How to Cut a Mango

Shanthi Appelo, MS, RD

| 2 min read

shanthieats
Food and Nutrition
Menu Ideas
Mangoes are naturally sweet, juicy and packed with flavor, making them perfect for smoothies, salads, desserts or simply eating fresh. If you’ve ever tried to cut one without knowing the right technique, you’ve probably discovered that mangoes can be a little tricky.
The challenge comes from the large, flat pit in the center. Once you understand how to cut around the pit, preparing a mango becomes quick and easy.

Choose a ripe mango

Avoid mangoes that feel overly mushy or have large dark spots. A ripe mango should:
  • Feel slightly soft when gently squeezed
  • Have a sweet, fruity aroma near the stem
  • Show vibrant coloring depending on the variety

Step 1: Locate the pit

Inside every mango is a large, flat pit that runs lengthwise through the center. You’ll be cutting along both sides of the pit. To avoid cutting into it:
  1. Stand the mango upright on the cutting board with the stem side up.
  2. Imagine the pit running vertically through the middle.

Step 2: Slice off the mango cheeks

The two large outer pieces of the mango are often called the cheeks.
  1. Hold the mango steady.
  2. Cut about ¼ inch from the center, slicing downward along one side of the pit.
  3. Repeat on the other side.
You should now have two large mango cheeks and a thin center section containing the pit.

Step 3: Score the flesh

Take one of the mango cheeks and place it skin-side down on the cutting board or in your hand.
  1. Use a knife to make lengthwise cuts through the flesh without cutting through the skin.
  2. Make crosswise cuts to create a grid pattern.
This creates small mango cubes that are easy to remove.

Step 4: Turn the mango inside out

Once the mango is scored:
  1. Gently push the skin side upward.
  2. The cubes will pop outward, making them easy to remove.
  3. Slice the cubes off with a knife.
  4. Scoop them out with a spoon.

Step 5: Trim the remaining fruit

Don’t forget the fruit around the pit. These pieces may be smaller, but they’re just as sweet.
  1. Take the center section with the pit.
  2. Carefully slice away any remaining mango flesh from the sides.

Alternative method: The spoon method

If you prefer larger slices, you can use a spoon. This method works well for slicing mango into strips.
  1. Slice off the mango cheeks.
  2. Slide a spoon between the flesh and the skin.
  3. Scoop the entire piece out in one motion.

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