How to Cut a Pineapple
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How to cut a pineapple: Three easy ways to deal with prickly pineapples.
A friend recently told me that she is afraid of pineapples.
“Afraid?” I questioned.
She then went into great detail describing her pineapple woes… getting pricked by the spiky leaves, not completely cutting off the “eyes” so the fruit felt bristly in her mouth, not knowing what to do about the core, and so on. She finished with the statement, “If the grocery store is out of pre-cut pineapples, I’m out of luck, because I won’t buy one that’s staring me down.”
It made me wonder who else might be afraid of pineapples. Anyone?
Consider yourself in pineapple samurai training today and I am your ninja master.
You can do it, little lotus flower.
How to Cut a Pineapple
Start by choosing a symmetrical pineapple with “eyes” that are evenly sized. The more yellow the eyes, the riper the pineapple.
Cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple so you have an even cylinder.
Now you have several methods to consider.
If you want small pineapple pieces for salads and snacking, cut the pineapple into quarters lengthwise. Then slice of the tip off each section. This removes the tough fibrous core.
Lay the pineapple section down and cut inward, about 1/3 – 1/2 inch above the eyes. Do this on both sides to separate the fruit from the skin.
Slice into sections and enjoy!
If you want pineapple rings….
Shave the skin off the pineapple, by cutting in 1/3 – 1/2 inch to remove all eyes. Rotate the pineapple and repeat around the entire pineapple.
Then slice the pineapple into rings.
To remove the core, use a spoon to cut out the middle, or use an apple corer.
How to Cut a Pineapple Option 3… buy a cool pineapple coring tool!
OXO makes this one and it works like a charm. After you cut off the top, simply screw the pineapple tool down over the core. Stop when you get close to the bottom.
Then lift the whole fruit center out, like this.
Just think of all the uses for the empty pineapple. I’m imagining giant pina coladas…
Then remove the bottom of the tool and the pineapple rings slide right off! Neat, right?
Great post, I love pineapple and have the OXO corer and it makes pineapple prep so EASY!
Great tutorials! The coring tool makes wonders :)
I’ve always wanted to try one of those pineapple corers!
What a fun tool! I remember my grandmother carefully using a knife to cut all the eyes of the pineapple out. She’d use diagonal cuts and follow the eyes down the side of the pineapple.
Love that tool!
p.s. Pinterest (new version) won’t let me tag you anymore.. hopefully that’ll get fixed soon!
Super post, chef Sommer!
I LOVE all of your cool kitchen gadgets! I may have to get this one so I can create cool rings, and not have to buy pineapples in a can anymore. :) Thanks!
I love that OXO pineapple corer. That thing rules! Now I want pineapple or a pina colada. :) xo
I love your instructional posts and this one is is perfect because it’s time to break out those summer pineapple dishes. I’m with you – that leftover pineapple just looks like it’s waiting for some pina colada filling!
Great tutorial, Sommer. I seriously want that OXO pineapple corer!!
I need that pineapple tool because oh mah gooosh, looking at my pineapple carcass after I’m done with it is both maddening and saddening, haha. Love these tips!
Great tips, now I can make my pineapple pops much more efficiently ;).
You have saved me Pineapple Ninja! ;)
Great how-to post post (and I love the oxo tool)
I seem to cut alot of pineapple in the summer as it is a favorite fruit to take to swim meets in my house. Until I learned how to cut it as you demonstrate here I too was completely intimidated. There is noting intuitive about approaching these large thistles! LOVE the cool spiral cut tool! Very fun.
These tools make life so much easier! Great tips. I kinda want a pineapple now…
Always love your tips, Sommer! I am too obsessed with pineapple to not know my way around the darn things!
Ahhh, love pineapple, great tips and tutorial!!
Thank you Pineapple Ninja! Great tips! What is that beautiful knife you are using in the picture?
Now I want a big fruity summer drink! Great tutorial!
Great tips! I wish I wasn’t allergic to pineapple:(
This looks so much easier and more effective. I usually still have all of the little “spikies” left to pick out!
I have a pineapple cutter tool, I love it. Fresh Pineapple is so, so good!
I want the OXO tool! I have been cutting to much pineapple lately!
i’ve been wanting to get that OXO tool! it seems so convenient! i always have issues with cutting pineapple and pretty much avoid it, but thanks to your great tips, this will help me out a bunch!
This is great! I need that tool!!
The tool is my new favorite way! It’s so easy!