Bacteria can thrive in unexpected places—which is why you need separate cutting boards in your kitchen. We got the full scoop on this icky problem.
The Gross Reason You Need at Least Two Cutting Boards
Updated on May 11, 2023
Safely handling raw food is a skill every home cook should have. But safe food handling doesn’t stop at storing meats at proper temperatures and ensuring they’re cooked through before they hit your plate. Food prep is equally important. To help prevent food poisoning and potential food contamination in your kitchen, you’ll need a dedicated meat and chicken cutting board. Here’s why.
Psst! You might be making these mistakes with raw chicken, too.
Why You Need a Separate Cutting Board for Meat
Whether you’re serving up meat, poultry or seafood for dinner, any form of raw meat may contain bacteria. And when you use a cutting board to prepare these food items, said bacteria can survive a hot, soapy wash and linger in the board’s crevices. The result? You could potentially taint other foods chopped on the same board.
While that may be less of a problem for meat cooked to a safe internal temperature, your fruits and veggies may pick up some of the bacteria from your cutting board. Yuck. This possibility for cross-contamination is the same reason why health officials caution against washing chicken before you cook it.
Luckily, reducing the risk is simple. Keep two or more cutting boards on hand and make sure one of them is reserved specifically for chopping raw meat, poultry and seafood.
The Best Types of Cutting Boards for Your Kitchen
In addition to owning separate surfaces, you also need to pay attention to the board’s material. It’s true that wood cutting boards look good, but using them for meat or poultry is a big no-no according to the USDA. Bacteria can thrive inside the wood’s pores which may lead to food poisoning. The USDA recommends using non-porous cutting boards (like this cute set) for handling meat. Acrylic or glass cutting boards are also great additions to your kitchen.
If you can’t bear to part with your wood cutting board, save it for fruits, vegetables, cheese and bread. Your family will thank you!
Ready to get (safely) cooking? Check out our tasty chicken dinner ideas.
Pasta NapolitanaThis is the ultimate meat lovers sauce and is my copycat version of The Cheesecake Factory's pasta. Rich and hearty, with tremendous flavors, this pasta Napolitana will disappear quickly. I always make extra sauce, as it freezes very well. —John Pittman, Northampton, Pennsylvania
Black Bean and Cheese EnchiladasPicante sauce gives lots of zip to the tasty filling in these meatless black bean and cheese enchiladas. Each generous serving is packed with fresh-tasting ingredients—and fiber, too. — Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Dutch Oven Red Beans and RiceThis is a one-pot meal that's ready in about 30 minutes. It is one of my husband's favorites and uses simple ingredients, so it's been a go-to recipe in our house for years. —Janice Conklin, Stevensville, Montana
Garlic Herbed Beef TenderloinYou don't need much seasoning to add flavor to this beef tenderloin recipe. The mild blending of rosemary, basil and garlic does the trick. —Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington
Zucchini Pizza CasseroleA hearty tomato-meat sauce, garden-fresh zucchini and oodles of cheese make this zucchini pizza casserole the ultimate family-friendly dinner recipe.
Classic Beef StewThis easy beef stew recipe is my favorite. The rich beef gravy helps the hearty flavor of the potatoes and carrots to come through. It's the perfect homemade dish for a blustery winter day. —Alberta McKay, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Sheet-Pan Chicken and VeggiesOur sheet-pan chicken and veggies recipe features herby chicken thighs, roasted red potatoes and spinach in one no-muss, no-fuss dish. The best part: Cleanup is a breeze!
Beef EnchiladasOur crowd-pleasing beef enchiladas recipe features a homemade enchilada sauce and a spiced ground beef filling. Don't be fooled by the ingredient list. It's actually quite simple to prep!
Skillet Mac and CheeseThis skillet mac and cheese takes a few more minutes than the boxed stuff, but we promise the final result is worth it. A thick and creamy cheese sauce is stirred together with perfectly cooked pasta, then topped with whatever you like.
Ranch Pork RoastOur Test Kitchen created this simple Savory Pork Roast with a mild rub that's perfect for new cooks. The leftover meat is tender and flavorful enough to be used in countless recipes.
Chicken and DumplingsPerfect for fall nights, my simple version of comforting chicken and dumplings is speedy, low in fat and a delicious one-dish meal. —Nancy Tuck, Elk Falls, Kansas
Shrimp Pasta PrimaveraThey say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. So when I invite that special guy to dinner, I like to prepare something equally wonderful. This well-seasoned pasta dish has lots of flavor, and it won't hurt your budget! —Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland
Pork Chops and Scalloped PotatoesThis hearty and filling casserole of pork chops and scalloped potatoes with onions is a whole meal in one dish.
Rosemary Salmon and VeggiesThis rosemary salmon is a favorite, thanks to the savory herb that adds unbelievable flavor to the fish as it bakes. Cooked with asparagus and red peppers, it's a healthy and quick dinner option that pulls in rave reviews too.
White Chicken EnchiladasI adapted the recipe for these rich and creamy white chicken enchiladas from a cooking class I had a while back. —Janice Montiverdi, Sugar Land, Texas
Cast-Iron Sausage PizzaThis shortcut cast-iron pizza starts with frozen dough. Add you family's favorite toppings for variety. — Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Louisiana ChickenGreen peppers and mint add a surprise to this Louisiana chicken recipe. A roasting bag keeps the chicken moist and flavorful. —Jill Werle, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Slow-Cooker Chicken TacosThis slow-cooker chicken tacos recipe is anything but boring or bland. Fresh lime juice, chili powder, salsa and corn give the tender chicken a burst of fresh flavor.
The Best Shepherd’s PieOur top-rated shepherd's pie recipe delivers a cozy, filling, homestyle dinner that never disappoints.
Spaghetti SauceThis homemade spaghetti sauce is loaded with sausage and beef and generously flavored with garlic and herbs. Using a slow cooker melds the flavors while you go about your day.
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
Old-Fashioned Chicken PotpieAlthough this uses leftover chicken, I serve this old-fashioned chicken pot pie as a special company dinner. Actually, my husband may enjoy it more than the original roasted bird with all the fixings! —Marilyn Hockey, Lisle, Ontario
Banh Mi Baby Back RibsLiving in Arizona, we do a lot of grilling, especially ribs! But my family loves banh mi sandwiches, so I thought I would combine the two together, and ended up with an absolute family favorite! You can of course skip the roasting in the oven part if you have a gas grill and want to cook them on slow for a couple hours. You can also sprinkle sesame seeds or roasted peanuts over the grilled ribs. —Bonnie Geavaras-Bootz, Chandler, Arizona
Garlic-Lemon Shrimp LinguineThe Cheesecake Factory has an extensive menu, but I always seem to order their delicious fresh and citrusy Lemon Shrimp Linguine. I'd enjoyed it enough times that I was confident I reproduce it to share with friends and family. Think I hit it spot on! When I have fresh basil from the garden I use that instead of parsley.
Roasted Chicken with RosemaryHerbs, garlic and butter give this hearty meal in one a classic flavor. It's a lot like pot roast, except it uses chicken instead of beef. —Isabel Zienkosky, Salt Lake City, Utah
Baked SpaghettiThis baked spaghetti is one of our top-rated pasta recipes ever (and we have lots of pasta recipes). It may be the rich trio of cheeses or the bubbling brown top, but we suspect the real reason is that it's just so easy to make.
Asian Beef NoodlesSure to be a hit with the family, this Asian beef noodles dish is a perfect weeknight dinner. A couple of clever shortcuts make it particularly quick and easy to prepare.
Chicken Zucchini CasseroleFast and delicious, chicken zucchini casserole is an effortless weeknight dish to use up your summer harvest of zucchini.
Shrimp MontereyFor a special occasion or when company's coming, this delicious seafood dish makes a lasting impression. You'll be surprised at how fast you can prepare it. A mild, fresh-tasting sauce and the Monterey Jack cheese nicely complement the shrimp, I serve it over pasta or rice. —Jane Birch
Edison, New Jersey
Chicken Noodle CasseroleEveryone who tries this comforting cheesy chicken casserole asks for the recipe. It's so simple to make that sometimes I feel as if I'm cheating! —Kay Pederson, Yellville, Arkansas
Southwestern CasseroleThis southwestern casserole is a riff on chili mac, with the added spice of green chiles and sliced jalapenos, all underneath a melted layer of Monterey Jack cheese.
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.
Best LasagnaWhat makes this classic lasagna recipe so spectacular? Homemade meat sauce and plenty of cheese. Best of all, it's easy to make lasagna ahead of time so dinner can be ready in a flash.
Burrito BakeThis burrito casserole recipe is bound to make everyone happy. Satisfy your weeknight dinner cravings with our delectable Burrito Casserole, a dish that's not only quick and easy to prepare but also packed with mouthwatering flavors.
Basil Pork ChopsThese tender, glazed chops get a kick from basil, chili powder and a little brown sugar. Serve with your favorite roasted veggies and you've got a super comforting meal bursting with flavor. —Lisa Gilliland, Fort Collins, Colorado
Creamy Celery Beef StroganoffCream of celery soup adds richness to a recipe that has become a family favorite. It’s so simple to prepare and, oh, that flavor! —Kim Wallace, Dennison, Ohio
Bavarian Pot RoastSince all my grandparents were German, it's no wonder that so many Bavarian recipes have been handed down to me. Because the Midwest has such a large German population, I feel this recipe represents the area well. —Susan Robertson, Hamilton, Ohio
Taco Salad CasseroleThis taco casserole recipe tastes like a taco salad and is a breeze to assemble. I crush tortilla chips to form a bottom layer, then spread on refried beans, a spicy meat mixture and cheese. —Rhonda McKee, Greensburg, Kansas
Swedish MeatballsWhip up a batch of these easy Swedish meatballs for a meal that's all comfort and no fuss!
Country Chicken and GravyHere's a lightened-up take on the classic southern comfort-food dish: chicken and gravy. This recipe has been a hit at our house since the first time we tried it! —Ruth Helmuth, Abbeville, South Carolina
Best Spaghetti and MeatballsOne evening we had unexpected company. Since I had some of these meatballs left over in the freezer, I warmed them up as appetizers. Everyone raved! This classic recipe makes a big batch and is perfect for entertaining. —Mary Lou Koskella, Prescott, Arizona
Can-Can ChickenHere's a tasty take on the popular beer-can chicken. Once the bird is on the grill, the work's basically done. And cleanup is a cinch—a must for a guy like me. —Steve Bath, Lincoln, Nebraska
Baked Balsamic ChickenAs far as roast chicken ideas go, this baked balsamic chicken recipe is one of our favorites. When the aroma from this dish fills your house, your family will think you spent all day cooking. But this elegant Sunday-special roast chicken, flavored with rosemary, wine and balsamic vinegar, is surprisingly simple to make. —Tracy Tylkowski, Omaha, Nebraska
Salsa Verde Chicken CasseroleThis is a rich and surprisingly tasty rendition of a number of Tex-Mex dishes molded into one packed, beautiful casserole. Best of all, it’s ready in hardly any time! —Janet McCormick, Proctorville, Ohio
Potato Kielbasa SkilletThis one-pan potato kielbasa skillet combines tender potatoes, smoky kielbasa and fresh spinach in a brown sugar sauce into a satisfying weeknight dinner. Serve it with a sauerkraut side to keep on theme.
Parmesan Chicken NuggetsMy 3-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, so I made these golden nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
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