If you want to make a cheese board but you, or someone you’re serving is vegetarian it can be hard to figure out where to start, given that meat or charcuterie often take centre stage. But with a dash of creativity it’s very possible to make a vegetarian cheese board. It is important to know not all cheeses are technically vegetarian due to the use of calf rennet. However, everyone has their own boundaries, so check in with your guests or check if any cheese you’re buying is labelled safe for vegetarians.
- Double up on the cheese. Who is mad about more cheese? No one. In place of meats and charcuterie, just add more cheese. This is a great opportunity to try even more flavours, or add cheeses you might not normally serve like a chilli infused brie.
- Strong savoury flavours. Replace the savoury meats with strong flavours like olives, pickles or even sundried tomatoes. A good cheese board is about balance and so introducing replacement savoury flavours is a good idea.
- Marinated Baked Tofu or Tempeh: These vegetarian proteins can be sliced and served alongside the cheese, and these are very straightforward to prepare at home.
- Fresh Veg and fruit. Alongside the standard carrot sticks and cucumber slices, take this opportunity to showcase fresh and seasonal vegetables. Chunks of hearty heirloom tomato or crispy rashish slices add a twist.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted bell peppers, eggplant, or marinated artichoke hearts can be added for variety. Make sure there are toothpicks or tasting forks to scoop up these less firm additions.
- Quiches or Savory Tarts: Mini quiches or tarts filled with vegetables and cheese make for a substantial addition.
- Vegetarian salami. Vegetarian meats have come a long way and continue to improve year on year. See if you can find vegetarian salami or sausage to replace meats.
- Nuts. nuts are filling and nutritious and fill in the gaps in cheese boards. With meats out of the way, use a variety of nuts for flavour and texture differences, walnuts and almonds are crowd pleasers just be aware of any potential nut allergies!
- Vegetable Rillettes. Mushroom rillette is the perfect meaty appetiser so why not include it in a cheeseboard? Bon Appetite has a recipe for chanterelle rillette here.
There are lots of great substitutes for meat in a cheeseboard, putting together a vegetarian cheese board should be a cinch.