Pin I'll never forget the first time I arranged a rainbow grazing board for my best friend's Pride celebration. As I lined up each color—the deep reds bleeding into golden oranges, the yellows catching the afternoon light—I realized I was creating something that felt almost ceremonial. There's magic in taking simple, beautiful ingredients and organizing them with intention. This board became the centerpiece of the party, and watching guests gravitate toward it, snapping photos and celebrating the colors, reminded me that food can be so much more than sustenance. It's a celebration in itself.
The moment I set this board on the table at my friend's Pride party, the room went quiet. Not in a bad way—in that special way where people pause to take in something beautiful. Someone said, 'It's almost too pretty to eat,' but within minutes, the colors began to blur together as hands reached for cherries and grapes, and I loved that too. The imperfection of enjoying it felt right.
Ingredients
- Cherry tomatoes: These little gems are the anchor of your red section—their natural sweetness shines when halved to show that gorgeous interior
- Strawberries: Choose ripe ones that smell like summer; they're delicate, so prep them last
- Red bell peppers: Slice them lengthwise for elegant strips that feel luxurious on the board
- Raspberries: Handle with care—they bruise easily but add such beautiful texture
- Orange bell peppers: These are sweeter than their red cousins and surprisingly juicy
- Mandarin segments: Fresh is better than canned, and they add a sunny brightness to the orange line
- Dried apricots: They bridge fresh and dried fruits, adding chewy contrast
- Baby carrots: Raw and naturally sweet, they're a trusty orange player
- Pineapple chunks: Fresh pineapple has an almost tropical quality that elevates this section
- Yellow bell peppers: The mildest of the peppers, they're a gentle addition
- Yellow cherry tomatoes: Smaller and sweeter than their red counterparts, they add understated charm
- Cheddar cheese cubes: A hint of saltiness cuts through all the natural sugars in this section
- Green grapes: Crisp, refreshing, and they roll slightly—which is fine, it adds movement
- Cucumber slices: Cool and hydrating, they're your board's gentle whisper
- Sugar snap peas: Eat them raw, raw, raw—they're meant to be crispy
- Guacamole: Fresh is essential; make it just before serving and keep it in a small bowl to prevent browning
- Blueberries: These little blues are jewels; they don't need any preparation beyond a gentle rinse
- Blue corn tortilla chips: They bridge the blue and the snacking sections perfectly
- Blackberries: Use them to deepen the blue and start the purple—they're hardworking little ingredients
- Blue cheese crumbles: A bold choice that adds sophistication; use good quality
- Purple grapes: Slightly earthier than green grapes, they complete the purple line beautifully
- Purple cauliflower florets: Raw, they taste like a gentler version of regular cauliflower with a beautiful hue
- Dried figs: Chewy and slightly sophisticated, they're the purple section's quiet hero
- Gluten-free crackers: These are your utility players; tuck them into gaps or offer them as the edible base
- Hummus: A creamy anchor that complements everything
Instructions
- Gather and prepare everything:
- Start here, because this is where the real work happens. Wash all your produce gently, pat it dry with a soft cloth (water spots matter for the visual), and set up a cutting station. Halve your tomatoes and berries, slice your peppers into elegant strips, cut your cheese into cubes. As you work, arrange each color into its own small bowl or pile—this makes assembly so much easier and gives you time to visualize how everything will look together.
- Choose your canvas:
- A large wooden board or oval platter is your stage. I prefer one that's neutral so the colors really sing. Make sure it's clean and dry—lay it horizontally where you have plenty of space to work without crowding.
- Map out your rainbow gently:
- Start with your darkest or boldest color—I begin with red because it anchors everything. Imagine soft, curving lines from one end of the board to the other. You're not drawing, just envisioning where each color band will live. Red flows into orange, orange into yellow, and so on. The curves should feel organic, like you're following the natural movement of the eye.
- Lay down the red section:
- Begin placing your cherry tomatoes, strawberries, and raspberries in that first curved band. Alternate textures—a round tomato next to a textured raspberry, a soft berry next to a crisp pepper strip. Leave a little breathing room; you'll fill gaps later. This is where you slow down and really look at what you're creating.
- Flow into orange:
- Move naturally into your orange ingredients. Mandarin segments shimmer next to dried apricots; baby carrots add a playful pop. The transition between colors should feel inevitable, like one leads to the next.
- Layer yellow with intention:
- Pineapple chunks catch light beautifully. Yellow peppers are mild and friendly. Yellow cherry tomatoes are smaller, so use them to fill tiny gaps. Add your cheddar cubes here—they're the one savory element in this mostly-sweet section, and that contrast is important.
- Welcome the green:
- This is your fresh, crisp moment. Grapes, cucumber slices, and sugar snap peas all want to be in the foreground because they're texturally interesting. Tuck your small bowl of guacamole into this section—it grounds the line and offers something creamy.
- Deepen with blue:
- Blueberries are delicate, so place them gently. Blackberries work here too, creating depth. Your tortilla chips add crunch and a fun element—arrange a few to peek out from among the berries. Scatter your blue cheese crumbles like little treasures.
- Finish in purple:
- Purple grapes, blackberries, dried figs, and purple cauliflower create the final line. This is your dramatic close, so let it feel intentional and slightly mysterious.
- Fill the gaps with generosity:
- Step back and look at your board. Where are the empty spaces? Fill them with extra crackers, a few more grapes, another handful of raspberries. The board should feel abundant and lush, like you couldn't resist adding one more of everything you loved.
- Serve with joy:
- Set out small plates and maybe some napkins. Let people start eating immediately—a grazing board is meant to be interactive and alive.
Pin Later that evening, after most of the board had been enjoyed, I noticed someone taking a final photo of the remaining pieces—the colors still distinct, still proud. They told me it was the first time they'd felt so celebrated at a gathering. That's when I understood: this board isn't just about feeding people. It's about saying, 'You belong here, and you're beautiful exactly as you are.'
Shopping and Sourcing Tips
The secret to a stunning rainbow board is shopping with intention. Visit your farmers market or grocery store with this recipe in hand and really look at what's ripe and vibrant. You don't need everything to be perfect; sometimes a slightly imperfect strawberry has more character than a perfect one. Ask the produce person when things came in—fresher is always better. If you can't find something (purple cauliflower can be elusive), substitute something that keeps the color intention. A few blackberries can stand in for purple grapes if that's what's available. The board is flexible in its ingredients but rigid in its colors, so work with what your market has to offer.
Making It Your Own
This recipe is a framework, not a prison. Once you understand the concept—organize by color, keep sections distinct, fill gaps with abundance—you can adapt it to almost any occasion or dietary need. For a vegan board, swap the cheese for cashew ricotta or skip it entirely. For gluten-free guests, load up on crackers that fit their needs. For a winter board, use pomegranate seeds instead of raspberries, persimmons instead of strawberries. The structure stays the same, but the conversation changes. That's the beauty of it.
Why Color Order Matters
The order of your rainbow isn't random—it's the order of the actual Pride flag, which means something. There's intention baked into every stripe, and when you arrange your board that way, you're not just making something pretty. You're making something that says, 'I see you, and I celebrate you.' Even if your board isn't specifically for a Pride event, the color progression is intuitive to the human eye. Red naturally leads to orange, which leads to yellow. It feels right, almost inevitable. That's the power of respecting color order.
- Your board can be arranged as a single curved line, concentric circles, or even abstract blocks—the key is keeping colors distinct and organized
- If you're nervous about the arrangement, do a quick dry run on your board before adding the ingredients; practice makes confidence
- Take a photo before serving; these boards deserve to be remembered, and honestly, the photos are as much a part of the celebration as the eating
Pin This board is a celebration in edible form, and the best part is that it's almost impossible to get wrong. Gather your colors, trust your instincts, and let yourself enjoy the simple pleasure of making something beautiful with your hands. That's the real recipe.
Recipe Q&A
- → How should I arrange the ingredients to maintain the color separation?
Arrange each ingredient in gentle curving lines on a large board, starting from red and progressing through orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple to keep colors distinct and visually appealing.
- → Can this board accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, it naturally suits vegetarian and gluten-free diets. To accommodate vegans, omit cheeses or replace them with plant-based alternatives.
- → What are good beverage pairings for this colorful spread?
Light, sparkling water, crisp white wine, or a dry rosé complement the fresh flavors and vibrant presentation beautifully.
- → How long does this arrangement stay fresh?
For best results, serve immediately after assembly. If storing, cover and refrigerate for a few hours but expect some moisture from the fruits and vegetables.
- → Can I substitute ingredients while keeping the color theme?
Yes, feel free to use seasonal or local produce that matches each color group, maintaining strict color separation for a stunning visual effect.
- → Are there allergen considerations to keep in mind?
This board includes dairy in some cheeses and potential allergens in crackers; check ingredient labels carefully if serving guests with allergies.