$33.95
Sur La Table
Are plastic cutting boards useful kitchen tools or a breeding ground for microplastics? Here’s what to know
Cooking experts and engineers recommend using wood, rubber, silicone and composite alternatives instead.
“Composite wood fiber cutting boards are quite popular right now because they’re so durable and good on your knives,” says Johnson. “They’re also really easy to clean since you can throw them in the dishwasher.” Zimmermann specifically recommends Epicurean’s composite cutting board, which I also own. “I’ve had it for quite a while and it cuts well, is lightweight and more eco-friendly than plastic,” says Zimmermann. The non-porous boards have a smooth feel and are double-sided, plus there’s a hole to hang them from. They’re heat-resistant up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, so they double as a trivet, and come in four sizes.
Similar to wood, silicone has some give, making it easy on knife blades, and similar to plastic, it’s dishwasher-safe and inexpensive, says Zimmermann. However, silicone isn’t the sturdiest material, so when you pick the board up, it tends to bend. That might be appealing to you — you can fold silicone cutting boards horizontally or vertically to create a funnel of sorts, making it convenient to dump food into pans or scraps into the trash.
This set comes with three thick silicone cutting boards in small, medium and large sizes. The boards are stain- and stick-resistant, according to the brand, and double-sided: the top has a smooth surface with juice grooves, while the bottom is textured to help it grip to your countertop. Each board also has a hole to hang it from. They’re heat-resistant up to 482 degrees Fahrenheit, so they double as trivets.
“Wood is always a great choice due to its antimicrobial properties,” says Zimmermann. “It also has a better feel and is easier on knife blades compared to plastic.” However, these types of cutting boards require some upkeep — you need to oil or condition them periodically to make sure they stay in good shape. Additionally, wood cutting boards absorb moisture, so they’re not great for cutting ingredients like raw meat and fish, says Alycia Johnson, vice president of merchandising at Sur La Table. (Ed’s note: The inclusion of products sold by Sur La Table in this article was made independently of Johnson.)
When she’s cooking at home, Zimmermann says her first choice for a cutting board is this one from Boos, which is double-sided and comes in various shapes, styles and sizes. “They’re the gold standard for wood, and very thick and sturdy,” she says. “I don’t mind taking time to care for it because it’s a superior product.” NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio also swears by her Boos board. “I got it around 6 years ago as a gift for my husband who loves to cook, and I firmly believe it’ll last me 60 more years,” she says. “The quality is unmatched; despite using it to cut hundreds of vegetables and other foods, it still looks incredibly sturdy and durable. Yes, there are knife marks here and there, but overall, it looks great compared to others I’ve tried.” The brand recommends oiling its cutting board at least once a month and conditioning it for additional protection — you can buy a care set separately.
Although I own a bunch of different cutting boards, this one is my most-used by far. It suits my limited countertop space, and it’s quite durable — I’ve sliced fruits, vegetables, cheese and breads on it almost daily for over a year, and it’s still in great condition. The cutting board is finished with food-safe mineral oil and wax, and it has a small indent in one corner to collect juices or put a small bowl of dip or sauce if you’re serving on it. Caraway’s small cutting board can be purchased individually or as part of the brand’s three-piece set, which also comes with a storage organizer. The brand recommends occasionally applying mineral oil to extend the board’s lifespan.
NBC Select editor Lindsay Schneider uses Our Place’s board (which the brand sent her as a courtesy sample) to prep and serve foods. “As a cutting board, it’s fantastic because it’s really sturdy and heavy, and it has a little trench on the side so liquids don’t spill over,” she says. “I use it as a display board, too. In my small apartment, things have to work double duty, so if I have people over, I use this to put cheese and other snacks on.” The brand recommends occasionally treating the board with food-grade mineral oil to prevent cracking and enhance the surface’s patina over time.
Schneider was a fan of Material Kitchen’s reBoard for years, but ultimately stopped using it since it’s made with plastic. You can now buy a similar plastic-free cutting board from the brand — the new MK Free Board is made from plant-based materials. Its surface is non-pornous and it has a juice groove around its perimeter. There’s also a hole in one corner to hang the board from.
Steelport’s cutting board is one of the more luxe, stylish- looking options on the market as far as I’m concerned. Plus, it has internal steel beams to prevent it from warping, according to the brand. Each of the board’s sides is made from a different material: one side is wood and the other is composite, giving you the benefits of both. The composite side has a groove around its perimeter to catch juices, and the board’s angled sides make it easy to grab, flip and move as needed.
NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz uses Steelport’s board to cook for his family (the brand sent him a courtesy sample). He appreciates that it’s heavy enough to stay in place on his countertop while chopping, but lightweight enough to easily move around the kitchen and lift onto high shelves .
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a reporter at NBC Select who has written about kitchen products for five years, including meal prep containers, cookware sets, dinnerware sets, Dutch ovens and air fryers. To write this article, I spoke to five experts about plastic cutting board alternatives and microplastics. Using their guidance, I rounded up the best plastic cutting board alternatives, including expert and NBC Select staff picks.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
