How to cut a pineapple the easy way! Less waste and more pineapple to love! Includes step by step video.
Serve it with this Cream Cheese Fruit Dip or this Homeade Whipped Cream!
Table of Contents
In keeping with my August theme of back to the basics, I’m sharing the easiest way to cut a pineapple today!
Fresh pineapple is one of our favorite snacks all on its own, but we love it in so many other things as well.
These Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs are always a hit, and this Pineapple Upside Down Cake is the perfect way to end a meal!
First, I’m going to share a quick overview of my method for how to cut a pineapple, and then I’m going to share some bonus pineapple tips!
If you’re a visual person, I’ve got a step by step video in the recipe card below.
What is the easiest way to cut a pineapple?
I’ve spent many years struggling to cut a pineapple until I settled on this quick and easy method!
I used to pass the task off to my husband so I didn’t have to deal with it, but now it takes no time at all.
- Get a large cutting board and a sharp knife — you’ll need them!
- Cut the top off the pineapple
- Cut the bottom off the pineapple
- Stand your pineapple up on the cutting board
- Use your knife to “skin” the pineapple, using your knife to cut the peel off the pineapple in long strokes
- Use your knife to trim any remaining “eyes” — the pokey brown parts that aren’t very appetizing!
- Cut the pineapple in half lengthwise and remove the core (if you’re cutting it into slices, you will skip this step and slice, then remove the core afterwards)
- From here, you can cut it into spears or chunks, big or small!
How do you know when a pineapple is ripe and ready to cut?
A pineapple is ripe when it is golden yellow.
A green pineapple is unripe, and an orange-y pineapple is overripe.
Supposedly, pineapples won’t ripen after being picked so you want to choose a good one to begin with!
They do become juicier as they sit, so I still like to let mine sit on the counter for a few days after I buy them, because I like a juicy pineapple!
What can I do with a pineapple that isn’t sweet?
If you think you’ve picked a good pineapple, but you cut it and it still isn’t that sweet, here are a few ways to put it to good use!
- Cook or bake with it! Baking pineapple makes it even sweeter, so my Pineapple Upside Down Cake or this Pineapple Crisp are great options.
- Use it in smoothies: since a smoothie has other things going on as well, you won’t notice a less sweet pineapple as much as if you were eating it on its own. This Pineapple Smoothie is one of our favorites!
- Grill it! Cut the pineapple into spears and grill them. Serve with ice cream for an incredible summer dessert!
- Freeze it! I’ve included more specific instructions below.
How to freeze pineapple:
Now that we know how to cut a pineapple, we can fill our freezer stash, too!
I love having a bag of frozen pineapple in the freezer for smoothies and summer drinks.
Instead of buying the bag of frozen pineapple from the grocery store, you can freeze a pineapple that you cut but won’t get around to eating, or one that wasn’t as sweet as you’d hoped.
Simply cut the pineapple as directed and cut into small pieces.
Place pineapple chunks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, not touching.
Place in the freezer for 2 hours or until frozen, then place in a large freezer bag and freeze up to 1 year.
Got extra pineapple? Try some of our favorite pineapple recipes!
- Ham and Pineapple Rice
- Hawaiian Chicken Burgers with Grilled Pineapple
- Ham and Pineapple Sliders
- Hawaiian Ham and Pineapple Skewers
Pin this recipe to save for later
Pin this recipe to your favorite boardHow to cut a pineapple
Ingredients
- 1 whole pineapple
Instructions
- On a large cutting board with a large, sharp knife, cut the crown or the top off the pineapple.
- Cut the bottom off the pineapple, about half an inch from the end.
- Stand your pineapple upright on the cutting board, and use your knife to shave the skin off the pineapple. Try not to cut off more fruit than necessary, but try to get most of the eyes.
- Use your knife to trim any remaining "eyes" — the pokey brown parts that aren't very appetizing! You can also use the point of the knife to dig out any small brown seeds that are in the flesh.
- Cut the pineapple in half lengthwise, and then in half again so you have quarters.
- Use your knife to cut the core off of each quarter — I show extra tips on this in the video.
- Cut the pineapple quarters lengthwise into spears, and they can be used this way (great for grilling!) or cut down further into chunks.
Nutrition Information
Want to save this recipe?
Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.
Tried this recipe?
Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel — I love to see what you’re making!
Tag @thereciperebel
Eden says
So helpful!! Thank you for sharing this! We are pineapple freaks in our house!!
Ashley Fehr says
We are too!
Heather Seeley says
This is a great tutorial! We love pineapple and I will be using these tips.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Heather!
Nellie Tracy says
Great step-by-step process for cutting a pineapple. I used to always feel like I wasted so much of the pineapple when I would cut it, but cutting it this way helps that!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Nellie!