How to Cut a Pineapple {step by step VIDEO} - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

Last updated on January 10, 2024

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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!

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.

1. Get a large cutting board and a sharp knife — you’ll need them!
2. Cut the top off the pineapple
3. Cut the bottom off the pineapple
4. Stand your pineapple up on the cutting board
5. Use your knife to “skin” the pineapple, using your knife to cut the peel off the pineapple in long strokes
6. Use your knife to trim any remaining “eyes” — the pokey brown parts that aren’t very appetizing!
7. 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)
8. 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