Behind every delicious meal is a diligent cook who spends hours in the kitchen preparing ingredients. Fresh greens to go into refreshing salads. Chopped vegetables for an appetizing stew. Dark chocolate for a velvety souffle. And of course, the pièce de résistance — a premium cut of meat that’s roasted to perfection.
The home cook needs the right tools to get the job done before the dinner guests arrive. While you can slice and dice fruits and vegetables on that handy dandy chopping board, that expensive Kobe beef deserves to be prepped on a butcher chopping block.
More than just a counter topper, a butcher chopping block is made up of several pieces of wood glued together to resemble the long wooden block you typically see at your local butcher shop. It’s easy to maintain and sustainable as well as highly functional.
Best Butcher Chopping Blocks Comparison & Rating
Image | Butcher Chopping Blocks | Rating |
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Like other food prep tools, there are literally hundreds of options to choose from online. You’ll want to look for a butcher chopping block that’s not only sturdy but is easy to use and fits right into the shopping budget. That said, here are five of the best options we’ve found on Amazon we specifically reviewed for you. After finding the best one for your kitchen, click the yellow buttons below to find their best deals on Amazon.
SoulFino Bamboo Butcher Block
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | SoulFino |
Material | Bamboo |
Product Dimensions | 17 x 13 x 1.5 inches |
Item Weight | 8.03 pounds |
The SoulFino Butcher Block is crafted to provide optimal space for most meat-cutting endeavors. It possesses a deep groove that can catch most meat juice and prevent you from having to clean up an excessive mess. The block is also equipped with handles on either side for easy carrying from the grill to the house. The bamboo material resists microbial contamination. It also doesn’t absorb liquid the same way that most wooden butcher blocks do so it won’t warp or crack even if a lot of liquid pools on its surface. Overall, it possesses a simple but classic aesthetic appearance. Since it’s scratch-resistant, it’ll continue to look excellent even after a lot of use.
Ironwood Gourmet Square Acacia Cutting Board
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | Ironwood Gourmet |
Material | Acacia |
Product Dimensions | 14 x 14 x 1.25 inches |
Item Weight | 4 pounds |
This no-frills square butcher block is extremely high quality for the price. While slightly thinner than a "traditional" block at 1.25 inches thick, its non-slip rubberized feet add stability. And since it measures 14 inches by 14 inches across, it still provides plenty of workspaces for your knives to maneuver. It’s easy to clean and can be used as a serving tray to wow your guests. It makes a great gift too in any occasion.
La Mongoose Extra Large Multipurpose Acacia Cutting Board
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | La Mongoose |
Material | Acacia |
Product Dimensions | 17 x 13 x 2 inches |
Item Weight | 10.03 pounds |
This multifunction wünderboard combines an oversized 20-inch by 14-inch cut that offers plenty of prep space with a sturdy two-inch thickness that can take on ambitious kitchen jobs. Crafted in end-grain acacia, this product wows with a genius hollowed-out bowl, plus a wide trench, for catching food scraps and runoff. These features also make it brilliant for entertaining — just think of the cheese board mastery at hand! It is very sturdy and holds up well to all sorts of cutting and chopping with the sharpest of knives. Well worth the extra money when compared to cheaper cutting boards since it has aesthetic and utilization value.
Sonder Los Angeles Large End Grain Walnut Cutting Board
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | Sonder Los Angeles |
Material | Walnut |
Product Dimensions | 16 x 12 x 1.5 inches |
Item Weight | 7 pounds |
This Alfred board hits every spot. Aside from the color, the wood is so smooth, and It can withstand a lot of pressure from high volume chopping. The rubber feet on each of the corners really prevent any board movement and gives you an overall secure feeling. There are two sides to this board. One with three nicely sized compartments to house your prep while you are making a dish, as well as, a traditional carving side with a juice reservoir to catch all of those drippings. The reservoir works like any other board, however, the depth is what really sets It aside. It’s able to hold a huge amount of content, keeping your workspace very tidy. Clean board, clean food. The three compartments on the flip side are also nicely sized. They are great for the home cook preparing any type of meal.
John Boos Maple Wood End Grain Round Chopping Block
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | John Boos |
Material | Maple |
Product Dimensions | 18 x 18 x 3 inches |
Item Weight | 20.4 pounds |
This round John Boos chopping block is made with an interesting brick pattern on its surface. It’s unlike most other butcher blocks you can find on the market and it’ll add a nice bit of aesthetic value to your kitchen. The wood on this chopping block feels great to the touch and has been sustainably sourced, as well. Your knives aren’t likely to scar the surface easily and it’ll remain smooth and consistent even after a lot of use. In addition, it comes with a one-year guarantee against any issues arising from its manufacture or the wood itself.
Butcher Chopping Block Buyer’s Guide
Consider the dimensions of your countertop when making that purchase. If you have a compact kitchen with limited food prep space, don’t go for the big chunky block that takes up a lot of room.
Cutting boards with liquid-catching grooves are fantastic if you carve a lot of roasted meats or juicy vegetables like tomatoes, but aren’t all that necessary if you’re mostly chopping onions or doing basic prep work.
Determine what your budget is and choose a chopping block within that price range.
If you find yourself prepping meat-based dishes regularly then you’ll want a thicker more heavy-duty chopping block.
Only buy from a vendor with reputable certification or you can research the manufacturer’s sustainability practices.
FAQs
Butcher chopping blocks generally come in two styles. Long strips laid lengthwise are called “edge grain.” When the wood is cut widthwise and laid like a checkerboard it’s called “end grain”. The latter is a more common style for cutting boards but is also appropriate for countertops.
You can sand away the damaged part. This removes all the nicks and cuts and leaves a smooth surface. Apply oil “bee’s oil” (a mix of mineral oil and beeswax) or any other food-safe oil to reseal the block and prevent further damage.
Maple is the most common wood species for butcher block because it’s relatively inexpensive, durable, and widely available. However, cherry, oak, beech, birch, tigerwood, and walnut are other great options. Remember that wood may change color over time. For example, species, such as maple and cherry, will darken over time, while others, like walnut, lighten.
After each use, wipe down the butcher block with mild soap and warm water. Make sure it’s thoroughly dry before placing anything on the surface. To keep it looking like new, liberally apply the aforementioned “bee’s oil” to the surface once a month, wiping up any excess. Butcher block is porous, so don’t keep it near the sink when not in use to avoid the risk of mold growth and rotting.