How to Cut a Pineapple

Vibrant and juicy, pineapple is a sweet treat on its own and adds a tangy tropical twist to fruit salads, drinks, and even savory dishes like chicken!

Rich in vitamin C and fiber, this tropical fruit may look intimidating with its spiky rind but don’t worry, this step-by-step guide shows you exactly how to cut a pineapple.

All you need is a sharp chef’s knife and a bit of patience to cut a fresh pineapple into rings, wedges, and chunks in this easy guide!

pineapple wedges and rings to show How to Cut a Pineapple

Sweet, citrusy, and totally tropical, pineapples are as fun to eat plain as they are to add to a recipe. Because of its highly acidic nature, pineapple juice is an excellent tenderizer for meats and seafood and a tangy base for salad dressings as well as fruit syrups for desserts and cocktails.

With a little know-how, preparing a pineapple will be easy to do without any fancy kitchen tools.

How to Choose a Perfect Pineapple

Selecting a ripe pineapple is the first step.

Choose a fruit that’s heavy for its size.
The external color doesn’t indicate how ripe it is; instead, check that it is slightly soft to the touch and has a fragrant smell.
The leaves should be vibrant green – steer clear from any with brown or dried leaves.

How to Cut a Pineapple

There are various ways to cut pineapple, depending on your preference and how you plan to use it. The fastest way to cut a pineapple is to use a pineapple corer (see instructions below).

(Note: If using a pineapple corer, you do not need to remove the skin or eyes as below).

To Peel a Pineapple (image below):

Start by placing the pineapple on its side on a cutting board. Using a sharp chef’s knife, slice off the top and bottom of the pineapple. This gives you a stable base and top to work with.
Stand the pineapple upright. Starting from the top, slice downwards to remove the outer peel, following the natural curve of the fruit. Be sure to cut deep enough to remove most of the brown eyes.
If any of the prickly eyes remain, use a small paring knife to cut them out in a V shape or diagonal line like the image below.

The pineapple is now peeled and ready to be sliced or diced according to your recipe or preference! Be sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container or freezer bag to keep it fresh.

pineapple with cut off top and bottom to show How to Cut a Pineapple — remove top
and bottom

slicing skin off pineapple to show How to Cut a Pineapple — remove top
and bottom

pineapple with a knife to show How to Cut a Pineapple — diagonally
cut off eyes

sliced pineapple on a cutting board to show How to Cut a Pineapple — diagonally
cut off eyes

To Cut Pineapple Spears/Chunks (image below):

Stand the peeled pineapple upright and use a sharp knife to slice it in half from top to bottom. Place it flat side down and then cut each half in half again, giving you four long pieces.
You’ll see a distinct line running lengthwise through each quarter. This is the core. Using a paring knife, cut along the core, removing it while preserving as much of the fruit as possible.
Once the core is removed, cut it into pineapple chunks or spears, perfect for fruit salads or snacking!

cutting pineapple into spears and chunks

To Cut Pineapple Rings (image below):

Peel a whole pineapple as above.
Slice the pineapple flesh into 1″ thick slices.
Use a small 1″ circle cutter or small round cookie cutter to remove the core from each slice, and voila! You’ve got perfect pineapple rings.

To Use a Pineapple Corer (images below)

After cutting off the top of your pineapple, place the corer at the center, making sure to align it with the fibrous core.
Start turning the corer, clockwise, into the pineapple, applying a bit of pressure. Continue twisting it down until you reach the bottom of the fruit.
Once you’ve reached the bottom, hold onto the outer skin of the pineapple and gently lift the corer and the sliced fruit out. You may need to wiggle it a bit to get it out.
Remove the pineapple from the corer.
Run a knife through one side of the pineapple rings, and they will easily divide into perfect rings.

taking pineapple out of the shell to show How to Cut a Pineapple

coring and taking out pineapple to show How to Cut a Pineapple

How to Make a Pineapple Bowl:

Cut the pineapple in half from top to bottom, stalk included.
Run a paring knife around the cut half, loosening the flesh all the way around.
Make horizontal and vertical cuts inside the pineapple half, creating a cross-hatch pattern.
Use a large spoon to scoop out the pineapple chunks.

How to Make a Pineapple Boat

Cut pineapple in half from top to bottom, including the stalk. Remove the core with a paring knife.
Scoop out the flesh with a melon baller.
Return the pineapple balls to the boat with other fruits like diced watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, blueberries, strawberries, & chopped mint.

Storage

Once a pineapple is cut, it doesn’t last long. Keep it in the refrigerator in a covered container for up to 3 to 4 days.

Pineapple can be frozen after it’s been cut and makes a great addition to smoothies or as a garnish for iced tea or cocktails.

Our Favorite Pineapple Recipes

From pineapple upside-down cake to a fresh pineapple salsa, this fruit is perfect in both sweet and savory recipes.

Savory Pineapple Recipes

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Main Dishes

Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a family favorite served over rice! Seasoned ground beef meatballs, tender crisp veggies and pineapple chunks are cooked in a sweet and tangy sauce.
This easy dish is one my whole family loves!

Main Dishes