Reversible Maple Carving Board for Safe, Mess-Free Meal Prep

The JK Adams Maple Reversible Carving Board shot from above. Some fresh produce lie on top of it.
Photo: Stephanie McKercher, MS, RDN

Product reviewed: JK Adams Maple Reversible Carving Board

As a registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in recipe development and food photography, I spend a good amount of time chopping. My old carving board was beginning to show signs of wear and tear, so I was excited to try out the best-rated chopping block in the industry, according to both Cook’s Illustrated and America’s Test Kitchen. I needed a carving board that was large, sturdy and resilient enough to handle a heavy workload in the kitchen.

The JK Adams Maple Reversible Carving Board has satisfied all of those needs and more. The board is large — 20 inches by 14 inches — and made of maple with a mineral oil finish. One side features an indentation in the center to secure roasts and other round foods, while the other side is flat. Both sides have ample grooves around the edges to catch juices and prevent countertop spills.

There’s nothing to assemble before using this carving board, but like most wooden chopping blocks, you’ll need to hand wash it, dry thoroughly and occasionally condition with mineral oil or wood conditioner to maintain it.

I rarely cook meat, so when I initially unpacked the carving board, I wasn’t sure how I’d use the side with the indentation. Thankfully, I’ve since learned that in addition to meat and poultry, the indentation is useful for chopping large, round produce items. It’s easier — and safer — to cut into a pineapple, melon or eggplant when it’s held securely in the indentation on the board. This feature could be especially beneficial for kids or anyone new to cooking.

The indentation and outer grooves make this carving board perfect for someone who cooks turkey over the holidays or regularly makes roasts and whole chickens at home. The outer grooves reduce cross-contamination risk by preventing countertop spills and holding excess meat and poultry juices in one place. This doesn’t mean you should steer clear if you’re vegetarian, though. I appreciate how the grooves catch liquids from juicy fruits and vegetables — like with the tomatoes I used in the easy bruschetta recipe below. This board is easily becoming one of my most-used kitchen tools.

I’d recommend this carving board to clients and friends who want to invest in a large, sturdy chopping block they can rely on for years to come. Reversible Maple Carving Board for Safe, Mess-Free Meal Prep - Decades, even — JK Adams offers a lifetime guarantee.

Tomato Cucumber Bruschetta

Serves 4 to 6Reversible Maple Carving Board for Safe, Mess-Free Meal Prep -

Heirloom tomatoes and fresh cucumber are diced and tossed with fresh herbs, garlic and lemon for a quick and easy appetizer that’s perfect for a party.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup diced heirloom tomato (1 medium)
  • ½ cup diced cucumber
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper
  • 6 slices toasted bread

Instructions

  1. Stir together tomato, cucumber, parsley, basil, garlic, lemon peel, lemon juice and salt and pepper.
  2. Lay toasted bread on a flat surface and spoon tomato mixture on top of each slice. Serve immediately.
Stephanie McKercher on Instagram
Stephanie McKercher
Stephanie McKercher, MS, RDN, is a recipe developer and registered dietitian based in Denver, where she's the author and food photographer of The Grateful Grazer blog. Follow her on Instagram.