Happy Friday! I’m excited for the weekend and combining two favorites: pizza and a simple DIY. This project shows how to add safe, natural color to cutting and serving boards using pantry ingredients—no paints or commercial wood stains required. The result is a set of unique, food-safe serving boards that brighten up your kitchen and table.
I’m a big fan of frozen pizza—especially during busy weeks—and I teamed up with Freschetta for this tutorial. Freschetta makes pizzas with real cheese, quality toppings and preservative-free crusts, including gluten-free options if you need them. For this post I used two of my favorites: Brick Oven Crust Spinach & Roasted Mushroom and Naturally Rising Crust Four Cheese, served on the finished boards.
Below is a step-by-step guide to dyeing unfinished or lightly sanded wooden boards with food-safe ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Materials Needed for Food-Safe Dyeing of Cutting and Serving Boards
- Unfinished wood cutting or serving boards (or boards that need resealing)
- 100% blueberry juice (concentrated)
- 100% beet juice (concentrated)
- Turmeric powder
- Painter’s tape (optional, for defined edges)
- Clean paint brushes
- Food-safe mineral oil, beeswax, or a homemade wood finish such as spoon butter
- Paper towels or old rags
Note: Use concentrated 100% juices—do not dilute beet or blueberry juice. For turmeric, mix with a little water to form a spreadable paste.
How to Dye Cutting and Serving Boards with Food-Safe Dyes
1. Choose the right board. Start with an unfinished board or one that needs resealing so the dye can absorb into the wood. Boards that readily accept liquid will develop deeper, more lasting color. I used a DIY leather-handle serving tray and a simple wood board with a hand-cut handle for this project.
2. Apply the dye. Using a clean, never-used paint brush, apply blueberry juice, beet juice, or turmeric paste directly to the wood. Don’t water down the juices; they should be highly concentrated. For turmeric, make a paste with a touch of water so it spreads smoothly.
3. Use tape for edges (optional). You can apply painter’s tape to create straighter lines, but expect some bleeding—this method produces a soft, watercolor-like edge rather than crisp, uniform stripes.
4. Layer and dry. Allow the juice or paste to soak into the wood and dry before wiping with a damp rag. Repeat painting and drying to build up color intensity and achieve the desired look. Multiple thin layers create richer, more even tones without saturating the board too quickly.
5. Seal the board. When you’re satisfied with the color and pattern, seal the piece with a food-safe finish such as mineral oil, beeswax, or spoon butter. Make sure the finish is fully absorbed and dry before using the board with food.
After sealing and allowing the boards to dry fully, they’re ready for use—perfect for pizza night or any gathering. These watercolor-style serving boards are practical, attractive, and made with food-safe, everyday ingredients.
What do you think of the finished boards? Would you try this food-safe dyeing technique at home?
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This post was created in partnership with Freschetta. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep this blog running.