How to cut up a pineapple

Pineapples are a delicious and tropical fruit that can elevate any dish, from fruit salads to desserts or even savory dishes. However, cutting up a pineapple can seem intimidating to many due to its spiky exterior and tough skin. If you’re staring at a whole pineapple on your kitchen counter, wondering how to turn it into bite-sized pieces, you’re not alone! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the easy steps to cut up a pineapple and make it ready for your culinary creations.

To cut up a pineapple, first, slice off the crown and the base. Stand the pineapple upright and carefully slice away the skin in downward motions, following the curve of the fruit. Once the skin is removed, cut the pineapple in half lengthwise, then in half again to create quarters. Remove the tough core from each quarter, and finally, slice the pineapple into your desired sizes, whether rings or chunks.

Cutting up a pineapple is simple if you follow these steps. Start by selecting a ripe pineapple, indicated by its sweet fragrance and a slight give when pressed. Begin by placing the pineapple on a cutting board. Using a sharp chef’s knife, cut off the leafy crown and the bottom of the pineapple to create a stable base. Next, stand the fruit upright and carefully slice downwards, following its natural curve to remove the spiky skin, making sure to cut deep enough to remove any “eyes,” which are the brown spots.

Once the skin is removed, cut the pineapple in half vertically, then cut each half again to form quarters. At this point, you’ll need to remove the core, which is the fibrous, central part of the pineapple that is tough and not very palatable. You can do this by cutting each quarter into wedges, then slicing the core away from the wedges.

Now that you have the juicy flesh exposed, you can cut it into rings, cubes, or wedges, depending on your preference. For rings, simply cut crosswise into the desired thickness; for cubes, slice the wedges lengthwise and then crosswise. Enjoy your fresh pineapple in salads, smoothies, or as a refreshing snack!