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30 Minutes or Less

How to Make a Vegan Charcuterie Board

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overhead image of the entire vegan charcuterie board with white wine, utensils, and bread on the side

A flawless vegan charcuterie board, perfect for any occasion! An assortment of fresh fruits, veggies, crackers, bread, and vegan cheeses create the perfect spread. Have fun with this vegan charcuterie board, feel free to switch things up and make it your own!

half a vegan charcuterie board with glasses of white wine on the side

What You’ll Need

  • Hummus – Either homemade or store bought hummus will work on your charcuterie board! As much as I love a homemade hummus, I usually prefer to save myself a bit of time by buying pre-packaged hummus from the store. Whole Foods make a delicious hummus, as does Trader Joe’s and Hope Hummus!

  • Crackers – Any and all crackers are welcome on this snack board! I typically use gluten-free crackers to keep my spread gluten-free friendly. Though feel free to use whatever crackers you like best.

  • Nuts – Nuts are always an exciting, crunchy addition! You can get fancy here and purchase marcona almonds or flavored nuts for your board. Though I kept things simple with raw walnuts and pecans. I love using nuts on any charcuterie board, as they’re the perfect item to fill any empty space. Nuts are especially amazing on this vegan charcuterie board thanks to their high protein content and nutritional value, keeping things hearty yet healthy!

  • Vegan Cheese – This is a totally optional addition, but I have a few vegan cheese brands I love featuring on my charcuterie board! I’m pretty picky when it comes to non-dairy cheese though, and avoid any that taste too fake and/or are overly processed. Spero Foods make some of my all-time favorite vegan soft cheeses. Their herb cream cheese and goat cheese are perfect for this recipe! They’re all deliciously tangy, smooth, and incredible on crackers or toast. Though my runner-ups for this charcuterie board are Kite Hill vegan cheeses, and a handful of Myoko vegan cheese flavors.

How to Make a Vegan Charcuterie Board

  1. Begin every charcuterie board by prepping the ingredients you’ll be placing on your board. This includes washing fresh fruit, cutting bread, slicing cheese, etc. Once prepped, you’ll be able to see every element of your board and decide in which order you’d like to place them.


  2. Pick a large board or surface to lay everything on, then place small bowls around the board. These bowls don’t have to be in any particular pattern or order, so simply evenly space them around your board.


  3. Fill those small bowl with things like hummus, soft cheese, dips, olives, or really anything that would make a mess if placed directly on your board/surface.


  4. Now that your bowls are all filled, go in with remaining larger items such as crackers, sliced bread, and fruit – working with one ingredient at a time.


  5. Once the vegan charcuterie board looks mostly complete, then fill in any gaps with your small items (in this case, I used nuts). Continue doing this until your board is fully loaded and ready to be served!

Optional Add-Ons

There really is no wrong way to jazz up a charcuterie board, so any of the following would make delicious additions to your vegan board:

  • Pickles
  • Strawberries
  • Chocolate Squares
  • Dried Fruit
  • Jelly/Jam
  • Mustard
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Apple Slices
  • Carrots
Vegan Charcuterie Board
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Vegan Charcuterie Board

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: AppetizersDifficulty: Easy
Servings

12

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

10

minutes

A flawless vegan charcuterie board, perfect for any occasion! An assortment of fresh fruits, veggies, crackers, bread, and vegan cheeses create the perfect spread. Have fun with this vegan charcuterie board, feel free to switch things up and make it your own!

Ingredients

  • cucumber, sliced

  • olives

  • hummus

  • baguette, sliced

  • grapes

  • mandarin oranges, partially peeled

  • nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans, or walnuts)

  • radishes, sliced

  • vegan cheese, see Notes

Directions

  • Prep all ingredients – wash fruits and veggies, slice or chop items, etc.
  • Lay down the surface you’ll be arranging your items on, then start by placing small bowls evenly throughout the surface. You’ll need about 3-4 bowls for your olives, hummus, and vegan cheese.
  • Fill the bowls, then begin arranging items on your surface, leaving smaller items like nuts for the end. Finish by filling any gaps on your charcuterie boards with nuts or any other ingredients that may fit.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Vegan Cheese: Vegan cheese brands I love are Spero Foods, Myoko, and Kite Hill!

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30 Minutes or Less

Fresh and Easy Guacamole Salsa

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close-up image of guacamole salsa with chips on the side

Super fresh and addictive guacamole salsa is the perfect game day, party, or potluck appetizer! Simple, yet delicious ingredients are blended into a smooth and creamy dip. Enjoy this guacamole salsa with crispy tortilla chips, or sliced carrots and celery for a healthy snack!

guacamole salsa in a bowl with chips on the side along with tomatillos and a sliced avocado

What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

Tomatillos – These little green Mexican tomatoes are sold in most grocery stores. They’re wrapped in a papery green husk, that’s easily peeled away to reveal a beautiful, bright green tomato. To prepare your tomatillos for this dish, simply peel away the husk. Then, give each tomatillo a good rinse before using them in this recipe!

Jalapeño – A whole jalapeño may seem like a lot, but trust me, it yields very little spice in this guacamole salsa! One jalapeño is perfect for a mild salsa, while two is ideal for a medium salsa, and three for a full-blown spicy salsa. So pick your poison and add as many jalapeños as you’d like!

Avocados – Select three medium to large avocados for this recipe. The key to any avocado is making sure it’s ripe, but not overly ripe, before eating. The best way to tell whether an avocado is ripe is by giving it a gentle squeeze. If the skin feels firm, but gives just a little bit, then the avocado is perfect! Though if it’s hard (feels like you’re squeezing a rock), then it’s not yet ripe – store at room temperature for another day or two before it’s ready.

Cilantro – A large handful of cilantro gives this guacamole salsa its delicious, fresh flavor! Cilantro also has a number of great health benefits. It’s high in antioxidants, is a proven antibacterial, and has even been studied to reduce the risk of heart disease. You’ll want to wash your cilantro well under cold water before using in this, or any recipe. Once clean, gently pat it dry with a dish towel before slicing and removing the stems. Then, toss the cilantro leaves into a food processor along with the rest of the ingredients.

Top Tips

  • Boil the tomatillos and jalapeño until they’re soft and are easily pierced with a fork. Not boiling enough will make them tough to blend, and boiling too much will cook off some of their delicious flavor. Therefore, just about 10 minutes in boiling water is all they’ll need.
  • After you’ve blended your guacamole salsa, give it a taste! At this point, you can adjust the flavors in this recipe based on your preferences. Sometimes an extra pinch of salt or squeeze of lemon juice is all your dip needs!
  • Serve this easy app any way you’d like! I love enjoying mine with a big ole’ bowl of grain-free tortilla chips for a healthy, yet delicious snack. Though for an even healthier option, serve your salsa with some fresh cut veggies such as carrots, celery, and/or bell peppers!

How To Store It

To keep this guacamole salsa looking bright green and fresh, follow the storage steps below:

  1. Place in an airtight container, but do not secure the lid just yet.
  2. Take a sheet of plastic wrap and place it over the container, gently pressing down until it comes in contact with the top of the salsa. Ensure that all of the exposed salsa is in contact with and covered by the plastic wrap.
  3. Then, secure lid on top of the container before storing it in the fridge for up to three days!

When ready to serve, simply remove the lid and plastic wrap, then give everything a gentle stir before enjoying.

Fresh and Easy Guacamole Salsa
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Fresh and Easy Guacamole Salsa

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: AppetizersCuisine: MexicanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

12

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes
Total time

15

minutes

Super fresh and addictive guacamole salsa is the perfect game day, party, or potluck appetizer! Simple, yet delicious ingredients are blended into a smooth and creamy dip. Enjoy this guacamole salsa with crispy tortilla chips, or sliced carrots and celery for a healthy snack!

Ingredients

  • 10 tomatillos, husked and washed

  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and deveined

  • 3 avocados, peeled and pitted

  • 1 garlic clove, smashed and peeled

  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

  • 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

  • Bring a pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil tomatillos and jalapeño until soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Strain tomatillos and jalapeño from water, then add to a high-speed blender or food processor with remaining ingredients.
  • Blend until smooth, then serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Recipe Video

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30 Minutes or Less

Green Blender Juice (How to Make Juice Without a Juicer)

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green blender juice being poured into a glass, garnished with a lemon slice

The quickest and easiest way to make your own green juice in a blender – no juicer necessary! A refreshing blend of green veggies, a touch of ginger, and a hint of green apple make this homemade juice not only palatable, but actually delicious. No fancy equipment or juicer is needed for this simple and super healthy recipe!

green blender juice being poured into a glass, garnished with a lemon slice

What You’ll Need For This Recipe

Blender – I used my for this green juice recipe. It’s certainly an investment, but my gosh is it powerful! The is a total work horse and if you ask me, worth EVERY penny. I even purchased mine “reconditioned,” which is just a fancy way of saying “used,” and it’s so far lasted me four years and three moves! However, if you don’t have a Vitamix and don’t feel like investing in one at the moment (I get it), you can simply use whatever blender you have. And if your blender isn’t large enough to fit all the fruit and veggies at once, simply split the recipe up into two batches.

Nut Milk Bag or Fine Mesh Strainer – I purchased my very inexpensive nut milk strainer bag off Amazon 5+ years ago. If you don’t own a nut milk bag, you have two options. You can either buy one, which happens to be my recommended option, since it’s also an important tool in my dairy-free coffee creamer recipe! Or, you can use a fine mesh metal strainer instead. Though beware, a metal strainer won’t catch nearly as much pulp as a nut milk bag will, resulting in a grainier green juice.

Fresh Vegetables – Any and all fresh vegetables are welcome to this green blender juice party! The specific ones we use are cucumber, celery, kale, fresh ginger, lemon, and some green apple for a hint of sweetness. I highly recommend purchasing organic produce for this recipe, since there’s no cooking involved to kill off any gnarly chemicals. Also, since everything’s being blended together – simply give the vegetables a couple quick chops, nothing too precise.

Top Tips

  • Store the fresh fruits and vegetables in the fridge before making your juice. This’ll ensure it blends up extra cold and refreshing! Warm green juice is OK, but definitely not nearly as enjoyable as cold green juice.

  • Get innovative with the pulp from your green blender juice! Add it to smoothies, popsicles, or I’ve even seen people use it in baked goods. It’s always a goal of mine to be as low-waste as possible in the kitchen, so if all else fails, I’ll simply add my leftover pulp to the compost pile.

  • Any fresh, homemade juice is best enjoyed immediately after making! This is when the most vitamins and minerals are available, leading to more nutrients to fuel your body and leave you feeling amazing. However, you can store any leftover green juice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.

Other Tasty Additions

Feel free to add or substitute your favorite fruits or veggies, such as:

  • Carrots
  • Beets
  • Oranges
  • Pineapple
  • Lime Juice
  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Pears
  • Turmeric
Green Blender Juice (How to Make Juice Without a Juicer)
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Green Blender Juice (How to Make Juice Without a Juicer)

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: DrinksDifficulty: Easy
Servings

2

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Total time

10

minutes

The quickest and easiest way to make your own green juice in a blender – no juicer necessary! A refreshing blend of green veggies, a touch of ginger, and a hint of green apple make this homemade juice not only palatable, but actually delicious. No fancy equipment or juicer is needed for this simple and super healthy recipe!

Ingredients

  • 1 large cucumber, chopped

  • 1 bunch celery, chopped

  • 2 green apples, chopped

  • 1 bunch kale, chopped

  • 1-inch piece ginger, peeled

  • 1 lemon, juiced

  • 1 cup water

Directions

  • Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth.
  • Place a nut milk bag or fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and pour juice through bag or strainer. Squeeze out as much juice as possible and discard pulp.
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • No need to remove any seeds or stems from your fresh fruits and vegetables! Simply run a knife through everything, making it just small enough to blend.

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Dairy-Free

4-Ingredient Christmas Crack Recipe (Saltine Chocolate Toffee Bark)

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Christmas Crack Recipe

This Christmas crack is the perfect last-minute holiday recipe! With just 4 ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have a perfectly sweet, slightly salty Christmas treat. This totally foolproof saltine chocolate toffee bark recipe is super easy, perfect for even the most inexperienced home cooks!

christmas crack pieces on a baking sheet with milk on the side

Main Ingredients You’ll Need to Make This Recipe

  • Crackers – I used Simple Mill’s almond flour sea salt crackers, they’re entirely grain-free and a totally delicious! They act as the perfect substitute to Saltine crackers, used in most traditional Christmas crack recipes. This simple swap makes this holiday dessert recipe gluten-free, and a little bit healthier.

  • Butter – Feel free to use whatever kind of butter you’d like, though I used vegan butter to keep this recipe vegan-friendly. My sister’s vegan, so I always try to make at least a few holiday treats that she can eat too. And honestly, you can’t even taste the difference in this vegan version!

  • Sugar – I used coconut sugar, since it’s less refined and slightly lower on the glycemic index. However, brown sugar will work just as well!

  • Chocolate Chips – Either 2 cups of chocolate chips or chopped chocolate will do! Also, you can use whatever intensity of chocolate you’d like – I prefer dark chocolate to balance out some of that sweetness in the caramel layer. If you don’t have a microwave, or would prefer not to use it, then simply melt your chocolate over a double boiler instead. I always opt for the microwave because it’s easier!

  • Toppings (optional) – Christmas crack is great on its own, but feel free to add additional toppings like chopped nuts, candy, sprinkles, shredded coconut, or crushed candy canes.
Christmas Crack Recipe (Vegan, Gluten-Free Options)
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Christmas Crack Recipe (Vegan, Gluten-Free Options)

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy
Servings

10

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

5

minutes
Chilling Time

6

hours

This Christmas crack is the perfect last-minute holiday recipe! With just 5 ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have a perfectly sweet, slightly salty Christmas treat. This totally foolproof recipe is super easy, perfect for even the most inexperienced home cooks!

Ingredients

  • 1 Sleeve Saltine Crackers or 1 box Simple Mill’s GF Crackers

  • 1 Cup Butter (Dairy or Non-Dairy)

  • 1 Cup Coconut Sugar

  • 2 Cups Chocolate Chips

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Arrange crackers in an even layer on baking sheet.
    • Christmas Crack Step 1
  • Melt butter and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently. Once butter has melted, cook for another 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly until dark brown and bubbling.
  • Remove from heat, then immediately pour over crackers. Bake for 5 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
  • Melt chocolate in the microwave, in 30 second intervals until completely smooth. Remove crackers from oven and let cool for 1 minute or until no longer bubbling, then pour chocolate over top and spread into an even layer.
  • Leave to cool at room temperature then transfer to either the fridge for 6-8 hours, or the freezer for 3-4 hours. Remove crack candy from pan, peel away foil, and break into large chunks.

Notes

  • To Store: Store Christmas Crack in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
  • To Freeze: Break or cut it into pieces and store it in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months.

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30 Minutes or Less

Easy Fudge Recipe Without Condensed Milk

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fudge without condensed milk stacked on a plate.

If you’re looking for a fudge snack that you can easily make at home, try my fudge recipe which only requires a few basic pantry ingredients. It doesn’t require sweetened condensed milk as many fudge recipes do, but it’s just as delicious!

close up image of fudge without condensed milk

What is Condensed Milk? How is the fudge made without it?

Condensed milk is cow’s milk from which water has been removed. It’s also sweetened with added sugar and is often used in traditional fudge recipes because it’s thick and sweet. However, not everyone has condensed milk in their pantry. So, if you want to make fudge on a whim, you need to improvise with some basic ingredients that you likely already have on hand. This is where my recipe comes in handy!

Melting the butter and chocolate in the microwave is the easiest way to create this fudge without condensed milk. But, this can also be done on a stovetop by melting and constantly stirring until combined.

However, keep in mind that evaporated milk is completely different and shouldn’t be used as a substitute.

overhead image of fudge without condensed milk cut into squares.

Main Ingredients For Fudge Without Condensed Milk Recipe

  • Chocolate – your choice of dark chocolate or chocolate chips!

  • Butter – I used non-dairy.

  • Milk – I used almond milk.

  • Powdered Sugar

  • Vanilla Extract

Tips When Making This Fudge Without Condensed Milk Recipe

  • Chocolate: I recommend using semi-sweet chocolate or darker. I used 70% dark chocolate for this fudge recipe and had delicious results. The additional powdered sugar contributes quite a bit of sweetness to this recipe, therefore to avoid fudge that’s too sweet, use a dark chocolate which contains less sugar.

  • Milk: I used almond milk but regular milk works fine too. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try chocolate milk!

Storage

Store this fudge in the fridge for best results! If left at room temperature, the fudge runs the risk of melting (especially in warmer climates). I actually prefer to store my fudge in the freezer in the summertime, it’s still soft enough to sink my teeth into – but perfectly firm, cold, and just SO delicious!

Easy Fudge Recipe Without Condensed Milk
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Easy Fudge Recipe Without Condensed Milk

3 from 93 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: DessertsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes
Total time

0

minutes

If you’re looking for a fudge snack that you can easily make at home, try my fudge recipe which only requires a few basic pantry ingredients. It doesn’t require sweetened condensed milk as many fudge recipes do, but it’s just as delicious!

Ingredients

  • 6 Ounces Dark Chocolate (or 3/4 cup chocolate chips)

  • 1/4 Cup Butter (Dairy or Dairy-free)

  • 1/4 Cup Milk (Dairy or Dairy-Free)

  • 2 Cups Powdered Sugar

  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Directions

  • Line and grease a loaf pan. 
  • Microwave chocolate, butter, and milk in a bowl for 2 minutes or until melted – stir to combine.
  • Add in powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beat with a hand or stand mixer until smooth.
  • Transfer mixture to prepared pan, cover, and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm. Use a greased knife to cut fudge into squares.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • This fudge is best stored in the fridge or freezer.

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