Crudités Platter | Simple Veggie Board
A crudités platter is one of the easiest things to make for unexpected company. You always have vegetables in your fridge, so cut them up to make a simple veggie board. It is always a crowd-pleaser!
Not only do you have most of the ingredients on hand, but this appetizer board comes together with minimal time and effort. Either use a pre-prepared dip or make an easy dip from scratch. This shrimp dip is a family favorite.
The beauty of these boards, like all charcuterie boards, is you can let your creativity shine. They can be as complex or as simple as you’d like. This crudités platter is truly simple.
Best Veggies for Charcuterie Board
- Celery: Cut celery into sticks. If the celery is a bit wilted, cut off the bottom of the stalks and place them in cool water for 10-15 minutes. The celery will absorb the water and will be crispy again. Pro tip: Store your celery wrapped in aluminum foil in the crisper drawer. It will last for many weeks without wilting.
- Carrots: Use full-sized or baby carrots. Baby carrots are super easy, but regular carrots have a better flavor. Make carrot sticks or cut fat baby carrots in half. If you have access, use orange, purple, and white carrots for a beautiful presentation.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Tomatoes are great because all you have to do is wash them. They don’t even need to be cut in half. Use any cherry or grape tomatoes. There are so many colors available now, from orange to bright red, yellow, black, green, and more.
- Peppers: Colorful bell peppers cut into strips add even more interest to your board. Use mini bell peppers or cut full-sized peppers in half, remove the seeds, and slice the halves into strips. Hot peppers are delicious on a veggie board, too. Again, there are many different-colored hot peppers.
- Broccoli: Cut small florets off of the broccoli. If a floret is large, cut it in half or quarters. The broccoli can be blanched for just a minute to make it easier to chew.
- Cauliflower: Cut the florets off of the cauliflower. Cut large florets into bite-sized pieces. New cauliflower varieties are often available in lovely colors. A mixture of purple, white, yellow, and green can add interest to your board.
- Radish: Different varieties of radishes add interest and flavor to a veggie board. They can be sliced, served whole, or cut into bite-sized pieces. Radish roses are easy and will add interest to your board.
- Cucumbers: Mini cucumbers can be sliced lengthwise into sticks, usually producing four sticks. Large cucumbers can be sliced into fairly thick pieces widthwise, into rounds, or cut lengthwise into many sticks.
- Beans or Peas: Very fresh green beans, snap peas, or snow peas are all delicious on a crudités platter. If the peas are large, slice them down the center of the pod lengthwise. This can make for a lovely presentation because the peas will be cut in half inside of the pod.
- Asparagus: Fresh asparagus is also delicious. We wouldn’t use asparagus purchased from a grocery store, it tends to be tough. Buy in-season asparagus at a farm stand or local farmers market. Blanching for a minute isn’t a terrible idea since it will increase the flavor.
- Endive or Radicchio: Cutting small wedges or breaking off individual leaves can really enhance the presentation.
Best Dipping Sauces for Vegetable Platters
- Hummus: Any hummus flavor will enhance the flavors on the board. It is creamy, tangy, and vegetarian/vegan-friendly.
- Cream Cheese Dips: Cream cheese-based dips, like our smoked salmon dip, are delicious on veggie boards. They are fast, easy, and versatile and only take five minutes to put together.
- Sour Cream Dips: Dips like Ranch and French Onion are delicious additions to your vegetable tray.
- Yogurt-based Sauces: Sauces like tzatziki or dill yogurt sauce are delicious with your boards.
How to Make it
Cut the peppers widthwise to make rings.
Or.. Cut the pepper lengthwise.
Remove the seeds and placenta (the white stuff) with a paring knife.
Slice the pepper lengthwise into strips.
Cut large radishes in half or quarters.
Or.. Leave small one whole or slice very large radishes.
Cut the broccoli florets in half if they’re large.
Cut them into quarters if they are still too large.
Slice mini cucumbers lengthwise into halves or quarters. Full-size cukes can be sliced into rounds or into thin sticks.
Start by adding the dip to a small bowl. Then, arrange the vegetables around the bowl.
Continue to add different vegetables to the board. Alternate colors whenever possible.
Veggie Board Ideas
- Use a variety of fresh, raw vegetables on your board.
- Strive to find a variety of colors, no matter which vegetables you use.
- Try using fresh herbs to fill in any holes or as a base for the entire board.
- Serve your dips and sauces in small bowls.
- Add various crackers, pita chips, or slices of toasted bread or baguette to the board.
- Olives, pickles, and similar condiments are a fun variation to use. Our pickled cauliflower can be substituted, or served alongside fresh cauliflower.
How to Store Leftovers
Store dips in airtight containers. According to the FDA, refrigerate leftover dairy-based dips or anything requiring refrigeration within two hours.
We store the cut-up vegetables in storage bags. We sprinkle a little water in the bag to dampen the veggies, which will keep them from drying out.
More Grazing Boards
- Thanksgiving Charcuterie
- Patriotic Charcuterie
- Cheese Platter
- Charcuterie Platter with Seafood
- How to Cut Cheese for Boards and Platters
Helpful Tools
Give this easy Crudités platter a try the next time guests drop by. You’ll be glad you did!
Connect with us through our social media pages! Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter.
Please ask any questions or share your comments in the comments section below. We’d love to hear from you.
I hope you enjoyed the recipe today.
Enjoy. And have fun cooking!
Crudités Platter| Simple Veggie Board
Ingredients
- 4 stalks celery
- 30 baby carrots
- 1 bell pepper
- 10 radishes
- 20 green beans
- 3 mini cucumbers
- 1½ cups dip
Instructions
- Cut the celery into sticks. Wash and halve the baby carrots if they're large.4 stalks celery, 30 baby carrots
- Cut the pepper in half, remove the seeds and the core, and cut the pepper into strips. Use any color pepper you like.1 bell pepper
- Slice large radishes. Smaller radishes can be kept whole or cut in half.10 radishes
- Trim the stem end off the beans. Slice cucumbers lengthwise into quarters.20 green beans, 3 mini cucumbers
- Place dip in a bowl. Set it on your serving tray. Arrange the vegetables around the dip. Serve.1½ cups dip
See all of my favorite tools and gift ideas on my New Amazon Store!Check out Binky’s Amazon Store!Notes
- Hummus: Any hummus flavor will enhance the flavors on the board. It is creamy, tangy, and vegetarian/vegan-friendly.
- Cream Cheese Dips: Cream cheese-based dips, like our smoked salmon dip, are delicious on veggie boards. They are fast, easy, and versatile and only take five minutes to put together.
- Sour Cream Dips: Dips like Ranch and French Onion are delicious additions to your vegetable tray.
- Yogurt-based Sauces: Sauces like tzatziki or dill yogurt sauce are delicious with your boards.
- Use a variety of fresh, raw vegetables on your board.
- Strive to find a variety of colors, no matter which vegetables you use.
- Try using fresh herbs to fill in any holes or as a base for the entire board.
- Serve your dips and sauces in small bowls.
- Add various crackers, pita chips, or slices of toasted bread or baguette to the board.
- Olives, pickles, and similar condiments are a fun variation to use. Our pickled cauliflower can be substituted, or served alongside fresh cauliflower.
