Lush with tropical sweetness, pineapples are also armored with spikes and prickles. Here's how to cut a fresh pineapple to get the most out of your fruit.
How to Cut a Pineapple Properly
Updated May 20, 2024
I love a ripe, juicy pineapple. In a perfect world, I’d eat pineapple like a TikTok creator, plucking out the chunks one by one. But if that hack doesn’t work for you, follow one of our two methods for how to cut a pineapple.
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How to Tell If a Pineapple Is Ripe
Since pineapples don’t ripen after being picked, it’s important to look for one that’s fully ripe.
- Choose a firm pineapple with bright, healthy-looking leaves.
- Skip fruit with brown, crispy leaves.
- The scent should be subtle. You want a mild pineapple fragrance.
Editor’s Tip: If keeping the whole fruit at room temperature, plan to cut it up within a few days. Otherwise, store the pineapple in the fridge.
How to Cut a Pineapple into Chunks
This method creates ready-to-eat chunks of fruit. Use the chunks to make a fresh fruit salad or sprinkle with Tajín for a spicy snack. If you want a smoother taste, soak the pineapple in salt water first.
Step 1: Remove the top and bottom
Use a larger knife, like a chef’s knife, for this task.
Turn the pineapple on its side. Working carefully, cut off the crown of the fruit (the top with the spiky leaves). Then, cut off the base to make a flat surface for it to sit upright.
Step 2: Peel the pineapple
Sit the pineapple upright and trim off the sides—just enough to remove the outer shell of the pineapple. Take your time, you don’t want to rush it and hack off a big chunk of fruit.
Step 3: Slice the fruit into wedges
Once the sides are trimmed, cut the pineapple into wedges. Cut into the fruit like it’s a layer cake: right down the middle, then turn it 90 degrees and cut again.
Step 4: Remove the core
It’s time to cut out the hard core of the pineapple. Slice off the hard, pointy end of each wedge. Don’t cut too much of the pineapple, though. Just cut off the parts that are hard and discard. Bonus points if you compost at home.
Step 5: Cut the pineapple into chunks
The last step is to cut the pineapple into bite-size chunks. Lay each wedge on its side and slice away. You can also cut the pineapple into cubes or spears for dipping into a sweet fruit dip.
How to Cut a Pineapple Hawaiian-Style
Buying a whole pineapple at the grocery store used to intimidate me—how was I supposed to chop that thing? But while vacationing in Hawaii, I watched a demonstration at the Dole Pineapple Plantation and now I’m a pro. This method creates perfect pineapple wedges to share with friends. —Emily Parulski, Taste of Home senior editor
Step 1: Remove the top
Twist off the top so you can plant it later and, if you live in a warm climate, grow another pineapple! I find it easier to chop the top off with my knife. While you’re at it, chop off the bottom, too.
Step 2: Quarter it
Cut the pineapple in half (from top to bottom), and then in quarters. Chop off part of the core of each quarter.
Step 3: Cut off the rind
The demonstrator at the Dole Plantation used a long, skinny serrated knife to cut the flesh off the rind. At first, I thought a specialty pineapple knife was a little silly, but after cutting one without it, I realized it’s pretty valuable! Its flexibility allows you to cut closer to the rind and at just the right angle, leaving you with more pineapple to enjoy.
If you don’t have a pineapple knife, a chef’s knife works fine. Cut lengthwise until you reach the end.
Editor’s Tip: If you want to cut some of the acidity, soak the pineapple in water for a little bit. This will reduce that burning sensation you sometimes feel after eating too much of the fruit.
Step 4: Chop
After soaking the pineapple, place it back on its rind and chop into 1/2-inch pieces.
Step 5: Serve
Nudge every other piece to one side to form a zigzag pattern. Serve it right on the rind, along with toothpicks so people can easily grab a piece (or five!).
Up Next: Learn how to cut a watermelon the right way.
Our Favorite Pineapple Recipes
Creamy Pineapple Fluff Salad
Guests of all ages will gravitate to this traditional “fluff” salad, chock-full of pineapple, marshmallows and cherry bits. —Janice Hensley, Owingsville, Kentucky
Pina Colada Grilled PineappleDuring a cookout with friends, I forgot about dessert. I had a fresh pineapple and coconut, so I improvised. Now I grill pineapple at every cookout. —Josee Lanzi, New Port Richey, Florida
Caramelized Pineapple SundaesWhenever we get a craving for a tropical escape, this super simple recipe whisks us away in no time. Vanilla's nice but drizzling the sauce over salted caramel ice cream and taking a bite is just pure paradise. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Frozen Pineapple-Kiwi PopsKiwi, pineapple, sugar and water are all you need to make these easy, breezy freezer pops.—Colleen Ludovice, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Southwestern Pineapple Pork ChopsThis quick entree will instantly transport you to the Southwest. Salsa plays lively counterpoint to the juicy pineapple-sweetened pork chops.—Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Pineapple Pie with Coconut CreamYou’ll find pineapples and coconuts everywhere in the South Pacific, so we play them up in this creamy cool pineapple pie, dolloped with coconut cream. Divine! —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii
Roro’s Pineapple CookiesMy memories of Christmas always include my mom's pineapple cookies. The kids called her Roro, and we still make them every year to keep her memory alive. You can substitute your favorite flavor of preserves for the pineapple. —Donna Scarano, East Hanover, New Jersey
Coconut-Pineapple Rhubarb BarsI make this crunchy, buttery dessert bar with homegrown rhubarb. For an added attraction, serve it warm with frozen yogurt or ice cream. —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario
Grilled Peach & Pineapple SangriaGrill up fresh peaches and pineapple slathered in cinnamon butter and use them to make a refreshing summer sangria. I also like to add slices of grilled lemon and lime to drop in the glass for a citrusy boost of flavor. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
Banana-Pineapple Cream PiesMy mother gave me this simple and delicious recipe years ago. The recipe makes two pies, so it's perfect for a potluck. I've never met anyone who didn't like it! —Robyn Appenzeller, Portsmouth, Virginia
Pig Pickin' CakeA pig pickin’ cake is a southern delight that tastes like sunshine in every bite.
Fresh Fruit SalsaThis salad has all the bright colors and fresh flavors of summer. —Mary E. Relyea, Canastota, New York.
Pineapple Upside-Down MuffinsFor a modern version of upside-down cake, we use pineapple and a sweet batter to make fun muffins with a cherry on top. —Suzeanne Longwill, Ortonville, Michigan
Also, check out these healthy fruit snacks.
Scalloped Pineapple CasseroleMy family can't get enough of this sweet and satisfying side dish. This casserole disappears quickly whenever I prepare it.—Judy Howle, Columbus, Mississippi
Pina Colada Molded SaladMy gelatin ring gets a tropical twist from coconut, pineapple and macadamia nuts. It's a wonderful anytime treat. Now that I'm retired from teaching, I have more time for kitchen experiments. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Pineapple Shrimp Fried RicePineapple shrimp fried rice is a quick one-bowl meal that can be customized with your favorite vegetables. You can even serve it in a pineapple!
Pineapple PieThis creamy pineapple pie uses canned fruit and whipped cream to create a rich, sweet filling that sits atop a flavorful graham cracker crust. It takes less than 10 minutes to make and will shine on any dessert spread.
Pineapple-Ginger Chicken Stir-FryI found the original recipe for this dish on a can of pineapple slices in the 1980s. After making it for a number of years, I lightened the ingredients and adapted it to a quick skillet meal. My family gave it a big thumbs-up, and we've enjoyed it this way ever since! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker Dump CakeOur crockpot dump cake combines the classic flavors of pineapple upside-down cake with the ease of slow-cooking. Just dump the ingredients in and let them simmer—it doesn’t get much better than that!
Pineapple Cheesecake-Topped CakeMy brother-in-law asked me to make a cheesecake version of pineapple upside down cake, and after many attempts, I created one. It’s a yummy twist on a classic.—Rebecca Everett, Kansas City, Missouri
Tropical Cranberry CobblerThe sunny island flavors of pineapple and orange go so well with the tart cranberries in this dessert. A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it a tasty treat. —Jeanne Holt, St. Paul, MN
Pina Colada Zucchini BreadPina colada zucchini bread is a fun new take on the usual quick bread loaf. This recipe is filled with tons of summery flavors, from tropical pineapple and coconut to heady rum and vanilla.
Coconut-Pineapple Sherbet TorteI made up this torte one afternoon, and when I served it that night, it vanished within minutes. That's when I knew I'd struck gold. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
Teriyaki Pineapple DrumsticksWe have a large family and throw big parties, so I look for ways to free my husband from the grill. Roasted drumsticks keep everyone happy. —Erica Allen, Tuckerton, New Jersey
Frozen Hawaiian PieCool summer pies are one of Mom's specialties. This version offers pineapple, maraschino cherries and walnuts that are folded into a fluffy filling. It's an easy yet tempting no-bake dessert. —Jennifer Mcquillan, Jacksonville, Florida
Cream Cheese-Pineapple PieI've made this pie many times for friends, relatives, guests, church suppers and bazaars, and I'm always getting requests for the recipe. I've lived on farms all my life—we used to have a potato farm on Long Island, and now my son farms his own land and manages mine here in Delaware, growing soybeans and wheat. —Elizabeth Brown, Clayton, Delaware
Big Kahuna PizzaA prebaked pizza crust and refrigerated barbecued pork make this tasty supper idea super fast and super easy. Cut into bite-sized pieces, and it can double as a great last-minute appetizer, too! —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
Pina Colada Icebox CakeThis icebox cake has all the flavors of a pina colada. It takes just one bite to escape to a tropical island! —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Hawaiian WafflesI created this waffle recipe to recapture the memorable tropical tastes we enjoyed while visiting Hawaii. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Island Breezes Coffee CakeWith the island flavors, this simple pull-apart bread is perfect for a spring brunch. —Debra Goforth, Newport, Tennessee
Originally Published: February 18, 2019
