Last Updated on March 25, 2024
Crudité is a chic and smart way to consume nutrients, enjoy a snack or girl dinner, and to look like a domestic goddess at parties.
I love crudité and by the end of this post you will, too.
I’ll be covering what Crudité is, how crudité platters makes it easy to get fit and healthy, and how to make a crudité platter you’ll crave.
Let’s dig in!
What is Crudité?
Crudité (pronounced “krew-dee-tay”) refers to a selection of raw vegetables that are typically served as an appetizer or snack. The term is French, derived from the word “crudités,” which means “rawness.” Think of crudité as a ‘skinny’ charcuterie board but with raw, fresh veggies and dips instead of meats and cheeses.
Crudité platters often include a variety of colorful vegetables such as carrots, celery, bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, radishes, and broccoli, among others. These vegetables are usually cut into bite-sized pieces or sticks and arranged attractively on a platter. They’re commonly served with different dipping sauces or dressings, such as ranch, hummus, tzatziki, or vinaigrette, to add flavor, variety, and enjoyment.
From a nutrition point of view, crudité is SMART because vegetables are lowest in calories but highest in micronutrients and fiber. Vegetables are THE BEST food group for health (physical and mental) and metabolism/fitness. Also, crudite platters are amazing because they combine veggies and healthy fats. This is important because you can’t absorb nutrients without fat… so the perfect crudité platter with have lots of nutrient dense options and flavorful, full fat dips, that when paired together make the perfect bite that makes it easy to get fit and healthy.
Crudité platters are popular at parties, gatherings, and events due to their freshness, healthfulness, and visual appeal. They provide a refreshing, healthy and nutritious option to enjoy… so they’re great for parties and potlucks. But they’re also a chic, sexy, smart way to enjoy a snack or meal.
They’re super healthy, easy to make, delicious, and provide a TON of nutrients needed to boost metabolism. Crudité platters are perfect if you’re trying to slim down, tone up, get healthy, or detox. I highly recommend them in my Meal Plans and especially during my Reset Cleanse to help detox the body and lose weight.
So now that you know what crudité is and why it’s amazing, next we’re going to go over how to make the perfect crudité platter for you or your next party.
How to Make a Crudité Platter
Follow these easy tips to make the ultimate crudité platter to enjoy or take to your next event, party, or potluck.
- Choose a Variety of Vegetables: Include a diverse selection of vegetables to offer different colors, textures, and flavors. Some popular options include carrots, celery, bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, and jicama. You’ll find more delicious options listed below. Opt for vegetables that are in season for the freshest and most flavorful options. Seasonal produce tends to be more affordable, readily available, and have more nutrients compared to out of season veggies.
- Prep Vegetables in Advance: Wash, peel, and cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces or sticks to make serving and eating easier. You can prep your veggies ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble your crudité platter.
- Arrange Vegetables Creatively: Arrange the vegetables on a large platter in an aesthetically pleasing manner. You can use a large serving dish, tray or charcuterie board. Group similar colors together and vary the shapes and sizes to create visual interest. Consider using a variety of shapes such as rounds, strips, and florets.
- Incorporate Dip Options: Offer a selection of healthy dip options to accompany the vegetables. Popular choices include hummus, tzatziki, guacamole, salsa, Greek yogurt-based dips, or homemade vinaigrettes. You can also provide a variety of dips to cater to different tastes.
- Include Protein-Rich Additions: Add protein-rich options to make the crudité platter more satisfying and balanced. Consider including boiled eggs, grilled chicken strips, or cubes of cheese alongside the vegetables. Using a Greek yogurt or hummus dip is another great way to boost protein and make your crudité more nutritious and satisfying.
- Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Add a pop of flavor and color to the platter by garnishing it with fresh herbs such as parsley, dill, cilantro, or basil. Scatter the herbs over the vegetables for a finishing touch.
- Keep it Fresh: To keep the vegetables fresh and crisp, set your serving dish over ice underneath or cover the vegetables with a damp, cool paper towel. This helps maintain freshness throughout your event.
The Best Vegetables for Crudité
Below are some of the best options for your crudité platter. They’re highest in nutrients and best served raw, which is required for a proper crudité. Remember, organic, local, and in season vegetables are best.
For a smaller crudité platter choose 3-5 vegetables. For a larger, more elaborate platter you can do as many as you’d like from the list below. Try to choose vegetables that are different colors because different colors means more/different nutrient profiles…. so the more colors you use the better.
- Carrot sticks
- Celery sticks
- Cucumber slices or sticks
- Bell pepper strips (red, yellow, green)
- Cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes)
- Radishes (sliced or whole)
- Broccoli florets
- Brussel sprouts (sliced or leaves)
- Cauliflower florets
- Snap peas (whole or sliced)
- Baby carrots (whole or halved)
- Jicama sticks
- Zucchini slices or sticks
- Green beans (blanched or raw)
- Asparagus spears (blanched or raw)
- Artichoke hearts (quartered)
- Cherry or grape tomatoes on or off the vine
- Mushrooms (whole, sliced, or marinated)
- Sugar snap peas (whole)
- Baby corn
- Endive leaves
- Fennel slices or sticks
- Beet slices or sticks (raw or cooked)
- Turnip slices or sticks
- Kohlrabi slices or sticks
- Scallions (whole or sliced)
- Watermelon radishes (sliced)
- Cabbage leaves (red or green)
- Romaine lettuce leaves (whole or torn)
- Spinach leaves
- Arugula leaves
- Hearts of palm
Best Vegetable Dips
There’s a wide range of delicious dip options that pair well with crudité. For a smaller board you can use 1-2. For a larger board, the more dips you use the better. Here are some popular choices:
- Hummus: A classic choice made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. It’s creamy, savory, and packed with protein and fiber.
- Tzatziki: A Greek yogurt-based dip flavored with cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and dill. It’s refreshing and pairs perfectly with crunchy vegetables.
- Guacamole: Made from mashed avocados mixed with lime juice, onion, tomato, cilantro, and spices. It’s creamy, flavorful, and adds a touch of richness to the crudité.
- (Salad) Dressing: You can use any salad dressing that you’d like. Homemade ranch is a creamy and tangy dressing made from mayonnaise or sour cream, buttermilk, herbs, and spices. It’s a classic dip that complements a variety of vegetables. You can also try any of these easy homemade salad dressings, too.
- Salsa: A tomato-based dip with onions, peppers, cilantro, lime juice, and spices. It adds a vibrant, spicy kick to the crudité.
- Baba Ganoush: A Middle Eastern dip made from roasted eggplant, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. It has a smoky flavor and creamy texture.
- Spinach Dip: A creamy dip made from spinach, sour cream, mayonnaise, water chestnuts, and seasonings. It’s rich, flavorful, and perfect for dipping vegetables.
- Pesto: A flavorful sauce made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. It adds a burst of herbaceous flavor to the crudité.
- Greek Yogurt Dill Dip: A light and tangy dip made from Greek yogurt, fresh dill, lemon juice, garlic, and seasoning. It’s refreshing and pairs well with crisp vegetables.
- Sriracha Mayo: A spicy and creamy dip made from mayonnaise and sriracha sauce. It adds a kick of heat to the crudité.
- Tahini Dip: A creamy dip made from tahini (sesame seed paste), lemon juice, garlic, and water. It has a nutty flavor and pairs well with raw vegetables.
- Roasted Red Pepper Dip: A flavorful dip made from roasted red peppers, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and spices. It’s sweet, smoky, and perfect for dipping vegetables.
Feel free to mix and match these dip options based on your preferences and dietary restrictions. Offering a variety of dips ensures there’s something for everyone to enjoy with their crudité.
Can you add fruit to a crudité platter?
Traditional crudité platters primarily consist of raw vegetables, there’s no hard and fast rule against including fruits on a crudité board. However, it’s important to remember that the term “crudité” typically refers specifically to raw vegetables.
It’s also important to note the sugar in fruit (fructose) has the potential to ferment the vegetable fibers and can lead to GI symptoms like bloating and gas… BUT, fruit is always a good idea if you want to add healthy and sweet options available…
That being said, if you want to add some fruit to your platter for variety or to cater to different tastes, you can certainly do so!!
Just keep in mind the flavor combinations and how they’ll pair with any dips you’re serving.
My best recommendations for fruit options that could complement a crudité platter are:
- Sliced apples
- Grapes (seedless)
- Berries such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries
- Sliced pears
- Pineapple chunks or spears
- Melon balls (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew)
- Kiwi slices
- Orange segments
- Grapefruit segments
When incorporating fruit onto a crudité platter, consider the overall presentation and how well the flavors will complement each other. It’s also a good idea to separate the fruit from the vegetables to prevent any unwanted mixing of flavors or juices. As long as it enhances the overall appeal and enjoyment of the platter, adding fruit can be a creative and refreshing addition.
Now that you know how to make a crudité platter, I encourage you to try it. Whether as a snack, a girl dinner, appetizer, or party platter, crudité is a smart way to enjoy your veggies and makes it easy to get fit and healthy.
I personally LOVE making crudité with carrots, celery, cabbage leaves, and cherry tomatoes. My go-to dips are hummus, guacamole, and baba ganoush.
What veggies and dips are musts in your crudité?? Let me know in the comments. I always love hearing from you.
xo
Your Coach & Biggest Cheerleader,
If you’re looking for quick & easy ways to eat yourself slim and healthy or are wanting impressive results asap… then I highly recommend my Reset Cleanse. You can lose up to 10 pounds in 7 days. It’s a great way to get results, get on track, and break through plateaus quickly and naturally.
