Dietary Hub · Vegetarian

Charcuterie Board Without Meat: Vegetarian Swaps and the Rennet Check

Swap the cured meat for marinated vegetables, olives and extra cheese, then check the cheese. Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, Gruyère and Gorgonzola are usually made with animal rennet. Look for "vegetarian" or "microbial rennet".

195 safe67 check the label63 skip of 325 ingredients

Taking the meat off a board is easy. The trap is the cheese. Rennet, the enzyme that sets most cheese, traditionally comes from a calf's or lamb's stomach. The official recipe for Parmigiano-Reggiano requires calf rennet, and the Vegetarian Society lists Camembert, Gorgonzola, Manchego, Gruyère, Pecorino Romano, Emmental, Raclette and Roquefort as usually not vegetarian.

Many makers now offer vegetarian versions of almost any cheese, so the label decides. Fresh cheeses set with acid, like ricotta, mascarpone and cream cheese, are usually vegetarian.

Want a full vegetarian board plan? Our vegetarian charcuterie board builds one step by step. This page is the reference: every ingredient, checked.

What's vegetarian, what to check, what to skip

Safe: nothing in the usual recipe breaks the diet. Check the label: some brands or recipes do. Skip: the usual recipe does. Tap a category to open it, or use the Diet Checker to combine diets.

Cheese 7 safe · 59 check · 10 skip

Ingredient	Vegetarian
Almond Ricotta	SafePlant-based, no animal ingredients.
Cashew Cheese	SafePlant-based, no animal ingredients.
Cream Cheese	SafeNo rennet: set with acid or cultures.
Mascarpone	SafeNo rennet: set with acid or cultures.
Ricotta	SafeNo rennet: set with acid or cultures.
Vegan Brie	SafePlant-based, no animal ingredients.
Vegan Cream Cheese	SafePlant-based, no animal ingredients.
Aged Cheddar	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Aged Gouda	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Aged Provolone	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Asiago	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Beaufort	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Bleu d'Auvergne	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Boursin	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Brie	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Bucheron	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Burrata	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Cabrales	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Cambozola	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Comté	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Cotija	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Cotswold	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Cranberry Goat Cheese	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Crottin de Chavignol	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Danish Blue	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Drunken Goat	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Edam	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Époisses	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Feta	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Fontina	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Fresh Chèvre	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Fresh Mozzarella	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Garrotxa	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Halloumi	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Havarti	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Humboldt Fog	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Idiazábal	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Jarlsberg	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Langres	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Limburger	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Mahón	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Maytag Blue	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Mimolette	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Monterey Jack	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Morbier	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Muenster	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Ossau-Iraty	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Pecorino Toscano	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Pepper Jack	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Pont-l'Évêque	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Port Salut	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Queso Fresco	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Reblochon	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Red Hawk	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Red Leicester	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Roncal	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Sainte-Maure de Touraine	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Smoked Gouda	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Stilton	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Stracciatella	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Taleggio	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Tomme de Savoie	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Triple-Crème	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Truffle Cheese	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Valençay	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Wensleydale with Cranberries	Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label.
Camembert	SkipUsually made with animal rennet. Some supermarket camembert is vegetarian; check the label.
Emmental	SkipUsually made with animal rennet. Some supermarket Swiss is vegetarian; check the label.
Gorgonzola	SkipUsually made with animal rennet (Vegetarian Society).
Grana Padano	SkipMade like Parmigiano-Reggiano, with animal rennet.
Gruyère	SkipUsually made with animal rennet. Look for a gruyère-style cheese labeled vegetarian.
Manchego	SkipUsually made with animal rennet. A few brands use vegetable rennet; check the label.
Parmigiano-Reggiano	SkipThe official recipe requires calf rennet.
Pecorino Romano	SkipTraditionally made with lamb rennet.
Raclette	SkipUsually made with animal rennet (Vegetarian Society).
Roquefort	SkipUsually made with animal rennet (Vegetarian Society).

Cured Meat & Seafood 0 safe · 0 check · 50 skip

Ingredient	Vegetarian
'Nduja	SkipMeat.
Anchovies	SkipFish or seafood.
Andouille	SkipMeat.
Black Forest Ham	SkipMeat.
Boquerones	SkipFish or seafood.
Bottarga	SkipFish or seafood.
Bresaola	SkipMeat.
Bündnerfleisch	SkipMeat.
Caviar	SkipFish or seafood.
Chorizo	SkipMeat.
Coppa	SkipMeat.
Country Ham	SkipMeat.
Culatello	SkipMeat.
Duck Prosciutto	SkipMeat.
Finocchiona	SkipMeat.
Fuet	SkipMeat.
Genoa Salami	SkipMeat.
Gravlax	SkipFish or seafood.
Guanciale	SkipMeat.
Jambon de Bayonne	SkipMeat.
Jamón Ibérico	SkipMeat.
Jamón Serrano	SkipMeat.
Kielbasa	SkipMeat.
Landjäger	SkipMeat.
Lardo	SkipMeat.
Liverwurst	SkipMeat.
Lomo	SkipMeat.
Morcilla	SkipMeat.
Mortadella	SkipMeat.
Pancetta	SkipMeat.
Pastrami	SkipMeat.
Pâté de Campagne	SkipMeat.
Pepperoni	SkipMeat.
Prosciutto Cotto	SkipMeat.
Prosciutto di Parma	SkipMeat.
Prosciutto di San Daniele	SkipMeat.
Rillettes	SkipMeat.
Rosette de Lyon	SkipMeat.
Salchichón	SkipMeat.
Sardines	SkipFish or seafood.
Saucisson Sec	SkipMeat.
Smoked Salmon	SkipFish or seafood.
Smoked Trout	SkipFish or seafood.
Sobrasada	SkipMeat.
Soppressata	SkipMeat.
Speck	SkipMeat.
Summer Sausage	SkipMeat.
Teewurst	SkipMeat.
Tinned Mackerel	SkipFish or seafood.
Tinned Octopus	SkipFish or seafood.

Crackers & Breads 58 safe · 3 check · 2 skip

Ingredient	Vegetarian
Almond Flour Crackers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Bagel Chips	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Baguette	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Bath Olivers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Blini	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Brioche Toast Points	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Butter Crackers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Cassava Crackers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Charcoal Crackers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Chickpea Crackers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Chocolate Wafers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Ciabatta	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Cocktail Rye	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Cream Crackers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Crostini	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Digestive Biscuits	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Everything Crackers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Flaxseed Crackers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Focaccia	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Friselle	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Fruit & Nut Crisps	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Gingersnaps	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Gluten-Free Bread	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Graham Crackers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Grissini	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Lavash	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Lefse	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Matzo	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Melba Toast	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Mini Naan	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Nut Thins	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Oatcakes	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Olive Oil Crackers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pane Carasau	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Papadum	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pita Chips	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pizzelle	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Plantain Chips	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pretzel Crisps	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pumpernickel	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Rice Crackers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Root Vegetable Chips	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Rosemary Crackers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Rye Crispbread	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Saltines	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Seeded Crackers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Sesame Crackers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Shortbread	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Socca	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Sourdough	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Speculoos	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Taralli	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Tortilla Chips	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Tostada Rounds	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Vegetable Bases	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Walnut Raisin Bread	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Water Crackers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Whole Wheat Crackers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Cheddar Crisps	Check the labelCheese rennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian' on the label.
Gougères	Check the labelUsually made with gruyère or parmesan, often animal rennet. Use a vegetarian hard cheese.
Pão de Queijo	Check the labelOften made with parmesan, usually animal rennet. Use a vegetarian hard cheese.
Parmesan Crisps	SkipMade from Parmigiano-Reggiano or parmesan, usually with animal rennet.
Prawn Crackers	SkipContains fish or seafood.

Fruit 33 safe · 0 check · 0 skip

Ingredient	Vegetarian
Apples	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Berries	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Blood Oranges	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Brandied Cherries	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Candied Citrus	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Champagne Grapes	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Cherries	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Dragon Fruit	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Dried Apricots	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Dried Cherries	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Dried Cranberries	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Dried Figs	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Dried Mango	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Figs	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Fresh Apricots	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Golden Raisins	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Grapefruit	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Grapes	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Kiwi	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Kumquats	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Mandarins	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Mango	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Medjool Dates	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Melon	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Passion Fruit	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Peaches	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pears	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Persimmon	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Physalis	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pineapple	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Plums	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pomegranate	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Prunes	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.

Nuts & Seeds 20 safe · 0 check · 0 skip

Ingredient	Vegetarian
Almonds	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Brazil Nuts	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Candied Pecans	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Cashews	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Dukkah	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Hazelnuts	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Honey Roasted Peanuts	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Macadamia Nuts	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Marcona Almonds	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Nut Brittle	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pecans	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pine Nuts	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pistachios	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pumpkin Seeds	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Roasted Chestnuts	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Smoked Almonds	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Spiced Nut Mix	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Sunflower Seeds	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Walnuts	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Wasabi Peas	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.

Spreads, Jams & Honey 30 safe · 4 check · 0 skip

Ingredient	Vegetarian
Ajvar	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Apple Butter	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Apricot Jam	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Baba Ganoush	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Bacon Jam	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Cherry Preserves	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Chocolate Hazelnut Spread	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Cranberry Sauce	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Dijon Mustard	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Fig Jam	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Harissa	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Honey	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Honey Mustard	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Honeycomb	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Hot Honey	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Hummus	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Labneh	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Lemon Curd	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Mango Chutney	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Membrillo	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Mostarda	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Muhammara	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Onion Jam	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Orange Marmalade	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pepper Jelly	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Romesco	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Tomato Jam	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Truffle Honey	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Tzatziki	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Whole Grain Mustard	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pesto	Check the labelClassic pesto uses Parmigiano-Reggiano, made with animal rennet. Some jars use vegetarian cheese.
Pimento Cheese	Check the labelCheese rennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian' on the label.
Tapenade	Check the labelMany recipes add anchovies; others are just olives and capers. Check the label.
Whipped Feta	Check the labelFeta rennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian' on the label.

Pickles, Olives & Briny 26 safe · 0 check · 1 skip

Ingredient	Vegetarian
Bread and Butter Pickles	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Caperberries	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Capers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Castelvetrano Olives	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Cerignola Olives	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Cornichons	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Dill Pickles	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Giardiniera	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Kalamata Olives	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Manzanilla Olives	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Marinated Artichokes	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Marinated Mushrooms	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Mixed Marinated Olives	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Niçoise Olives	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Oil-Cured Olives	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Peppadew	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pepperoncini	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pickled Beets	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pickled Green Beans	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pickled Jalapeños	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pickled Okra	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pickled Red Onions	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Piquillo Peppers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Preserved Lemons	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Roasted Red Peppers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Kimchi	SkipContains fish or seafood.

Finishing Touches 21 safe · 1 check · 0 skip

Ingredient	Vegetarian
Aleppo Pepper	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Amaretti	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Balsamic Glaze	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Biscotti	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Candied Ginger	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Chili Flakes	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Chocolate Covered Almonds	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Cocoa Nibs	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Cracked Black Pepper	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Dark Chocolate	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Edible Flowers	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Everything Bagel Seasoning	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Flaky Sea Salt	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Fresh Basil	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Fresh Mint	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Fresh Thyme	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Olive Oil	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Pink Peppercorns	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Rosemary Sprigs	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Sea Salt Caramels	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Za'atar	SafeNo meat or fish in the usual recipe.
Chili Oil	Check the labelSome chili crisps contain dried shrimp.

Swaps

Instead of	Use	Why
Prosciutto di Parma	Marinated Mushrooms, Roasted Red Peppers	Fold them like ribbons of ham.
Genoa Salami	Marinated Artichokes, Piquillo Peppers	Salty, oily and savory, the jobs salami does.
Parmigiano-Reggiano	Aged Gouda, Aged Cheddar	Crystalline and nutty. Check for vegetarian rennet.
Gorgonzola	Danish Blue, Cambozola	Check the label; many brands use microbial rennet.
Tapenade	Kalamata Olives, Sun-Dried Tomatoes	Or buy a tapenade without anchovies.
Smoked Salmon	Labneh, Pickled Red Onions	Keeps the brunch-board flavors.

Boards from our library that fit

Checked item by item against the list above.

Or build your own vegetarian board for your guest count →

How to set up the board

Keep the meat on its own side. If the board has meat for other guests, give it one end and the vegetarian items the other, with separate tongs.
Make the swaps generous. Marinated vegetables and olives fill the space meat would have. Plan about the same weight.
Add one more cheese. A board without meat looks full with four cheeses instead of three.
Label the cheeses. A "Vegetarian" card on each cheese saves your guest from asking about every one.

Food safety for every board: perishable food out no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (USDA).

What to read on the label

On cheese, look for "vegetarian", "microbial rennet", "vegetable rennet" or "non-animal rennet". "Enzymes" alone doesn't tell you.
Skip cheeses with protected names whose rules call for animal rennet, like Parmigiano-Reggiano, and look for a vegetarian "Italian hard cheese" instead.
Pesto is usually made with Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino. Check the jar.
Tapenade and kimchi can contain anchovies, fish sauce or shrimp.
Some salami-style vegetarian products contain egg or dairy, which matters if your guest is also vegan.

Quick answers

Is Parmesan vegetarian? No (Parmigiano-Reggiano)
Which cheeses are vegetarian? It depends on the rennet

Questions

Is Parmesan vegetarian?

Parmigiano-Reggiano isn't. Its official recipe requires calf rennet. Some cheeses sold as "parmesan" or "Italian hard cheese" use microbial rennet and are labeled vegetarian.

Which cheeses are usually vegetarian?

The Vegetarian Society lists paneer, ricotta, cottage cheese, cream cheese and mascarpone as usually vegetarian. For anything else, including cheddar, check the label for vegetarian or microbial rennet.

What replaces meat on a charcuterie board?

Marinated mushrooms, artichokes, roasted peppers, olives and an extra cheese. They do the salty, savory job the meat does.

Is a charcuterie board without meat still charcuterie?

Strictly, charcuterie means cured meat. Most people now use the word for the whole board style, with or without meat.

Sources

Reviewed October 1, 2026. Brands change their recipes, so we re-check these pages every 6 months. For a serious allergy or celiac disease, read every label and ask your guest. How we classify ingredients.

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