A butcher block is defined by its role in the kitchen, and its differences from a regular cutting board really come down to the individual who’s using it. Defining a butcher block can be a little tricky. They can be anything from a 5-inch thick block of wood, to a 20-foot kitchen island, to a tree stump. The general concept is to have a dense and firm surface on which to butcher meat, hence the name.
| Best Butcher Block Cutting Boards | Wood Type and Dimensions |
|---|---|
| 1. The John Boos Maple Reversible Maple Chopping Block | maple; 24 x 18 x 2.25 inches |
| 2. The John Boos End Grain Cherry Chopping Block | cherry; 14 x 14 x 3 inches |
| 3. The John Boos Walnut End Grain Reversible Chopping Block | walnut; 12 x 12 x 3 inches |
| 4. The Totally Bamboo Big Kahuna Cutting Board | 24 x 18 x 3 inches |
Why use butcher block cutting boards?
A knife and cutting board are essential tools in the kitchen. For vegetables, the knife work really just involves chopping or slicing, so a standard chopping board does the necessary job.
In contrast, meat often requires quartering, filleting, chopping and deboning. This requires a larger surface area that needs to be heavy enough to stay in place. Most butcher blocks are at least an inch thick, which is important because it adds the element of weight.
Check out my recommendations on the best cutting boards for meat.
The best butcher blocks will have rubber bases to prevent the board from slipping, which could result in the meat flying into the air, or the chef’s fingers doing likewise!
Butcher blocks generally cost upwards of $100 but below $200, so there’s little sense in trying to purchase on the cheap. There could be a world of difference in spending the extra $20 to make sure you get a quality board.
Which woods make for good butcher blocks?
Most butcher blocks are made using end grain, as opposed to edge grain because end grain means that the fibers are exposed. On edge grain, the fibers run along the outside. End grain is sturdier and more resistant to cuts or scarring. Over a long enough period, it can actually be self-healing because the fibers will push back together.
A butcher block will need to be made from a strong wood, due to the aggressive beatings it will tend to take from a cleaver. So a strong, end grain board is a necessity if you want your butcher block to stand the test of time. To be fair, most butcher blocks meet these requirements.
There are a number of woods suited to taking this kind of beating. Bamboo and oak are well-known to be strong woods to use in the kitchen. Walnut butcher blocks are also a very popular choice, as is the walnut end grain butcher block.
Here is a list of the best butcher chopping boards on the market, based on their pricing and the wood used in their construction.
Maple
The John Boos Maple Reversible Maple Chopping Block
The John Boos Reversible Maple Chopping Block is 24 x 18 x 2.25 inches and features a reversible surface edge with grips to prevent the board from moving. Maple is a strong and heavy wood, ideal for butcher block cutting boards.
This board is constructed from end grain for resilience against wear and tear but should be maintained using Boos Mystery Oil.
See John Boos MYSB Mystery Butcher Block Oil at Amazon
Did you know that treating your cutting board with oil will prevent damage and make it last longer?
Cherry
The John Boos End Grain Cherry Chopping Block
The John Boos Cherry Chopping Block is a beautiful cherry wood square board. It’s 14 x 14 x 3 inches and beautifully colored with a deep, almost orange, cherry wood finish. This is a significantly heavier board than some others. You don’t need to worry about it moving about as you use it!
The self-healing end grain surface ensures this model will last, and also helps to maintain the quality of your knives.
Walnut
The John Boos Walnut End Grain Reversible Chopping Block
The John Boos Reversible Walnut Butcher Block is 12 x 12 x 3 inches, and so is also a very heavy butcher block. Like the maple series, it is reversible. This makes it a convenient board for busy chefs who might not have the time to wash the board between preparing different foods.
It’s a beautifully colored piece of craftsmanship—dense and heavy, you won’t need to worry about it slipping away mid-chop.
Bamboo
The Totally Bamboo Big Kahuna Cutting Board
Finally, there’s the 24 x 18 x 3 inch Totally Bamboo Big Kahuna Cutting Board. Totally Bamboo is slightly larger in its dimensions than the others, giving you a bigger working space. That feature is especially useful if you’re using it for vegetables.
It’s made with 10 layers of bamboo, which makes one of the strongest, most durable boards on the market. The board has four rubber legs to keep it elevated and sturdy. Like the other models on this list, it won’t move about when you’re using it, even though bamboo isn’t as heavy as the other woods.
Do you own wooden bowls? Here’s my guide on how to easily care for them.
Chop, chop!
Choose one of the models on this list, and you’ll be chopping like a pro! You might also be interested in finding out whether glass cutting boards are safe.
A good knife is the partner of your cutting boards. Find out about the 5 best kitchen knife sets. While these boards won’t unduly dull your knives, eventually you’ll need to sharpen them with the best knife sharpener.
Dealing with meats? Visit these posts on thebest vacuum sealer for fish and game, as well as the best pressure canner for canning meat, and get more meat-preparation tool reviews.
Bryce is not a real professor, but he's real nerdy in the kitchen. He's been barbecuing, chopping, and generally blazing food for many decades. He thinks there's definitely a better spatula or utensil out there that hasn't been invented yet.