Here is a super simple step-by-step guide for how to cut a pineapple. No more being mystified by that strange looking fruit! In no time at all, you'll have a sweet and slightly tart fruit to enjoy throughout the week for breakfast or snack.
When we went to Hawaii on our honeymoon, we were able to pick pineapples right out of the fields. It was amazing! Since then, I almost always have a pineapple in my house. You can usually find one sitting on my counter, or one cut up in my refrigerator to enjoy for a snack or to add to smoothies.
I'll be walking you through how I cut a pineapple. I have found that this is the easiest and most effective way to cut the pineapple. It's fast, simple, and pretty straightforward!
Jump to:
- How To Tell If A Pineapple is Ripe
- What You'll Need
- Step 1: Cut off the Bottom End
- Step 2: Cut Off The Crown
- Step 3: Remove the skin
- Step 4: Cut it in Half
- Step 5: Remove the Core
- Step 6: Cut The Pineapple Into Slices
- How To Cut a Pineapple into Rings
- Recipes With Pineapple
- How To Store a Pineapple
- Can I Use the Pineapple Skin and Crown?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Recipes
- How To Cut A Pineapple
How To Tell If A Pineapple is Ripe
- Check out the color. The color of the inside of the pineapple is obviously yellow, but you can't see that from the outside. The skin of the pineapple should be somewhat yellow and slightly brown. Too green and the pineapple is not ripe enough and will be quite tart.
- Pick it up. When you pick up the pineapple it should be firm, but have a little bit of give. It shouldn't be as hard as a rock, but it should also not be super soft. Too soft and it is likely overripe and close to going bad.
- Smell it! A pineapple should smell like the tropics or a good pina colada. Don't just smell any part of the pineapple though. You want to smell it at the end of the pineapple where it came off the plant. Too strong of a pineapple scent might mean that it is too ripe.
- Check the leaves! I've always been told to take a leaf out of the very center of the crown. If comes out easily, the pineapple is ripe. If it gives you a little resistance, you need to keep looking.
Lynn's Tip! Keep in mind, pineapples are a tropical fruit. They love warm weather and are ripest in the warmest months. A pineapple that you can find in January is likely not going to be as ripe as one that you might find in the grocery store in August.
What You'll Need
- A sharp knife. You'll need a sharp chef's knife. A serrated knife will work too.
- A cutting board. The pineapple needs to be on a cutting board to make it safe and easy to cut. To be safe, it's best to place a kitchen towel under the cutting board too in order to prevent it from moving around while you cut.
Be sure to check out the printable recipe card for full recipe information on ingredients and quantities.
Step 1: Cut off the Bottom End
First, wash the pineapple. Dry it well and place it on your cutting board on it's side so the crown is parallel to the cutting board.
Hold the pineapple firmly by the crown and cut off the bottom. Discard the bottom.
Step 2: Cut Off The Crown
Hold the pineapple well at the bottom as shown above. With a sharp knife, cut the crown (the green stuff on top of the pineapple) off and discard the crown. Make sure to cut about ½ inch from the crown.
Step 3: Remove the skin
Now that you have a flat bottom of the pineapple, stand the pineapple up. Place the knife on the top of the pineapple and cut the skin off as shown below. It's ok it take a little more of the skin off as that will remove any of the eyes of the pineapple. Rotate the pineapple and keep repeating this process until all the skin is gone.
With a small paring knife, remove any of the eyes that are left in the pineapple. The "eyes" are the little brown pieces that are under the skin, but still in the yellow flesh of the pineapple.
Step 4: Cut it in Half
Cut the pineapple down the center once all the of the eyes have been removed. Cut each of the halves in half again so you have four long pieces of pineapple on your cutting board.
Step 5: Remove the Core
Here's the tricky part. There are a few ways you can cut the core out. The core is very tough and fibrous, so it needs to come out of the pineapple before you eat the pineapple. I like to lay the pineapple down on its side and carefully cut the core out by holding the knife sideways against the pineapple.
You can also stand the pineapple quarters up and slide the knife down the pineapple to cut the core out.
Step 6: Cut The Pineapple Into Slices
Now that you have a skinless, coreless pineapple, it's time to cut it! You can cut it into long slices or you can cut it into chunks from here. Give the pineapple a taste too! It's a great time to start snacking on that delicious, sweet pineapple!
How To Cut a Pineapple into Rings
If you prefer to cut the pineapple into rings for things like pineapple upside down cake, once you remove the skin, do not cut the it in half.
Instead, turn the pineapple sideways and cut it into slices. With a small cookie cutter, cut the core of the pineapple out. You'll know it's the core by feeling the pineapple and finding the very hard part in the middle.
Recipes With Pineapple
Pineapples are great in so many different recipes! They are perfect in smoothies, but you can also use them in barbecue dishes, salads, and desserts!
How To Store a Pineapple
Once you buy a pineapple, you should keep it on the counter for 2-3 days and then cut it. Don't let it stay on the counter for more than 3 days, it will likely go bad and rot. Unlike most fruit that you can bring home and it will continue to ripen, a pineapple won't get much sweeter than when it was picked from the plant.
Once cut, place the pieces in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also add them to a mason jar and keep the mason jar in the refrigerator.
Can I Use the Pineapple Skin and Crown?
Sure! To reduce waste, you can use the pineapple skin and crown.
The crown can actually be replanted! If you want to do a fun project with your kids or are interested in growing your own pineapple plant, allow the crown to dry for a few days and then place the crown in a pot with soil. Keep it in a sunny area and it will soon grow into a pineapple plant!
The skin can be used to a simple syrup. Place the skin in a small saucepan with 1 cup of water and ½ cup of sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil for 2 minutes, remove the skin, and then place it in a mason jar in the refrigerator. It's great to use in cocktails, mocktails, and in desserts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure! If you have one you can definitely use it! I've found that they can be quite hard to use, but if you know how to use it, feel free to try!
Yes! Place the cut pieces of pineapple on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze the baking sheet for at least 2 hours. Remove the pineapple from the baking sheet once they are frozen and then place them in a freezer safe bag. Freeze the pineapple for up to 3 months. They are great to use in smoothies and in baking.
Yes! You can eat it, but it tends to be quite hard and fibrous. It also is not as sweet as the flesh of the pineapple, but it is edible.
How To Cut A Pineapple
Equipment
- Knives
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 1 large Pineapple
Instructions
- Wash the pineapple well.
- Place your pineapple on a cutting board laying down. Cut the crown and the end off the pineapple.
- Stand the pineapple up and cut the skin off the pineapple. Rotate the pineapple and continue to cut the skin off.
- Cut the pineapple in half and then in half again. Remove the core by laying a slice of pineapple down and bringing the knife sideways into the pineapple. Continue with the other pieces of pineapple.
- Slice the quarters into chunks. Place the chunks into an airtight container or use them immediately.
Leave a Reply