Butcher paper can withstand high temperatures of up to 420 degrees Fahrenheit, making it safe to go in the oven. However, it should not be heated for more than 10 to 15 minutes at this temperature. To cook using butcher paper for a longer time, set your oven to a lower temperature of 150 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
I love experimenting with new things in the kitchen, especially when it comes to grilling. So, I recently tried something new and wrapped meat in butcher paper rather than my usual aluminum foil before putting it on the oven rack.
I cooked the meat at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes waiting for the butcher paper to catch fire or smell my meat burning. Butcher paper is originally designed for wrapping and storing meats, so it’s okay for anyone to think they may catch fire in the oven.
However, I was impressed none of this happened. Apparently, butcher paper is tough and sturdy enough to survive the heat of an oven, and it worked really well for me. My steak was just as I wanted; juicy and with a great flavor.
But before you try to use butcher paper in the oven, you should read this guide to find all the information you need to use butcher paper safely in the oven and what makes the butcher paper an excellent addition to your kitchen.
Is Butcher Paper Oven-Safe?
The simple answer is yes, butcher paper is oven-safe, but only to a limited extent. The maximum temperature that butcher paper can withstand is 400 to 420 degrees Fahrenheit, which is enough to thoroughly cook and bake most foods.
The butcher paper works just like parchment paper to wrap food while cooking in the oven. It is made from heat-resistant solid materials and doesn’t contain wax, making it a good option for cooking.
I use butcher paper a lot for smoking beef and chicken. However, there are certain things you have to keep in mind when using them.
- You want to make sure the butcher paper isn’t too thin. If it’s too thin, it will burn easily. Also, you don’t want to wrap anything too large; otherwise, it might get stuck in the oven racks.
- Some types of butcher paper may not be completely safe to cook in the oven. So, when using butcher paper in the oven, you must observe some safety precautions to avoid fire threats.
- If you’re cooking in the oven, you’ll want to make sure that you don’t let the temperature rise above 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 Celsius). Otherwise, the paper could melt and stick to the oven walls.
- You also want to make sure that the butcher paper doesn’t touch the heating element.
What Type Of Butcher Paper Is Oven Safe?
Butcher papers are unique kraft papers created from virgin wood pulp. They are quite thick and come in various colors, including white, brown, and pink. These colors represent the significant differences in their features.
Below are three types of butcher paper and how their features determine their safety in the oven.
Colored or Bleached Butcher Paper
The bleached butcher paper is white and not the natural color it should be. This bleaching process makes the paper lose its natural qualities, making it unstable, weak, and less resistant to heat. Bleached butcher paper is also more likely to emit chemicals at high temperatures that can compromise the quality of the food.
Aside from white, other colors of butcher paper are created by applying dye. So most Colored butcher papers apart from pink are also not suitable for cooking in an oven. Instead, they should be used for decorating and packing finished foods like sandwiches and French fries.
Pink Butcher Paper
The Pink Butcher Paper is an FDA-approved food-grade paper. It is also known as ‘’paper peach’’ and usually comes in an unbleached pink-brown color.
These are my go-to butcher paper. They are absolutely oven safe and can be used for various cooking applications such as wrapping briskets for smoking and as a cover for grilled foods. You can also go for the treated pink butcher paper, which contains a sizing agent to increase water resistance and preserve fresh cut meats.
Gardenias Butcher Paper
Gardenia butcher paper is made from 100% recycled paper. Its smooth and shiny surface is best suited for baking because it does not absorb moisture.
How To Use Butcher Paper In The Oven
Butcher paper is extremely useful in cooking food. For example, it can be used to wrap steaks and burgers and keep condiments warm. It’s also a great liner for a deep fryer because it absorbs the grease that may otherwise spill or splatter out of the fryer.
However, keep in mind that no matter how special it is, butcher paper is still paper and needs to be used in the oven correctly. Below is a step by step guide on how to use the butcher paper to smoke meat in the oven safely.
Prepare The Meat And Oven
Regardless of your cooking method, every beef steak and smoking process begins with preparing the meat and oven. This includes seasoning the meat, preparing the smoke, and preheating the oven.
To get started:
- Marinate the meat in your preferred seasoning ingredients. Do this at least an hour before cooking to allow the ingredients to soak in the meat properly.
- Place wooden chips in the oven to smoke.
- Position the oven rack over the wooden chip to keep the meat away from the heat source.
- Now, preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
Wrapping Your Meat With Butcher Paper
This is when the butcher paper comes in handy. Butcher paper is a good substitute for aluminum foil and helps to keep your meat away from the heat source while ensuring the perfect dark roast.
- Place a sheet of butcher paper on the countertop.
- Then, lay your meat or fish out on the butcher paper.
- Cover your meat with another butcher paper.
- Now, wrap the butcher papers over the meat and make sure it is thoroughly covered before smoking.
Smoking Your Meat
Once wrapped, throw the meat in the oven and begin smoking it. Smoking is time-consuming and can last for hours. However, butcher paper helps to cook your food faster than other types of oven-safe paper.
- Place the meat on the oven rack.
- To avoid direct contact with the heating elements, place the wrapped meat in the center of the oven, away from the oven’s sides.
- Smoke the meat gently and slowly.
- Maintain an oven temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
- After 2 to 4 hours, your meat should be fully cooked and ready to serve.
Can Butcher Paper Catch Fire in the Oven?
Even though butcher paper is durable and recommended for cooking, they are still paper and not as heat resistant as aluminum foil. So, they can catch fire if exposed to the extremely high heat of over 450 degrees Fahrenheit for a longer period.
Safety Tips:
- If your butcher paper comes in contact with the direct heat, it might catch fire. So, you should always use the oven rack to keep your wrapped meat away from the heating element.
- You should avoid using butcher paper in a toaster oven because they are usually smaller than a conventional oven, making it easy for the butcher paper to contact the heating element.
- Also, follow the temperature guideline by ensuring that your oven does not exceed 420 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the maximum heat the paper can handle.
Benefits Of Using Butcher Paper
Butcher paper is an excellent alternative to parchment paper or aluminum foil and is useful for a variety of cooking and storing needs.
Here are a few reasons why you should have butcher paper in your kitchen.
Inexpensive
If you’re looking for affordable material to wrap up your food, butcher paper is a great option. It’s easy to find, and in many cases, you don’t even have to buy it because it comes packaged with your meat. You can also find butcher paper rolls in supermarkets at a low cost.
Heavy-Duty
Butcher paper is tough, sturdy, tear-resistant, and can endure temperatures as high as 420 degrees Fahrenheit, making it an ideal wrap for your steaks and barbecues.
Breathable
The butcher paper is a preferable alternative to aluminum foil for smoking meats because, unlike other materials, butcher paper is highly breathable and contains less steam. This helps to produce smoky tastes, juiciness, and a soft roast.
Healthy And Eco-friendly
Pink butcher paper is unbleached and uncoated. It is made of FDA-approved food-grade wood pulp, making it safe to use in the kitchen. It is also easily recyclable.
Versatile
Butcher paper is a handy kitchen material with several uses. Its benefits extend beyond meat wrapping and can be used for decorating, storage, and even as a fire starter.
FAQs On Can You Put Butcher Paper in the Oven
Can I Put Butcher Paper in a Microwave?
Butcher paper should never be used in the microwave. The microwave cooks food using super-fast electromagnetic waves, which may be too hot for butcher paper and cause it to catch fire.
Is Butcher Paper The Same As Freezer Paper?
No, the two papers are not identical. While butcher paper is uncoated, freezer paper is wax-coated. Butcher paper can also be used for meat preservation and smoking. On the other hand, freezer paper can only be used to store meat in the freezer. And because it is not heat resistant, it cannot be used for cooking.