Cut a Pineapple

If you’ve ever wondered How to Cut Pineapple, we've got you covered! With our step-by-guide, you’ll learn how to efficiently remove the tough outer skin and core, leaving you with juicy pieces ready for snacking, grilling, or adding to various recipes. Whether you enjoy it chilled in fruit salad, or on pizza (don’t come at us!), fresh pineapple adds a burst of sunshine to your table. This method guarantees you get the most out of your pineapple with minimal waste and maximum flavor.

What stands out

You’ll love learning Cut a Pineapple so that you don’t have to rely on pre-packaged or canned pineapple anymore! We love a good shortcut as much as the next gal, but fresh pineapple tastes better and it’s cheaper. Plus, pineapple works in so many recipes! You can easily incorporate your cut pineapple into a variety of dishes, from healthy breakfasts and fresh salads to desserts and tropical cocktails. Plus, our step-by-step process is straightforward, making learning How to Cut Pineapple so accessible, even for newbies.

What You’ll Need

Knife: Pineapple skin is relatively straightforward to cut through, but using a sharp knife is essential. A dull knife can make learning Cut a Pineapple more difficult and less safe.

Cutting board: A large cutting board with a non-skid bottom is the base for your prep work.

Pineapple: A chilled, whole ripe pineapple is easier to handle and yields firm, juicy fruit.

Kitchen tip

Chill the pineapple in the refrigerator before cutting it. Cold pineapple is firmer and easier to handle when learning how to cut pineapple, reducing the risk of the knife slipping.

How to Choose a Pineapple

When choosing apineapple look for one with some yellow at the base, firm but with a slight give when squeezed, and a sweet, tropical aroma at the stem. Heavier pineapples are generally juicier and more flavorful. Another tell-tale sign that it’s ripe: you should be able to easily remove a leaf from the center of the crown.

Tips for Storing Pineapple

A whole, fresh pineapple can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days before cutting. Keep an eye on it. If the bottom gets too soft or starts to smell strong like pineapple, then you need to make the cut. Cut pineapple can be stored in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to a week.

Serve it with

• A batch of Air Fryer Pineapple
• A fresh fruit salad with strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, and kiwi
• This Mango Salsa Recipe or Watermelon Mango Salsa
• Grilled Pork Skewers or Salmon Skewers

Questions

How do we choose a ripe pineapple?

Look for a pineapple with a firm shell, a sweet aroma at the base, and leaves that are straightforward to pull out. The skin should have a golden-yellow color.

How do we store cut pineapple?

Store cut pineapple in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days.

Can you freeze cut pineapple?

Absolutely! Frozen pineapple is a great addition to smoothies! Place your cut pieces in a zip top bag or other freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.

What type of cutting board should we use?

Be sure to use a steady cutting board when you are learning Cut a Pineapple; make sure the board doesn’t move on the counter. You can do this by using a damp paper towel under the board or a non-slip mat or a cutting board that has grips on the bottom. The paper towel method is our favorite.

How should we hold the knife when cutting?

Have a sturdy hold on the knife and never put your pointer finger on top of the knife. Wrap your entire hand around the handle closer to the bottom. Your hand shouldn’t be near the top of the handle where you have no control.

Is it better to peel a pineapple whole?

Yes! Once you’ve removed the stem, place the bottom of your pineapple on your cutting board and slice the peel from top to bottom in small rows. Cutting the pineapple before peeling will leave behind bits of debris.

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

• 1 whole pineapple

Equipment

• Nakiri Knife
• Cutting Board

Method

1. Cut a little bit off of each end of the pineapple and discard.
2. Place it bottom side down on a cutting board and with a sharp knife start cutting the outer skin starting from the top gliding the knife all the way to the bottom. You are going to do this all around the pineapple.
3. If there’s any skin left once you are done cutting off the majority, you can fix it and clean it up at the end.
4. Now cut the fruit from the core cutting it down on all 4 sides make sure the knife slides down closest to the core.
5. You will need to discard the core and compost it.
6. You should be left with 4 pieces of beautiful fruit which you can slice or dice. Serve it or refrigerate it and enjoy.

Kitchen notes

• How to choose a pineapple: Look for a pineapple with a firm shell, a sweet aroma at the base, and leaves that are easy to pull out. The skin should have a golden-yellow color.
• How to store pineapple: Store cut pineapple in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
• Just chill: Chill the pineapple in the refrigerator before cutting it. Cold pineapple is firmer and easier to handle when learning how to cut pineapple, reducing the risk of the knife slipping.