Kitchen Favorites: Kate Naturals Mineral Oil

My kitchen favorite this week is a little bottle of food grade mineral oil from Kate Naturals, and it has completely brought my beloved bamboo cutting boards back to life. I am not paid by Kate Naturals, y’all — I went looking for this one myself, because my boards, the ones I use every single day and love having out on my counter, had started to look dry, dull, and one of them was even beginning to crack. I could not stand to let them go to waste, so I found this food grade mineral oil, and now my boards are soft, shiny, and ready to work again.

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Here is the honest truth about this food grade mineral oil: it could not be easier to use, and it is oddly satisfying to do. I had two bamboo boards I bought at the exact same time — one I had just re-oiled and one I had not — and the difference was night and day. The oiled one was soft and lustrous; the other was dry, coarse, and a little rough to the touch. All it takes to close that gap is a damp cloth, a little of this oil, and gentle circular motions, and you get to watch that thirsty bamboo just drink it right up.

The part that matters most to me is that it is food grade. That means it is safe for anything my family eats off of that board, which is the whole ballgame for me — I want to take care of my boards, but never at the expense of keeping my family’s food safe. I was also a little worried it would have a strong smell, and it does not. It has a very light, almost non-detectable scent, which I so appreciate, and it means I can use my boards again within about 15 to 30 minutes of oiling them.

These are the same Bambusi bamboo cutting boards I raved about in my kitchen favorites, and this oil is how I keep them going. I try to do this every three or four months, or any time a board starts looking parched — and The Kitchn recommends oiling wooden and bamboo boards on a regular schedule for exactly that reason, since it keeps the wood from drying out, cracking, or warping over time. If you want to see the whole thing step by step, I walked through it in this week’s Tuesday Tip on oiling your cutting boards. It is honestly kind of relaxing to massage the oil into the wood and watch it come back to life — pretty and functional at the very same time, which is my favorite combination.

Why Food Grade Mineral Oil Is One of My Kitchen Favorites

A cutting board you use every single day deserves a little care, and this food grade mineral oil is the easiest way I have found to give it. It takes about five minutes, it costs next to nothing, and it turns a dry, tired board back into one that looks brand new and is safe to prep dinner on. When something this simple saves the boards I love and keeps my family’s food safe at the very same time, that is exactly what a kitchen favorite is supposed to be.

Food Grade Mineral Oil Kitchen Favorites FAQ

Is food grade mineral oil safe for cutting boards?

Yes — food grade is exactly the label you want, because it is safe for anything that touches your food. It is odorless, tasteless, and does not go rancid the way cooking oils like olive or vegetable oil can. That is why it is the standard choice for cutting boards and butcher blocks.

How often should I oil my bamboo cutting boards?

About every three to four months for boards you use regularly, or any time they start looking dry and dull. If a board looks especially parched, you can do it a little more often. Your bamboo will basically tell you when it is getting thirsty.

Does Kate Naturals mineral oil have a strong smell?

Not at all, and that was a happy surprise for me. It has a very light, almost non-detectable scent, so it does not leave your board smelling like anything. That is a big part of why I can use my boards again so soon after oiling them.

How soon can I use my cutting board after oiling it?

I can use mine again within about 15 to 30 minutes. You rub the oil in, let it soak, then wipe away anything that has not absorbed, and the board is ready to go back to work. If a board was really dried out, you can give it a second light coat first.

Is Stephanie paid by Kate Naturals?

No — not at all. I bought this bottle with my own money and it earned its spot in my kitchen favorites the only way anything does, by being what I actually reach for. I use Amazon affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission if you buy through my link at no extra cost to you — but the recommendation is entirely mine.

More Kitchen Favorites You’ll Love

• Bambusi Bamboo Cutting Boards — the boards this oil keeps alive, and the ones I love so much I leave them out on the counter.
• Marble Rolling Pin — the pin my mama gave me over thirty years ago, and the other wooden handles in my kitchen that get a wipe of this same oil.
• Topfeel Knives — the heavy cleaver I reach for whenever I have a mountain of chopping to do.
• Pyrex 9×13 Glass Baking Dish — the deep glass dish with a lid I reach for more than anything, from casseroles to potluck desserts.

Food Grade Mineral Oil — About Stephanie Longstreth

Stephanie Longstreth is the home cook, mom, and storyteller behind StephanieCooksForACrowd.com. She cooks for a family of seven in Florida — five kids, two cats, and one husband who appreciates a good meal. Four of her children came home through adoption, and family stories are woven into everything she makes and shares. Find her crowd-friendly recipes, weekly meal plans, and real family life on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest @stephaniecooksforacrowd.