T-Rex Fossil Vegetable Platter

Featured in: Everyday Country Recipes

This vibrant vegetable platter mimics a T-Rex fossil using cucumber, carrots, peppers, broccoli, and cauliflower arranged artfully on spinach leaves. Accents like olives and cherry tomatoes add detail while a creamy dill dip complements the fresh veggies. Ideal for kids' parties or themed events, it combines playful presentation with wholesome ingredients, making snacking both fun and nutritious.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:01:00 GMT
Crunchy T-Rex Fossil Crudités with vibrant carrot "bones," ready to dip in creamy ranch, a fun snack. Save
Crunchy T-Rex Fossil Crudités with vibrant carrot "bones," ready to dip in creamy ranch, a fun snack. | cloverhearth.com

A playful and healthy vegetable platter arranged to resemble a T-Rex fossil, perfect for kids parties or themed gatherings. Served with a creamy ranch dip.

This platter always delights children at parties and encourages them to eat more veggies.

Ingredients

  • Vegetables: 1 large cucumber, 2 large carrots, 1 yellow bell pepper, 1 red bell pepper, 1 small broccoli crown, 1 small cauliflower crown, 10 snap peas, 6 cherry tomatoes, 6 black olives (pitted, for eyes/claws), 1 bunch baby spinach leaves (for background)
  • Dip: 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1:
Wash and dry all vegetables thoroughly.
Step 2:
Slice the cucumber into thin rounds for the T-Rexs vertebrae and tail bones.
Step 3:
Peel and cut the carrots into thin sticks for ribs and limbs.
Step 4:
Slice the bell peppers into strips for the jaw, spine, and claws.
Step 5:
Break the broccoli and cauliflower into small florets for skull, pelvis, and joints.
Step 6:
Arrange baby spinach leaves as a base layer on a large platter.
Step 7:
Assemble the vegetables on top to form a T-Rex fossil shape, using olives for eyes and claws, tomatoes for accent bones or fossilized eggs.
Step 8:
In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Step 9:
Serve the dip alongside the platter.
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My kids love helping me arrange this platter, making party prep extra fun and interactive.

Required Tools

Large serving platter, sharp knife, vegetable peeler, small mixing bowl, whisk or spoon

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (Greek yogurt, mayonnaise). Mayonnaise may contain eggs; check labels for egg-free options if needed.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 75, Total Fat: 3 g, Carbohydrates: 9 g, Protein: 3 g (per serving)

Colorful T-Rex Fossil Crudités veggie platter, a healthy and fun appetizer with vibrant peppers and olives. Save
Colorful T-Rex Fossil Crudités veggie platter, a healthy and fun appetizer with vibrant peppers and olives. | cloverhearth.com

This T-Rex Fossil Crudités platter is a showstopper that combines nutrition with fun presentation perfect for any gathering.

Recipe Questions & Answers

How do I create the T-Rex shape with vegetables?

Slice cucumbers into rounds for the vertebrae and tail, cut carrots into sticks for ribs and limbs, and use bell pepper strips for the jaw and claws. Arrange broccoli and cauliflower florets to form the skull and joints on a spinach leaf base.

What can I use as alternatives for the creamy dip?

You can substitute the creamy dill dip with hummus or guacamole to offer different flavors while keeping the dip creamy and delicious.

How do olives and cherry tomatoes contribute to the platter?

Black olives serve as eyes and claws while cherry tomatoes provide pops of color resembling fossil eggs or accent bones within the T-Rex design.

Is this platter suitable for vegetarian and gluten-free diets?

Yes, the vegetable ingredients and dip are vegetarian and gluten-free, making it a healthy option for various dietary needs.

What tools do I need to assemble this vegetable arrangement?

A large serving platter, sharp knife, vegetable peeler, small bowl, and whisk or spoon are sufficient for preparing and assembling the platter and dip.

T-Rex Fossil Vegetable Platter

Creative vegetable arrangement shaped like a T-Rex fossil with creamy dill dip for fun, healthy gatherings.

Prep duration
25 minutes
0
Overall time
25 minutes
Recipe by Clover Hearth Emily Dawson


Skill level Easy

Culinary roots American

Servings made 8 Portion size

Diet preferences Meatless, No gluten

What you'll need

Vegetables

01 1 large cucumber
02 2 large carrots
03 1 yellow bell pepper
04 1 red bell pepper
05 1 small broccoli crown
06 1 small cauliflower crown
07 10 snap peas
08 6 cherry tomatoes
09 6 black olives, pitted
10 1 bunch baby spinach leaves

Dip

01 1 cup Greek yogurt
02 1/4 cup mayonnaise
03 1 tablespoon lemon juice
04 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
05 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
07 Salt and pepper, to taste

How to make it

Step 01

Prepare vegetables: Wash and dry all vegetables thoroughly.

Step 02

Slice cucumber: Cut the cucumber into thin rounds to represent the vertebrae and tail bones.

Step 03

Cut carrots: Peel and slice carrots into thin sticks to mimic ribs and limbs.

Step 04

Slice bell peppers: Cut yellow and red bell peppers into strips for the jaw, spine, and claws.

Step 05

Break broccoli and cauliflower: Separate broccoli and cauliflower into small florets to form skull, pelvis, and joints.

Step 06

Arrange spinach base: Spread baby spinach leaves evenly on a large serving platter as a background layer.

Step 07

Assemble the fossil: Arrange prepared vegetables over the spinach to form a T-Rex fossil shape; use olives for eyes and claws, and cherry tomatoes as accent bones or fossilized eggs.

Step 08

Prepare the dip: In a small bowl, whisk Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Step 09

Serve: Present the dip alongside the vegetable platter.

Equipment needed

  • Large serving platter
  • Sharp knife
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk or spoon

Allergy details

Be sure to review every ingredient for potential allergies, and talk to a medical expert if you’re unsure.
  • Contains dairy from Greek yogurt and mayonnaise.
  • Mayonnaise may contain eggs; verify labels for egg-free if required.

Nutrition information (each portion)

Only use this data as a helpful reference—it’s not intended to replace professional health guidance.
  • Calorie count: 75
  • Fat content: 3 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 9 grams
  • Proteins: 3 grams