Easy Cheese and Veggie Boards for Summer

Charcuterie boards are great all year, but they’re perfect for warm-weather picnics! Follow these tips for Easy Cheese and Veggie Boards for Summer!

Quick question, is there anything better than snacky charcuterie board? These Easy Cheese and Veggie Boards for Summer are perfect for a picnic in the park or a poolside date night!

As of today, we’re T-7 weeks until our lives change forever and we become parents. To say that I’m absolutely terrified with excitement would be a massive understatement. I’ve been thinking a lot this week about how much having a child is going to impact our lives. Matt and I are best friends. We do everything together, including work on this little blog. I’m not afraid to say that I’m going miss it being just the two of us, but more than that I’m so happy to have a new little sidekick to bring along for the ride. One of my favorite date memories that I have with my husband is a picnic that we had in the park one Sunday. It was a hot summer day and we decided to make a cheese board, grab a bottle of prosecco, and curl up under a tree for a few hours. We read, played with the dog, and judged passers-by without a care in the world. I think about how spontaneous outings like that may be more difficult in the future, but how much more special is it going to be sharing that with a child and teaching them about love and respect (and good food!)? While I’m at the point in this pregnancy where I’m mourning the loss of our two-person family, I’m even more thrilled to be embarking on this new journey with my best friend.

Blech, enough with all the sap. Let’s learn more about cheese and veggie boards. For a traditional charcuterie board, you want 3-5 cheeses, roughly 2 ounces (57 grams) per person. Try to go for a variety of cheese textures and flavors, like a soft brie, semi-soft gouda, and a hard manchego.  2-5 cured slices of meat, like chorizo or mortadella, fresh and dried fruits, and nuts. You’ll need a variety of crackers for serving, and a dish of salty olives (be sure to sit out an empty dish for pits!).

Crafting the perfect vegan charcuterie board isn’t very different than its classic counterpart. With the availability of vegan cheeses and spreads these days, you can almost follow the same exact guidelines, minus the meat. Hummus is a must for any vegan board, as well as plenty of crudités for dipping. Nuts, olives, fruit, and dried fruit are still great staples for both boards and will serve as great nibbles before dinner.

What’s your favorite summer date night look like? I would take an outdoor picnic with a charcuterie board than a fancy indoor meal any day!

Check out my Melon Prosciutto Salad with Mint Vinaigrette for your next picnic!