DIY Guide To Select Best Cutting Board for Raw Meat and Poultry to Avoid Cross-Contamination

When it comes to preparing and serving meat, it’s important to take precautions to prevent cross-contamination and mess.

To ensure a clean and efficient kitchen, we recommend owning two cutting boards: one for meat and poultry and another for non-meat items like vegetables, fruits, and bread.

This will allow you to properly designate a cutting surface for meat-related tasks and keep your counters and holiday table free from meat juices.

A recent report by Yahoo Finance shows that the global cutting board market is expected to reach a value of USD 12080 million by 2027. Wood is a popular material choice for cutting boards, and the market was valued at USD 10300 million in 2020.

In order to determine the best cutting boards for meat, we conducted a thorough review of a range of plastic, wood, and composite options.

We looked for features like a juice groove and non-slip edge, and tested the boards by cutting raw and cooked chicken and steak on them.

The cutting boards that made it to our favorites list were those that proved to be sturdy, durable, well-designed, and easy to clean.

This article presents a list of the 7 best cutting board for raw meat and poultry. A buying guide is also included to help you consider important factors before making a purchase.

Are You In Hurry? Then Check Out Below!

If you’re short on time, our top pick for the best cutting board is the OXO’s Good Grips Carving & Cutting Board.

This cutting board earned the top spot due to its convenient juice wells, non-porous double-sided surface, comfortable grip edges, and large size.

Things You Need To Consider When Choosing Best Cutting Board

There are several factors to consider when selecting the best wood for a cutting board, including durability, porosity, water resistance, toxicity, and cost.

These are the most important factors to consider before purchasing a wood cutting board.

• Material: Plastic and glass cutting boards are easier to clean and disinfect than wood, so they are generally preferred for raw meat and poultry to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
• Size: Choose a cutting board that is large enough to accommodate the amount of meat and poultry you will be cutting.
• Non-slip surface: A cutting board with a non-slip surface will help to prevent the board from sliding around while you are working, which can be especially helpful when handling raw, slippery meats.
• Easy to clean: Look for a cutting board that is easy to clean and disinfect to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination.
• Dishwasher safe: A cutting board that is dishwasher safe will be easier to clean and disinfect.
• Durability: Choose a cutting board that is made of a durable material that can withstand the wear and tear of frequent use.
• Separate boards for different types of meat: To further reduce the risk of cross-contamination, consider using separate cutting boards for different types of meat, such as one for poultry, one for beef, and one for pork.

Ensuring Safe Food Preparation with Top 7 Best Cutting Board for Raw Meat and Poultry

1. Best Overall: OXO Good Grips Carving & Cutting Board

Our top pick for the best cutting board for raw meat and poultry is the OXO Good Grips Carving & Cutting Board. This cutting board stood out for its excellent performance and generous size, which provides ample space for large cuts of meat.

The board features two grippy edges that can be used as handles, non-slip feet to keep it in place, and a smooth cutting surface that is resistant to odors and has just enough texture for wet or raw foods. The surface is also non-porous and won’t dull knife blades.

The reversible design of the cutting board includes one side with a drip well that can hold up to 2 ounces of liquid, and the other side is suitable for chopping produce. Although it is dishwasher safe, the board may not fit in all dishwashers. It is also easy to hand wash with soap and water.

This OXO board is a versatile option that can be used for cutting raw or cooked meat, chopping vegetables, and rolling out pastry dough. Although it is an all-purpose board, we recommend having two boards in the kitchen to allow for simultaneous use.

2. Best Plastic: Joseph Joseph Cut & Carve Cutting Board

The Joseph Joseph cutting board is designed with a convenient angled surface that allows juices to drain into a high rim that can hold more than 10 ounces of liquid.

The board is made of plastic and has a smooth side and a textured side with raised spikes to hold meat in place during slicing.

At 11.5 by 15 inches, the board is suitable for cutting chicken or slicing a roast, but may not accommodate larger items like a turkey. It is dishwasher safe and easy to clean, but may show visible knife marks after a few uses.

The board’s raised angle can amplify the sound of a knife chopping through hard foods. Overall, it is a practical and reasonably priced option for cutting meat.

3. Best Wood: Lipper International Acacia Carving Board

The Lipper International Acacia Wood Carving Board is a beautiful, functional, and durable choice for carving meats.

At 20 by 15 inches, this rectangular board is a suitable size for carving turkey and large hams, and the attractive grained wood adds to its appeal when serving.

The 7-pound board is heavy, but it is easy to lift and carry thanks to its deep recessed handles. Its weight also helps to keep it in place while slicing meats.

The juice well is wide and deep, able to hold up to 6 ounces of liquid without spilling over. While the board is not explicitly labeled as reversible, the other side can likely be used despite the company’s logo being etched in the middle.

The surface of the board has a satin-like, polished finish and does not show knife marks easily. It must be hand washed, like all wooden boards, and may be trickier to store due to its weight and size.

4. Best Composite: Totally Bamboo Vellum Composite Cutting Board

The Totally Bamboo cutting board is a composite board that combines the benefits of wood and plastic. Like plastic, it is nonporous and dishwasher safe, and like wood or bamboo boards, it is typically sustainably sourced, heat resistant, and easy on knives.

The board has a natural wood color, a cutout handle on one side, and contrasting rubber grips at each corner, giving it an attractive look that could even be used as a serving board.

At a smaller size, the board is suitable for cutting up a chicken or slicing a small roast, but may not be suitable for larger cuts of meat. It is lightweight, weighing less than two pounds, and easy to carry with its cutout handle.

The reversible design includes a juice well on one side that holds up to an ounce of liquid, while the other side is flat. The rubber grips on the corners help to keep the board secure on the counter, although slippery foods may tend to slide on the surface.

This composite board is easy to maintain, as it is dishwasher safe and any knife marks fade away after washing. It fits easily into different sizes of dishwashers.

5. Best Design: Dexas Angled Acacia Wood Cutting Board

The Dexas Angled Acacia Wood Cutting Board has a simple, elegant design with a 45-degree sloped edge that serves as a comfortable handle for serving. The board is reversible, with juice grooves on one side and a flat surface on the other.

When using the side with juice grooves, the handles are on the short sides, but when using the flat side, the handles are long and may be awkward to grip.

This cutting board is made of beautifully grained wood that is polished to a satiny finish, making it suitable for use as a serving piece or charcuterie board.

The juice grooves are deep enough to hold nearly 2 ounces of fluid without overflowing. As with all wood cutting boards, it must be hand washed, but its small, lightweight size makes cleaning easy.

6. Most Versatile: Epicurean Gourmet Series Cutting Board

The Epicurean Gourmet Series Cutting Board is made of a durable paper composite that is resistant to stains, heat, and dishwasher use. It has a reversible design, a wide juice well, and a surface that is gentle on knives.

While using the board, we found it to be sturdy and able to stay in place even on wet countertops. The surface showed some knife marks after use, but they did not cause any damage.

Liquids bead up on the surface and any excess flows into the juice well. The board is thin and can be stored on its side to prevent warping, making it easy to slide into narrow storage spaces.

The only issue we had with the board was a strong smell when we first took it out of the packaging, but the smell faded after a day.

7. Best for Serving: Architec Concave Grilling & Carving Board

The Architec cutting board is a stylish and practical choice for serving and carving meats. It features a blend of dark acacia wood and light beechwood and has dimensions of 13 by 19 inches and a thickness of about an inch.

The board has a unique concave surface that helps contain juices and can hold up to 8 ounces of liquid. It is also stable and weighs over 5 pounds, with rubbery pads on the bottom to keep it in place on wet or dry countertops.

However, the grippy pads do prevent the board from being used on both sides. It does not have handles, but the grippy pads make it easy to lift. The only downside is that the board may show knife marks after just one use.

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Which is Better for Your Kitchen: Hardwood or Softwood Cutting Boards?

When choosing a wooden cutting board, it is essential to consider the type of wood used. Hardwood is an excellent choice due to its resistance to scratches and impact from sharp knives.

Additionally, hardwood has smaller pores that make it challenging for moisture and food particles to penetrate, reducing the risk of bacterial damage to the board over time.

The Janka Hardness scale is used to measure the hardness of wood, which determines the force required to embed an 11.28 mm steel ball into the wood by half its diameter.

The higher the wood ranks on the Janka scale, the harder it is. However, some species, such as Brazilian walnut, are so hard that they may dull knife blades.

5 Simple Steps for Cleaning and Maintaining Your Wooden Cutting Boards

To extend the life of your wooden cutting board, it is important to properly maintain and clean it. Here are a few tips to follow:

1. Wash and rinse the board thoroughly by hand after cutting sticky or pungent foods.
2. Use liquid soap to clean the board and rinse with clean running water. Wipe dry after rinsing.
3. Avoid soaking the board in water, as this can cause warping.
4. Do not put the board in the dishwasher, as the chemicals and heat can dry out and crack the wood.
5. Avoid using harsh or concentrated cleaners on the board.

Wrap Up On Best Cutting Board

A cutting board is an essential tool in the kitchen, making cooking easier and more enjoyable. It is important to choose the right type of wood for the cutting board, as it should be hard enough to resist scratches but not so hard that it dulls your knife.

The wood should also be washable, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. When selecting a knife, ceramic and metal are popular choices, but each has its own benefits and drawbacks.

We hope this guide has helped you choose the best wood for your cutting board. If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment below.

FAQ –Best Wood For Cutting Board