When you know you’re using a good chopping board, you know. Strong, solid and secure in place while putting your best knives to use – an all round a pleasant experience.
A bad chopping board and you’ll also know. Constant slipping and moving around while trying to chop, knife marks left in place, juices spilling everywhere and random sprigs of ingredients scattered across the kitchen.
Chopping boards are designed to provide the best surface for food preparation, whether dicing up your vegetables, slicing up your meats or cutting into soft juicy fruits. They act as a sturdy slat to kick start your recipes, while protecting your kitchen surfaces from knife marks and scratches. They are also there to prevent food contamination of raw or uncooked ingredients and maintain food hygiene when cooking.
How to choose the best chopping board?
Chopping boards come in all shapes and sizes - from classic rectangular forms to quirky oval styles, in small, medium and large dimensions.
Some come solo, some in duos or trios for different ingredients, and some are made from wood, others plastic. Plastic ones are great for wiping clean and fitting in a drawer after use, while wooden ones reamin keeping scratch-free and not absorbing odours or liquids.
The grip is very important when choosing – the last thing you want is a chopping board sliding around when handling sharp knives. Look out for gripping feet or dots underneath, and heavier durable woods. To combat germs and cross-contamination, colour-coded or labelled boards are worth considering too.
See our pick of the best chopping bonds with cutting-edge features to lend a hand in the kitchen.
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Joseph Joseph Index Chopping Board
Joesph Joesph never lets us down with its smart and innovative designs - and the Index chopping board set is no exception. Four robust rectangular boards are compactly tuck into a silver or graphite storage case for a neat addition to your kitchen counter.
Each chopping board is colour-coded and features an index-style tab with a unique symbol to indicate which food type to use on each one. Pick from red (raw meat), blue (raw fish), green (vegetables), or grey (cooked food) and make cooking easy while preventing cross-contamination. The design is not only colourful and fun but also practical.
Each board is non-slip and knife friendly to provide a sturdy chopping station. Throw them in the dishwasher after use (yes, they’re dishwasher friendly) and wipe clean the storage case to keep things hygienic. We can see why this set is an ongoing bestseller and top choice on Amazon.
Buy now £26.99, Amazon
Salter Bamboo Chopping Board
Food prep is a breeze with Salter’s chopping board, made from a strong oil-finished bamboo. Its multi-functional design makes it perfect for any kitchen. It has a built-in lip at both ends on opposite sides which can hang over the edge of your worktop to prevent any sudden movement when chopping.
It is also reversible so you can flip over sides when preparing a whole range of different ingredients and avoid cross-contamination of raw and cooked foods.
Best not to dishwash to maintain the durable coating – instead rinse under warm water once used and leave to dry upright. The stylish board also makes a great platter to serve aperitifs from for your dinner party guests.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon
Pro Cook Non-Slip Bamboo Chopping Board Set
Get your knives and ingredients out on these non-slip chopping boards for precision cutting in the kitchen. The two-piece duo features a large (28 x 39.5cm) and medium (23 x 33cm) board, both made from renewable high-quality bamboo to create a hard-wearing and long-lasting design, with gripping silicone edges to avoid any movement when using.
There are also juice channels carved into the boards to prevent any spillages from liquid and handles on either end to make them easy to manoeuvre around the space. To keep the bamboo enriched, oil the boards regularly with vegetable or olive oil. Wipe clean and do not put in the dishwasher.
Buy now £32.00, Procook
Brabantia Tasty+ Chopping Board Set
This three-piece set covers all bases with a small, medium and large option. All are made from a solid plastic which makes slicing and dicing easy and sturdy, while stopping any liquids or food odours from being adsorbed.
They also feature a non-slip grip and grooves to prevent juices from spilling out. Flip them over (they’re reversible) and use as a colourful server before popping into the dishwasher to clean. Pack them into their nest and store in your kitchen cupboard or drawer to maximise surface space.
Buy now £25.00, Amazon
KitchenAid Birch Wood Butcher’s Block Chopping Board
Made from strong birch wood and measuring a chunky 3cm thick, KitchenAid’s butcher block chopping board is built to last. Cut into the toughest ingredients with the sharpest of knives and the board will go nowhere with its non-slip feet on the bottom to keep it in place and maintain control. With recessed handles, turn to chop the rest of your dish. Hand wash for longer-lasting performance and dry immediately to prevent water damage.
Buy now £39.99, Lakeland
Fuktysysm Plastic Chopping Board Mats
Fuktysysm’s selection of colourful chopping board mats is a favourite amongst Amazon customers. The six colour-coded mats will create a rainbow in your kitchen, while keeping food preparation safe and hygiene friendly. Cut different food types on the different mats, from meat and fish to fruits and desserts and avoid possible food poisoning in the process.
Each mat is 1.3mm thick, BPA-free and dotted underneath to grip the surface and ensure a stable chop. Wipe clean or throw in the dishwasher after use and hang the super light mats from their easy-grip hole design to store. These modern and convenient chopping boards will instantly add some vibrancy to your walls.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Judge Kitchen Bamboo Cutting Board
This is set to be your new kitchen essential. Slimline, lightweight and easy to store, it also provides a strong firm surface for chopping up your veggies and meats. The sustainable bamboo wood is naturally resistant to bacteria with no added chemicals and the design prevents any liquid absorption into the wood to remain odour free. A classical look and reliable option – hand wash only to keep it in optimum condition.
Buy now £19.00, Horwood
Salter Three-Piece Bamboo Chopping Board Set
Clearly labelled ‘meat’, ‘fish’ and ‘vegetables’, Salter’s chopping board trio will make cooking a pleasure. Simply separate your ingredients accordingly and enjoy chopping, cutting, slicing and dicing against the solid bamboo boards. Not only are they durable and made to last, but the intelligent design will prevent confusion and maintain safe food preparation. They also look rather chic with a smart grey rim and the carved labelling in the corners.
Buy now £19.99, Robert Dyas
OXO Good Grips Large Plastic Utility Cutting Board
Introduce this modern monochrome chopping board to your kitchen and prepare your food like a pro. Line up your ingredients across its dimensions (37.5cm x 26.5cm) and chop like pro as it stays securely in place thanks to non-slip edges. It’s double-sided to avert cross-contamination and has juice grooves to catch liquids and keep surfaces clean. The plastic material also keeps the board odour-resistant with non-porous features. Dishwasher safe and fit with soft handles for the simplest experience.
Buy now £18.00, John Lewis
Robert Welch Oak Pebble Chopping Board
Choose a funky design with Robert Welch’s pebble-shaped chopping board. Made from solid oak with an oiled finish, this is a high-quality and highly functional option for your kitchen worktops. Scratch-proof with anti-bacterial properties, it is an ideal board to accompany your food preparation and also makes a lovely and elegant serving board for canapes and sweet treats.
Buy now £50.00, Wayfair