Go Back
Graveyard Veggie Platter for a healthy Halloween

Classic Graveyard Veggie Platter

Create a spooky and delicious centerpiece for your Halloween party with this Classic Graveyard Veggie Platter, featuring a savory "dirt" dip and an array of fresh vegetables and crackers arranged to resemble a graveyard.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • medium bowl
  • large platter or serving tray
  • small knife or cookie cutters
  • food-safe marker (optional)
  • toothpick (optional)

Ingredients
  

For the "Dirt" Dip:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped black olives

For the "Gravestones" & "Bones":

  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, cut into sticks
  • 1 cucumber, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 cup sugar snap peas
  • 1 cup radishes, sliced
  • 1 cup crackers, cut into tombstone shapes
  • 1 cup pretzel sticks

For the "Graveyard Decor":

  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup edamame, shelled
  • Small plastic spiders optional, for garnish
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions
 

Prepare the "Dirt" Dip

  • In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch seasoning mix until smooth. Stir in the finely chopped black olives to complete your "dirt" dip.

Assemble the Graveyard Base

  • Spread the prepared "dirt" dip evenly across a large platter or serving tray, forming an irregular, graveyard-like shape as your base.

Create Your Gravestones

  • Cut carrots, celery, cucumbers, bell peppers, and crackers into tombstone shapes using a knife or cookie cutters. Optionally, "write" initials like "RIP" on cracker gravestones with a food-safe marker or a dark dip.

Arrange the Bones & Gravestones

  • Artfully arrange the "gravestones" upright in the "dirt" dip, then lay pretzel sticks around them to resemble "bones" for a spooky effect.

Plant the Foliage

  • Strategically place broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, and cherry tomatoes on the platter to create a graveyard scene. Use edamame to fill in gaps and add a "grassy" texture, enhancing the realism.

Add the Creepy-Crawlies

  • Scatter small plastic spiders among the veggies and dip for an extra fright factor if desired.

Final Touches

  • Garnish with fresh parsley for added color and realism, then chill the platter until ready to serve.

Notes

For an extra spooky touch, you can add a few drops of black food coloring to the "dirt" dip.