You've probably seen recipes that call for trussing a roast or whole chicken with butcher's twine. But what is it, exactly?
What Is Butcher’s Twine?
Updated on Nov. 08, 2021
Butcher’s twine is an inexpensive tool used all the time in our Test Kitchen. It helps roasts and chicken cook evenly, and it’s also handy if you need to attach a bacon weave to a meatloaf. But what exactly is butcher’s twine? And what do you do if you don’t have any on hand?
What Is Butcher’s Twine?
Butcher’s twine (also called cooking string or kitchen twine) is an oven-safe string made from 100% cotton. It’s most commonly used when cooking meat. Tying an irregular-shaped roast or trussing a chicken creates a uniform shape that helps the meat cook evenly. Butcher’s twine can also be used to roll up stuffed meat like mushroom-stuffed flank steak, hang salami for curing and bundle herbs for freezing or making stock.
When cooking, it’s important to use a twine that’s made from a natural fiber so it won’t melt when cooked at high temperatures. Cotton is the go-to material because it doesn’t impart flavors, aromas or colors into the food as it cooks. Linen twine is also acceptable, and some people find it easier to tie, but it’s also harder to find.
What’s the Difference Between Butcher’s Twine and Regular Twine?
Twine can be made from several different types of natural fibers and synthetic materials, but not all of them are suitable for baking. Butcher’s twine is made from cotton, a food-safe, oven-safe material that’s strong enough to pull into tight knots. Some natural-fiber twines are oven-safe (like linen) while others are made with food-safe materials but burn easily, so they’re best for decorative purposes (like jute or hemp).
Synthetic twines made from polypropylene and polyester aren’t oven-safe, and they should be avoided for cooking. The twine you’ll find at the hardware store is likely made from synthetic materials, and it can impart unwanted color or flavor into the food.
What Can Be Used Instead of Butcher’s Twine?
The most readily-available substitute for butcher’s twine is unwaxed, unflavored dental floss. It won’t hold up to the heat of the grill, and it can definitely snap if you try to tie it too tightly, but it’ll work in a pinch. Toothpicks or skewers also work well for securing something like a stuffed chicken breast, and a strip of 100% cotton cheesecloth or cotton gauze could be used truss a chicken or a roast if need be.
Some people swear by silicone roasting bands, a reusable alternative to butcher’s twine. They’re food-safe and can be used in the oven to temperatures of at least 600°F. You will need to be careful when removing them from hot meat, though.
You can also look for creative ways to skip the twine. When cooking a whole chicken, bend the wings back and fold them under the chicken. Then, poke a tiny hole in the loose skin around the cavity. Tuck the legs into the slits, being careful not to tear the skin as you go.
Where do you buy butcher’s twine?
You should be able to find butcher’s twine in most grocery stores, and it’s often available at cookware stores, too. Be careful about the twine sold at hardware stores, as most of them are made from a cotton-polyester blend that’s not suitable for cooking. If you can’t find twine near you, look to online retailers (like this $5 spool at Target).
Use Butcher's Twine to Make a Pot Roast
Pot RoastOur pot roast recipe takes a tough chuck roast and braises it, transforming it into a tender, fork-friendly meal.
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Chipotle Shredded BeefChipotle shredded beef is an ideal topping for rice bowls, burritos, nachos and more. It's fall-apart tender thanks to a long simmer in the slow cooker.
Stout & Honey Beef RoastHere's a heartwarming meal that's ideal for chilly days and hectic nights. Honey, beer and seasonings make the sauce different and oh, so good. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Slow-Cooker SauerbratenMy family is of German Lutheran descent, and although we enjoy this traditional beef roast, I never liked the amount of time and fuss it takes to make it. This recipe is so good and oh-so-easy. It's great served with dumplings, spaetzle, veggies or a salad. —Norma English, Baden, Pennsylvania
Beef Paprikash with Fire-Roasted TomatoesBeef paprikash, a Hungarian dish, makes a marvelous Sunday dinner. We prefer it with kluski egg noodles, or try mashed potatoes. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Country Chuck Roast with Mushroom GravyThis tender, savory roast practically melts in your mouth. It looks a bit complex, but the hands-free oven time makes it my go-to company recipe on a cold day. —Mary Kay LaBrie, Clermont, Florida
Sassy Pot RoastI love walking into my home after a long day and smelling this lovely pot roast. You can add potatoes and carrots to round out the meal, and the leftover meat makes a comforting soup for the next night. —Susan Burkett, Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Slow-Cooked Coffee Pot RoastMy family raves about my gravy when I prepare this recipe. Whenever I'm fishing for compliments, this pot roast is a sure hit! —Janet Dominick, Bagley, Minnesota
Flavorful Pot RoastOn hectic days, this is so quick and easy to prep! Convenient packages of dressing and gravy combine to create a sauce worthy of a fall-apart roast. For a filling meal-in-one, serve with mashed potatoes and ladle the juices over top.
—Arlene Butler, Ogden, Utah
Slow Cooker Pot RoastWhat if you could get the perfect pot roast with half the work, but double the flavor? Good news: You can. Here's how, with the help of our best slow-cooker pot roast recipe.
Pot Roast with MushroomsThis pot roast with mushrooms is a comforting meal that cooks all day in the slow cooker.
Cajun-Style Pot RoastI often makes this zippy roast when expecting dinner guests. It gives me time to visit with them, and even my friend who's a chef enjoys this dish. —Ginger Menzies, Oak Creek, Colorado
Marinated Pot RoastThis classic marinated pot roast gets braised in the slow cooker until it's as tender and succulent as possible.
Sunday Herbed Pot Roast SoupI love having leftovers. It means a little less cooking the next day, and I often use them to make soup. With this recipe you could easily substitute leftover roast chicken and chicken broth for the leftover beef and beef broth. —Deonna Weight, Kearns, Utah
Stout & Shiitake Pot RoastMushrooms, onions and a bottle of Guinness add excellent flavor to my pot roast. This one-dish wonder may taste even better the next day. —Madeleine Bessette, Coeur d Alene, Idaho
Mediterranean Pot Roast DinnerI first made this recipe one cold winter day. My family (adults, kids and dogs) were having a blast sledding and playing in the snow all day, and when we came inside supper was ready! This pot roast is perfect served with mashed potatoes, rice or dinner rolls. —Holly Battiste, Barrington, New Jersey
Best Ever Roast BeefThis is the best roast beef recipe ever, and it’s great for family dinners! Cube leftover meat and save any extra sauce; they’ll add new flavor to basic fried rice. —Caroline Flynn, Troy, New York
Moroccan Pot RoastMy husband loves meat and I love veggies, so we're both happy with this spicy twist on beefy pot roast. With garbanzo beans, eggplant, honey and mint, it's like something you'd eat at a Marrakesh bazaar. —Catherine Dempsey, Clifton Park, New York
Beef Roast with Cranberry GravyI can easily get this robust recipe ready in the morning and let it cook all day so that it's ready for dinner when I get home at night. The hearty beef dish is also good for the weekends when we want to spend time outdoors or on day trips.—Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan
Java Roast BeefCoffee adds richness to the gravy, which is perfect for sopping up with crusty bread or draping over mashed potatoes. —Charla Sackmann, Orange City, Iowa
Tina's Pot RoastThis tender pot roast is a hearty, "feel good" meal. It's also kid-friendly. Even picky eaters usually gobble it up. The last time I made this for my family, the gravy was so tasty that we poured it over the entire meal—meat, carrots and potatoes! —Tina Meyer, Lake Orion, Michigan
Slow-Cooker BarbacoaThis slow-cooker barbacoa is simmered in lime juice, chipotle and cumin for a tender, flavorful beef dish. Top it with cilantro and a spritz of lime. Serve it with rice, tortillas or salad greens.
Company Pot RoastThe aroma of this roast slowly cooking in the oven is absolutely mouthwatering. It gives the home such a cozy feeling. —Anita Osbourne, Thomasburg, Ontario
Balsamic Braised Pot RoastI first made this braised chuck roast dish to impress my new mother-in-law. She loved it. Luckily, the oven does all the work in this never-fail pot roast. — Kelly Anderson, Glendale, California
Top-Rated Italian Pot RoastI'm always getting recipe inspiration from newspapers and magazines. Here’s a tender roast with aromatic spices that give it a Moroccan feel. —Karen Burdell, Lafayette, Colorado
Beer-Braised Roast with Root VegetablesI like the combination of seasoned vegetables and lean meat in this recipe, and my wife likes how the seasonings complement the meat. I serve the roast with a garden salad and crusty multigrain bread. —Malcolm Cieszko, Washington, North Carolina
Slow-Cooker Chuck RoastPacked with tender beef and vegetables and served in a rich gravy, this slow-cooker chuck roast is a hearty, delicious dinner any night of the week.
