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The 6 Best Butcher Blocks For An Instant Kitchen Upgrade
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Butcher blocks have taken over kitchen islands — and marched across Instagram feeds — but their kitchen cred often comes with a hefty price tag. Yet, there’s good news: the best butcher block cutting boards on Amazon offer beauty and utility at a variety of price points.
To find the one that’s best for you, consider the following:
- Size: Butcher blocks are famously large and heavy because, as the name implies, they were originally used for butchering meat. These days, you can use them to cut everything from fruit to cheese, but if you’re planning on using it for meat, make sure it’s at least 1.5 inches thick since the weight will add stability. For maximizing your workspace, you might also look for ones that are at least one square foot on your counter.
- End Grain Versus Edge Grain: The best butcher blocks are made out of something called end grain wood, which is wood that’s cut 90 degrees to the wood fiber. On a microscopic level, when you cut on end grain wood, the knife blade will slip between these fibers instead of cutting through them. This is why they’re easier on your blades. You can usually identify a board made with end grain wood by its checkerboard or inlaid pattern. Edge grain wood, on the other hand, is what you think of when you envision a basic wooden cutting board — and you’ll see a lot of it advertised, so make sure to double-check the label if you’re out for an authentic butcher block.
- Wood Type: The best wood for butcher block cutting boards is a type of durable hardwood like maple, walnut, or teak that has smaller pores for transporting water so they’re less likely to harbor bacteria. Sustainable acacia and eco-friendly bamboo are also good options for cutting boards since they’re naturally water-resistant.
Whatever kind of wood you opt for, care for your butcher block by making sure to wash only by hand — resist the siren song of the dishwasher at all costs — and give it a light coat of oil every so often to maintain the wood’s quality and luster.
1The Best Overall: A High-Quality Teak Butcher Block
This end-grain teak butcher block is a great choice for a cutting board because it packs a lot of functionality into a simple object and it looks striking on the table. At 17 inches by 13 inches, it creates enough workspace for basic meal prep without taking over your countertops and is matched by a hearty 1.5-inch thickness. One side features a deep juice groove — but if you flip it over, you’ll reveal a trio of built-in compartments for corralling chopped vegetables and the like, which also makes it a brilliant serving piece. It even comes with thoughtfully placed indented handles for carrying and removable nonslip feet.
One fan wrote: “This cutting board is absolutely beautiful and exceeded every expectation. It appears to be very well-made and the visual effect of the end grain wood is stunning. Teak is a dense wood and the surface of this cutting board is hard, smooth and finished very well. This is a near museum quality piece of craftsmanship!! And, it came in a really nice gift box. Truly would make a fine gift for anyone who has a kitchen! I’m super happy with this purchase.”
- Available sizes & styles: 1
2The Editor’s Pick: This End Grain Oak Board
If you’re looking for a stunning end grain cutting board, look no further than this oak wood option. At 16 inches by 12 inches with a solid 1.5-inch thickness, it’s large enough for most cooking tasks, including making extremely aesthetic charcuterie boards. One shopper summarized, “The wood detail is beautiful, it’s easy to clean and stays put on the counter when I’m chopping. Love it!” It has a juice groove on one side, and you can flip it over to work on a totally flat surface on the other side of the cutting board. There are two built-in handles on the sides that make it easy to carry, and it comes in multiple shapes and sizes, including some round options.
Editor’s praise: “I’ve had this butcher block cutting board for almost a year, and I love it. The thick, solid oak wood is really durable for lots of chopping activities, and I love the look of it. It’s also super smartly designed, with a juice groove, handles on both sides, and silicone feet on the bottom so it never slips. It’s big and heavy, but it’s been a great investment for my kitchen.” — Bustle Editor Amy Biggart
- Available sizes & styles: 5
3A Budget-Friendly Butcher Block In Eco-Friendly Bamboo
- Also available on Wayfair, $22
A 0.6-inch thick, sturdy bamboo cutting board makes the list for being a great sustainable option at a very accessible price point. The lightweight wood is exceptionally water-resistant, naturally antimicrobial, and almost maintenance-free, so it’s a great choice for anyone who is just starting out in the kitchen or wants to test drive this type of cutting board before investing in a more substantial (and heavier) piece. It features a classic drip groove and built-in indents for carrying, and it’s backed by a five-year warranty. This particular version measures 15 inches by 10 inches, a compact size that’s a plus for tiny kitchens — but you can snag it in four other sizes, too.
One fan wrote: “It’s a well made cutting board. I’ve had the plastic type in the past I had bought a nice set of knives so when I saw this had to go for it so much better than plastic.”
- Available sizes & styles: 5
4A Square Butcher Block In Gorgeous Yet Affordable Acacia
This no-frills square butcher block, in stunning end grain acacia, 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 workspace for your knives to maneuver. Some shoppers noted that their board needed conditioning oil right out of the box, but added that the results are worth a little “wax on, wax off.”
One fan wrote: “I’ve bought three of these as small gifts and for myself. For a relatively inexpensive cutting board, it is very good quality. The finish is sanded perfectly, the wood is consistent and beautiful, and after you oil it (keep it oiled) it looks like it costs a lot more than it does.”
- Available sizes & styles: 1
5A 2.5-Inch-Thick Cutting Board For Ambitious Cooks
A great pick for serious home chefs (and entertainers), this multifunction wünderboard combines an oversized 17-by-12-inch cut that offers plenty of prep space with a sturdy 2.5-inch thickness that can take on ambitious kitchen jobs. The large butcher block in end-grain acacia wows with a wide trench, for catching food scraps and runoff. These features also make it brilliant for hosting — just think of the cheese board mastery at hand! There are also two built-in handles for easy carrying.
One fan wrote: “I have been searching for a nice, thick cutting board to sit on the counter. I finally found one. This piece is beautifully made and looks great! Easy to clean and use.”
- Available sizes & styles: 1
6Worth The Splurge: A Round Butcher Block From A Heritage Brand
- Also available on Sur La Table, $269, and Wayfair, $269
Serious foodies and sustainable-living mavens take note: This heavyweight round butcher block from an American heritage brand is an heirloom-worthy investment worth passing down. (Psst — this also makes it a great gift registry item.) It’s made in the United States from ultra-durable, end grain, northern hard rock maple (that’s sustainably sourced), and spans a full eighteen inches in diameter, with a solid 3-inch thickness that exceeds most of the competition. If you want a durable cutting board that will last a lifetime, this one should probably be on your list.
One fan wrote: “This is one beautiful chopping block, substantial and functional. I’m so glad [I] bought this. Everything you would expect from John Boos.”
- Available sizes & styles: 1
7Also Nice: This Food-Safe Oil For Maintaining Your Board
Maintaining your butcher block with a food-grade oil for cutting boards is an essential step to keep the wood conditioned, thus preventing dryness and cracks that can ruin your board. This 100% USP-grade mineral oil can be used on any type of wood or bamboo, as well as on granite or soapstone. Boasting an overall 4.8-star rating after 25,000 shoppers have weighed in, it’s a tried-and-true product for maintaining your cutting board, and its reviewers swear by it for keeping their butcher blocks “like new.”
One fan wrote: “This is an excellent oil for cutting boards. Spreads easily. Covers well with just small amounts. Much better than more expensive oils.”
- Available sizes & styles: 2
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