What to avoid on a veggie tray? Raw cauliflower is often a popular choice, but we find its flavor is very strong and it can be hard to digest. We avoid it on a veggie tray, or you could make steamed cauliflower first. Here’s the thing: there’s not too much needed to take those ordinary carrots and celery from blah to amazing. Our 3 best tricks? Play up the vegetable color and texture contrasts, make our dill dip recipe that takes just 5 minutes, add hummus as a contrasting dip, and go for steamed broccoli instead of raw: it makes everyone happy!
Carrots: Avoid baby carrots. Peel and slice medium to large carrots for the best flavor. Use rainbow carrots if you can find them for brightly colored look! Broccoli: Use steamed broccoli or blanched broccoli, lightly salted, which makes a more tender texture and sweet flavor. It also makes a beautiful bright green color. Everyone always raves when we do this trick! Bell peppers: Use red, orange, yellow or a combination for the best look. Mini sweet peppers also look nice. Cucumber: We like using English cucumber, which has the best flavor and bright green color. The peel is less bitter and the seeds are smaller than a standard cucumber. Snap peas: Snap peas are always a favorite, with their sweet flavor and crunch. Avoid snow peas here, which are thinner and less sweet. Celery: Celery still works, when surrounded by these colors and textures. Cherry tomatoes: Use multi-colored tomatoes if you can find them. Radishes: Using radishes brings in a nice bright pink color contrast! We like slicing them for easy eating.
More appetizer recipes
This veggie tray is one of our favorite healthy appetizers: it’s the perfect party food idea! Here are a few more appetizer recipes to try:
Olives Dill pickles Blanched green beans Blanched asparagus Pickled cauliflower, pickled carrots, pickled green beans, or pickled peppers Marinated mushrooms Kohlrabi, peeled and cut into sticks Jicama, peeled and cut into sticks Zucchini or summer squash, sliced
Here are all of our top dip ideas, and a little bit about why we love them:
Dill dip: This classic Dill Dip uses mayonnaise, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), and big fill flavor. Alternative options are Ranch Dip, Veggie Dip, or Vegan Ranch. Hummus: Hummus is a great option for a veggie tray since it’s naturally vegan. We like our classic Hummus Recipe best, but we also love variations like Beet Hummus, Black Bean Hummus, or Green Hummus. French onion dip: This French Onion Dip is creamy and rich. Spinach dip: A cold Spinach Dip is a nice alternative for a veggie tray. For vegan, use Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip. Green dips: We like adding color contrasts with a green dip, like Avocado Dip, Green Pea Dip, Cilantro Lime Crema, or Cilantro Sauce (vegan). Dill pickle dip: This creamy Dill Pickle Dip has a tangy, bright flavor everyone loves. Aioli: Aioli is a creamy French sauce or dip. Try our Garlic Aioli, Pesto Aioli, Chipotle Aioli, or Truffle Aioli.
Start with the dips in low, small bowls. Place the dips onto the tray first. Place piles of vegetables around the dips, playing up contrasts in textures and colors. Place different colored vegetables next to each other, and make different patterns with the shapes. Garnish with herbs. We like adding a little fun with fresh herbs like basil or thyme sprigs to add interest.
Wash and cut the vegetables in advance (including steaming or blanching the broccoli or green beans). Store cut vegetables up to 3 days refrigerated. Make the dips in advance and store up to 1 week refrigerated.
Make our Ultimate Cheese Board or an Antipasto Platter Go for a fruit tray with Easy Fruit Dip Mix up fan favorite Spinach Artichoke Dip
Frequently asked questions
No reviews
Carrots (rainbow carrots if possible) Celery Cucumber (English cucumber is best if you can find it) Snap peas Red, orange, or yellow bell peppers Broccoli (steamed broccoli or blanched broccoli is best) Radishes Cherry tomatoes (multi-colored, if possible) Olives
Dill Dip
1 cup full fat Greek yogurt (or sour cream; see notes) 1 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons dried dill 1 ½ tablespoons dried minced onion ½ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Other Dip Ideas (Optional): Hummus, Avocado Dip, Tzatziki, French Onion Dip, Dill Pickle Dip, Spinach Dip, Cottage Cheese Dip, Garlic Aioli, Pesto Aioli, Green Pea Dip, White Bean Dip, Cilantro Lime Crema Other hummus variations: Beet Hummus, Black Bean Hummus, or Green Hummus
