Ultimate Crudité Platter

I adore how this crudité platter transforms the typical grocery-store veggie tray into something bright, creative, and irresistible. It’s a harmonious blend of crunchy fresh vegetables, flavorful dips, savory cheese, and a touch of sweetness from cherry thyme butter—perfect for parties or casual gatherings.

Why I’ll Love This Recipe

I love how everything feels thoughtfully curated yet simple to prepare. The combination of fresh veggies, creamy white bean dip, tangy marinated feta, and that sweet-tart cherry thyme butter keeps every bite interesting. It’s elegant without being fussy—something I bring to gatherings, and it’s always the first platter to disappear.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Marinated Feta

• fresh thyme sprigs

• cubed feta

• garlic cloves

• sun-dried tomatoes (halved)

• peppercorns

• extra-virgin olive oil

Tart Cherry Thyme Butter

• unsalted butter, room temperature

• dried tart cherries

• fresh thyme leaves

• honey or pure maple syrup

Herb-y White Bean Dip

• canned cannellini beans (rinsed, drained)

• olive oil

• torn fresh basil leaves

• fresh rosemary leaves

• fresh lemon juice

• lemon zest

• sea salt

• freshly ground black pepper

• water

For serving

• Persian cucumbers, sliced

• blanched snap peas

• rainbow carrots, chopped

• heirloom tomatoes, sliced into wedges

• thinly sliced baguette

Directions

1. Make the marinated feta: Layer thyme sprigs, feta, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and peppercorns in a jar. Pour olive oil until everything is submerged, then chill.

2. Make the cherry thyme butter: Blend butter, dried cherries, thyme, and honey in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a serving dish or store chilled.

3. Make the white bean dip: Process beans, oil, basil, rosemary, lemon juice, zest, salt, and pepper. Slowly add water while processing until smooth. Transfer to a bowl.

4. Assemble the platter: Arrange cucumbers, snap peas, carrots, tomatoes, and baguette alongside the feta, butter, and dip.

Servings and timing

This platter serves 6 to 8 people and takes 20 minutes total from start to finish.

Variations

I usually stick to the core components, but I also love mixing things up:

• Swap veggies based on what’s in season—broccoli, cauliflower, celery, green beans, or radishes all work beautifully.

• For dips, I’ve tried curried red lentil hummus, beet hummus, or vegan pimento cheese instead of white bean dip.

• Instead of feta, I’ll sometimes add aged cheddar or brie—or toss in roasted nuts or marinated olives for crunch or brininess.

• For something sweet, fruit preserves or fresh fruit like apples or grapes make a lovely alternative.

storage/reheating

• I prepare the dips and cherry thyme butter in advance—those store well in the fridge. The marinated feta keeps beautifully chilled too.

• I cut the vegetables a bit before serving to keep them crisp.

• I assemble the platter shortly before guests arrive to maintain freshness and presentation.

FAQs

How long can I store the white bean dip?

I usually keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days—it stays creamy and flavorful that way.

Can I use regular dried cherries instead of tart cherries?

Absolutely—regular dried cherries or even fruit preserves will work. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.

Do I serve the feta as a dip or spread?

I leave it chunky—guests can scoop or place pieces onto baguette slices or vegetables for the best texture and flavor.

Can I make this vegan?

Yes—swap the butter for a plant-based alternative and use a non-dairy cheese or skip the feta entirely. Vegan dips work great here too.

What if I don’t have a food processor?

You can mash the bean dip by hand or use a blender. For the butter, soften and mix until smooth—that still tastes wonderful.

Conclusion

I’m always impressed by how vibrant and crowd-pleasing this Crudité Platter is. It’s refreshing, flavorful, and easy to adapt. Whether I’m hosting a summer get-together or just craving a fresh snack, this platter never disappoints.

Print