How to Cut a Pineapple [Step-by-Step Tutorial}

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How do you cut a pineapple? It is one of those fruits people sometimes puzzle over. So spiky and tall. Never fear. It’s easy. You are a few strategic slices away from tropical deliciousness.

One of the sweetest most reliably juiciest fruits, one cup of pineapple provides an entire day’s worth of vitamin C, some A, fiber, and the mineral manganese, good for bone and muscle health.

Tips for selecting the best pineapples

Find a pineapple that is just a tiny bit soft to the touch. Pineapples must be picked ripe or they will not taste good.
Avoid buying a pineapple that is too soft, has large depressions, or one with dark spots on its skin. Those are all signs that the pineapple may be too rips or starting to spoil.
Smell the pineapple to help with the buying decision. A ripe pineapple smells nice and sweet and pineappley.
Look for green leaves with no browning or yellowing at the tips. You can always pulling at the one the leaves too to tell if the pineapple is ripe and ready to cut.

Large uncut pineapple on a cutting board

How to cut a pineapple tutorial

Start by using a sharp chef’s knife to remove an inch off the top and bottom of the pineapple.

Now, stand the pineapple up and starting from the top, following the contour of the pineapple, carefully peel the skin off with the knife.

Step by step photos to show how to cut a pineapple

Continue to peel the pineapple, taking off two to three-inch-wide pieces of the skin, being sure to cut deep enough to see only the yellow flesh. Remove any straggling brown pieces with the tip of your knife.

Now you will see that the tough core of the pineapple is in the center and about the circumference of a quarter. To access it, cut the pineapple in fourths from the top to the bottom.

Then, remove each wedge of the tough core with a straight cut downward.

Continued step by step photos to show peeled pineapple, followed by cutting in half and cutting in quarters

Cut the wedges into smaller sections either horizontally or vertically. Your choice!

Cutting pineapple in sticks or in wedges

Finish by cutting into bite-sized pieces if you want.

Recipes with pineapples

Frequently asked questions

How long does fresh, cut pineapple last in the refrigerator?

Tightly wrapped or stored in a sealed container, it should be at peak quality for three days.

Can sliced pineapple be frozen?

Yes, and it makes an excellent sweetener for smoothies. I recommend flash freezing your pieces on a small cookie sheet (line with parchment paper for easy release), and then packing into a freezer-safe storage container. Frozen pineapple will be good for six months.

How do you know when it’s time to cut a pineapple?

It’s a good idea to buy a pineapple that is already ready to cut, or at least needs only a couple more days. Make sure it’s soft and smells sweet and it should be ready to cut. You can also tell it’s ready by pulling on one of the inner leaves and if it comes off easily, it’s a sign of ripeness.

Now you now how to spot a ripe pineapple and how to cut it properly. And next time you buy some, try eating it with a sprinkle of Tajín, the chili-lime spice used by street vendors in California or browned slightly on a grill. Mmmmm!

For more resources for cutting tutorials:

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