Have you considered buying a walnut cutting board lately? Not sure how to care for the walnut cutting board you already have? In our walnut cutting board guide, we’ll compare walnut to other types of wood you’ll find in the kitchen.
We’ll also let you in on some tricks of the trade when it comes to caring for these boards and offer our top recommendations for the best walnut cutting boards.
We chose the top products using price, style, and quality. Are you excited to do a deep dive into this versatile tool for your kitchen? Keep reading and you’ll be an expert!
What is a Walnut Cutting Board?
Like any other cutting board, a walnut cutting board is for chopping foods. What makes this wooden board unique? Walnut is a dense hardwood, making it harder for bacteria to penetrate the surface of the board. This makes walnut a safer option when it comes to what type of wooden cutting board to buy. Not to mention, walnut’s dark, rich tones make it picture perfect for photography.
Pros to Walnut Cutting Boards
- Walnut wood doesn’t dull blades like marble, granite, and glass do.
- It is harder for bacteria to penetrate the surface of a hardwood compared to softwoods and bamboo.
- Walnut cutting boards are durable because the wood is strong.
- Sealing wood with mineral oil is easy.
- These cutting boards are cheaper than marble, granite, and some other woods.
- With the right care, these cutting boards can last decades.
- It is easy to remove stains.
- Cracks can be sanded down if they aren’t too deep.
- Walnut cutting boards are stylish and look great in photographs or as display pieces.
Cons to Walnut Cutting Boards
- Bacteria can be harbored in wood more easily than in marble, granite, or glass.
- You have to seal walnut wood with mineral oil more often than you have to seal marble, granite, or glass.
- These cutting boards are pricier than plastic, glass, bamboo, and some other woods.
- Walnut wood can crack and split with use.
- You can’t put these cutting boards in the dishwasher.
- Wood can grow mold.
Walnut vs. Other Wood Cutting Boards
Bamboo Cutting Boards
- Are less expensive than walnut cutting boards.
- Are less durable because bamboo is a softer material than walnut.
- Are less safe because bacteria can easily get below the surface of bamboo.
- Are usually a lighter color than walnut cutting boards.
- Are easier on knives because of their softer surface.
Teak Cutting Boards
- Have bigger pores than walnut cutting boards, meaning it can more easily harbor bacteria.
- Stain easier and can get moldy from moisture because of the porosity of the wood.
- Are medium brown, whereas walnut wood is dark brown.
- Don’t warp as easily as walnut cutting boards because teak wood doesn’t shrink as much when dry.
- Are more expensive than walnut cutting boards because teak wood is rarer.
Maple Cutting Boards
- Can come in hardwood and softwood options, whereas walnut is only a hardwood.
- Can warp easier than walnut cutting boards because maple shrinks.
- Can stain easier because maple wood is a lighter color than walnut wood.
- Can protect against knife scratches and impacts better than walnut cutting boards.
- Can be found at a much less expensive price than other hardwood cutting boards.
Cherry Cutting Boards
- Are made of hardwood but are less hard than walnut wood.
- Block moisture and bacteria from going below the surface, like walnut boards.
- Can last for decades and have a similar lifespan to walnut cutting boards.
- Are a lighter color than walnut cutting boards, making stains more noticeable.
- Darken with age to become a rich brown color.
Beech Cutting Boards
- Are more resistant to knife scratches and scuffs than walnut cutting boards.
- Are made of a lighter wood than walnut, meaning stains show easier.
- Are made of a harder wood than walnut, meaning less bacteria can get in.
- Are much more likely to shrink and warp than boards made of walnut.
- Are cheaper than walnut cutting boards because beech wood is easier to find.
How to Clean and Care for a Walnut Cutting Board
Taking care of your walnut cutting board is important-after all, you want it last for years and years. For easy upkeep and small fixes, we recommend these easy steps.
Washing Your Walnut Cutting Board
Even though walnut is a hardwood, it can still get moldy if it’s washed incorrectly. To avoid any mold, bacteria, and yucky smells, never fully submerge this cutting board in dishwater.
Wash your walnut cutting board right after you’re done using it if you can. To wash, use a mild dish soap and wash each side of the board one at a time. Stand the board up against a wall to dry so one side isn’t staying wet.
Sanitizing Your Walnut Cutting Board
It’s easy to sanitize a walnut cutting board-all you need is water and vinegar. In a spray bottle, mix a ½ water and ½ vinegar solution. Spray both sides of the board and stand it up to dry.
Fixing Scratches and Cracks in Your Walnut Cutting Board
One downside to wooden cutting boards, even hardwood cutting boards made of walnut, is they tend to crack overtime with use. To keep your walnut cutting board looking perfect and to prevent bacteria from seeping into the wood through scratches and cracks, sand down your cutting board by:
- Choosing a medium grit sandpaper, such as 100-grit, to start sanding your board
- Sand in the direction of the grain of the wood for an even finish
- To make cracks disappear, sand with a fine grit sandpaper afterwards
- When you’re all done sanding, wash and dry your walnut cutting board like normal
- Getting Stains Out of Your Walnut Cutting Board
Getting the stains out of walnut wood is easy! Luckily, walnut is a dark wood and won’t show stains as easily as some other woods, but if you do end up with a stain, simply:
1. Pour a generous amount of baking soda onto the stain.
2. Take a wet sponge and rub the sponge into the baking soda until the stain is gone.
What Type of Oil Should I Use to Treat My Walnut Cutting Board?
Mineral oil is the best type of oil for treating this type of cutting board, which is super convenient because it can be bought in most grocery stores. Mineral oil can’t become rancid, which is why you always want to use this type of oil instead of olive oil or vegetable oil. Beeswax works great, too.
Here’s an easy way to make sure your walnut cutting board is sealed to perfection:
- Seal your cutting board with mineral oil whenever it fails the water droplet test
- To do the water droplet test, sprinkle drops of water onto your cutting board
- If the drops spread out or seep into the wood after a few seconds, it’s time to seal the board
- To seal, first wash and dry your cutting board like normal
- When the board is completely dry, put enough mineral oil on the board to coat it completely when you spread the oil with a paper towel
- Let the oil sit and work its magic for 15 minutes
- After 15 minutes, wipe off any extra oil with a dry paper towel
- Prop up your walnut cutting board and let it dry for the next two days
Can You Engrave a Walnut Cutting Board?
Yes, you can engrave walnut cutting boards! Make sure to do this very carefully if you’re engraving your board at home. You can choose to use a rotary tool with the parts needed for engraving, or you could burn your engraving into the wood.
One important thing to note is that walnut wood is dark. A dark wood like walnut makes it harder to see engravings clearly.
Best Walnut Cutting Boards
We’ve scoured the internet for the best walnut cutting boards to recommend for you. We’ll show you what we found and what makes each of these cutting boards so special.
Sonder Los Angeles Large Thick End Grain Walnut Wood Cutting Board
Best Overall
This black walnut cutting board is an end grain cutting board, meaning it can withstand knives better than edge grain cutting boards. Despite being a large board with the dimensions of 17” X 13” X 1.5”, it only weighs 7.5 lbs. It comes in a dark wood color and the handles on the side make it easy to carry.
- Material: Black Walnut
- Price Range: $115-150
- Warranty: Please contact seller directly
- Best Feature: Quality and versatility
Care
Gently hand wash this walnut cutting board. Never put it in the dishwasher. After handwashing with a mild dish soap, stand this board up to let it dry.
Pros
- Non slip feet keep this board from slipping around on your countertop
- Being an end grain cutting board, the wood is more durable
- This cutting board comes with a gift box
- Grooves at the edge of the board catch extra liquid before it can make a mess on the table
Cons
- This is a pricier cutting board compared to some of the others
Walnut Cutting Board by Mevell
Great quality board for the price
This board is perfect for cutting foods and displaying foods. This is a rectangular cutting board that is 17” X 11” X .75”, but only weighs 3.45 lbs. The company inspects this walnut cutting board twice to make sure there aren’t any uneven grooves or dents when you buy from them, and they plant one tree for every board you buy.
- Material: Walnut wood
- Price Range: $50-$70
- Warranty: Money back guarantee if returned within the first year after purchase
- Best Feature: Great value for the price
Care
Always hand wash this wooden cutting board with a mild dish soap. When you’re ready to dry, simply prop it up so neither of the large sides are laying facedown.
Pros
- This lightweight board is easy to carry
- Mevell plants one tree for each cutting board bought from them
- This walnut cutting board is easy on knives and perfect for chopping all types of food
- This board has a juice groove, non slip feet, and has been treated with oil
Cons
- Being an edge grain cutting board makes it more susceptible to cracks
John Boos Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board
Best high-quality
This walnut cutting board is a high-quality rectangular board used in restaurants that is 20” X 15” X 1.5”. It has a chic, simplistic design that lets the gorgeous dark wood speak for itself. You can buy this same cutting board model from the same brand, John Boos, in cherry and maple, too.
- Material: Black walnut wood
- Price Range: $180-$210
- Warranty: Please contact the manufacturer directly
- Best Feature: High quality
Care
Always make sure to wash this premium wooden board after you’re done using it. By hand washing and setting it up to dry immediately after use, you’ll be able to keep this cutting board in premium condition for decades.
The John Boos company recommends buying John Boos Mystery Oil and John Boos Board Cream to regularly seal your board.
Pros
- This walnut cutting board won’t quickly dull your knives
- Since this board is made for top chefs, it’s a high-quality board
- This board is made from black walnut wood that has been sustainably sourced
- Given the long length, you can cut a lot of food at one time
Cons
- Being priced around $200, this is an expensive cutting board
Befano Black Walnut Square Cutting Board
Best Aesthetic Appeal
This walnut cutting board looks rustic, charming, and has a unique shape with the handle. The board is 17” X 11” X 1.65” and only weighs 2.52 lbs. Compared to the other boards, this board is inexpensive and still made of gorgeous walnut wood. This board is reversible so you can use both sides for chopping and serving food.
- Material: Walnut wood
- Price Range: $40-$60
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Best Feature: Great for beautiful charcuterie displays and photography
Care
To clean this board, hand wash and dry like any other walnut cutting board. Be sure to seal this board with mineral oil when it begins to look dry.
Pros
- The handle makes carrying the board easier and adds charm
- A gift box is included when you buy this product
- This is a great quality walnut wood board for an affordable price
- This board is ideal for chopping foods and making charcuterie displays
Cons
- Being reversible, there are no non slip feet to keep it from moving on your countertop
Befano Small Round Black Walnut Wood Cutting Board
Best Uniqueness
Unlike the other walnut cutting boards, this cutting board is circular and much more compact. Being made from black walnut wood, this board has a dark brown color and only weighs 1.85 lbs. This board would be perfect for displays with fruits, cheeses, breads, crackers, nuts, meats, and more.
- Material: Black walnut wood
- Price Range: $25-$45
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Best Feature: Uniqueness for shape and size
Care
Always make sure to hand wash this board so the wood doesn’t warp, crack, or grow mold. Stand the board up to dry completely.
Pros
- The circular shape of this cutting board and its compact size make it unique
- This board is easy to use, maneuver, and was
- This cutting board comes with a groove to catch excess liquids
- The inexpensive price and visual appeal of this board makes it a great choice
Cons
- Being a small cutting board, you can’t cut a lot of food at one time
HANSWEI Wood Cutting Board for Kitchen (Set of 3)
Best bundle
With this set, you can have three walnut boards for a lower price than some brands offer one walnut cutting board. The three boards come in three different sizes, and all three have a brass handle on the corner.
- Material: Walnut wood
- Price Range: $120-$140
- Warranty: Please contact seller directly
- Best Feature: 3 cutting boards in 1 bundle
Care
Gently hand wash all these boards with a mild dish soap. With the brass handles, you can hang them up to dry.
Pros
- You get three separate cutting boards in this set, and they all come in different sizes
- The brass handle on the corner makes them easy to use, maneuver, and hang
- Brass and walnut wood look stunning together and make for a beautiful kitchen piece
- The wood won’t blunt your knives like plastic, marble, granite, and other materials
Cons
- There aren’t any grooves to catch juices or non-slip feet to keep the board from moving
Final Words on Walnut Cutting Boards
Well, we’ve rounded up all the benefits of walnut cutting boards and showed you our favorites! If I had to pick one, I’d definitely go with the John Boos Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board for its quality.
Do you have a walnut cutting board you’re interested in trying out from our list, or do you have you own experiences with walnut cutting boards?