The best boards for cutting different types of meat are:
A good cutting board can make cooking your piece of meat even more enjoyable in the kitchen.
I was interested to find out what are some of the best cutting boards to use meat on for me to review.
So I went out researching online for what are some of the top rated & most recommended brands who make cutting board products that are available to buy online.
The Best Cutting Boards for Meat in 2024
Here is the list of recommended cutting boards for meat we reviewed for you to compare.
1. Epicurean Kitchen Series Cutting Board
- Sizes: 8-inch by 6-inch, 11.5-inch by 9-inch, 14.5-inch by 11.25-inch, 17.5-inch by 13-inch
- Colors: Natural, nutmeg, slate
- Material: Wood fiber
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Epicurean proudly makes all of their products in the US. It has a unique history, being born in 2004 out of a skate park ramp manufacturer. They use the excess material to make kitchen utensils and cutting boards. They have a commitment to creating not only durable, but eco-friendly products. In addition to cutting boards and kitchen utensils, they also sell serving dishes, barware, pizza tools and other items. Head to their website for information on product maintenance and care. (ref)
Let’s compare some of the other features:
- Made of natural, eco-friendly wood fiber from trees
- Many colors and sizes to choose from
- Temperature-resistant up to 350 degrees
- Does not require oiling
- Their kitchen products are a solution to waste materials from building skate parks
- Some reviewers have reported a chemical smell and warping after washing
2. Joseph Joseph Cut & Carve Multi-Function Cutting Board
- Sizes: 14.5-inch by 11.25-inch
- Colors: Black, green, red, white
- Material: BPA-free plastic
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Joseph Joseph was launched in 2003 by twin brothers Antony and Richard Joseph, who both had a passion for design. The company is now an international brand, present in over 100 different countries. On their website, you can find a wide range of products from cooking tools to trash cans to bathroom items. Their blog is a fountain of information on all of these categories and more. (ref)
Let’s compare some of the other features:
- Angled cutting surface helps collect meat juice and crumbs
- Multiple cutting boards are stackable
- Many colors to choose from
- A meat grip and non-slip feet keep everything from sliding out of place
- The meat grip spikes may make it difficult to clean
- The board is not eco-friendly and is made of plastic
3. Venfon Large Organic Bamboo Cutting Board
- Sizes: 17-inch by 12.6-inch
- Colors: Natural bamboo
- Material: Organic bamboo
- Dishwasher Safe: No
Venfon does not have a website to speak of. A Google search will only take you to third-party websites with their products listed for sale. Despite Venfon’s obscurity, this cutting board seems to be the real deal. It has a lot of unique features that you won’t find on your everyday cutting board. Venfon sells several different bamboo cutting boards, in addition to some other miscellaneous items.
Let’s compare some of the other features:
- The cutting board is BPA-free and also antimicrobial and antibacterial
- Includes three small compartments and grooves for collecting ingredients and juices
- Won’t dull cutlery
- Made naturally from bamboo
- Only available in one size and color
- Comes pre-oiled, but may need to be oiled again every few months to preserve the bamboo
- There is zero information on the company, so it may be difficult to trust this product.
4. John Boos Cutting Board
- Sizes: 18-inch by 12-inch
- Colors: Cherry, walnut
- Material: End grain wood
- Dishwasher Safe: No
John Boos & Co. has been making meat cutting boards since 1887. They are easily one of the oldest, most established companies in the industry. Their website includes highly detailed care and maintenance instructions for every type of product. In addition to traditional cutting boards, they also make stainless steel tables and carts for both residential and commercial use. Their equipment is in use at several sports stadiums across the US. (ref)
Let’s compare some of the other features:
- Includes recommendations on washing and care
- The company is an industry veteran with a trusted product
- Has non-stick feet to prevent sliding
- Made from real wood
- They have a commitment to environmentally-friendly production methods
- Needs to be oiled every three to four weeks
- The feet make the cutting board extra thick and bulky
5. Clever Chef Shatter Resistant Cutting Board
- Sizes: 12-inch by 15.75-inch
- Colors: Black, white, marble, clear
- Material: Glass
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
The CleverChef sell only a handful of kitchen products, including a baking mat, spice grinder and wine rack. They don’t have they own company website which is why they have a lot more products to choose from on third-party websites.
Let’s compare some of the other features:
- Cutting board is made of shatter-resistant glass
- There are many colors to choose from
- The glass material makes it very easy and safe to clean
- Rubber feet at the bottom prevent sliding
- Very thin design allows it to fit anywhere
- Heat-resistant
- The lack of information on their website makes the company hard to trust
- As with any glass tool, there is a risk of shattering, which is what has happened to a small number of reviewers
6. Premium Two Tone Chopping Board
- Sizes: 19.5-inch by 14-inch
- Colors: Two-tone brown
- Material: Rubber wood
- Dishwasher Safe: No
Kooq is a high-end online chef store committed to quality. They sell only wood cutting boards and chopping blocks. Their website is not very impressive, pretty much limited to the shop. This two-tone cutting board is definitely a higher-end product, and is best if you’re looking for a board that will last. (ref)
Let’s compare some of the other features:
- The company sells only wooden cutting boards, so they are solely focused on this one product
- Eye-catching design can make it useful for not just for cutting but for serving cheeses, veggies and other snacks
- The material, rubber wood, is not actually made with rubber, but is a natural type of wood made from a tropical tree
- Only one color and size available
- The company website is lacking in information
- This board is not heat-resistant
7. Commercial Plastic Cutting Board
- Sizes: 18-inch by 12-inch, 20-inch by 15-inch, 24-inch by 18-inch
- Colors: Red, blue, brown, green, purple, white, yellow
- Material: BPA-free plastic
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Per the title, this cutting board is primarily for commercial use. The seller is Thirteen Chefs, who design kitchen equipment for chefs and food service professionals. Their products are also appropriate for home use. In addition to cutting boards, they also sell small kitchen furniture and utensils. (ref)
Let’s compare some of the other features:
- Can be used with high heat
- Many colors and sizes to choose from
- Heat resistant and warp-resistant
- Textured surface prevents slipping
- Although the product is dishwasher safe, it may be too large to fit in a regular household dishwasher
- All of the sizes are quite large for home use—the biggest one is larger than a torso and may not even fit on a smaller kitchen countertop
Buying Guide
I know you were looking for what are the best options, but here is some more detail as to why we might need good cutting board products to help us easily cut meat and keep the kitchen counter top clean and hygienic.
Cutting Boards vs Butcher Blocks?
Butcher blocks, also known as chopping blocks, originated in China and have been in use for hundreds of years. Cutting boards are not necessarily interchangeable with butcher blocks. A board must meet these three rules to be considered a butcher block:
- Made with end grain wood
- Is at least 1.5 inches thick
- Is large enough for the meat you are handling
If a cutting board meets these three standards, it is safe to use for meat. If not, it is recommended that you purchase a real butcher’s block. (ref)
Types of Cutting Board Materials
Since raw meat is full of bacteria, it is important to use a board that can be cleaned thoroughly and will not house this bacteria over time. It should also protect knives from dulling and countertops from damage.
Here is a list of materials commonly used to make cutting boards:
- Plastic
- Composite
- Wood
- End grain
- Bamboo
- Glass
Composite is usually considered the best, as it is an affordable, natural material that is dishwasher-safe and very durable. End-grain wood is also a top choice. Glass is not recommended, as it can dull your knives very quickly.
What is the Best Wood to Use for a Cutting Board?
If you do choose wood, make sure you go for the best type of wood. In North America, at least, that is maple. (ref)
Here are some reasons why maple is the best choice to use for a cutting board:
- Abundant in supply
- Found naturally throughout North America
- Affordable
- Renewable resource
- Durable material
- Inhibits bacteria growth
- Approved by the National Sanitation Foundation
Other woods available are pecan, teak, cherry and walnut, among others.
What is the Most Sanitary Type of Cutting Board?
Although it is widely believed that plastic is the most sanitary material for a cutting board, science has shown that this is not the case. Although new boards are disinfected, as the board gets scarred from use over time, it cannot be fully sanitized.
Bamboo and wood are considered more sanitary, as the porous surface will trap and suffocate bacteria. (ref)
How Do You Clean a Cutting Board?
The US Department of Agriculture recommends washing all cutting boards with hot, soapy water to avoid food contamination. To sanitize, use a mixture of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Pour the solution over the cutting board and allow it to stand for a few minutes before rinsing with water. (ref)
Here are some tips for cleaning specific types of cutting boards.
How to Clean a Plastic Cutting Board
- Use a dishwasher to sanitize
- Remove midway through the drying cycle to keep it from warping
How to Clean a Wood Cutting Board
- Fill a spray bottle with 25% vinegar and 75% water
- Spray the board and let it soak for a few minutes
- Wipe down
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Put Raw Meat on a Bamboo Cutting Board?
Yes you can cut raw meat on a bamboo cutting board, but will need to be careful to clean and sanitise them as they are more porous.
What Are the Healthiest Cutting Boards to Use?
You can use wood or plastic cutting boards, but hardwood cutting boards might be the healthiest as they are better at resisting bacteria than softwood boards.
What Are the Three Types of Wood Cutting Boards?
The three types of wood cutting boards are the Face Grain, End Grain and Edge Grain.
