You might consume up to 10 credit cards' worth of plastic per year from your plastic cutting board alone. Ahh! When I learned that, I immediately chucked my well-loved plastic cutting boards that we’ve had for years — they were covered in little notches and grooves where knives had nudged microplastics into our food — and went shopping for some non-toxic cutting boards. Here are the best options that I found.

At a glance, here are our top choices for non-toxic cutting boards.

• Top choice & best bamboo cutting board: Greener Chef
• Top solid block cutting board: Vesta Homes single block

How to choose a non-toxic cutting board: 3 things to look for

There are three components to consider when purchasing a non-toxic cutting board.

1. Material
2. Glue
3. Finish

Material

There are two options for the best cutting board material:

• Organic bamboo
• Solid hardwood

Bamboo is affordable, sustainable, and easy to clean. It is also naturally antibacterial! However, it’s harder than solid wood, making it more likely to dull your knives over time.

Hardwood boards are beautiful and less tough on your blades than bamboo. They also have naturally antibacterial properties when adequately cleaned. While they are typically more expensive and require extra maintenance, they can last much longer. Hardwoods suitable for cutting boards include maple, walnut, teak, oak, or mahogany; avoid softwoods like pine and cedar.

Materials to avoid: Plastic vs. wood cutting boards

• Plastic: The most common cutting board material. It has been shown to shed micro-plastics into our food and water supply, which can cause endocrine disruption, cancer, reproductive disorders, and more. Plastic boards are also less sanitary, as the notches from blades create safe havens for bacteria. Chemicals from the plastic can leach into your food even from direct contact, especially if the food is hot!
• Wood composite: This material is made from wood pulp held together by resins or adhesives containing toxic chemicals (more on that below).
• Silicone: While BPA-free, food-safe silicone is a non-toxic material, it degrades very quickly, and many contain fillers that release toxic fumes.
• “Anti-microbial” or “bacteria-resistant”: These aren’t materials, but some boards have added chemicals to make them more bacteria-resistant. These chemicals are toxic and unnecessary with a pure bamboo or hardwood board.

Glues

In the best-case scenario, your non-toxic cutting board is one piece of solid hardwood with no glues. The second best is to inquire about the glue used on the board and ensure it is food-grade, formaldehyde-free, and verified non-toxic.

Finish

If finished, your wood cutting board should be finished with food-grade materials. Some great options include beeswax, carnauba wax, and coconut, walnut, or linseed oil.

Avoid lacquers and petroleum-based mineral oil, even if described as “food grade,” as they often contain carcinogens.

Best non-toxic cutting boards

We’ve broken down our favorite non-toxic cutting board options by type.

Best bamboo cutting boards

Top choice: Greener Chef organic bamboo cutting boards

• Material: Bamboo
• Price: $30+
• Size: Variety, 3-pack

This board is glue-free and free of oil or wax finish! The company used steam compression – so no glues or adhesives – to bind the bamboo together. The boards are untreated, and the company recommends regular conditioning with their organic walnut oil. This is a fantastic, affordable, and non-toxic option.

Honorable mention: Royal Craft wood organic bamboo cutting boards

• Type: Bamboo
• Price: $20+
• Size: Variety

This is another solid option for a bamboo cutting board, but it isn’t perfect. They use an FDA-approved, non-toxic, formaldehyde-free, food-grade glue, and their boards come in larger size options than Greener Chef. Unfortunately, the boards are finished with mineral oil.

Best non-toxic wood cutting boards under $40

Vesta Homes single block or platter

• Material: Acacia
• Price: Under $20
• Size: 11 x 7.5 in - 15 x 10 in

Vesta Homes offers a small, single-block board that is glue-free and/or a medium board glued with formaldehyde-free, food-safe glue. They did not get back to me about what they use to finish their boards, so I’m not 100% positive that this option is completely non-toxic.

LUBAN single block

• Material: Mahogany
• Price: Under $20
• Size: 12 x 8 in (small)

This board is 100% glue-free and made from a single block of Mahogany wood and finished with linseed oil and beeswax!

Woodchuck

• Material: Walnut or maple
• Price: Less than $30
• Size: 7 x 12in - 10 x 14in

Their walnut or maple boards are glued with non-toxic, formaldehyde-free glue and finished with petroleum-free mineral oil, according to the representative I spoke with over email.

Non-toxic wood cutting boards under $80

Black cherry single block

• Material: Black Cherry wood
• Price: Less than $50
• Size: 14.4 x 9.4 in (medium)

This board is glue-free and made from a single block of Cherry wood. It is finished with vegetable oil (not the best finish, but hey, it’s glue-free!). As a nice bonus, it looks pretty lightweight and is 100% sourced and made in the USA.

Sapele wood single block

• Material: Sapele wood
• Price: Less than $60
• Size: 18 x 12 in (large)

This one is glue-free; I could not find out what finish they use, but they claim it’s non-toxic and food-grade. It’s the most affordable option I could find for a good-sized board.

Maple cutting board

• Material: Maple wood
• Price: Less than $75
• Size: 17 x 11 in (large)

This board is made of maple wood and uses non-toxic glue, finished with beeswax, flaxseed oil, and linseed oil.

Non-toxic wood cutting boards under $150

Sonder LA maple cutting board

• Material: Maple
• Price: Less than $80
• Size: 17 x 13 in (large)

This board is also non-toxic, formaldehyde-free, glue-free, finished with a combination of mineral oil, beeswax, and flaxseed oil (again, mineral oil isn’t ideal, but should be in lower quantities here because of the combination).

Our Place

• Material: Walnut
• Price: Less than $100
• Size: 14.4 x 9.4 in (medium)

This walnut board is made with non-toxic, formaldehyde-free glue and finished with a non-petroleum-based mineral oil.

How to clean your wood cutting board

You’ll notice that none of the wood boards are dishwasher safe, nor should they be submerged in water for long periods (this degrades the wood and can cause harmful bacteria to grow). Hand wash them with a non-toxic soap, dry them promptly, and store them in a well-ventilated area.

About once per month, treat your wood board with a non-toxic board oil or wax to help maintain its quality over time.

Wood cutting board oil & finish options

The board finish is an essential component of a non-toxic wood-cutting board. I avoid mineral oil, but thorough washing and re-oiling with natural oils should remove most, if not all, of the original oil residue from the manufacturer.

Here are some fantastic, non-toxic cutting board finishes for keeping your board in tip-top shape at home.

Greener Chef walnut oil spray

Ingredients: Walnut Oil

Clarks cutting board wax

Ingredients: Coconut oil, food-grade beeswax, and carnauba wax

Caron & Doucet conditioning oil

Ingredients: 100% coconut-derived oil

FAQ: Non-toxic cutting boards

What is the healthiest material for a cutting board?

The healthiest cutting boards are made from solid hardwoods like maple, walnut, or cherry, as well as organic bamboo. These materials are naturally antibacterial, durable, and free from toxic coatings or plastics. However, if you choose non-solid wood, opt for nontox glue options, like this Greener Chef organic bamboo cutting board!

Are bamboo cutting boards safe and non-toxic?

Yes, organic bamboo cutting boards are safe, affordable, and naturally antibacterial. Just be aware that bamboo is harder than wood, which may dull knives more quickly over time.

What woods are best for non-toxic cutting boards?

Hardwoods such as maple, walnut, teak, cherry, and mahogany are the best options. Avoid softwoods like pine or cedar, which can splinter, harbor bacteria, and wear down quickly.

Why should I avoid plastic cutting boards?

Plastic cutting boards shed microplastics into food, especially when scratched by knives or exposed to heat. They can also trap bacteria in grooves and may leach harmful chemicals into food. I advocate to fully avoid plastic cutting boards all together!

Is silicone safe for cutting boards?

While food-grade silicone is marketed as safe, many silicone boards contain fillers that break down under heat and release toxins. They also degrade quickly, making them less durable and sustainable. I usually stay away from silicone in my cookware and cutting boards.

What glue should I look for in a cutting board?

The best option is a single-block cutting board with no glue at all. If glue is used, make sure it is food-grade, formaldehyde-free, and certified non-toxic.

What finish is best for a non-toxic cutting board?

Safe finishes include beeswax, carnauba wax, coconut oil, walnut oil, and linseed oil. Avoid petroleum-based mineral oils or chemical lacquers, which may contain carcinogens and cause negative health impacts.

How do I clean a wood cutting board safely?

Hand wash your wood cutting board with warm water and non-toxic soap, then dry it immediately. Or create a paste with baking soda, lemons and water and let it sit for awhile on your cutting board, then rinse and dry. Never put wood boards in the dishwasher or leave them soaking in water, as this can cause cracking and bacteria growth.

How often should I oil my cutting board?

You should condition your wood cutting board about once a month with a non-toxic oil or wax. This prevents cracking, extends its lifespan, and creates a natural protective barrier.

Are non-toxic cutting boards dishwasher safe?

Nope. Wood and bamboo cutting boards should never go in the dishwasher, as high heat and water damage the wood. Stick to gentle hand washing and regular oiling to keep them safe and long-lasting.

Choosing the right cutting board

There you have it! When you are cooking, it's not just the quality of the food you are consuming that matters; it also matters what comes into contact with your food. Good luck finding the right cutting board for your needs.