How to Find the Best Meat Cutting Board

Have you ever wondered what kind of cutting board makes the best meat cutting board? Well, we’ve done the hard research for you. We’re bringing you our top picks for the best meat cutting boards you can find online. We’ll let you in on which materials are best for cutting meat on, and how to take care of your cutting board once you have it. Ready to find out more? Read on and we’ll tell you everything you need to know!

Top 3 Picks

Here are our top 3 recommendations for meat cutting boards that stand out above the rest. They’re resilient and have the best features.

Can You Cut Meat on Any Cutting Board?

No, you shouldn’t. Some cutting boards make much better meat cutting boards than others, and here’s why:

  • Resin cutting boards aren’t safe to cut meat on because resin can chip and contaminate food.
  • A lot of wooden cutting boards aren’t great for cutting meat because wood can harbor bacteria.
  • Bamboo and nonporous materials like plastic, steel, and marble are much better for cutting meat.
raw meat and ingredients on cutting board

Best Materials for Meat Cutting Boards

Let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons to some of the common materials for cutting meat.

Plastic Cutting Boards

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Available everywhere
  • Nonporous
  • Bacteria can’t easily live
  • Dishwasher-safe
  • Doesn’t need to be sealed

Cons

  • Not as long-lasting as other materials
  • Easy to scratch the surface, reducing aesthetic appeal
  • Sometimes, bacteria can grow in grooves leftover by knife if not sanitized correctly

Bamboo Cutting Boards

Pros

  • Can be bought inexpensively
  • Available everywhere
  • Doesn’t dull knives quickly
  • Antibacterial properties
  • Doesn’t absorb moisture/mold-resistant

Cons

  • Porous
  • Can harbor bacteria if not properly washed and sanitized
  • Not dishwasher safe, must be handwashed

 Steel Cutting Boards

Pros

  • Nonporous surface
  • Long-lasting material
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Doesn’t need to be sealed with oil

Cons

  • More expensive than plastic and bamboo
  • Not as readily available as other types of cutting boards
  • Easily blunts knives

Marble Cutting Boards

Pros

  • Nonporous surface
  • Long-lasting material
  • Bacteria can’t penetrate the surface
  • Doesn’t need to be sealed with oil often

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Easily blunts knives
  • Not dishwasher safe, must be handwashed
  • Not as readily available as other types of cutting boards  

How to Clean and Disinfect a Cutting Board After Cutting Meat

How to best clean and disinfect your cutting board after cutting meat depends on what kind of cutting board you have. We’ll walk you through how to clean different types of boards, since some are dishwasher-safe, and some aren’t.

Whether you’ve been impressing your friends by slicing up some goodies for sushi night or cubing meats for kebabs, here’s how to deal with the aftermath:

How to Clean Plastic Cutting Boards After Cutting Meat

Plastic cutting boards are dishwasher-safe, but bacteria and meat fibers can get stuck in grooves made by your knife. To keep this meat cutting board clean, we recommend:

  • Wash your cutting board as soon as you’re done using it
  • Handwash your plastic cutting board with dish soap and warm water
  • Scrub the plastic to make sure all meat fibers have been removed
  • For an extra-thorough clean, run it through the dishwasher after this
  • You can let it airdry or dry it by hand
persons hand in gloves putting soap on sponge

How to Clean Bamboo Cutting Boards After Cutting Meat

Bamboo is a porous material that can get moldy, so you can’t put this type of cutting board in the dishwasher. Also, make sure to never fully submerge it under the water while you clean it. For the best results:

  • Wash your cutting board as soon as you’re done with it
  • Use a mild dish soap and warm water for handwashing
  • Wash one side at a time, making sure to be thorough
  • Stand the board up against the wall to airdry completely

How to Clean Stainless Steel Cutting Boards After Using Meat

Stainless steel makes another great cutting board for meat, and it’s super easy to keep clean. Here’s how:

  • When you’re done using this board, rinse it under hot water to get rid of any leftover meat fibers
  • Wash stainless steel cutting boards in the dishwasher on the top shelf
  • You can let this board airdry or dry it by hand

How to Clean Marble Cutting Boards After Using Meat

Though marble cutting boards aren’t used as a primary meat cutting board as often as other materials, their nonporous surface makes them a great choice. To keep them clean:

  • Wash immediately after you’re done using it
  • Never put a marble cutting board in the dishwasher
  • Handwash with mild dish soap and warm water
  • Let this cutting board airdry completely

Disinfecting All Cutting Board Types

Sometimes your meat cutting board could use a little extra sanitation after you’ve used it for a while. The secret ingredient? White vinegar.

  1. Begin by thoroughly cleaning your cutting board and letting it dry
  2. To disinfect a cutting board, mix ½ water and ½ white vinegar in a spray bottle
  3. Spray all surfaces of the cutting board
  4. Let the vinegar sit on the cutting board for 5 minutes
  5. Wash and dry your cutting board again

Tips for Owning and Using a Meat Cutting Board

  • Only ever use meat on your meat cutting board to avoid cross contamination.
  • Never cut meat on a cutting board that isn’t your meat cutting board.
  • Make sure to pick a cutting board material that’s good for cutting meat on.
  • Choose a material like plastic, bamboo, stainless steel, marble, or granite.
  • Thoroughly clean your meat cutting board immediately after using it.
  • Disinfect your meat cutting board with a vinegar solution regularly.
  • Sanitize the area around where you use your meat cutting board.
raw marinated chicken and ingredients on cutting board

What to Look for in a Cutting Board for Meat

Now that you know what materials make for the best meat cutting boards and how to keep yours clean, here’s a list of what to look for. Some features make a cutting board even better for cutting meat.

It Should Be Nonporous

A nonporous cutting board, like plastic or stainless steel, is a great choice. A nonporous surface is much less likely to harbor harmful bacteria.

Leftover bacteria can lead to serious foodborne illnesses, so choosing the right material for your meat cutting board is a must.

Look for Juice Grooves

What’s a juice groove? A juice groove is a groove that runs along the edges of some cutting boards.

A juice groove can catch any excess liquids that meat produces while you cut it. This will keep your work area from becoming a mess of juices and make cleanup way easier.

Nonslip Feet are a Must

Cutting meat can get messy. The last thing you want is your cutting board sliding all over the countertop while you’re trying to debone a chicken.

A cutting board with nonslip feet will keep your workspace stable while you cut. The nonslip feet grip to the surface of your counter or table so you can cut safely.

7 Best Cutting Boards for Cutting Meats

Here we’ll do a quick deep dive into 7 amazing cutting boards that we think are the best for cutting meat. Each have their own unique features, and each one would make an amazing addition to your kitchen.

Gorilla Grip Oversized Cutting Board, 3 Piece

raw red onion and vegetables on plastic cutting board with black handle

Best for Its Extra Features

About

You get three plastic cutting boards in this set for an inexpensive price. These cutting boards come in a ton of colors, from standard white to pink, blue, green, and more. All three boards are three different sizes.

  • Material: Plastic
  • Price Range: $10-$30
  • Warranty: Please contact seller directly
  • Best Feature: All features of this board make it ideal for cutting meat

Care

These three cutting boards are dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup easier. Still, use a scrub brush, dish soap, and warm water to thoroughly clean these cutting boards before running them through the dishwasher.

Pros

  • So many color options
  • Juice grooves, easy grip handles, and nonslip properties
  • 3 cutting boards for the price of 1

Cons

  • Plastic isn’t as long-lasting as some of other materials

Bamboo Cutting Board Set with Juice Groove

set of three bamboo cutting boards with snacks and foods

Best Value for the Price

About

This set contains 3 bamboo cutting boards, each with serving handles on the side and juice grooves. All 3 boards are different sizes, so you’ll have variety in this set. As a bonus, bamboo won’t wear down your knives as fast as other materials.

  •  Material: Bamboo
  •  Price Range: $15-$35
  •  Warranty: 1-year warranty
  • Best Feature: High-quality bamboo for a low price

Care

To keep these three cutting boards clean, always hand wash them with warm water and a gentle dish soap. Never put them in the dishwasher. Let each board stand up on its side against a wall to airdry.

Pros

  • 3 in a set for a low price
  • Juice grooves and serving handles
  • Bamboo doesn’t dull knives quickly

Cons

  • Bamboo can become moldy if not properly cared for

Double-Sided Bamboo Cutting Board

bamboo and stone split cutting board

Best for Its Convenience

About

This is a double-sided cutting board that prevents cross-contamination. One side of the board is bamboo, and the other side is plastic. The edges are raised on both sides to catch any excess juices before they get all over your workstation.

  • Material: Plastic and bamboo
  • Price Range: $15-$35
  • Warranty: Please contact seller directly for a full refund
  • Best Feature: Double-sided

Care

Since this cutting board is partially bamboo, you’ll have to wash this board by hand. Handwash with a mild dish soap and warm water. Stand it up against a wall to dry.

Pros

  • This cutting board is double-sided
  • Raised edges to catch excess juices
  • Plastic and bamboo are both great for cutting meat on

Cons

  • Being partially bamboo, it can’t be washed in the dishwasher

Extra Large Meat Steak Carving Board

cut steak on textured cutting board with juice grooves

Best for Its Design

About

This is a beautiful and highly useful cutting board for cutting meat. There are deep juice grooves running throughout the board to catch liquids. A pyramid spike pattern in the middle keeps your meat stabilized while you cut it and helps to tenderize meat. This is a large cutting board that weighs 7 lbs., so it’s great for large cuts of meat.

  • Material: Bamboo
  • Price Range: $25-$40
  • Warranty: Please contact seller directly
  • Best Feature: Beautiful and functional design

Care

You’ll want to keep this bamboo cutting board in top shape for a long time to come, so make sure to always hand wash it. Never fully submerge it under the water, and always stand it up on one side to airdry.

Pros

  • Juice grooves and pyramid spikes
  • Beautiful design, can be used as a serving tray on the other side
  • Inexpensive for the quality of the board

Cons

  • No nonslip feet

Joseph Joseph Cut & Carve Multifunctional Cutting Board

person using chefs knife to slice steak on red cutting board

Best for Its Ease of Use and Cleaning

About

This large plastic cutting board can come in red, black, or green. This cutting board is angled so that juices collect all in one spot. The nonslip feet and soft-grip sides make it easy to use. Being plastic, this board is easy to wash, too.

  • Material: Plastic
  • Price Range: $10-$30
  • Warranty: Please contact seller directly
  • Best Feature: Easy to use and clean

Care

Scrub this cutting board with warm water and dish soap. Optionally, you can put it through the dishwasher to make sure it’s as clean as it can be. You can hand-dry this board or let it airdry.

Pros

  • Angled to collect juices
  • Nonslip feet and soft-grip handles
  • Choice of 3 different colors

Cons

  • Plastic doesn’t last as long as other materials.

Bambüsi Bamboo Cutting Board Set of 4

set of three bamboo cutting boards with snacks and produce

Best Overall

About

This set of 4 bamboo cutting boards are great for meats. They even come in a handy set of 4 different sizes so you can pick and choose which ones to use for the task at hand.

  • Material: Bamboo
  • Price Range: $15-$35
  • Warranty: Can be sent back for a replacement or a full refund
  • Best Feature: It’s a set

Care

Since all 4 of these cutting boards are bamboo, hand wash all these boards with a mild dish soap. Never fully submerge any of these boards under the water.

Pros

  • 4 cutting boards to choose from
  • All 4 boards would be good for cutting meat on
  • 3 of the boards have handles
  • 3 of the 4 boards have different designs

Cons

  • Three of the cutting boards don’t have juice grooves

KORVOS Stainless Steel Cutting Boards for Kitchen

person holding up stainless steel cutting board

Best for Its Resilient Material

About

This stainless-steel cutting board is incredibly durable, so it can stay as a favorite in your kitchen for a long time to come. This board was made to stay rust-free, and it won’t slide around your counters with its nonslip features.

  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Price Range: $15-$35
  • Warranty: Free refund or replacement
  • Best Feature: Durability

Care

Stainless steel is perfectly safe to wash in the dishwasher. After rinsing this cutting board with warm water to get rid of any excess meat fibers, put it on the top shelf of your dishwasher and wash immediately.

Pros

  • Stainless steel is an incredibly durable material
  • Nonslip and rust-free features
  • Bacteria can’t live below the surface

Cons

  • Stainless steel is more expensive than plastic or bamboo.

Summing It Up

We’ve talked about what makes for the best meat cutting boards, how to keep this cutting board clean, and our top recommendations. Of all the choices, I’d probably choose the Bambüsi Bamboo Cutting Board Set of 4 because, overall, it hits all the points a great meat cutting board needs.

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