Posted on July 22 2024
Have you ever been carving a roast for a family dinner, the board slipping beneath you as you cut when suddenly a flood of juice spills off the edge of your cutting board and right onto your kitchen counter? If this has happened to you, it might be time to invest in a carving board.
Cutting boards are essential in the kitchen, but they don’t all serve the same purpose. This guide will explore what a carving board is, different ways to use it and what to consider when buying one for yourself.
What is a Carving Board?
Carving boards are designed for slicing roasts, turkeys, hams or juicy fruits and vegetables, like tomatoes, pineapples or watermelons. The difference between a carving board and your standard cutting board is the juice groove that runs along the perimeter. The juice groove captures the runoff of roasts or fruits, preventing any mess from spilling on your kitchen counter.
Despite being designed with carving meats in mind, the carving board can be used for so much more than serving your Thanksgiving turkey.
5 Ways to Use a Carving Board
One of the best attributes of a good carving board is its versatility. Like any good kitchen tool, a carving board can be used for so much more than what most people think.
1. Carving Roasts, Turkeys and Meats
As mentioned, the primary use of carving boards is for slicing and serving roasts, from beef, and pork to a whole turkey or chicken. The large surface area and juice groove help contain the juices released during carving, keeping your countertop clean. The best part about the carving board capturing all the juices from your roast is that you can then easily pour it into a saucepan to make gravy.
2. Serving Charcuterie
Carving boards are also great for preparing cheeseboards and charcuterie. The ample space they provide is perfect for arranging sliced meats, cheeses, fruits and crackers directly on the board. The larger the board, the more charcuterie you can serve guests and the more creative you can get with how you arrange and display your charcuterie.
3. Food Preparation
A carving board has all the benefits of a standard cutting board with the added asset of a juice groove. A carving board is great for chopping fruits and veggies and no sticky fruit juices will get on the countertop. A smaller option, like our TB Home® Acacia Wood Cutting Board with Juice Groove, is great for food preparation on the fly.
4. Extend Your Counter Space
Have a small kitchen? Add up to 30 inches of counter space with our 600 SI Large Two-Tone Board or our Rock & Branch® 600 SI Large Acacia Wood Cutting Board. Place either of these large carving boards over your stove-top (make sure it’s off) or sink to add more space for food prep or counter space.
Need something bigger? Our 860 SI Extra-Large Cutting Board is 36” x 24” if you need even more surface area for charcuterie, carving meats or food prep!
5. Use as a Dough Board
A good dough board should be large enough to comfortably roll out dough without it hanging over the edges of your board. That’s why carving boards make great dough boards! They tend to be larger and non-slip which makes them perfect for carving meats or rolling out your favorite pasta dough. Simply flip the carving board over and you have a noodle board that is flat with plenty of room to work your dough.
How to Choose a Carving Board
When picking a carving board, you should consider its size, material and what you intend to use it for. Wood and bamboo are the best and most often used materials for carving boards because they’re gentle on knives, durable and tend to slip less than plastic boards. They also make beautiful serving trays that elevate any gathering when placed at the center of the table.
If you’re looking for a carving board for everyday use, our Kona Groove Carving Board or Malibu Groove Carving Board are perfect options. They’re both about 18” x 12”, making them an excellent choice for smaller roasts and day-to-day food prep. Their size also makes them easier to store and move about in the kitchen.
A larger carving board, like our 860SI Extra Large Two-Toned Cutting Board or our Rock & Branch® 600 SI Large Acacia Wood Cutting Board, is great for hosting and throwing parties. These boards can add counter space to your kitchen by placing them over your sink or stovetop, giving you ample room to complete all your food prep no matter the size of your kitchen. If you’re hosting a large gathering or just a group of cheese lovers, these carving boards make for excellent extra-large charcuterie boards.
Carving boards are often the centerpiece of our biggest holidays. When choosing a carving board, you might want to pick a board that not only holds the juices of your Thanksgiving turkey but elevates the dining experience with its beauty. Our Family Tree Bamboo Carving Board is a great touch at family gatherings or holiday dinners that reminds us of the connection we share with one another at the dining table. It’s gorgeously etched with the design of a tree in the center that directs juices away from the food to the generous well and grooves that collect and store excess juice.
Carving boards have so much to offer, from serving roasts, extending counter space and doubling as noodle boards. They're beautiful, practical and can make anyone feel like a professional in the kitchen. If you’re interested in discovering more wooden and bamboo carving boards, check out our collection here.
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