How to Cut a Pineapple

Wondering how to cut a pineapple in the most efficient way that yields as much of the fruit as possible? Adding fresh pineapples to green smoothies and desserts makes it worth your time to learn how to do it. Follow the steps below and you’ll be a pineapple chopping pro in no time!

A whole pineapple sits on a white counter.
A picture of a pineapple.

I love adding fresh pineapples to my smoothies, such as green smoothies or this piña colada smoothie. Pineapple wedges add amazing flavor to just about every treat!

How do you pick the best pineapples? This is a common question. Got more pineapple questions? Let’s answer them and chat about the best way to cut pineapples.

How to Cut a Pineapple With a Knife

  1. Cut off the top of the pineapple. Flip the pineapple so the cut-side is down and place it on a plate. Place the plate in a fridge and let it sit for 30 minutes (to allow the juices to distribute throughout the pineapple).
  2. After 30 minutes, place the pineapple on its side on a cutting board and cut off the bottom of the pineapple. 
  3. Remove the fibrous skin. Cut down, vertically, around the edges of the pineapple, creating thin slivers Cut off any eyes that remain.
  4. Cut the pineapple into rings or chunks, depending on your preference.

Here are more detailed instructions with step-by-step photos:

Step One: Prepare the Pineapple

When a pineapple is picked and then shipped and stored on supermarket shelves, they are mostly with the crown on top. As a result, many of the fruit’s juices can sink towards the bottom. The first step, then, will be to distribute the juices throughout the fruit. You can skip this step, but it does have an impact, especially if your fruit is less juicy to begin with.

Here are the steps to prepare the pineapple:

Step Two: Remove the Fibrous Skin

Once you’ve chopped the top off the pineapple top, it’s time to remove the fibrous skin.

  • Cut off the bottom of the pineapple so it’s flat on top and bottom.
  • Use a knife to cut down the sides, removing the fibrous skin in sections
  • Use a paring knife to remove any eyes or brown spots in the fruit

Don’t just throw the leftover bits in the trash! Learn how to compost pineapple scraps with my easy guide.

A hand holds a knife, cutting down the edge of a pineapple to remove the outer layer.

Step Three: Cut the Pineapple

Next, you’ll want to decide how you’re going to cut the pineapple — in rings or in chunks.

If you’re planning to use the rings in some dessert, say vegan pineapple upside-down cake, then rings are the obvious choice.

If you’re planning to freeze them for use in green smoothies, chunks may be the easiest way to go. See below for both methods, including removing the inedible core.

A group of fresh pineapples are laid out on a table.

What Pineapple is Best?

Pineapples do not ripen after they’re picked, so you’ll want to select one that delivers the best ripeness. Choose a pineapple with golden color on the bottom and/or sides. You should be able to gently press the skin, and it should give a little. You can also bring it to your nose and it should smell like a fragrant pineapple.

How to Open a Pineapple Without a Knife

You can open a pineapple with minimal waste and without using a knife! Here’s how:

  1. Begin with a very ripe pineapple.
  2. Grab the crown by your hand and twist it until it comes off.
  3. Now, hold the pineapple vertically and tap it with some force down on a cutting board. Repeat this 10 to 15 times.
  4. Turn the pineapple on its side and use both your hands and roll it, pushing down on the sides of the pineapple as it rolls. Repeat this 10 to 15 times.
  5. Beginning at the very ripe bottom of the pineapple, dig your finger along the sides of one of the eyes, reaching inside and pulling it out.
  6. Repeat this with adjacent eyes. It gets easier as you have more room to stick your fingers inside the pineapple.

How to Cut a Pineapple 4 Ways

1. Cutting Pineapple Slices

  1. Place the skinned pineapple on its side on a cutting board.
  2. Cut it horizontally into equal sizes.

There, you will have several slices of pineapple, perfect to serve as snacks.

2. Cutting Pineapple Rings

Here are the steps to cutting pineapple rings:

  1. Follow the steps above for cutting pineapple slices.
  2. Use a small round cookie cutter or biscuit cutter to cut out the core on each slice.

3. Cutting Pineapple Chunks

Here’s how to cut the pineapple into chunks.

  1. Quarter the pineapple. Cut the pineapple in half, starting at one cut-end and cutting down through the other cut-end. Then, cut each half in half.
    A hand holds a knife cutting down on a skinned pineapple. There are pieces of the pineapple skins sitting around it on a cutting board.
  2. Remove the inedible core. Stand each pineapple quarter up on the cutting board and cutting down just behind the core. Start cutting from the top of the pineapple down to the bottom. Repeat this with each of the quarters.
    A hand holds a knife cutting down on a quartered piece of a pineapple, removing the core. There are pieces of pineapple sitting next to it on a cutting board.
  3. Create pineapple chunks. Cut each quarter in half. Line them up and then cut horizontal slices, creating even chunks.
    A hand holds a knife cutting skinned pineapple strips into chunks. There are pieces of the pineapple sitting around it on a cutting board.

4. Cutting Pineapple Spears

These are the steps to make pineapple spears:

  1. Follow the steps above to quarter the pineapple and remove the core.
  2. Cut the cored pineapple into long spears.
  3. Serve the spears with your favorite dips or vegan yogurt.

Storage Tips

Store chopped pineapple in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can freeze chopped pineapples by placing them on a tray lined with parchment paper or waxed paper. Place it in the freezer for 30 minutes or so until frozen. Then transfer frozen pieces to a freezer bag. It will keep for up to 3 months.

Reader Reviews

★★★★★
This post is so helpful! I used it to cut my first pineapple. Thanks, Marly!

Judie

Frequently-Asked Questions

Is frozen pineapple as good as fresh?

Yes, frozen pineapple is just as good as fresh. Here’s why. Oftentimes when you buy frozen pineapple, the fruit has been cut and frozen at its peak of ripeness, whereas fresh fruit can sometimes be a gamble. That said, you can buy fresh pineapple and cut and freeze it yourself.

Do you rinse pineapple after cutting it?

There’s no need to rinse pineapple after cutting it. Simply cut it into chunks or rings and serve!

How to Use Pineapples

You can use freshly-cut pineapple in a variety of ways. Here are some favorites:

  • Snack — Serve pineapple chunks as a snack with some vegan yogurt as a dip. It’s so easy and delicious!
  • Salads — Pineapple chunks are delicious in salads such as this Kale Salad.
  • Grilled — You can grill pineapple rings to add delicious flavor and tender texture.
  • Kebabs — Add pineapple cubes to these Vegan Kebabs.
  • Healthy Dessert — Adding Coconut Whipped Cream transforms any fruit into a tasty dessert. Banana Nice Cream is even more flavorful with frozen pineapple chunks in the mix.
  • Smoothies — Use pineapples in your favorite Green Smoothies or even this Berry Smoothie.
  • Baked Goods — You can bake coconut into cakes and/or muffins. The texture and flavor of baked pineapple is amazing!
A glass of Pina colada smoothie has fresh raspberries, coconut flakes, and other fresh fruit.

More Pineapple Recipes

Do you love cooking with pineapple? You’ll love my vegan pineapple upside down cake recipe. Here are eve more pineapple recipes that are both sweet and savory and a perfect way to use cut pineapples:

I hope you love these tips on how to cut a pineapple. Enjoy!

The top and bottom of a fresh pineapple have been chopped off. A hand holds a knife, cutting down the outer edge of the pineapple to remove the outer layer.

How to Cut Pineapple

Use this recipe to cut a fresh pineapple into chunks or slices. Then you can use them fresh or freeze them. Adding pineapple to your recipes is so easy and it tastes best coming from fresh!
4.84 from 12 votes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Caribbean
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Servings: 5 cups
Calories: 91kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pineapple

Instructions

  • Cut off the top of the pineapple. Flip the pineapple so the cut-side is down and place it on a plate. Place the plate in a fridge and let it sit for 30 minutes (to allow the juices to distribute throughout the pineapple).
  • After 30 minutes, place the pineapple on its side on a cutting board and cut off the bottom of the pineapple.
  • Remove the fibrous skin. Cut down, vertically, around the edges of the pineapple, creating thin slivers Cutt off any eyes that remain.

For Pineapple Chunks and Spears

  • Quarter the pineapple. Cut the pineapple in half starting at one cut-end cutting down through the other cut-end. Then cut each half in half.
  • Remove the inedible core. Stand each pineapple quarter up on the cutting board and cutting down just behind the core. Start cutting from the top of the pineapple down to the bottom. Repeat this with each of the quarters.
  • Create pineapple chunks. Cut each quarter in half. Line them up and then cut horizontal slices, creating even chunks.
  • Create pineapple spears. Cut each quarter in long strips.

For Pineapple Rings

  • Place the skinned pineapple on its side on a cutting board. Cut equal slices and then use a cookie or biscuit cutter to cut out the core on each slice.

Storing Cut Pineapple

  • Freeze pineapple. You can freeze pineapple chunks by placing them on a thin baking sheet lined with parchment or waxed paper. Place the tray in the freezer and freeze for at least 30 minutes. Then transfer frozen chunks to a freezer bag. They will keep for up to 6 months, so be sure to label your bags.
  • Refrigerate pineapple: Store cut pineapple in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days.

(The products above contain sponsored links to products we use and recommend)

Notes

Selecting Pineapples

Choose a pineapple with golden color on the bottom and/or sides. You should be able to gently press the skin and it gives a little.

Preparing Pineapples for Cutting

I recommend turning the pineapple over before chopping it to send its juices throughout the flesh.

Freezing Tips:

I like to freeze pineapple on a try lined with waxed or parchment paper. Once it’s frozen, transfer it to a freezer bag, label it, and it should keep up to 2 to 3 months.
Calories: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 197mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 105IU | Vitamin C: 87mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

16 Responses to How to Cut a Pineapple

  1. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyRandi Reply

    5 stars
    I was always afraid of buying fresh pineapples, but this helped me so much. Now I feel like a pineapple cutting pro!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Hi Randi! I’m with you! Once you gain a new skill, it’s so empowering! So glad to be part of your culinary journey!

  2. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyAmy Reply

    5 stars
    I have never cut a fresh pineapple before and your steps made it so easy. Thanks!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      That’s great, Amy! I’m so glad this post was helpful!

  3. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyCindy Reply

    5 stars
    Thanks for the easy instructions. I chopped up my pineapple and froze the chunks.

  4. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyCamila Gregoire Reply

    These steps are so helpful for pineapple cutting, and easy too. Thanks!

  5. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyDan Reply

    I see it done differently in the Philippines. It’s spiral cut around the eyes many times from top to bottom. Also, don’t forget that you can plant the top of the pineapple when cut, easily. Just place it on some dirt and keep it watered.

  6. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyJoanie Reply

    5 stars
    These steps made cutting pineapple so easy. Thanks!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      I’m so glad to see you liked this, Joanie!

  7. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyJudie Reply

    5 stars
    This post is so helpful! I used it to cut my first pineapple. Thanks, Marly!

  8. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlySusan Madsen Reply

    5 stars
    This is so helpful !!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Thanks, Susan! So glad you like this recipe!

  9. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyLisa Charlson Reply

    5 stars
    This is great!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Thanks, Lisa! So glad you like it!

  10. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlySusan Reply

    5 stars
    This is such a great article! Thanks for the info!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Thanks, Susan. So glad you liked it!

Rate / Comment

Your email address will not be published.

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.