How to Cut a Pineapple (3 ways!)

I will show you how to cut a pineapple three ways: spears, bite-sized chunks and a pineapple garnish.

I am glad that y’all are enjoying my other simple fruit prep tutorials. See also how to cut a watermelon and how to cut a cantaloupe. Y’all be sure and check those out too!

We love pineapple at our house! You can save so much money buying whole pineapples and cutting them up yourself. It is such a sweet and refreshing treat anytime, but especially in this summer heat.

How to peel a pineapple

First, cut off both ends. This will give you a flat, steady base to work with.

Sit your pineapple up on one of those cut ends, and carefully start cutting the tough exterior off in large strips, using a downward motion.

Keep rotating the pineapple until you have gotten the skin off. You can go back around and clean up any spots you missed.

How to cut a pineapple garnish

Complete only step one in the “how to peel” section above, cutting off both ends. Next, cut in the same direction as you did when removing the ends, cut a slice about 1/2 inch thick (peel and all).

Lay that slice down flat on the board. Divide it into quarters by using your knife to cut a giant T, right don the middle.

Then you want to create a little slit to help your garnish sit on a glass. Do this as shown below.

I just cut into the pointed end, about halfway up the slice. Once your drink of choice is ready, just slide your garnish onto the glass. That slit will help it fit just right. Voila! So pretty and festive.😍

How to cut a pineapple into bite-sized chunks

Complete all of the “how to peel” instructions above. With your fruit still sitting on that flat base, slice into quarters by making a T cut right down the middle.

Next, you can remove the core. This doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, some people prefer to eat the core. I prefer to remove it, though.

You are going to do this one section at a time. Leave the section sitting on that same flat base, and just cut off the pointed side (which was part of the center).

Repeat for the other three sections. Then, cut right down the middle of a section.

From there, I cut small slices in the opposite direction, making two rows of bite-sized chunks.

How to cut a pineapple into spears

Complete all “how to peel” steps above, plus the first two steps in the “how to cut bite-sized chunks” – cutting the T, and removing the core.

Take a section that has had the core removed, and put the flat side down, that is the side where the core was just removed. Cut it in half, lengthwise as shown below.

Next, divide each half in half again. It works best if you angle your knife toward the center, rather than cutting straight down.

Now you have pineapple spears, perfect for grilling, or serving as is.

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How to cut a pineapple (3 ways!)

I will show you how to cut a pineapple three ways: spears, bite-sized chunks and a pineapple garnish. (with step-by-step photos!)

Course Basics

Cuisine American

Keyword how to cut a pineapple

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 0 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 57 kcal

Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

• 1 pineapple whole

Instructions

How to peel a pineapple

1. First, cut off both ends. This will give you a flat, steady base to work with.

2. Sit your pineapple up on one of those cut ends, and carefully start cutting the tough exterior off in large strips, using a downward motion.

3. Keep rotating the pineapple and cutting strips in a downward motion until you have gotten the skin off.

4. Go back around and clean up any spots you missed.

Cutting a pineapple garnish

1. Complete only step one in the “how to peel” section above, cutting off both ends. 

2. Next, cut in the same direction as you did when removing the ends, cut a slice about 1/2 inch thick (peel and all).

3. Lay that slice down flat on the board. Divide it into quarters by using your knife to cut a giant T, right don the middle.

4. Then you want to create a little slit to help your garnish sit on a glass. Do this as shown in the photos above, cutting into the pointed end, about halfway up the slice..

5. Slide the garnish onto a glass.

How to cut a pineapple into bite-sized chunks

1. Complete all of the “how to peel” instructions above.

2. With your fruit still sitting on that flat base, slice into quarters by making a T cut right down the middle.

3. To remove the core, leave one section sitting on that same flat base, and just cut off the pointed side (which was part of the center). Repeat for the other three sections. 

4. Then, cut right down the middle of a section, lengthwise.

5. From there, I cut small slices in the opposite direction, making two rows of bite-sized chunks as shown in the photos above.

How to cut a pineapple into spears

1. Complete all “how to peel” steps above, plus the first two steps in the “how to cut bite-sized chunks” – cutting the T, and removing the core.

2. Take a section that has had the core removed, and put the flat side down, that is the side where the core was just removed. Cut it in half, lengthwise as shown above.

3. Next, divide each half in half again. It works best if you angle your knife toward the center, rather than cutting straight down. See photos above.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

How to cut a pineapple (3 ways!)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 57 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 1mg0%

Potassium 123mg4%

Carbohydrates 15g5%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 11g12%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 66IU1%

Vitamin C 54mg65%

Calcium 15mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.