The cutting board plays a vital role in the kitchen. Whether for carving meat, prepping a garnish, or cutting vegetables, a good board with a sharp knife will save you more time while cooking.
And the good news is, this kitchen tool is often versatile, seeing as it can function as a serving tray or plate. Similarly, it also serves as a protection layer, safeguarding your table against scratches and heat.
The million-dollar question is, how do you pick the best cutting board from the hundreds of available options?
A good board should be easy to store and clean while having enough chopping and slicing space.
Furthermore, it must be able to handle juicy ingredients and greasy foods while standing up to odors and stains. When maintained diligently, a good cutting board will last between five to ten years.
At this point, you may be confused about how to choose the best cutting board and what the material will be. Worry no more; we’ve done all the hard work for you. We’ve taken out time to research the best cutting board. Interestingly, it’s one made with walnut woods.
As you read further, you’ll discover why walnut wood is the best for cutting boards and the best walnut cutting boards to give you value for your money.
Table of Contents
Features to Consider When Buying a Walnut Cutting Board
Here are the major factors to evaluate when selecting a cutting board.
Size
Depending on the meat type you often cook, you can choose between 20 to 21 inches or 14 to 16 inches long board. Simply put, if you’re used to preparing a large-sized turkey for, let’s say, thanksgiving, you’ll need to aim for a 20-to-21-inch-long cutting board seeing as a 16-pound turkey’s length is about 16 to 17 inches.
Type of Wood
There are majorly two types of wooden cutting boards: hardwood and softwood. Hardwoods are a better choice for cutting boards seeing as they’re denser and hard to scratch and damage. The perfect hardwood for a board is walnut wood.
Porosity
Wooden cutting boards can be open-grain or closed-grain. Open-grains readily absorb food, cuts and liquids due to their larger pores. Thus, they create a breeding ground for bacterias. In contrast, closed-grain wood has a smooth finish and smaller pores.
Versatility
Get a good cutting board that allows you to use both sides. You won’t always be cutting meat, so a reversible board will allow you to flip it over and use the other side for other cutting chores like mincing, dicing, or chopping.
Juice Trench
Ensure you go for a cutting board with a juice trench or grooves. This feature is necessary, seeing as you might need to cut meat or other food ingredients that may emit juice. Make sure that the juice trench is deep enough so the liquid wouldn’t spill over to your countertop.
Why Choose a Cutting Board Made With Walnut Wood
Walnut is obtained from the genus Juglans tree. Nevertheless, there are various varieties of this nut, including the English walnut.
Walnut wood is regarded as hardwood and thus very suitable for making durable cutting boards. It contains antimicrobial compounds, such as tannins.
And the best part? Its smaller pores make it hard for knives to form grooves so bacterias can hide there. Furthermore, it blocks bacteria from lurking on the board’s surface.
The Products
AZRHOM Cheese Charcuterie Walnut Cutting Board
- Item size, 18 x 12 x 1inches
- Item weight, 6.12 pounds
- Item shape, rectangular
- Wide juice grooves
- Non-slip mats to hold it in place
- Built-in handles
- Multifunctional board
This cutting board was handcrafted with an American black walnut tree. An excellent choice for prepping and serving meat, vegetables, or fruits, this seasoned, extra-thick board is durable and stable on the countertop because of its non-slip mats.
Due to the wood’s dark color, it’s resistant to stains and hides knife marks. This carefully finished and seasoned board is reversible, so you can use the other side for cutting. Furthermore, the board comes with a juice groove to prevent liquids from running onto the countertop.
Due to the built-in handle grips, you can easily grab and carry the board, and the solid wood makes it difficult to dull your knife’s edges.
- It’s versatile and reversible; meaning you can use both sides of the board
- Its deep juice groove makes it easy to catch food liquid, which helps to keep your countertop tidy
- The built-in handle makes it easy to carry and move around with
- It’s very friendly to knives
- Not properly sanded
Why You Should Buy This Product
It’s a quality board that comes with a gift wrap making it an ideal holiday present. Also, it’s size will ensure it meets all your cutting requirements.
John Boos WAL-R03 Walnut Wood Cutting Block Board
- Item size, 20 x 15x 1.5 inches
- Item weight, 10. 14 pounds
- Rectangular in shape
- Doesn’t retain stains and odor after cleaning
This reversible cutting board is 20x15x1.5 inches, making it suitable if you want to carve large meat or chop various vegetables and fruits at once.
Excellently handcrafted and produced in Illinois, USA, this John Boos walnut board is sourced from American black walnut wood. As a reversible board, both sides are cutting surfaces. The integrated handle grips on both ends make moving, lifting, and cleaning this NSF-certified board easy.
To ensure you get the best deal for your money, this knife-friendly John Boos walnut cutting board comes with a one year warranty against defects in materials and quality.
- The cutting board features an edge grain construction
- It’s reversible, so you can use both surfaces for cutting
- It has integrated handle grips to making carrying it or washing it easier
- No juice trench
- Regular oil application, especially in dry climates, to prevent cracks
Why You Should Buy This Product
You’ll be promoting sustainability by buying this quality handcrafted board. The big size makes it suitable for cutting large-sized meats.
Mevel End Grain Walnut Cutting Board
- Product size, 18 x 12 x 1.5 inches
- Product weighs 7.22 pounds
- Rectangular in shape
- Deep juice grooves for collecting excess liquids
This hardwood end grain board is sustainably sourced and produced from black walnut wood in Canada.
With deep juice drip grooves, this reliable and thick reversible walnut board is knife-friendly. And the best part? It comes seasoned with food grain mineral oil, so you can start using it right away.
However, remember to treat your cutting board regularly to make it last longer. You can also use this board as a serving platter.
- Easy to clean
- Value for money
- Sturdiness
- It comes seasoned and ready to use
- Durability
- Uneven smooth surfaces
Why You Should Buy This Product
If you want a quality board at a reasonable amount, this product is for you. The dark color hides knife marks and it comes already seasoned, so you can get started using it right away.
Madison Walnut Cutting Board
- Item size, 17 x 12 x 1.1 inches
- Item weight, 6.29 pounds
- Three scalloped pocket for serving cheese
- Made with FAS walnut woods
- Rectangular in shape
This FAS grade (no warping or blemishes) walnut cutting board is exceptionally durable and knife-friendly. With a reversible design for dual-use, this board comes with a juice trench to contain spills.
This knife-friendly board will last longer with regular oiling while hiding knife marks. The cutting board’s back has cutouts for your prepped food and can act as a serving tray.
So if you’re looking for a board with excellent craftsmanship and outstanding features, this board is your best bet.
- It’s reversible
- Has smooth edges
- It comes with three compartments for separating food ingredients
- Side handles for effortless transportation
- Juice grooves to collect stray drips
- Some parts of the board appear joined
Why You Should Buy This Product
Very affordable for a cutting board of its quality and specifications. It’s food safe.
ALDDN Walnut Cutting Board
- Item size, 18 x 12 x 1.5 inches
- Item weighs 5.98 pounds
- Rectangular in shape
- Doesn’t absorb odors or stain
- Charcuterie board for entertaining
Gentle on your knife, this walnut wood cutting board possesses a solid structure that does not warp easily. Your knife marks will not be visible with regular oiling and care, plus the dark walnut color.
This walnut cutting board comes with a reversible design so you can use both surfaces. Similarly, it comes with juice grooves to prevent spills and rounded radius edges.
You can use this board as a serving tray, and the back has cutouts for your prepped food. This walnut cutting board is large enough to serve, cut, and store, so you don’t need to transfer chopped veggies into various bowls.
- Smooth edges for a finished and safer look
- Juice groove to trap stray drips
- Side handles to transport it around easily
- Large lattice for putting cheese or other food ingredients
- Cracks when exposed to the sun
- No machine wash
Why You Should Buy This Product
The price for this board is within reach and it also offers value for the money. If you prefer a spacious cutting board, consider going for this product.
Brazos Walnut Cutting Board
- Product size, 20 x 15 x 1.5 inches
- Product weighs 8 pounds
- Hides stains and knife marks
This Brazos product, hand-crafted from a thick walnut, makes it to our list of the best walnut cutting boards. Made in the USA, this durable and dense board can be used as a serving platter or for prepping veggies and meats.
It’s also easy to maintain. You only need to wash in soapy water, rinse and wipe dry. Nevertheless, you’ll need to retain the walnut’s luster by applying the board butter (comes with the carton), use a cotton rag to rub it into the wood in a circular motion, then buff to remove any excess oil after 30 minutes.
- Knife-friendly
- Side handle for easier use
- Smooth edges
- Large to accommodate different items at once
- Product comes unfinished
- Some surfaces and edges appear coarse
- No juice groove
Why You Should Buy This Product
If you prefer spacious boards, this extra-large cutting board will meet all your heavy chopping needs. It’s quite affordable and food safe.
Casanuva Extra Large Walnut Cutting Board
- Item size, 18 x 12 x 1.25 inches
- Item weight is 9.13 pounds
- Rectangular shape
- Kinife-friendly
- Safe for food and doesn’t absorb odors
This stable and durable walnut cutting board comes with a juice groove to prevent any liquid runoff.
The side handles cutouts ensure an effortless grip for moving, carrying, or serving. This large board can serve as a vegetable platter, cheese board, or charcuterie board.
If you’re buying a cutting board for the first time, this product is perfect for you. The large surface area and deep groove, coupled with the fact that it comes pre-seasoned and ready to use, will ensure you get value for your money.
- Deep juice groove
- Reversible
- Easy to clean
- Large surface area
- Uneven surface, making it hard to balance flatly on a surface
Why You Should Buy This Product
It’s a great choice when you’re looking for an inexpensive, durable and sustainable cutting board.
Accented Walnut Cutting Board
- Product size, 12.24 x 8.39 x 0.94 inches
- Product weight, 2.79 pounds
- Smooth finishing
- Antimicrobial
- Comes pre-seasoned
Excellently crafted from an edge grain American walnut tree, this cutting board is durable and dense. This 12×8 inches board comes with a deep groove to prevent juices from messing the countertop. Furthermore, it comes with a convenient hole for easy hanging storage.
- It comes with a hole for hanging
- Rounded corners and edges
- Reversible so you can use both sides
- Deep juice grooves
- Knife-friendly
- It comes unfinished
- Slightly coarse texture
- Small in size
Why You Should Buy This Product
If you’re looking for a small-sized cutting board that you can easily carry around and have a limited space on your kitchen counter, this product is your best bet.
Summary
Walnut woods are inarguably the ideal choice when it comes to culinary items like cutting boards. The wood is dense, tight-grained, hard, and gives off a smooth finish when polished.
From our review, the Madison walnut cutting board is our best pick for its design, seeing as it has three compartments to help you separate your ingredients while dicing.
However, the John Boos Block WAL-R03 comes tops with a whopping 20 inches length and 15 inches width when it comes to size.
In contrast, the Accented walnut cutting board also distinguished itself as a small and handy cutting board. Its hole allows it to be easily hung in the kitchen, making it a favorite of many.
But, if you want the one to give you maximum value for your money, opt for the AZRHOM cheese charcuterie cutting board. Its top-quality will ensure it lasts for a long while once handled correctly.
See Also
Top 10 Best Teak Cutting Boards to Buy from Amazon
Top 8 Best Round Cutting Boards for Your Kitchen Review
Food particles, bacteria, and moisture can easily lodge in the wood and contaminate the food you’re preparing on the board. As a result, you should wash the cutting board thoroughly after every use using warm water and dishwashing soap. Rinse the board carefully, making sure to remove all food particles. Then, dry it immediately in an upright position to prevent moisture buildup.
As mentioned before, end grain cutting boards easily retain moisture. This can result in faster deterioration. Now, take note that moist cutting boards can also harbor bacteria. To prevent this, store your end grain cutting board in an open area, such as the kitchen counter. This allows air to circulate and keeps the board dry.
To keep your end grain cutting board in prime condition, avoid using steel wool and other abrasive materials to clean it. Be sure to clean it right after each use instead of leaving it on the sink for a long time. Lastly, only use mineral oil to condition the board to prevent unpleasant odors.
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