Juicy fresh-cut pineapple ready for all your favourite dishes in just five struggle-free steps. Plus, recipe ideas and storage tips!
Golden, juicy, sun-ripened sweetness. Yes, we’re talking delicious fresh pineapples!
I’m sure we can all agree that a freshly-cut pineapple simply cannot not be replaced, especially by its watery, canned counterparts. But let’s face it, peeling and coring this fruit isn’t the easiest task and often ends in a big sticky mess.
So follow along with these five struggle-free steps (with pictures!) for tasty tidbits ready for your favourite pineapple recipes.
Step-by-step guide to easily cut a pineapple
Step 1: Remove the ends of the pineapple. On a clean cutting board, lay your ripe pineapple horizontally on its side. Use a sharp knife to slice off both the top and bottom of the fruit.
Step 2: Peel the pineapple. Stand the pineapple up on one of its cut ends. Starting at the top, slide your knife vertically down to remove the peel, cutting off as little of the edible flesh as possible. Rotate the pineapple and continue to remove the peel in small strips at a time.
Step 3: Quarter the pineapple. When fully peeled, slice the entire pineapple in half vertically. Lay each half face-down on the cutting board and cut in half vertically once more.
Step 4: Remove the core. Stand the pineapple quarter up vertically on the cutting board. Using your knife, carefully slice away the fibrous core. Repeat with the remaining pineapple quarters.
Step 5: Chop each quarter into chunks. Slice each piece of pineapple in half again, if smaller pieces are desired. Use or consume your fresh-cut pineapple immediately, or store for later use! See below for storage and freezing tips.
Ways to use fresh-cut pineapple
- Make a classic dessert like pineapple upside-down cake or bake into tropical-flavoured muffins.
- Grill it for a juicy addition to a burger, or serve grilled pineapple warm over vanilla ice cream.
- Use frozen pineapple chunks in smoothies.
- Eat pineapple fresh as a tasty snack!
Storage & freezing tips
- Refrigerator: freshly cut pineapple will keep in an air-tight container or bag in the fridge for 3 – 4 days.
- Freezer: lay pineapple chunks on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until the pineapple pieces are solid, then transfer to a sealable bag or container. Freezing the individual pieces of pineapple first prevents them from clumping together. Frozen fruit will store well for up to a year.
What are your favourite pineapple recipes?
Comment below your favourite ways to use fresh pineapple! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram for all my latest recipes and nutrition blog posts! xoxo
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How to Cut a Pineapple (in 5 Easy Steps!)
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 ripe pineapple
Instructions
- Remove the ends of the pineapple. On a clean cutting board, lay your ripe pineapple horizontally on its side. Use a sharp knife to slice off both the top and bottom of the fruit.
- Peel the pineapple. Stand the pineapple up on one of its cut ends. Starting at the top, slide your knife vertically down to remove the peel, cutting as little of the edible flesh as possible. Rotate the pineapple and continue to remove the peel in small strips at a time.
- Quarter the pineapple. When fully peeled, slice the entire pineapple in half vertically. Lay each half face-down on the cutting board and cut in half vertically once more.
- Remove the core. Stand the pineapple quarter up vertically on the cutting board. Using your knife, carefully slice away the fibrous core. Repeat with the remaining pineapple quarters.
- Chop each quarter into chunks. Slice each piece of pineapple in half again if smaller pieces are desired. Use or consume your fresh-cut pineapple immediately, or store for later use!
Notes
In an air-tight container or sealable bag, freshly cut pineapple will last in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to one year.