Butcher Paper vs Parchment Paper - What's the Difference?

Butcher paper and parchment paper may seem quite similar at first. Both are light, thin, brown (or slightly pink) papers used to prepare food.

However, both papers have unique properties that make them ideal for different purposes.

Now, it can be confusing to figure out which one is right for you, whether you want to use them for cooking, baking, or wrapping and storing food.

It is important to know the distinction between the two in order to use them correctly.

So what is the difference between butcher paper and parchment paper?  The main difference is that butcher paper is usually thicker and more absorbent than parchment paper. Other factors such as the way of production, types, uses, heat and moisture retention threshold, cost, and permeability make butcher paper and parchment paper different from each other.

So keep reading to find out which of the two is the most suitable for you.

What is butcher paper?

Butcher paper is the most commonly found in butcher shops or fast food places. It is used to wrap raw meats and sandwiches to protect them from airborne pollutants.

It is porous, absorbent and helps to retain the flavors and moisture of the foods that are wrapped in it.

Butcher paper is also widely used for craft projects, to cover utensils and tables, and less commonly, for baking and roasting.

Butcher paper is cheap and can be easily found in most supermarkets. It is durable and versatile.

There are several types of butcher paper, such as white butcher paper, peach or pink butcher paper, freezer paper, etc., which serve different purposes.

What is parchment paper?

Parchment paper is used for cooking, grilling, and baking. Parchment paper has many qualities that make it ideal for use at high temperatures in ovens and on grills.

This type of paper is resistant, non-stick and retains moisture and heat. It has a low permeability, which helps it retain the juices and flavor of grilled foods as they cook. 

Additionally, parchment paper also ensures that food is baked or grilled evenly. It can also prevent overheating or burns.

You can use parchment paper in versatile ways during baking, such as lining baking dishes or spreading sticky dough.

You can easily find rolls or individually cut parchment paper at nearby grocery stores.

Butcher paper vs. parchment paper

Butcher paper and parchment paper may look similar, but they have different qualities and uses. You must know these qualities and differences to determine which of the two is the most suitable according to your needs and purposes.

Here are the differences between butcher paper and parchment paper explained in detail.

1. Thickness

The main difference between butcher paper and parchment paper is that the former is usually thicker than parchment paper.

Although parchment paper is thinner, it is strong and does not break or melt when exposed to high temperatures. You can place the parchment paper on top of your grill and baking dishes, or use it as a wrap while grilling and smoking.

On the other hand, you cannot use butcher paper on grills and ovens, despite being thicker. It is suitable for wrapping food once cooked or baked.

2. Permeability

Butcher paper is more permeable and absorbent than parchment paper.

This makes it ideal for storing raw meats and foods like snacks and sandwiches. Contents wrapped in butcher paper can breathe due to its permeability.

Thus, they do not retain excessive moisture . This helps keep stored food fresh.

Its lower permeability makes parchment paper ideal for cooking and baking. Using parchment paper on racks and baking dishes ensures that food retains heat and moisture.

This also helps retain the juices and flavor of the wrapped food.

3. Heat and moisture retention

Parchment paper has a higher heat retention threshold than butcher paper.

This makes parchment paper a better choice for grilling and baking. You can use it inside an oven or on a grill without it catching fire or melting.

Additionally, parchment paper helps retain moisture, which keeps food juicy and flavorful.

Using butcher paper inside an oven or grill can cause it to burn. Butcher paper can retain a lower amount of heat, making it suitable for storing food.

4. Uses

Butcher paper and parchment paper have many similar qualities, but they are not used for the same purposes.

Butcher paper was originally used only to wrap meat and fish. It is also used to wrap snacks and sandwiches. This is because it helps protect food from airborne contaminants and preserves its flavor.

Butcher paper is also widely used for various arts and crafts projects, and by moving companies to pack delicate items such as dinnerware.

Some people also use butcher paper for smoking. Grilled foods can be wrapped while smoking to lock in flavor and allow smoke to absorb.

Parchment paper is mainly used for baking and cooking. Keeps food moist and fresh and prevents overheating and burning. Parchment paper tolerates high temperatures and does not stick to food as it cooks.

You can use the parchment paper to line the baking dishes. Or you can use it between individual cookies and brownies to create a barrier. Besides, you can also use it to make a funnel to glaze your baked goodies.

5. Production process

Both butcher paper and parchment paper are treated to give them unique properties.

Butcher paper is made using a process called krafting. The krafting process retains the cellulose fibers and makes the butcher paper strong and durable.

It is then treated with sizing, which helps retain the flavor and juices of the wrapped foods by creating a moisture barrier.

Parchment paper is made from wood pulp from fig or cotton plants. It is treated with silicone, which makes it heat resistant and prevents food from sticking to it.

This makes parchment paper ideal for high-temperature cooking and baking.

6. Price

Both butcher paper and parchment paper are relatively cheap, but butcher paper usually costs less than parchment.

A cheaper substitute for parchment paper is wax paper. However, wax paper is prone to ignite at high temperatures, while parchment paper withstands heat easily.

What are the different types of parchment paper?

There are only two variants of parchment paper: bleached and unbleached.

Unbleached parchment paper is brown in color. It is not treated at all and has no chlorine. Some people prefer unbleached parchment paper because they want to reduce the number of chemicals they use when cooking.

Bleached parchment paper is white in color. It has been treated with chlorine, which causes it to lose its color. Bleached parchment paper does not differ from unbleached parchment paper in function.

Both types can be used for baking and roasting.

Bleached parchment paper poses no risk or harm despite being treated with chlorine. It is also usually cheaper than unbleached parchment paper.

What are the different types of butcher paper?

There are various types of butcher paper, each of which has different qualities. The different types of butcher paper are explained in detail below:

white butcher paper

The most common type is white butcher paper. It is used to wrap meats and foods such as snacks and sandwiches. You can also use the white butcher paper to smoke the meat.

It is absorbent and preserves the smoky flavor of the meat. Its permeability means that excessive moisture is not trapped inside, so that roast meat remains crispy.

Wrapping the meat in white butcher paper can also help to maintain its reddish color and freshness for longer than usual.

White butcher paper is uncoated and is ideal for covering utensils or tables while cooking and eating. You can also use the white butcher paper for different craft activities.

Pink/Peach Butcher Paper

Pink butcher paper is also known as peach butcher paper. You can find both treated and untreated butcher paper. Its color ranges from light peach to deep pink.

Untreated pink or peach butcher paper is strong and breathable . This makes it ideal for wrapping raw meat. It prevents any leakage and keeps the meat fresh by allowing moisture to escape. It also protects the meat from any contaminants.

Pink butcher paper is also the best type of butcher paper for grilling.

This paper has been treated with sizing, a type of treatment that allows the paper to become stronger when soaked with moisture. This makes the paper good for storing raw meats for longer.

Because it allows air to pass through, meat stays fresh for longer and any extra moisture evaporates easily.

freezer paper

Freezer paper is coated with a moisture barrier made of plastic or wax on one side and thick paper on the other, while butcher paper is coated on both sides.

The coated side faces the food and does not allow moisture to escape. This keeps the meat inside fresh. The thick paper side is on the outside.

Freezer paper is suitable for storing meat in the freezer for long periods of time, between 3 and 15 months. You can get several types of freezer paper depending on how long you want to store the food.

fillet paper

Steak paper is mainly used to display steaks or other meats in butcher shops. However, you can also use it to wrap meats, similar to regular butcher paper.

Steak paper prevents leaks and protects its contents from contamination. It retains moisture and keeps meat fresh. Some butcher shops carry a variety of steak paper colors to give your product a good look and a clean finish.

Gardenia paper

Gardenia paper is of an extremely fine quality and is mainly used for the same purpose as butcher paper, namely to wrap meats.

It is more effective than butcher paper in retaining moisture and keeping meat fresh . The gardenia paper prevents juices and oils from seeping through, helping to preserve the flavor of the meat that is wrapped inside.

Can butcher paper be substituted for parchment paper?

Yes, you can substitute the parchment paper for butcher paper.

Although butcher paper is meant for wrapping food and meat, you can use it for grilling, cooking, and baking in place of parchment paper.

Some people prefer to wrap the meat in butcher paper while smoking it for a richer flavor.

The best substitute for parchment paper is pink butcher paper. Other types of butcher paper can burn when exposed to high levels of heat.

It’s easy to substitute parchment paper for butcher paper while baking. Simply place the butcher paper on the cookie sheet, similar to how you would use parchment paper. However, the use of kitchen paper when grilling can be different.

When using butcher paper on a grill, it is wise to wrap it over the roast meat after it begins to cook.

Wrapping grilled meat in butcher paper too early can cause it to lose its smoky flavor and even make meat or other grilled foods taste dry. This is because butcher paper is more breathable and retains less heat than parchment paper.

Related questions

Now that we’ve gone over all the differences between parchment paper and butcher paper, let’s take a look at some related questions!

Are parchment paper and butcher paper liners safe?

Yes, parchment paper and butcher paper liners are safe.

Both butcher paper and parchment paper are FDA approved. Their coatings contain chemicals, but these cannot be transferred to your food or meat.

This also means that treated parchment paper or treated butcher paper are just as safe as their untreated versions.

Can butcher paper be used in the microwave?

Yes, it is safe to use butcher paper in the microwave.

Butcher paper is strong and can withstand high temperatures. Starts to burn at 500°F. You can use butcher paper in the microwave without worrying about the risk of it catching fire or causing any damage to your food or the microwave.

You can also use butcher paper in the oven or on a grill, but you will have to be careful with extremely high temperatures.

Final thoughts

Butcher paper and parchment paper can easily be confused. Both are great tools to make it easy for you to cook, grill, bake and store food.

Before you decide to use butcher paper or parchment paper, it’s important to understand the difference between the two, including their uses, qualities, and types.

Hopefully, after reading this article, you will be able to figure out which one you need for your kitchen.