Our content is meticulously curated through independent research, testing, reviews, and AI-driven recommendations, all designed to present you with the finest product choices. When you make a purchase through our links, it could result in us earning a commission.

Last Updated:

A good pair of poultry shears can go a long way in the kitchen. Unlike normal scissors, poultry shears have both a serrated and a sharp blade.  Whether you need to cut up some meat or slice some garnishes for your dishes, poultry shears are super handy.  In this comprehensive buying guide, we covered tips and factors worth considering when shopping for the perfect pair, and also reviewed the best poultry shears of 2024 to help you get your shopping started. The iBayam Heavy Duty Meat Shears 2-Pack won our vote as the best poultry shears of the year. Read on to learn more! 

 

Buyer’s Guide for Poultry Shears

Buying a pair of poultry shears, also known as kitchen shears and broiler shears, can be a tricky task, especially if you’re trying to choose the best pair possible. We put together this detailed buying guide to make finding the perfect pair a smooth experience.

Features To Consider When Buying Poultry Shears 

When you’re shopping for a pair of poultry shears, keep an eye out for these features.

Material

A good pair of poultry shears should be made of a material that doesn’t rust easily, so they won’t become dull and will last you for years. Stainless steel is the preferred material since it is easy to clean and dishwasher safe. Another optimal material is aluminum.

Multipurpose features

Of course, you can just get a simple pair of regular poultry shears to cut meat, but where's the fun in that? Multipurpose poultry shears can make cooking a more fun experience. Some of these shears have cool features such as bottle openers, nutcrackers, and vegetable peelers, so you can save space with one tool instead of four.

Comfortable grip handle

Cutting up a chicken or turkey can be hard work! If you don’t have a comfortable grip on your shears, you can end up hurting your hand. A well-designed handle is a very important feature to look out for when shopping for poultry shears. Some poultry shears will have cushioning on the inside of the handles to make them easier to use. This protects your fingers from getting strained when you’re cutting through bones or harder ingredients.

The practical “come apart” feature

Although not every pair of poultry shears has this feature, it can be a lifesaver. Everyone knows that cross-contamination is a genuine issue that should be avoided while cooking. The come apart feature ensures that your poultry shears are thoroughly cleaned. This feature is good to look for, especially if you’re buying a pair of poultry shears for cutting poultry, other meat, or fish.

What To Do With Your Poultry Shears

Apart from the obvious functions, such as opening packages or snipping herbs, there are a whole plethora of uses for poultry shears. It’s a good piece of equipment to keep in your kitchen since it can cut down on the hassle of washing many kitchen utensils. For example, the tip of your poultry shears can be used to remove eyes from potatoes and other vegetables. You don’t have to reach for that extra knife when peeling veggies if you have a pair of shears. You can also use your poultry shears to scrape off the scales from fish, crack walnuts, and even open bottle caps. With so many different uses, poultry shears are one of the handiest tools you can have in your kitchen. They’re also lightweight and easier to carry to cookouts or to take out back when grilling than an entire chopping board and knife. Poultry shears are also relatively safer compared to kitchen knives.

Top Picks

  • Best Overall: Ibayam Heavy Duty Meat Shears 2-Pack
  • Best Safety Features: Acelone Premium Ultra Sharp Shears
  • Most Color Options: Kitchenaid All Purpose Shears
  • Two Products In One: Gidli Kitchen Shears And Seafood Scissors
  • Easiest To Clean: Gerior Come Apart Kitchen Shears

Reviews

Best Overall
iBayam Heavy Duty Meat Shears 2-Pack

Ibayam Heavy Duty Meat Shears 2-Pack

Pros Cons
  • Pack of two shears
  • Cushioned grip handles for ease of use
  • Multipurpose shears can also be used for other things
  • Easy to clean and rust-resistant blades
  • Large and extremely sharp
Best Safety Features
Acelone Premium Ultra Sharp Shears

Acelone Premium Ultra Sharp Shears

Pros Cons
  • Comes with a bottle opener
  • Lightweight design for easy use
  • Stainless steel won’t rust
  • Safe to use
  • Might be a bit stiff
Most Color Options
KitchenAid All Purpose Shears

Kitchenaid All Purpose Shears

Pros Cons
  • Comes with a safety guard
  • Comfortable grip for easy handling
  • Excellent for multipurpose use
  • Available in a variety of colors
  • Exposed metal strip might be sharp
Two Products in One
Gidli Kitchen Shears and Seafood Scissors

Gidli Kitchen Shears And Seafood Scissors

Pros Cons
  • Has a bottle opener attached
  • Easy to clean
  • Amazing bonus gift
  • Comfortable grip handle for ease of use
  • Handle could be stronger
Easiest To Clean
Gerior Come Apart Kitchen Shears

Gerior Come Apart Kitchen Shears

Pros Cons
  • Features a bottle opener
  • Come apart for easy cleaning
  • Can also be used as a vegetable peeler
  • Heavy-duty, durable design
  • Might be a little tricky to use

FAQs

Why do poultry shears have one serrated blade?
Poultry shears are often designed to have one sharp blade and one serrated. This is because the sharp blade helps you slice through things like meat, veggies, and packaging. The serrated blade, on the other hand, is there to maintain a grip on slippery ingredients. If the serrated blade wasn’t there, it would be harder to cut through chicken or other meats. The serrated blade also helps you make clean and even cuts.
What’s the best method to avoid cross-contamination?
Cross-contamination is a serious concern and should not be taken lightly. When it comes to poultry shears, try and look for those with the come apart feature. This feature allows you to pull apart your poultry shears to ensure that every inch is cleaned while washing. However, if your poultry shears don’t have this feature, it is still possible to avoid cross-contamination. One way to be safe is to have two separate pairs of shears, one for meat and one for other uses. Another good method is to wipe down your shears, wash them in the dishwasher and then soak them for a while in a cleaning solution to ensure that they are germ-free.
Why is there a semi-circle built into my poultry shears?
If your poultry shears have a small semi-circle cut out of them, don’t be alarmed, they’re not defective! This little notch actually has a purpose and makes your poultry shears even handier. This semi-circle is called the bone notch and is super useful for when you’re carving chicken or turkey. The bone notch allows you to cut through small bones in the meat. It can also be used to cut through tough herbs or stems.
Why do my poultry shears have teeth?
You may notice that the underside of your poultry shears has a little notch with ridges or “teeth.” This notch has an exceptional function. It can be used for cracking open walnuts and even opening bottles. Larger shears may also have a larger notch that you can use to open jars.