Can You Cut Meat On A Wood Cutting Board? – (Do This First!)

Using a wood cutting board is mainly used in our kitchens to cut different foods and vegetables. But when it comes to slicing meats, both blood and liquid may absorb in it due to the porous nature of the wood. So despite this fact, can you cut meat on a wood cutting board?

Short Answer: Yes! You can cut meat on a wood cutting board. Apparently, wood is a popular choice for cutting boards because it is durable and has a naturally smooth surface. That way, it does not damage the blade.

In this article, let’s discuss the points given below. 

• Types of wood cutting boards
• Advantages and disadvantages of using wood cutting boards
• Can you cut meat on a wood cutting board?
• How to clean a wood cutting board?
• How to tell if you need to replace your wood cutting board?

Types of Wood Cutting Board

Wooden cutting boards are available in several following types of wood.

• Bamboo. A type of wood that is more environmentally friendly. 
• Maple. It has a naturally non-stick surface that makes it easy to clean. 
• Walnut. It is known as one of the hardest yet softest closed-grain materials and has elegant grain patterns. Moreover, it has a dark complexion. 
• Teak. It has close grains and an oily texture inside; it doesn’t let water pile up on the surface. 
• Cherry. It has a beautiful reddish color, which can add a touch of elegance to any kitchen. 
• Beech. It has a smooth texture and provides a consistent cut. It has a beautiful pale yellow and soft-pink tone. 
• Ash. It is known for its strong and durable surface, making it an excellent choice for a cutting board. 
• Acacia. It is not very commonly used in kitchens but has the softest closed grains and scalable Highwood range.

Note: All types of woods have unique characteristics that make them stand out from one another. Some are mildew-resistant, some are easy to season, and some have a beautiful coloration or grain.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Wood Cutting Boards

Cutting meat on a wooden board has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s discuss them.

Advantages

First of all, it doesn’t affect cause possible health issues as it is made from natural materials.

Secondly, using a wood cutting board is more environmental-friendly as it will only decompose and won’t cause a harmful impact on the environment. (*)

They are much cheaper and more hygienic-looking compared to other cutting board materials.

Furthermore, a wood cutting board can keep your knife sharp for a long time since it does not scratches the surface and it makes the cutting process more comfortable for you to use.

Disadvantages

Due to its porous nature, cutting boards tend to soak up any liquids or fats that touch it. (*)

Also, it absorbs the smell and taste of the food that you cut with it.

Moreover, they may be hard to clean up and they can be a potential site for food-borne pathogens to thrive.

Can You Cut Meat on A Wood Cutting Board?

In most cases, yes. You can cut raw meat on a wood cutting board.

But, you need to look out for the wood grains.

When we talk about grains, it refers to the orientation of wood-cell fibers or relatively texture.

Thus, the closer the grains, the lesser the chances of water absorbed on the surface.

In simple words, you judge the quality of the wood cutting board based on rigidity, shape, and texture.

How To Clean A Wood Cutting Board?

The biggest concern with wooden cutting boards is that it serves as a potential site for bacterial contamination to occur.

Why? That is because of the raw meat juices that may seep into the wood.

The following are the methods that you can try to properly clean wood cuttings boards. Let’s have a look.

1. Use vinegar

Vinegar is a good disinfectant. It can kill any sort of bacteria present on the surface because of its acidic nature.

You can use a mild cleaner or vinegar to clean the surface of your wood cutting board.

Just make sure to let it air-dry afterward. 

2. Combine Bleach + Hot Water

You can add a small amount of bleach to hot water to make sure the surface is free from any kind of germs. 

Dilute the bleach in hot water and pour it on the surface of the board.

Dip the piece of cloth in the solution and wipe down both sides of the cutting board.

3. Dish Soap

If you don’t have some bleach, then you can use dish soap instead.

Avoid scrubbing too harshly, and never leave the board soaking in soap or water. 

Once you apply the soap on both sides of the cutting board, rinse it with hot water and let it dry completely.

4. Commercial Cleaners

There are different commercial cleaners that are available in the market.

These cleaners comprise special elements that can eliminate any kind of bacteria, dirt, and odor from the surface. 

5. Lemon and Salt

Lemon and salt are a good way to get all the remaining stains away from the cutting board.

Just add a two-three pinch of salt to a half cup of lemon juice.

Apply it to both sides of the wooden board. Scrub it gently and rinse it off with the hot water.

Let it completely dry afterward.

How To Tell If You Need To Replace Your Wood Cutting Board? 

These are our quick tips for you to know when to replace your wood cutting boards:

• When your cutting board has a crack.
• If your wood cutting board “takes a set” or shrinks or warps permanently.
• When there are too many stains that get accumulated and are difficult to remove.
• If the lamination of the wood cutting board starts to separate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have more questions on wood cutting boards? Check these out:

1. Can you cut meat and vegetables on the same board?

We advise that you should rather use two separate boards for food safety reasons.

But if you want to use the same board, just be sure to clean your board thoroughly after cutting meat and vice versa.

2. Should you cut meat across the grain?

 The short answer is, yes.

It is noteworthy to remember that meat is made up of muscle fibers, fat cells, and other connective tissues.

When you cut the meat across the grain, you are essentially cutting through these muscle fibers. 

Thus, you are in essence tearing apart muscle fibers and making it easier for them to be digested by your body.

3. Can I cut meat on a bamboo cutting board?

Yes, you can use a bamboo cutting board to cut your meats.

After all, the bamboo cutting board is one of the environmentally-friendly cutting boards that are highly resistant to bacteria.

Plus, they do not require any chemicals to produce it.        

4. What is the best cutting board for meats? (if not wooden cutting board)

 The plastic cutting board is the best option for raw meat because they have a non-porous surface and is dishwasher safe. Moreover, they are easy to sanitize.

5. What are other types of cutting boards can you use to cut meats (aside from wooden cutting boards)

 Aside from wooden cutting boards, you can choose from the following options given below.

• Plastic cutting board
• Steel cutting board
• Marble cutting board
• Glass cutting board
• Composite cutting board

Take Away

When it comes to cutting boards, there are a lot of different options to choose from. Woodcutting boards are popular because they’re classic and look nice in the kitchen.

However, wooden boards can be difficult to clean and sanitize properly, which means they can harbor bacteria.

Thus, proper cleaning should be provided to avoid any bad taste especially when you are cutting meat on it. 

Interestingly, wood cutting boards have had a traditional impact over the years when it comes to preparing quality food.