Veggie Tray Recipe

Learn How to Make a Veggie Tray for the perfect appetizer for parties, Game Day and more. Add your favorite dip and enjoy!

I have never been a fan of grocery store veggie trays and always make my own. It is super easy, much cheaper and fresher than any of those you can buy. I even make a Pumpkin Veggie tray for Fall.

Veggie Platter make the best appetizer recipe for any occasion. My kids will even eat more vegetables when I make these platters. Check out more Easy Snack Recipes.

Why This Recipe Works

Making a veggie tray at home saves me money and I can load it with fresh produce that I want. The few times I have purchased one at the store, I was always disappointed. Either it wasn’t cut into small enough pieces or the quality just wasn’t anything I would serve.

I ended up tossing half and cutting the rest. That defeats the purpose of saving time with store bought. That is why I always make a homemade veggie tray now. Plus the vegetable dip taste better.

The entire tray is so easy to put together that you will wonder why you ever used to buy this easy side dish.

How to Make the Best Fresh Vegetable Tray

The best veggie tray includes an assortment of vegetables such as carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli and more. You want to always include a dip to complete the tray.

Ranch dip is always a crowd pleaser and a popular choice to include.

Veggie Tray Ideas

• Baby Carrots
• Celery Stalks
• Cucumbers
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Bell Peppers -You can use any color. I think it is pretty to use an assortment.
• Assorted Delicious Dips
• Crackers

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

How to Assemble a Veggie Tray:

• Step 1 – Pick your favorite platter – First, you need a platter. I usually get a platter that is specific to the party I am having. I think it makes it more festive.
• Step 2 – Cut and Prepare your Vegetables – Get all of your veggies sliced, cute or peeled depending on what type of vegetables you decide to use. Make sure to wash in salted water or iced water.
• Step 3 – Place on Tray – Next, start adding the veggies to the tray and grouping in sections.
• Step 4 – Make your Dip – The last step is to put small bowls of dip on the platter for dipping.
• Step 5 – Serve and enjoy – If you are not eating right away, make sure to cover the tray and place in the fridge.

Veggie Tray Dips to include

• Homemade Ranch Dip – Ranch is the typical dip of choice for vegetable trays. Plus, this homemade recipe is much better than anything you can buy and super easy to make. Make it ahead and store in a mason jar.
• Ranch Dressing– Prefer a thinner dip? Try using dressing instead.
• Bean Dip- A great option for a heartier dip.
• Fiesta Ranch Dip
• Hummus- roasted red pepper and garlic hummus make great dipping options.
• Cottage Cheese Dip – a fun dip packed with protein

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Get a large platter – Platter- Make sure your platter is large enough to hold all of the vegetables. I have a big glass platter I use for holidays but prefer to use a plastic one with lid for when I am transporting the tray.
• Keep Vegetables Fresh – Don’t make the tray too far in advance. You want the veggies to be fresh. It is fine to make it the night before you plan to use it.
• Bite Size Vegetables – Cut vegetables into small bites. This makes it easy for you and your guest to grab from the vegetable tray.
• Have Variety – Assortment- Try to have an assortment of vegetables so everyone will have something they like. Think outside the box of “normal” vegetables and include things like green beans or snap peas.
• Get creative with your display – I like to alternate vegetables so that I have a colorful veggie display. For example, I don’t put all the green vegetables together. I try to alternate.
• Fresh Herbs – You can also place some fresh herbs for a filler on the vegetable tray.

How long will a Veggie Tray stay fresh?

A assembled vegetable tray will stay a room temperature for about 2 hours. I will prepare the vegetable tray and bring it out as my guest start arriving. Then once dinner is over, I will place back in the refrigerator.

This way, the vegetable stay fresh and my family can snack on the leftovers through out the week.

Can you make a Veggie Tray in advance?

When I know that I am serving a vegetable platter, I will usually prepare it the night before. You can make it up to two days in advance, but after that the vegetables start to dry out.

More Easy Appetizer Recipes:

• Crescent Roll Veggie Pizza Appetizer Recipe
• Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
• Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe

We love hearing from you. If you make this Veggie Tray, please leave us a comment or a star review.