Wondering how to cut a pineapple? Never let this fruit intimidate you again – here is your step by step guide for how to easily and quickly trim, peel, core and slice a whole pineapple!
Wash: Scrub the pineapple with a vegetable brush under a light stream of running water.
Trim: Place the pineapple on its side on a large cutting board and trim off top and bottom using a large, sharp knife.
Peel: Sit pineapple on its now-trimmed bottom. Slice off the pineapple skin, top to bottom, in strips all around the fruit. Make sure to follow the curved shape of the pineapple with your knife, so you don't lose precious fruit. Once it is peeled, check the bottom and trim off any remaining patches of fruit skin.
Clean up pineapple eyes: Check the pineapple for the small, hard, brown spots all over. Remove them all with a pointy paring knife. Discard all of the trimmed away pieces and wipe your knife and cutting board with clean paper towels before you continue.
To cut into wedges, spears, chunks or dice: Sit the pineapple on its bottom again, then cut it into quarters straight through the core. Cut off the core from each quarter and either discard it or save it for smoothies.For spears, cut each quarter in half across, then split in half again lengthwise.For wedges/slices, just slice the pineapple quarters into slices across.For chunks, cut each quarter in 3 parts lengthwise, then dice across.For small dice, cut the pineapple into wedges first. Cut each wedge in half and then dice across.
To cut into rings: Place the peeled/cleaned pineapple on its side and slice into rounds. Remove the core from each round with either a round cookie or biscuit cutter, or with a small paring knife.
Notes
Tips and tricks
Use sharp, pointy knives to cut your pineapple. It’s much easier and safer vs using a dull knife.
Keep the fingers of the hand that isn’t holding the knife curved slightly inward (I did NOT do this well in the photos; I was too focused on showing the cutting…) to protect your fingers from cuts.
Pineapple fruits are often large and bulky, and the skin is thick. Make sure to take your time and slice slowly if you’re new to cutting your own pineapple.
Never mix fresh pineapple with dairy products, they react together and develop a bitter/metallic taste that is very unpleasant. Only canned or fully cooked pineapple can be used in combination with dairy. This is especially important for smoothies, where this process is accelerated by blending the ingredients.
Storage tips
In the fridgeKeep freshly cut pineapple in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-4 days. To keep it from browning, toss it in orange juice or lemon juice before refrigerating.In the freezerPineapple can easily be frozen once it’s cut. Just place the sliced pineapple in zip-top freezer bags. They stack better if you put the fruit in an even layer. Press out as much air as possible, then zip them close.Label with the name and use-by date (freeze for up to 6 months), then place in your freezer.If you want to freeze large bags of pineapple chunks and want to be able to remove pineapple only as needed (vs always using up an entire bag), you need to flash-freeze your freshly cut fruit. Place it in single layers on lined baking sheets (no pieces should be touching) and freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to a labelled bag and freeze for up to 6 months.Uncut pineappleUncut pineapple usually lasts 2-3 days on the counter or up to 4 days in the fridge. I generally prefer to use fresh pineapple no more than 2 days after buying it. It’s such a shame when it goes bad!