Should I Use a Plastic or Wooden Chopping Board? There's a Clear Winner, but Also a Good Reason You Might Want to Keep Both

Image of a wooden cutting board leaning against a white marble backsplash on a white countertop. There is a white white utensil holder with wooden utensils in it, eggs, and a honey tray around the cutting board. .

If you love to cook, chop, saute, and scramble, then the wooden cutting board vs plastic debate is worth weighing in on. Perhaps you've already heard the rumors: yes, plastic cutting boards are on the chopping block. Turns out, they develop bacteria-friendly knicks more easily and have been said to leave trace amounts of microplastics in your food, something the most health-conscious among us will want to avoid.

There are pros and cons to each material. For instance, plastic cutting boards can be thrown in the dishwasher, while knowing how to care for a wooden cutting board is a little bit more nuanced. On the other hand, a soft wooden material extends the life of your knives and has natural antibacterial properties — qualities that a plastic cutting board lacks.