers for any dinner party or holiday gathering. If you are new to a plant-based diet or perhaps hosting some plant forward eaters you will be glad to know that there are many options for a vegan charcuterie board!
Vegan Cheese Options
When we were newly plant-based we replaced the traditional cheese we would have typically purchased with really nice vegan store-bought cheese. These options are lovely and are often cultured "cheese" which is time consuming to make at home but they can be pricey.
You can however, make really delicious vegan "cheese" at home. You'll need just a few simple ingredients and not much time at all!
Cranberry Crusted Vegan Cheese Ball
Easy Garlic & Dill Vegan Cheese Log
Both of these simple vegan cheese recipes use a base of tofu and cashews to create the creamy texture. If you need a nut-free option I have detailed how you can use all tofu for both of these recipes and omit the cashews. Just a few other pantry staples are needed to create the cheesy flavours and in 3 hours or less you have crowd-pleasing vegan cheese!
Meat For A Vegan Charcuterie Board
The meat portion of a vegan charcuterie board might take a little bit more thought. There are definitely store-bought vegan deli meats that you might be able to find at a speciality grocery store or (if you're lucky) at your local supermarket.
One option that is much easier to find in local grocery stores is smoked tofu! Typically smoked tofu will be lower priced than a specific vegan deli meat option and it's perfect for this use. It's chewy and smoky like a deli meat and you can eat it straight from the package. That means no extra prep work is needed. Just slice and serve!
Simple Homemade Crackers
My two gluten-free and oil-free cracker recipes are incredibly popular for good reason! They are not only delicious, they are simple to make and they are much thriftier than buying fancy store-bought crackers.
Both of these crackers use simple pantry staples and the method could not be easier:
Simply mix the ingredients.
Add water.
Spread thinly on a baking sheet.
And bake!
Gluten-Free Seed Cracker Recipe
Gluten-Free Holiday Seed Cracker Recipe
Dips For A Vegan Charcuterie Board
Although this is a little outside of the traditional charcuterie board, I like to serve a high protein dip with my vegan charcuterie boards. Store-bought jams and chutneys can be pricier options and although you can certainly make these at home, I think that adding a hummus is such a quick and thrifty alternative.
Since this is a fancier spread, I like to make one of my more flavoured hummus recipes. My beet or pumpkin hummus can add pops of colour and my lentil "hummus" recipes are fun alternatives to chickpea hummus.
Roasted Beet Hummus
Pumpkin Hummus Recipe
Green Lentil & Olive "Hummus"
Red Lentil "Hummus" With Sun-Dried Tomato
Homemade Spiced Nuts
Flavoured nuts can be another pricier option if store-bought. A great way to save a bit of money is to buy raw nuts and flavour them yourself!
Roasting nuts at home is so simple and takes only a few minutes in the oven. Toss on some extra seasonings while you roast your nuts and you have delicious snacks for your vegan charcuterie board.
Smoky Maple Spiced Almonds
Fruits & Pickled Veg
Finally, decorate your vegan charcuterie board with a selection of fresh fruits, olives, gherkins, pickled vegetables and dried fruits.
A cost saving tip is to buy your dried fruits from a bulk store if possible. With a little bit of pre-planning you could nab your favourite dried fruits when they are on sale and they will be beautiful additions to your board. Dried figs, dates, and apricots are great options.
Selecting fresh fruits that won't oxidize are the most convenient and the best way to avoid any unnecessary waste. Grapes are the most popular option but I think some peeled (and seedless) mandarin oranges or clementines could be nice. Depending on the time of year melons could be refreshing. And if you want a really fancy option, you might be able to snag a pomegranate on sale around the holidays!
If you are a great pickler or fermenter then you can certainly save some money with a bit of pre-planning and and some homemade fermented veggies!
I hope that this post has given you some ideas for how to save a bit of money when building a vegan charcuterie board. Making your own vegan cheese and crackers can result in pretty substantial savings and serving a dip like a hummus can keep your guests a little more satiated!
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