How to Prep a Pineapple

Pin It

Tweet

How to Prep a Pineapple

By The Paula Deen Test Kitchen

Have you ever eyed a pineapple in the produce section but were discouraged from buying it because you just didn’t know how to prep it? Follow our how to and you’ll be snacking on fresh cubed pineapple in no time!

Step 1: Lay the pineapple on its side on a cutting board.

Step 2: Using a chef’s knife, slice off a 1/2 inch chunk off the bottom of the pineapple.

Step 3: Flip the pineapple over and slice off the top right below the green leafy top. (Paula will actually keep the top after she cuts it off to garnish a big platter of fruit salad.)

Step 4: Set the pineapple upright on it’s newly leveled bottom. Begin slicing off the rind of the pineapple by following its slight curve. Repeat all the way around the pineapple.

Step 5: Use a spoon or melon baller to remove the “eyes” that the knife may have missed.

Step 6: Cut around the fibrous core that runs up the center of the pineapple. You will make 4 separate slices.

Step 7: Cutting around the core will leave you with 4 large sections of pineapple. Discard the core and chop the sweet fragrant flesh of the pineapple.

Now put your skills to good use and whip up a batch of pineapple salsa for your next barbecue!

Reader Comments:

I recently purchased a pineapple corer/spiral slicing tool. Works so well with minimum effort, and very little pineapple is wasted. We have found fresh pineapples on sale for as little as $1.00 ea. Takes away any impulse you may have to ever buy canned pineapple again!

By katie on July 25, 2012

Thank you for showing how to cut up a pineapple. You are supper.

By Betty Duke. on July 13, 2012

I always set my pineapple upside down over night before i cut it. I cut mine the same as you.The pineapple are shipped upright and all the jucie is at the bottom. I found out that by turning it over it is a lot jucier. Sonny

By Sonny on July 12, 2012

Thank you for these instructions for preparing pineapple. I did it once and ended up throwing it all away. I'd now like to try it again one day.

By laura darsey on July 12, 2012

Looks easy!!!

By danniel on July 12, 2012

Love, love, love fresh pineapple and historically would use basically this method shown to clean a pineapple; however, I am now a widow and live alone so one pineapple lasts for a few days. To increase the shelf life of the fresh pineapple, I have a new procedure: Wash the pineapple really well and shake dry (I noticed ya'll did not refer to washing the pineapple before processing); cut off 1/4 of bottom of pineapple and clean for immediate use. Set the remainder of the whole pineapple in a soup bowl or a shallow bowl and leave in fridge. The next day, slice off another serving, returning balance of pineapple to fridge; repeat until you have used the entire pineapple. The pineapple will stay fresh for up to a week. I always use the top in a centerpiece or a fruit platter. My mother would set the top in a sandy mixture and frequently the top would begin to grow roots!

By Ann S. McCrickard on July 12, 2012

This is not the way the Hawaiian folks do it. They twist off the top... Cut the pineapple down the middle. Then using a curved knife, they cut the pineapple in half and then in quarters (don't have to peel it that way. Then they cut out the core and then they cut the pineapple out of the core much as you would cut cantalope. Then they slice it while it is still laying losely in the skin. They then bring the knife from end to end which cuts each slice in half and then just slide it off into a bowl! So easy...it takes about 10 minutes to complete the job. Much easier!

By Sylvia Williamson on July 12, 2012

Pauladeen.com

How to Prep a Pineapple