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Forget the boring grocery store veggie tray—this Ultimate Crudité Platter is a vibrant and delicious spread that’s guaranteed to impress. With a colorful mix of fresh vegetables, a creamy herbaceous dip, tangy marinated feta, and a sweet compound butter, this board hits every flavor note. Ideal for entertaining, it’s inspired by Platters and Boards by Shelly Westerhausen, offering a perfect balance of textures and tastes.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

Marinated Feta:

6 sprigs fresh thyme
7 oz feta, cubed
2 garlic cloves
4 sun-dried tomatoes, halved
8 peppercorns
1¼ cups extra-virgin olive oil

Tart Cherry Thyme Butter:

½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1½ tbsp dried tart cherries
1½ tsp fresh thyme leaves
1½ tsp honey or maple syrup

Herb-y White Bean Dip:

1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp torn fresh basil
2 tsp fresh rosemary leaves
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
½ tsp lemon zest
½ tsp sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
¼ cup water

For Serving:

2 Persian cucumbers, sliced
1½ cups blanched snap peas
3 rainbow carrots, chopped
2 heirloom tomatoes, sliced into wedges
1 baguette, thinly sliced

Directions

Make the Marinated Feta:
In a 16-ounce jar, layer thyme, feta, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and peppercorns. Cover with olive oil until fully submerged. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Let sit at room temperature before serving if oil solidifies.
Prepare the Cherry Thyme Butter:
In a food processor, blend butter, dried cherries, thyme, and honey until smooth and well combined. Transfer to a serving bowl or wrap in parchment to store.
Make the White Bean Dip:
In a food processor, blend beans, olive oil, basil, rosemary, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, add water gradually until smooth. Transfer to a bowl for serving.
Assemble the Platter:
Arrange sliced cucumbers, blanched snap peas, chopped carrots, tomato wedges, baguette slices, marinated feta, cherry thyme butter, and white bean dip on a large board or platter.

Nutrients

Approximate per serving (based on 6–8 servings):

Calories: ~300–350 kcal
Fat: ~20–25g
Carbohydrates: ~20–30g
Protein: ~7–10g
Fiber: ~4–6g

More Than Just Vegetables

At first glance, a crudité platter might seem simple—just a spread of chopped raw vegetables. But this Ultimate Crudité Platter transforms that simplicity into something layered and refined. The vegetables themselves are chosen not just for flavor, but also for color, crunch, and aesthetic appeal. Bright orange carrots, crisp green snap peas, vibrant cucumbers, and juicy heirloom tomatoes are carefully arranged for maximum visual impact. These aren’t just healthy snacks; they’re a palette of edible art.

What truly sets this platter apart are the three unique accompaniments: marinated feta, a smooth white bean dip with fresh herbs, and a tart cherry thyme butter. These extras create a dynamic flavor experience, balancing creaminess, tang, sweetness, and richness against the crisp textures of the vegetables and the chew of the baguette slices. It’s this interplay of contrasts that makes each bite exciting and memorable.

Perfect for Entertaining

A well-designed crudité platter is one of the most crowd-pleasing, low-maintenance additions to any event. It requires no reheating, minimal assembly, and can be prepped hours ahead of time. Once placed on the table, it invites grazing and conversation, letting guests help themselves in a casual, interactive way. Unlike heavy starters, this platter keeps things light yet flavorful, allowing it to fit seamlessly into multi-course meals or stand alone as the star of a grazing table.

The Ultimate Crudité Platter is perfect for dinner parties, picnics, potlucks, bridal showers, and even office lunches. The inclusion of marinated cheese, spreadable butter, and protein-rich dip ensures that it’s more than just a plate of vegetables—it’s a full sensory experience. Each component can be enjoyed individually or combined into endless bite-sized pairings.

Flavor Layering: The Role of Marinated Feta

Marinated feta is a showstopper in its own right. Feta’s briny tang is mellowed by a long soak in fragrant olive oil, herbs, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes. This not only enhances the flavor but also gives the cheese a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Served in a glass jar, marinated feta looks beautiful and sophisticated, with visible layers of herbs and spice that signal complexity and care.

The olive oil used in marination also becomes infused with the flavors of the feta and aromatics, making it a perfect drizzle for baguette slices or roasted vegetables. This simple but elevated touch adds a gourmet element to the board and allows guests to customize each bite with richness and zest.

Creamy and Herbaceous: The White Bean Dip

Dips are a crucial element of any platter, and this white bean version delivers both flavor and nourishment. Cannellini beans are blended until silky smooth with olive oil, lemon juice, fresh basil, and rosemary, resulting in a dip that’s creamy without being heavy. The lemon adds brightness, the herbs bring an earthy freshness, and the beans provide fiber and protein, making this a substantial, satisfying component of the platter.

Unlike hummus, which can be dense and garlicky, this white bean dip is light and versatile, complementing everything from snap peas to crusty bread. It’s an ideal base that works well with a variety of flavor combinations on the board and can be made ahead of time to deepen the herb infusion.

Tart Cherry Thyme Butter: A Unique Sweet-Savory Accent

Perhaps the most surprising addition to this crudité platter is the tart cherry thyme butter. This compound butter combines softened butter with dried cherries, thyme leaves, and a touch of honey or maple syrup. The result is a sweet and herbaceous spread with just enough tang to balance the richness of the butter. It adds a luxurious touch to sliced baguette or as a sweet complement to salty feta and crisp vegetables.

This kind of thoughtful extra is what transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. It brings both elegance and playfulness to the board—guests may not expect it, but they’ll definitely remember it.

A Balanced and Nutritious Offering

Not only is the Ultimate Crudité Platter a feast for the eyes and palate, but it also offers a nutritious balance. With fresh vegetables providing fiber, vitamins, and hydration, the inclusion of beans and feta adds protein and healthy fats. The olive oil in both the dip and marinated feta contributes heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, while the variety of textures keeps guests full and satisfied without the need for heavier fare.

For those with dietary preferences or restrictions, this platter is easily adaptable. The white bean dip is naturally vegan, and the entire board can be made gluten-free with the right choice of bread or crackers. Whether your guests are plant-based, low-carb, or simply mindful eaters, this board has something for everyone.

Presentation Matters

The way this platter is arranged contributes significantly to its appeal. Using a large wooden board or marble slab as a base, each item should be grouped thoughtfully. Cluster vegetables by color, fan out bread slices, and place bowls or jars of dip and cheese at different points to create balance and symmetry. Garnishes like extra thyme sprigs or lemon slices can add the finishing touches, making the platter even more inviting.

Offering small tongs, spoons, or spreaders helps guests build their own ideal bites with ease. This user-friendly layout encourages people to linger, explore, and return for seconds.

Tips for Success and Customization

To make this platter your own, consider using whatever produce is in season or locally available. Swap in radishes, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or even lightly roasted vegetables for variety. You can also explore different cheeses, dips, or butters—think beet hummus, pesto ricotta, or roasted red pepper spread.

Keep in mind that blanching some of the vegetables, like snap peas or carrots, enhances their color and makes them easier to eat while preserving their crunch. Prep everything in advance, but assemble just before serving to maintain peak freshness.

Conclusion

The Ultimate Crudité Platter is more than a trendy party feature—it’s a reimagined classic that proves vegetable-based appetizers can be exciting, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. With vibrant produce, creamy dips, bold cheese, and sweet butter, it offers a complete flavor profile in one beautifully curated board. Perfect for sharing and designed for flexibility, this platter encourages creativity, conversation, and connection. Whether you’re hosting a formal dinner or a casual get-together, this crudité spread transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious experience that everyone will appreciate and remember.

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