Wooden Chopping Boards For Food Prep and Beyond

If your diet consists of heavy prepping and the chopping of various vegetables, you need a strong and sturdy chopping board at your disposal. However, there are so many different boards to choose from: plastic to glass, to wood. The latter is a sturdy option that will protect your precious kitchen surfaces from your sharp kitchen knives. So, at A Modern Kitchen, we’ve put together a guide to the best wooden chopping boards – and given you a reason to buy one.

We’ve popped together some pros and cons of wooden chopping boards:

Pros

• Solid and Sturdy
• Bacteria Cannot Survive
• Heat Resistant
• Won’t Blunt Your Knives
• Plastic-Free & Potentially Sustainable

Cons

• Higher Maintenance
• Not Dishwasher Safe

As you can see, the pros more than outweigh the cons. You’ve got reliability and safety with the wooden variation – at the cost of convenience. A wooden chopping board is perfect for households who are cooking aficionados and like to spend lots of time in the kitchen.

Best Wooden Chopping Boards UK 2022

Attractive, this bamboo chopping board is easy to clean and maintain. With this, it's a simple gentle wash, dry, and oil. Plus, it's hard and durable - a remarkably tough material, which can handle the sharpest of knives with ease. Not only is this board natural and 100 per cent biodegradable, but it is made from a material that isn't damaging the environment.

Dimensions: 45 x 30 x 2 cm

Pros: Professional Grade for Durability, Organic Bamboo, Drip Groove

Cons: Hardness May Make it Tough on Knives

Review: "Having previously had the usual wooden boards, of which the last one had split, I thought I'd try a bamboo one. I went with bamboo as it's supposed to be stronger but still knife friendly (I have quality kitchen knives). I'm impressed. It cleans easily, marks far less than wood, and is nice and light. I'd recommend trying one if you're at all skeptical."

This chopping board is crafted from renewable olive wood. This large board has natural antibacterial properties, which are handy in the kitchen, and its irregular shape gives it a rustic feel. Practical, it even has a hanging hole for easy storage, and because it is handcrafted expect grain variations to the finish.

Dimensions: 40 x 22 x 2 cm

Pros: Rich Grain, Hanging Hook, Renewable Olive Wood

Cons: Every Piece is Different

Review: "Generally pleased with the item but manufacturer sticky labels on both sides leave an unsightly stain!"

Coming complete with a practical grey stand, this set of wooden chopping boards is the perfect space-saving solution for your kitchen. Handmade and part of Dunelm's Apartment collection, there are coordinating items available on their site. With clear labels for each food item, you'll have a tidy, neat, and hygienic kitchen with this set.

Dimensions: 33 x 27 x 7 cm

Pros: Space-Saving, Avoid Cross-Contamination

Cons: Crumbs can catch in the holder, and can mark easily

Review: "Lovely set of boards, fit neatly on the worktop, easy to clean, and look lovely in any style of kitchen - modern or traditional"

Perfect for prepping your meals, this high-quality and highly recommended solid wooden board is hardwearing and will add some rustic charm to the kitchen. Made from sturdy bamboo, it is also stain and odour resistant. Plus, it even has grooves on one side - so it's easy to pick up from the worktop.

Dimensions: 50 x 36 x 3 cm

Pros: Scratch Resistant, Easy to Clean, Stain and Odour Resistant

Cons: Weight, Can Slide on Worktop

Review: "We have searched everywhere for a replacement chopping board. Finding this one was a very pleasant surprise when we received it. Heavy and seems very durable and sure it is absolutely fit for purpose. For the price, it is an excellent addition to our kitchen."

Another bamboo board, this choice is great if you're on a budget and need a wooden chopping board under £10. Not only is it strong and durable, but it's anti-bacterial and safe for food. Your knives will be no match for this board as it doesn't mark easily. Plus, Eco-Health claims its wood is eco-friendly and sustainable. Perfect if you're on a budget.

Dimensions: 44.5 x 30 cm

Pros: Strong and Durable, Anti-Bacterial, Eco-Friendly, Lightweight

Cons: Thin

Review: "Not a lot you can say about a chopping board. Looks and feels well made, good size, easy to clean. A good buy?"

Want to cut up your vegetable in style? This bamboo chopping board set features fantastically-practical elements that make them stars in our eyes. Namely, they have large, cut-away handles and integral juice channels carved into the wood to avoid spillages. Renewable and high-quality, this set is environmentally-friendly and hard-wearing with clever, non-slip silicone edges for stability. We like this set.

Dimensions: 23 x 33 cm and 28 x 39.5 cm

Pros: Renewable Bamboo, Cut-Away Handles, Non-Slip Silicone Edges

Cons: Stains, soft wood

Review: "Light to handle, very sturdy to use, beautiful to have around your kitchen! Easy to clean. Superb quality chopping boards at a great price too - would highly recommend."

We adore this delightful large wooden chopping board from Wayfair. With plaited handle and gorgeous natural mango wood grain, this kitchen accessory has been designed for everyday living and entertaining. For example, the plaited handles make it very practical and easy to carry. So, this is a versatile board with a rustic flair and is perfect for those wanting a cottage feel to their kitchen. Plus, it could be used as a serving platter for bread or a cheeseboard.

Dimensions: L25 x W38 x D2 cm

Pros: Rustic Design, Handles

Cons: Thin

Made from premium Acacia wood, this chopping board has a unique texture and pattern. Durable, this board is 2.5cm thick and can withstand heavy blows and cutting - without warping or splitting. Perfect for everyday use and easy to clean, this could make a great gift idea or statement piece in your kitchen.

Dimensions: 46 x 33 x 2.5 cm

Pros: Looks Great, Sturdy

Cons: Not as Durable as Bamboo

Review: "The wood pattern on this looks nicer in person. I love this chopping board. Didn't realise my kitchen was missing this until we started using it - much better than trying to use small stacking ones for everything. We have it as a permanent fixture on our kitchen island."

Laid flat, Chop2Pot provides a cutting surface for food preparation. The sides of the board fold up, forming a chute down which chopped food or waste can be neatly guided. We love this smart, innovative design that lets you pop your chopped veg straight into your cookware. Convenient and stylish, it comes with non-slip feet, too.

Dimensions: 32.8 x 27 x 1.3 cm

Pros: Foldable, Non-Slip

Cons: Don't Get too Wet

Review: "This is a brilliant chopping board and I use it every day! I love the fact that you can fold it, as it makes life so much easier when you want to tip chopped vegetables etc. into the pan. I've been gradually moving away from using plastics so this chopping board is a great find, and being bamboo it's also lightweight and comfortable to hold."

Complete with four, plastic storage drawers with lids, this bamboo chopping board is set apart from the rest. So convenient, these space-saving boxes can be stored under the chopping board during food preparation and stacked in the fridge afterward. Not only that, this set has anti-slip rubber feet which prevent slipping and any accidents with your sharpest knife. Minimise food contamination with these boxes - which are dishwasher safe.

Dimensions: 41 x 28 x 10 cm

Pros: Boxes are Dishwasher Safe, Non-Slip, and Convenient

Cons: Hard to Store

Review: "I love this chopping board. I live in a very small flat and space is in short supply in the kitchen. I have used it often and I even cook more because I can now chop onions and peppers etc into plastic containers (which even have lids!!!) to store cleanly and safely while I chop up the next thing. It's easy to clean and dries quickly. Highly recommend this little beauty."

Another bamboo entry, this chopping board is made from premium wood with anti-bacterial properties. Not only that, but it's non-porous and not easy to warp or splinter. Professional and durable, this is a sturdy choice for everyday use. Plus, it features three built-in compartments for placing chopped ingredients and a deep juice groove. Whether used as a heavy-duty chopping board or serving tray, this is a good choice for your kitchen.

Dimensions: Different Sizes Available (L, 2XL or 3XL)

Pros: Professional-Grade, Handy Compartments, Juice Groove, Reversible

Cons: Too Large for Some Kitchens

Review: "We bought this chopping board to replace a tiny one we had that had become warped over time from being washed. This one is great though. It's much bigger, of good quality and the little slots are also quite useful to get strong-tasting ingredients like chopped garlic out of the way. I'm not sure we could much fit cut veg in, like how the picture shows it to be, but I can't say we've really tried. Happy with the purchase anyway."

Avoid cross-contamination with this set of three, budget-friendly and durable bamboo chopping boards. High-quality, this set is designed to use the natural grain of bamboo for superior strength with the promise of durability and reliability. Crafted from 100 per cent organic and packaged in no plastic, this is an environmentally-friendly option. They're eligible for hanging up on your kitchen wall - above your units - and have non-slip feet to avoid any issues.

Dimensions: 33x22 cm / 28x22 cm / 22x15 cm

Pros: Budget-Friendly, Can Display, Non-Slip Feet

Cons: High Maintenance, Larger Than Expected

Review: "These boards are brilliant. They arrived packaged well. They are extremely well-made hard wood boards with a smooth surface. They come with stability stickers that are rubber that keeps the board safe and still for speed chopping and safety from the board slipping about. They are easy to clean too, what with the smooth surface. I say I would buy them again but these are well made and will last a long time!"

Everything tastes better when it’s made with love. M&S's heart wooden chopping board may just be the ticket for a cutesy kitchen. We love this product. Made of solid wood for durability, and great performance with regular use, this cute heart chopping board is a fantastic way to serve up tapas or bred.

Why not just add some fun to cooking when chopping meat and veggies?

Dimensions: 29.5 x 1.9 cm

Pros: Cute Design

Cons: Small, Impractical

Review: "Delighted with this chopping board. Can also be used as a placemat for hot dishes on a table, as well as a lovely display board for tapas etc. Nice solid piece of wood, very smooth."

This premium set from ProCook is another firm choice if you're looking for longevity - but don't mind paying a little extra. Both of these boards are reversible - with one side designed with a groove to catch bits and juices, while the reverse side is left smooth for chopping and dicing. Perfect for any household and crafted from long-grained beech, each chopping board will look pretty on any countertop.

Dimensions: 35.5 x 25.5 x 2 cm; 40 x 28 x 2 cm

Pros: Beech, Reversible, Beautiful Finish, Grooves

Cons: Not Dishwasher Safe

Review: "It's a nice chopping board, I would advise anyone who purchases it, also buys some food-grade mineral oil, so seal it nicely."

Crafted from sustainable and durable bamboo, this chopping board is perfect for prep, cutting and even serving. Protecting your worktop surfaces from cuts and scratches could be a reliable addition to your kitchen. Staying at the edge of your counter - thanks to its corner design - it can be easily wiped down after use.

Dimensions: 35 x 30 x 3.5 cm

Pros: Space-Saving, Large Surface Area, Sustainable Bamboo

Cons: It May Not Suit Every Household, Handwash Only

Another innovative design, this chopping board is great for prepping multiple veggies ahead of time. Slice and dice your way to easy meal prep with this natural beech board with a handy sorting compartment. Bring a country, cottage flair to your kitchen with this attractive wooden chopping board. Easy to clean, simply wipe with a cloth. Plus, the food is FSC certified so it's a sweet deal.

Dimensions: 35 x 30 x 1.9 cm

Pros: Easy to Clean, Handy Sorting Compartment

Cons: Handwash Only

Review: "Bought this item to replace my neoprene board. Really like the scoop feature where you can scoop your already prepared veg, getting out the way so you can carry on without everything going everywhere."

A practical kitchen essential with a rustic flair, this chopping board is made of mango wood. Mango wood is soft to work with, but has hard-wearing properties. We love this piece which is made in India. Not only does it have a beautiful and individual finish, but it doubles as a serving board.

Dimensions: 1.5 x 30.5 x 37.5cm

Pros: Hard-Wearing and good for serving

Cons: Soft wood leaves marks, Handwash Only

Another rustic addition to our round-up, Wayfair is offering this stunning mango wood, chopping board. Though simple in design, this board offers a practical solution to serving and cutting bits in your kitchen. Plus, it includes a handy strap and metal carrying handle. They are ideal to allow the boards to be hung up out of the way when not in use. Or - why not keep them on the wall to add an extra touch of rustic chic to your kitchen?

Dimensions: 47 x 20 x 3 cm

Pros: Rustic, Rope to Hang Up

Cons: Handwash Only

Review: "Beautifully simple, smooth mango wood board... exactly as pictured, very happy with my purchase - and fast delivery."

Crafted from FSC-Certified oak, this chopping board is sustainable, hardwearing and easy to maintain. With rounded corners and a robust metal handle, this sturdy board is practical for your kitchen. Brush up on your knife skills with this board with its durable surface. Just give it a wipe and hang it up when not in use. Plus, it would look great for a platter.

Dimensions: 43 x 28 x 2 cm

Pros: Easy to Clean

Cons: Handwash, Large

Review: "Excellent quality. Excellent price. Really pleased."

OUR VERDICT: Which is the best wooden chopping board?

A Modern Kitchen has chosen ProCook's Non-Slip Set as our favourite.

Though it may be a little pricey, this set is a cut above the rest. Why?

• Renewable Material - Bamboo is fast-growing, durable and sustainable.
• Avoid Cross-Contamination - With two boards, you can use one for meat - and the other for veg.
• Non-Slip - Avoid accidents with this set.
• Durable - No match for a sharp knife set.
• Cut-Away Handles - Easily transportable, from worktop to pan.
• Juice Grooves - Avoid juices when cutting multiple items.

FAQs

Are Wooden Chopping Boards Safe?

Yes – wooden chopping boards are a great option for keeping your kitchen safe. Despite the fact that bacteria can be drawn into the wood, the bacteria can’t reproduce there, so they die.

How Do I Clean A Wooden Chopping Board?

To ensure that your wooden chopping boards last as long as possible, you must take extra steps to look after them. Though it seems like a hassle, it’ll be worth it.

When it comes to cleaning a wooden board, you need to stay away from any product that will stick to the board, because that could affect the taste of your food. So, natural products are best.

It goes without saying: do not put them into the dishwasher because it will damage the wood.

1. Scrub them with hot, soapy water. We recommend a natural, plant-based soap.
2. Some chefs recommend using lemon and salt. So, you could give that a go. But, just stay away from vinegar.
3. Next, airdry your wooden chopping boards. Don’t use tea towels, because you’ll be cross-contaminating your boards.
4. When dry, use a brush to apply some oil. Not cooking oil, mind. Apply mineral oil or beeswax to soak into the wood. Leave for a little while.
5. Lastly, give your board a wipe – with a disposable paper towel.

With this cleaning method, your wooden boards will last longer and look great.