This story is sponsored by Walmart.
Where would we be without the humble cutting board? (In a kitchen full of scratched-up countertops, that’s where!) As a professional baker turned writer and kitchen product tester, I take cooking gear very seriously. That’s why I’ve phased plastic cutting boards out of my collection over the past few years; while they’re conveniently lightweight, they also pose the risk of spreading microplastics to food as you slice and dice. No thanks!
Instead, I reach for cutting boards made from materials that allow me to prep with more peace of mind. I found three types worth keeping on hand at Walmart, including a pretty option from Better Homes & Gardens that also doubles as a charcuterie board.
A sturdy wooden cutting board
‘Tis the season for roasting, whether that’s a chicken for Sunday supper or a Thanksgiving turkey. I prefer a thick, durable wooden cutting board for carving meats, especially one with a groove around its border to catch those drippings. These types of cutting boards are also ideal for slicing raw meats and juicy produce, though you’ll want to use a separate board for fresh fruits and vegetables. (Psst: Wooden cutting boards require a bit of maintenance — you’ll want to apply a food-grade mineral oil to them about once a month to help prevent them from drying out!)
Britt Ross/Yahoo
This lovely trio consists of large, medium and small cutting boards for tackling different types of prep work. Use the biggest one for carving meats, the medium one for slicing produce and the smallest for chopping things like nuts and herbs. (The grooves will catch juices and small bits.) These acacia wood boards have been pretreated with mineral oil and have side handles that make them easier to lift. Just be sure to wash them by hand, as the dishwasher can shorten their lifespan.
A lightweight composite cutting board
Even though I love being in the kitchen, there are certain tasks I don’t look forward to — and hauling out a heavy cutting board just to chop a couple of carrots is one of them. Instead, I reach for a lightweight composite cutting board; it’s just as thin and lightweight as a purely plastic cutting board, and you don’t have to oil it as you would a wooden cutting board. Low-maintenance for the win!
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Composite cutting boards consist of wood/paper fibers that are held together with resin, so they’re not entirely made of natural materials; that said, they’re often more durable and less prone to developing deep ridges from your knife with use, so I feel better about using them to prep food.
Britt Ross/Yahoo
At under two pounds, this is the cutting board I reach for most often. It’s non-porous, which makes it a breeze to clean — it’s even dishwasher-safe, according to the brand, though I always clean mine by hand. The round cutout allows you to hang it on a hook if you’d like, and I find its curved design aesthetically pleasing.
A cutting/serving board
Finally, I like to have a cutting board reserved for serving uncooked items, like bread, fresh fruit, cheese and charcuterie. Even the most conscientious cleaners can leave traces of raw meat behind, so I’d rather not risk cross-contamination — and as someone with a food handler’s license, I know this is a best practice in commercial kitchens as well. Many cutting boards are attractive enough to double as serving platters; opt for one that’s reversible so you can slice on one side and serve on the other.
Britt Ross/Yahoo
How gorgeous is this multitasker, with its wooden body and marble handle? Perfect for a party, you can fill it with cheese, bread, crackers, dips and fruit, along with small slicers and spreaders so guests can help themselves. As with all wooden cutting boards, you’ll want to wash it by hand. (Oh, and with the holidays just a few months away, it would make a lovely host gift…)
More professional baker-approved kitchen essentials at Walmart:
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