How to Cut Pineapple

Top down off frozen pineapple pieces inside a zip top bag.

Cutting pineapple at home is so much more affordable than buying it pre-cut at the store! Cut it at home for recipes or snacking, or freeze it when it's ripe and sweet and you'll always have the best tasting pineapple at your fingertips.

Prep Time15

Cook Time0

Total Time15

Servings: cups

Calories: 453kcal

Author: Madison Wetherill

Cost: 5

Equipment

Sharp Knife
Cutting Board

Ingredients

1 pineapple

Instructions

Cutting Pineapple into Chunks

First, slice the crown and base of the pineapple off, and set them aside. Cut away the skin, working around the edge of the pineapple.
Slice the pineapple in half from top to bottom, then cut each piece in half longways again.
Slice away the inner core. Dice the pineapple into bite sized pieces or any other shape you'd like.

Cutting Pineapple into Slices

Slice the crown and base of the pineapple off, then set them aside. Turn the entire pineapple so it’s sitting upright, and then cut away the skin, working around the edge of the pineapple. Be sure to remove all the brown “eyes” (or spots) from the pineapple.
If you have a pineapple corer: Hold it vertically over the pineapple core, then lower it while adding pressure through the fruit, pushing it all the way through to the bottom. Remove it and pull out the core. Then, hold the pineapple on its side and cut slices in whatever thickness you desire.
If you do not have a pineapple corer: Turn the pineapple over on its side and slice the pineapple into large circles. Use a small jar, glass, bottle or cookie cutter to cut out the core.

Par-Freeze

Lay the diced pineapple on a baking sheet in a single layer, spreading the pieces apart. Set the baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour.
If using canned pineapple: Drain all the liquid from the pineapple pieces before setting it on the baking sheet.

Transfer and Freeze

Use a spatula to transfer the pineapple pieces to a zip top bag or any other kind of freezer safe container.
Squeeze the air out and set the bag back in the freezer to finish freezing for 18-24 hours.

Video

Notes

Kid snack hack: If you want, you can use a cookie cutter to cut pineapple slices. You can cut them into stars, flowers or hearts or whatever you have. These are so fun for drinks or snacking with kiddos.

Storage:

Uncut pineapple: This can last about three days at room temperature, or about a week if you keep it in your fridge’s crisper drawer.

Fresh, cut pineapple: Once you cut pineapple, you can store it in a food-safe, airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. It’s going to be freshest and the best-tasting within the first few days.

Frozen pineapple: For best taste, use frozen pineapple within 3-4 months. It can last up to a year if stored properly, but after about 4 months you may start to see freezer burn and that will affect the flavor.

Nutrition