The Best Vegetarian Platter for Your Next Party
There are many tempting options available, but in order to serve a platter that will be devoured by everyone at the party, you need something that doesn’t just look good, but also tastes good and satisfies your guests’ hunger when it comes time to eat.
So if you’re looking for an easy and delicious vegetarian option, follow these simple steps to put together the best platter of all time!
Decide what you want on your platter
There are a lot of possibilities when it comes to creating a vegetarian platter. You might go with a traditional cheese and cracker platter, or maybe you’ll want to get a little fancier by including nuts, olives, or an assortment of fresh fruits. The key is knowing your audience—what foods will they be interested in?
Are there any specific ingredients that are likely to make them hesitate before trying something new? You can include meat substitutes as well if you like, but don’t expect every guest to be on board with that—you’re planning your veggie platter so everyone can eat it! (Vegetarians and vegans should do their own thing!) When choosing your foods, keep in mind how they taste together and what textures they offer.
When selecting items for a cheese plate, consider soft cheeses (such as Brie), semi-soft cheeses (like Havarti), firm cheeses (like cheddar), blue cheeses, goat cheese, ricotta salata, mozzarella balls and cubed feta. If you’re serving crackers alongside these items, choose salty varieties such as plain old saltines or more interesting options such as cumin-salt tortilla chips or smoked almonds with chile lime salt. Remember: All food tastes better when served from beautiful dishes.
Don’t forget to set out some fruit garnishes , too. We recommend sliced apples, pears and grapes; orange wedges; dried apricots; and raisins or cranberries. Don’t forget about drinks ! A glass of red wine pairs perfectly with most cheeses, especially those that have strong flavors like Gorgonzola or Stilton. You could also serve sparkling water with lemon slices , iced tea or even beer. For dessert , consider putting out some cookies (or brownies) and fruit tarts.
And then fill up glasses with ice cream sundae toppings —we love chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, whipped cream, crushed candy bars and sprinkles! (For kids’ parties, skip the alcohol and opt for a fun kids drink like Lemonade Slush.) Keep it pretty : Whether you’re using colorful plates or attractive glassware, the presentation of your platter is almost as important as its contents.
Most guests won't take the time to look at every item on the table individually—instead, they'll glance at the whole display first. Be sure to add extra color where possible with colorful napkins, small bowls filled with edible flowers or brightly colored toothpicks . Consider adding festive items like miniature flags and wooden picks wrapped in twine.
Or pick up a couple packages of clear plastic picks , which work great because guests can see exactly what's inside each one without having to unwrap anything first! (Just be sure to put out a few napkins, as the plastic can get sticky and messy when wet.) Finally, consider what kind of platter you’ll use.
While it’s not necessary to buy anything fancy, you might want to go with a decorative tray or basket instead of a simple piece of wood or paper. It all depends on your personal style and the overall vibe you want to create for your party. (If you're looking for inspiration, check out our collection of hand-painted trays .) Whatever you decide, remember that less is more .
When creating your platter, resist the urge to pile everything on top of each other—it looks cluttered and messy! Instead, make sure each item has plenty of space and that the platter itself is large enough to hold it.
(No one wants to dig through a mountain of crackers to get to the cheese they want.) If you don't have a lot of space on your countertop, you can always spread out your platter on a large cutting board or baking sheet .
Just be sure to place it somewhere that will be easy for guests to access. Have fun with it! The point of creating a vegetarian platter is so everyone can enjoy it—not just you!
So don't worry if there are some ingredients in there that aren't strictly vegetarian; just try and include as many different kinds as possible. When in doubt, you can't go wrong with a classic cheese plate. But if you want to get creative, consider making your platter more seasonal or themed.
(There are tons of ideas out there!) For example, you might make a Thanksgiving-themed platter for your family's annual holiday party or a Cinco de Mayo platter for your next Mexican fiesta. No matter what ingredients you choose, be sure to have fun with it! When it comes to entertaining, the experience is just as important as the .
Play with size, shape, color and textures
A great way to make a vegetarian platter look appetizing is to add in some elements that play with size, shape, color and texture.
That’s what I did here with these colorful veggie sticks and dip. Whether you follow a vegetarian diet or not, it’s easy to appreciate these kinds of food presentations!
They look fun, inviting and delicious — which is exactly what we want at a party (even if it’s your own). Choose contrasting veggies, dips and spreads; here I used cucumber ribbons as well as purple sweet potato fries. The orange hummus adds vibrancy while still letting the brightly-colored veggies shine. And don’t forget about garnishes: Here I added fresh parsley leaves, but dried herbs like thyme would also be nice.
Finally, remember that sometimes less really is more: This simple platter looks amazing because there are no extraneous elements getting in the way of its beauty. Less really can be more when it comes to creating a visually appealing dish.
A great way to make a vegetarian platter look appetizing is to add in some elements that play with size, shape, color and texture. That’s what I did here with these colorful veggie sticks and dip. Whether you follow a vegetarian diet or not, it’s easy to appreciate these kinds of food presentations! They look fun, inviting and delicious — which is exactly what we want at a party (even if it’s your own).
Choose contrasting veggies, dips and spreads; here I used cucumber ribbons as well as purple sweet potato fries. The orange hummus adds vibrancy while still letting the brightly-colored veggies shine. And don’t forget about garnishes: Here I added fresh parsley leaves, but dried herbs like thyme would also be nice.
Finally, remember that sometimes less really is more: This simple platter looks amazing because there are no extraneous elements getting in the way of its beauty. Less really can be more when it comes to creating a visually appealing dish.A great way to make a vegetarian platter look appetizing is to add in some elements that play with size, shape, color and texture.
That’s what I did here with these colorful veggie sticks and dip. Whether you follow a vegetarian diet or not, it’s easy to appreciate these kinds of food presentations! They look fun, inviting and delicious — which is exactly what we want at a party (even if it’s your own).
Choose contrasting veggies, dips and spreads; here I used cucumber ribbons as well as purple sweet potato fries. The orange hummus adds vibrancy while still letting the brightly-colored veggies shine. And don’t forget about garnishes: Here I added fresh parsley leaves, but dried herbs like thyme would also be nice.
Finally, remember that sometimes less really is more: This simple platter looks amazing because there are no extraneous elements getting in the way of its beauty. Less really can be more when it comes to creating a visually appealing dish.
A great way to make a vegetarian platter look appetizing is to add in some elements that play with size, shape, color and texture. That’s what I did here with these colorful veggie sticks and dip. Whether you follow a vegetarian diet or not, it’s easy to appreciate these kinds of food presentations!
Create a wow moment with your platter
Everyone loves a good spread of food at a party, but even among experienced hosts, there can be confusion over what makes a vegetarian platter great.
First and foremost, vegetarian dishes should look appealing—but they should also taste so good you’ll want to eat them on their own. Make sure you have a variety of colors, shapes and textures; if possible, include vegetables in a variety of colors or your guests might mistake it for an unhealthy meal.
You don’t need to include meat substitutes in your platters either; while they add protein and other nutrients, you don’t have to resort to fake cheese or bacon bits if you don’t want to. If you’re looking for ideas, try these: artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, olives, feta cheese cubes and sun-dried tomatoes. And for dessert?
Try chocolate truffles or miniature cheesecakes. These are just some suggestions; feelfeelfeelfeel free to get creative with your menu! After all, it’s one of your only chances to show off as a host (at least until dinner is served).
1/4 cup hummus + 1/2 cup cooked quinoa + 1 small cucumber, sliced into ribbons + 2 tablespoons lemon juice + 3 tablespoons olive oil. This recipe offers bold flavors that will make any vegetarian feel like they're eating at an upscale restaurant.
In addition to being beautiful and delicious, these colors bring out a wide range of nutrients including beta carotene (cucumber), lutein (cucumber) and vitamins A & C (tomatoes). Eat up!
2 slices whole wheat bread + 2 tablespoons almond butter + 4 thin slices apple + 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar.
This recipe is a great way to get your morning started off right, and it's also easy to make on a busy weeknight. The combination of protein, healthy fats and fiber will keep you full until lunchtime, while keeping your carb intake low.
It's also perfect for those who are trying to lose weight: One slice of bread contains only 80 calories! That's less than half of what you'd find in most sandwiches at a restaurant. Eat up!
1/2 cup black beans + 1/2 cup cooked quinoa + 1 tablespoon olive oil + salt & pepper (to taste). This recipe is both filling and delicious—and it takes just 10 minutes to prepare!
The combination of protein, fiber and healthy fats will keep you full until lunchtime. It's also a great way to sneak some extra veggies into your diet: The tomatoes in these tacos are rich in lycopene, which may help reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancer. If you're looking for a meatier flavor, try adding some ground turkey or chicken instead of quinoa. Eat up!
1 small tomato + 2 tablespoons chopped basil + 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar + 2 tablespoons olive oil. This salad combines bold flavors with fresh ingredients that are easy on your wallet. The best part?
You can make it as big or as small as you want; if you have leftovers, they'll last up to three days in an airtight container in your refrigerator. It's also a great way to use up any extra vegetables you might have lying around. Eat up!
1/2 cup roasted red peppers + 3 thin slices cucumber + 3 thin slices heirloom tomatoes (sliced vertically) + 2 ounces feta cheese cubes.
If you're looking for a vegetarian appetizer that will impress your guests, look no further than these roasted pepper and feta bites! They're simple to prepare and won't take long to cook—just 20 minutes in a hot oven—but they look like something straight out of a restaurant kitchen. The best part is, these little treats only contain about 80 calories each!
1/4 cup hummus + 4 small whole wheat pita bread rounds. This recipe is perfect if you're looking for an easy dish to whip up on a busy weeknight: These cute falafel wraps are ready in just 15 minutes, so there's no reason not to try them at home tonight! One serving contains almost 40 percent of your daily value of fiber; healthy fat from olive oil; protein from chickpeas; and vitamins A & C from fresh vegetables. It's also gluten-free, so anyone can enjoy it without worry. Eat up! 1/2 cup cooked quinoa + 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts + 2 tablespoons dried cranberries (or raisins) + salt & pepper (to taste).
If you've never tried quinoa before, now is a great time to start! Quinoa offers many health benefits including high levels of protein and fiber—and it tastes great too. To make these little treats extra special, add some dried fruit or nuts that you love.
They take less than 20 minutes to prepare and they'll keep in an airtight container for up to three days—so they're great for meal prep or as a quick snack during your workday.
3 oz leftover turkey (chopped into bite-sized pieces) + 3 thin slices cucumber + 3 thin slices heirloom tomatoes (sliced vertically) + 1 tablespoon dried cranberries (or raisins).
We've seen plenty of leftover turkey recipes out there, but we wanted to give you one more option for using those leftovers in something tasty and healthy. Like our other vegetarian recipes, these wraps will fill you up without weighing you down. You can use any type of cooked meat instead of turkey—chicken would be delicious here too!
Think about presentation.
If you’re hosting a party and want to be sure that your vegetarian platter is a hit, pay attention to presentation. Presenting food is as much about art as it is about food. Do yourself a favor and visit Pinterest or do an online search for vegetarian platters before you head to your grocery store.
There are some great tips out there on how to make vegetable platters look pretty in photos or on a table, so take advantage of them when you can! You might also find some ideas for creating unique vegetarian appetizers using vegetables like zucchini and eggplant.
Think outside of the box, but remember to keep it healthy at all times. For example, if you’re making a dip with vegetables like zucchini or eggplant, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream—you'll get all of that creamy texture without any added fat or calories. And don't forget to include fruit on your platter—it's refreshingly sweet and will provide vitamins (especially Vitamin C) that everyone needs in their diet every day.
Try including sliced apples, pears, grapes or even berries. This can add color to your platter, as well. Another idea? Grilled veggies! Slice up bell peppers, squash or other summer favorites and grill them until they're soft. Then, place them on top of a bed of lettuce with your favorite vinaigrette dressing drizzled over top for a fun spin on traditional crudité dishes.
You could even try adding nuts to your platter. Almonds, walnuts and pistachios taste great sprinkled over salads or pastas. They're also packed with protein, which means vegetarians won't have to worry about getting enough protein in their diets by eating off of a veggie-centric plate. Just watch portion sizes because nuts are high in calories compared to most vegetables.
The best way to stay within your calorie budget is by keeping portions small—even for snacks! If you know someone who isn't vegetarian but still wants something meatless from your veggie tray, try serving hummus with fresh veggies like carrots and celery sticks instead of crackers or chips. Hummus is delicious on its own, too!
To ensure that your vegetarian platter is the star of the show, consider adding these ingredients: Grated cheese: Cheese makes everything better. Even grilled vegetables taste better with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top. Make sure to choose reduced-fat varieties whenever possible, though—they're just as tasty and contain fewer calories than full-fat cheeses.
Fresh herbs: Basil, parsley and cilantro are excellent ways to add flavor to simple dishes like grilled vegetables or pasta salad. Be careful not to go overboard here though—fresh herbs can quickly turn into a caloric nightmare when used in excess! Consider buying frozen versions instead; they work just as well in recipes and tend to cost less per ounce than fresh herbs do. Dried herbs are also a great option.
Dried basil, for example, can be found in the spice aisle of most grocery stores and is a great alternative to fresh basil when you're trying to cut back on calories. Croutons: A little bit of crunch never hurt anyone! If you're having a hard time cutting down on bread or carbs, try topping your platter with some croutons instead. You can buy them pre-made or make your own by simply tossing some cubed bread in olive oil and baking it in the oven until it's crispy.
Use this opportunity to teach people about portion control—croutons are notoriously easy to overeat! Don't add more than one slice per person and keep track of how many slices you give out. When you're ready to serve, put the croutons in a bowl and let your guests help themselves.
If you're worried about the calories in bread, try using whole-wheat or multigrain bread instead of white bread. You can also ask your local bakery for a loaf of their freshest artisanal bread—that's usually what they sell anyway! Vegetables: Vegetables are good for you no matter how you cook them, but grilling is a great way to add some extra flavor to an otherwise bland dish.
Grilled vegetables taste amazing with just a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or olive oil on top. Veggies like zucchini and eggplant are especially good when grilled—try adding them to your platter!
If you're planning on making a vegetarian platter for a party, try adding some of the following ingredients: Grilled vegetables: Vegetables are good for you no matter how you cook them, but grilling is a great way to add some extra flavor to an otherwise bland dish.
Grilled vegetables taste amazing with just a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or olive oil on top. Veggies like zucchini and eggplant are especially good when grilled—try adding them to your platter!
If you're planning on making a vegetarian platter for a party, try adding some of the following ingredients: Grilled vegetables: Vegetables are good for you no matter how you cook them, but grilling is a great way to add some extra flavor to an otherwise bland dish. Grilled vegetables taste amazing with just a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or olive oil on top. Veggies like zucchini and eggplant are especially good when grilled—try adding them to your platter!
If you're planning on making a vegetarian platter for a party, try adding some of the following ingredients: Grilled vegetables: Vegetables are good for you no matter how you cook them, but grilling is a great way to add some extra flavor to an otherwise bland dish. Grilled vegetables taste amazing with just a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or olive oil on top.
Veggies like zucchini and eggplant are especially good when grilled—try adding them to your platter! If you're planning on making a vegetarian platter for a party, try adding some of the following ingredients: Grilled vegetables: Vegetables are good for you no matter how you cook them, but grilling is a great way to add some extra flavor to an otherwise bland dish.
Grilled vegetables taste amazing with just a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or olive oil on top. Veggies like zucchini and eggplant are especially good when grilled—try adding them to your platter!
If you're planning on making a vegetarian platter for a party, try adding some of the following ingredients: Grilled vegetables: Vegetables are good for you no matter how you cook them, but grilling is a great way to add some extra flavor to an otherwise bland dish. Grilled vegetables taste amazing with just a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or olive oil on top.
Veggies like zucchini and eggplant are especially good when grilled—try adding them to your platter! If you're planning on making a vegetarian platter for a party, try adding some of the following ingredients: Grilled vegetables: Vegetables are good for you no matter how you cook them, but grilling is a great way to add some extra flavor to an otherwise bland dish. Grilled vegetables taste amazing with just a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or olive oil on top.
Veggies like zucchini and eggplant are especially good when grilled—try adding them to your platter! If you're planning on making a vegetarian platter for a party, try adding some of the following ingredients: Grilled vegetables: Vegetables are good for you no matter how you cook them, but grilling is a great way to add some extra flavor to an otherwise bland dish.
Grilled vegetables taste amazing with just a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or olive oil on top. Veggies like zucchini and eggplant are especially good when grilled—try adding them to your platter!
If you're planning on making a vegetarian platter for a party, try adding some of the following ingredients: Grilled vegetables: Vegetables are good for you no matter how you cook them, but grilling is a great way to add some extra flavor to an otherwise bland dish. Grilled vegetables taste amazing with just a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or olive oil on top.
Veggies like zucchini and eggplant are especially good when grilled—try adding them to your platter! If you're planning on making a vegetarian platter for a party, try adding some of the following ingredients: Grilled vegetables: Vegetables are good for you no matter how you cook them, but grilling is a great way to add some extra flavor to an otherwise bland dish.
Use the right container
Instead of using a large ceramic or wood platter, opt for a smaller one. You’ll be able to fit more on it and create variety among your choices.
Plus, when you use plates that have high sides, people will tend to scoop up more than they would if they were just using their hands. If you don’t want to worry about people loading up too much food onto their plate (and going back for seconds), go with small plates. This way, less food will appear larger by comparison.
Just be sure to set out plenty of serving utensils; otherwise guests won’t know how to eat from a self-serve platter and may make awkward messes on themselves or nearby surfaces. A few pieces of colorful cutlery also makes your platter look prettier. Be sure to include forks in addition to knives, as some vegetarian foods can be hard to cut with a knife alone.
To save space and money, avoid purchasing an entire setting of cutlery for just one dish—buy single pieces instead. When choosing containers for holding dips or sauces, select ones that are different from those holding other types of food so that people can easily identify what each is without having to read labels first.
To keep things organized at home before transporting them over to your party location, place all nonperishable items in sealable plastic bags first so they’re easy to carry without spilling or breaking any containers along the way. Before putting your finished platter together, arrange each type of food on its own plate or container to make sure everything looks balanced and appetizing.
For example, if you’re serving cheese cubes on one side of a tray but hummus dip next to it, move everything around until you find a configuration that looks pleasing. As you fill in empty spaces with new dishes, take time periodically throughout the process to step back and check for overall balance between colors and textures.
It’s okay if there are areas where certain foods stick together because no two fruits or vegetables ever come in perfect shapes and sizes! However, do make sure not to group similar items together; they should be spread across multiple parts of your tray. The exception is soft cheeses, which should be placed near harder cheeses to prevent damage during transport.
Make sure to write down exactly what's on your platter before packing it away for later. That way, if anything goes missing or gets broken during transport, you'll know exactly which item needs replacing. Keeping a detailed list like this will also help you plan future meals based off of what ingredients remain available in your kitchen. Include information such as: How many servings are left of each
Arrange it all in the right order
You can’t just throw a bunch of food on a plate and expect it to look good. It takes careful planning, thoughtful plating, and attention to detail to create a beautiful vegetarian display. Don’t believe us?
Take a look at your favorite restaurant’s vegetarian platters next time you go out: they spend hours arranging each item with care so that everything looks as good as it tastes. Vegetable platters are particularly popular at parties because they offer something special without requiring your guests to eat meat.
However, if you serve them an unappetizing collection of vegetables (or worse yet, an entire bowl full of dip), it can really dampen their mood—and turn them away from veggie dishes in general! Follow these tips to make sure your vegetarian platter is as eye-catching as it is delicious.
- 1. Prepare some colorful garnishes like radishes, lemon wedges, or cherry tomatoes. They’ll add extra flavor and texture to every bite while also making your platter more visually appealing. Just don’t overdo it: too many garnishes will overpower your meal instead of enhancing it!
- 2. Add one or two more substantial items like quinoa salad or hummus spread on pita bread rounds alongside all those veggies. Not only will they give people something substantial to sink their teeth into, but those items will help anchor your platter so it doesn't fall apart when guests start picking things up off of it!
- 3. Serve dips in small bowls along with some fresh cut veggies instead of putting all that dip directly onto the main plate itself. If you want to be especially fancy, try using different colored plates for each dip and arrange them around your main platter.
- 4. Use high quality ingredients whenever possible; you’re going to want your vegetarian platter to be appetizing enough that even non-vegetarians ask for seconds!
- 5. If possible, prepare some of your vegetable selections ahead of time (like roasted vegetables) so they're ready when it's time to assemble your final dish. Otherwise, make sure there's plenty of prep space available before you get started cooking so nothing gets rushed or overlooked in a hurry.
- 6. Finally, remember that presentation matters! Make sure your platter is served on a nice tray or stand so it catches everyone’s eye right away.
And don't forget to take a picture of your masterpiece before anyone digs in! There's no better way to show off your hard work than by posting a picture online. Now that you know how to put together a mouthwatering vegetarian platter, what are you waiting for?
Try it out the next time you have a party coming up! We guarantee your friends and family won’t be able to resist digging in.
- Where do I begin?:
When it comes to starting a new business, there’s so much information that it can sometimes feel overwhelming.
- Where do you begin?
- What should you consider first?
How do you keep track of everything and stay organized throughout the process? To help guide your journey, we’ve created this helpful step-by-step guide to getting started with your new business. Follow these steps and soon enough you’ll be well on your way to creating something great!
- 1. Choose a Business Type: The first thing you need to figure out is what type of business will work best for you. Will it be online or in person? Do you want to sell products or services? And how many hours per week are you willing to commit to making things happen? These are all important questions that will shape how your business operates in both the short term and long term.
- 2. Create a Business Plan: Once you know what type of business works best for your goals, create an outline (or business plan) outlining exactly how things will operate from start-up through success! Make sure to include costs, funding sources, income projections, marketing strategies and anything else you think might be relevant.
- 3. Research: Now that you have a clear idea of what your business will look like moving forward, take some time to research your competition. Are there other businesses similar to yours operating nearby? If so, try visiting them as often as possible—and if they don't mind—ask lots of questions about their experience! If they're happy to share advice and stories with you then they'll likely be happy to serve as mentors down the road when you're ready for more guidance.
- 4. Register Your Business Name: Before officially launching your business it's important that you register your name and logo so no one else can use them without permission. This means you'll need to file paperwork at your local government office and pay a small fee, but once done it will give you exclusive rights to those names forever.
- 5. Get Help: There's a lot of information involved in starting any kind of business, which means you may find yourself overwhelmed at times along the way. That's okay! You aren't alone and there are plenty of people who can offer support along every step of your journey including investors, lawyers, accountants and friends/family members who've already been through something similar before.
- 6. Launch Your Business!: Congratulations! You've made it all the way to launch day! Now the real fun begins. Whether you're selling products or offering services, you'll need to get your word out there and let the world know what you have to offer.
But don't worry, just because your business has launched doesn't mean you still can't ask for help. In fact, now would be a good time to reach out to everyone you met during your research phase and ask them if they'd be interested in serving as a mentor, advisor or even customer.
- 7. Give Up: No matter how excited you are to see your business succeed, there will be days where it feels like nothing is going right.
It's important to remember that this happens to everyone and as long as you're learning from your mistakes and not giving up, it's only a matter of time until you're doing what you love full-time!
