The Gross Reason You Need at Least Two Cutting Boards
Updated: May 11, 2023
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.
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.
Baja Pork Tacos
This delicious pork tacos recipe is my copycat version of the most excellent Mexican food we ever had, when we were visiting Flagstaff, Arizona. The original recipe used beef instead of pork, but this comes mighty close to the same taste. —Ariella Winn, Mesquite, Texas
Chicken Potpie Casserole
I always have leftover chicken broth on hand and use it for many things, including this comforting family favorite. You can bake your own biscuits as I do or buy them at the store. I like to bake extra biscuits to eat with butter and jam. —Liliane Jahnke, Cypress, Texas
Pasta Napolitana
This 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 Enchiladas
Picante 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 of Home Test Kitchen
Dutch Oven Red Beans and Rice
This 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 Tenderloin
You 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 Casserole
My husband has a hearty appetite, our two kids never tire of pizza and I grow lots of zucchini, so this tasty tomato casserole is absolutely tops with us throughout the entire year. Once you've tried the recipe, you may even decide to grow more zucchini in your own garden next summer! —Lynn Bernstetter, White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Classic Beef Stew
This 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 Vegetables
This sheet-pan chicken and veggies meal tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Garlic Beef Enchiladas
Beef enchiladas are typically prepared with corn tortillas, but my husband, Jeff, and I prefer flour tortillas. I use them in this saucy casserole that has irresistible home-cooked flavor and a subtle kick. —Jennifer Standridge, Dallas, Georgia
Skillet Mac & Cheese
This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! Kids always go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas
Ranch Pork Roast
Our 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 Dumplings
Perfect for chilly winter nights, this main course is speedy, low in fat and a delicious one-dish meal. —Nancy Tuck, Elk Falls, Kansas
Shrimp Pasta Primavera
They 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 with Scalloped Potatoes
Mom always managed to put a delicious hearty meal on the table for us and for our farmhands. This all-in-one comforting pork chops recipe reminds me of home. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
Rosemary Salmon and Veggies
My husband and I eat a lot of salmon. One night, while in a rush to get dinner on the table, I created this rosemary salmon meal. It's a keeper! You can also include sliced zucchini, small cauliflower florets or fresh green beans. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
White Chicken Enchiladas
I 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 Pizza
This shortcut cast-iron pizza starts with frozen dough. Add you family's favorite toppings for variety. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Louisiana Chicken
Green 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 Tacos
Our fun, simple slow-cooker chicken tacos are perfect for a relaxing dinner with friends. If we have any leftover filling, I toss it into a garden-fresh taco salad. —Tracy Gunter, Boise, Idaho
Skillet Shepherd's Pie
This is the best shepherd's pie recipe I've ever tasted. It's very quick to make, and I usually have most—if not all—of the ingredients already on hand. —Tirzah Sandt, San Diego, California
Stamp-of-Approval Spaghetti Sauce
My father is very opinionated, especially about food. This recipe received his almost unreachable stamp of approval. I have yet to hear a disagreement from anyone who has tried it! —Melissa Taylor, Higley, Arizona
Air-Fryer Chicken Yakitori
This dish is a take on the street food I grew up with in Tokyo. Traditionally it's grilled but the air fryer makes quick and tasty work of it all without having to fire up the grill. I like to serve it with rice. —Lindsay Howerton-Hastings, Greenville, South Carolina
Flavorful Pot Roast
On 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 Potpie
Although 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
Garlic-Lemon Shrimp Linguine
The 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.
Traditional Meat Loaf
Topped with a sweet sauce, this traditional meat loaf recipe tastes so good that you might want to double it so everyone can have seconds. It also freezes well. —Gail Graham, Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Roasted Chicken with Rosemary
Herbs, 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
Favorite Baked Spaghetti
This baked spaghetti is my grandchildren's most-loved dish. It feels like such a special dinner and is so cozy for winter. —Louise Miller, Westminster, Maryland
Asian Beef and Noodles
Asian beef recipes don't get much simpler. This colorful, economical stir-fry dish takes only five ingredients—all of which you're likely to have on hand. Serve with a dash of soy sauce and a side of pineapple slices. —Laura Stenberg, Wyoming, Minnesota
Chicken Zucchini Casserole
A co-worker shared this chicken zucchini casserole recipe that was originally her grandmother's. When I make it, I use precooked chicken from the grocery store and fresh zucchini my neighbor gives me from his garden. —Bev Dutro, Dayton, Ohio
Shrimp Monterey
For 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 Casserole
Everyone 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 Casserole
I’ve been making this mild family-pleasing southwest casserole for years. It tastes wonderful and fits nicely into our budget. Best of all, the recipe makes a second casserole to freeze and enjoy later. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Slow-Cooker Chuck Roast
My husband and I like chuck roast recipes, so this slow-cooker chuck roast recipe is terrific. You'll also love how flavorful and tender this comforting beef chuck roast turns out. —Bette McCumber, Schenectady, New York
Best Lasagna
Want to know how to make lasagna for a casual holiday meal? You can't go wrong with this deliciously rich meat lasagna recipe. My grown sons and daughter-in-law request it for their birthdays, too. —Pam Thompson, Girard, Illinois
Burrito Bake
Back when I was in college, my roommate would frequently make this economical baked burrito casserole. It's so easy to put together, and one serving goes a long way. —Cindee Ness, Horace, North Dakota
Basil Pork Chops
Just a few ingredients give a tender pork loin chop all the glazed goodness it needs. Serve with your favorite roasted veggies and you’ve got a meal bursting with flavor. Leftover herbs? Use them in these basil recipes. —Lisa Gilliland, Fort Collins, Colorado
Creamy Celery Beef Stroganoff
Cream 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 Roast
Since 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 Casserole
This 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 Meatballs
Mom fixed this Swedish meatball recipe for all sorts of family dinners, potluck suppers and PTA meetings. The scent of browning meat is intoxicating. Add to that the sweet smell of onions caramelizing, and everyone’s mouth starts watering. —Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas
Country Chicken and Gravy
Here'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 Meatballs
One 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 Chicken
Here'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 Chicken
As 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 Casserole
This is a rich and surprisingly tasty rendition of a number of Tex-Mex dishes fused into one packed, beautiful casserole. Best of all, it’s ready in hardly any time! —Janet McCormick, Proctorville, Ohio
Potato Kielbasa Skillet
No need to hunt through kielbasa and potato recipes, this smoky take steals the show as a hearty home-style, all-in-one meal. It's especially perfect on those cold late fall and early winter nights. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Parmesan Chicken Nuggets
My 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, AlabamaNote: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Originally Published: June 17, 2019
