The Easiest Way to Cut a Mango

The easiest way to cut a mango involves cutting off the slides, scoring the flesh, and using a spoon to scoop out the chunks or slices. In this easy to follow guide, we present several different ways to get great looking slices and cubes from your mango without turning it all into mush. All you will need is a ripe mango, a small, sharp knife, and cutting board. Let’s get slicing!

How do you know if a mango is ripe / How to tell if a mango is ripe

Like other fruits, mangoes come off the tree before they ripen. When they are not yet ripe, they have a firm texture with little give.

To test for ripeness in your mangoes, give them a bit of a squeeze. The mango should have some give to it without feeling squishy or allowing your finger to bust through the peel. 

When you pick mango at the store, you may also want to consider when you plan to use them. If you want them that evening, they look for ones that are already ripe. If you want them for a few days from now, you may find grabbing an unripe mango works best.

What recipes can I use the mango in?

Mangoes make a great, healthy snack for young and old. You can simply serve them in a bowl or mix them into a fruit salad for an easy side or snack.

Some recipes you can try with mangoes that you may like include:

• Fresh Mango Salsa
• Vegan mango coconut icecream
• Mango lassi
• Mango juice
• Shrikhand with Fresh Mango
• Orange Mango Smoothie
• Vegan Overnight Oats with Mango and Blueberries

For more great ideas, check out our guide to mango recipes here.

How to cut Mango into Slices

To cut your mangoes into slices, you need to:

• First cut the “cheeks” off the mango. To do this, position the mango on its bottom and slice about ⅓ in on both the left and right side.
• Once each “cheek” is removed, use your knife to score the flesh from top to bottom with a small knife, being careful to not cut through the skin. Each cut should be about a half inch from the next, though you can make the slices as thin or thick as you like.
• After scoring, use a spoon to carefully scrap each slice away from the peel.
• Once you get the cheek’s flesh, you can slice off the remaining two thin strips on the mango.
• You can then use your knife to cut the slices into cubes and use your spoon to remove the flesh.
• Finally, discard the center or core.

How to cut mango into cubes

Cutting the mango into cubes takes just one extra step compared to slices. Here is what to do when you are ready:

• First cut the “cheeks” off the mango. To do this, position the mango on its bottom and slice about ⅓ in on both the left and right side.
• Once each “cheek” is removed, use your knife to score the flesh from top to bottom with a small knife, being careful to not cut through the skin. Each cut should be about a half inch from the next, though you can make the slices as thin or thick as you like.
• When you are done scoring them vertically, make roughly equal size scores from left to right.
• After scoring, use a spoon to carefully scrap each slice away from the peel.
• Once you get the cheek’s flesh, you can slice off the remaining two thin strips on the mango.
• You can then use your knife to cut the slices into cubes and use your spoon to remove the flesh.
• Finally, discard the center or core.   

Step by Step guide on How to cut a mango : 3 Different ways

When you want to slice up the mango, you can use one of these three methods:

Slices (peel on)

• First cut the “cheeks” off the mango. To do this, position the mango on its bottom and slice about ⅓ in on both the left and right side.
• Once each “cheek” is removed, use your knife to score the flesh from top to bottom with a small knife, being careful to not cut through the skin. Each cut should be about a half inch from the next, though you can make the slices as thin or thick as you like.
• After scoring, use a spoon to carefully scrap each slice away from the peel.
• Once you get the cheek’s flesh, you can slice off the remaining two thin strips on the mango.
• You can then use your knife to cut the slices into cubes and use your spoon to remove the flesh.
• Finally, discard the center or core.

Cubes (peel on)

• First cut the “cheeks” off the mango. To do this, position the mango on its bottom and slice about ⅓ in on both the left and right side.
• Once each “cheek” is removed, use your knife to score the flesh from top to bottom with a small knife, being careful to not cut through the skin. Each cut should be about a half inch from the next, though you can make the slices as thin or thick as you like.
• When you are done scoring them vertically, make roughly equal size scores from left to right.
• After scoring, use a spoon to carefully scrap each slice away from the peel.
• Once you get the cheek’s flesh, you can slice off the remaining two thin strips on the mango.
• You can then use your knife to cut the slices into cubes and use your spoon to remove the flesh.

Peel and cut

Peeling a mango can be tricky. The fruit is sticky and juicy, which can make holding the exposed fruit harder. If you do prefer to peel it first, here’s what you can do:

• First, place the fruit on its bottom on the cutting board.
• Next, use a sharp peeler and peel down from the top and all around the fruit until you have peeled the entire mango.
• Once peeled, you can slice or cube the mango by cutting off each side and then slicing or cubing the flesh.
• Finally, discard the center.

Pro tips and tricks

When you have your mango in hand, follow these simple tips and tricks to cut the mango easily:

• use ripe mangoes
• wash and dry mangoes to ensure dirt does not get onto the cutting board
• cut the stem end first
• while dicing, be careful to not cut in to the skin by applying light pressure
• you can use a vegetable peeler to peel the skin, but scoring the flesh is easiest

Do I need to peel mango?

No! You can easily cut a mango by slicing off the sides and then scoring the flesh before using a spoon to quickly remove the slices or cubes.

Can I use a mango splitter to cut mango slices?

Yes! You can use a mango splitter if you like, but you really don’t need to buy this gadget. You can accomplish the same results with a paring knife and spoon.

How to store freshly cut mango

Once you have cut the mango into cubes or slices, you can easily store it for up to about 5 days in the fridge. Before placing in the fridge, make sure to transfer the mango cubes into an air tight container.

Can I freeze diced mango?

Yes you can freeze the diced mango, but it is not as simple as popping the mango in the freezer. 

To freeze, first line a small baking tray with parchment paper. Once lined, place the cubed or sliced mango onto the sheet, making sure they do not touch. You can then place the tray in the freezer and freeze for about 2 to 3 hours.

Once they have frozen, you can transfer the frozen cubes or slices to an airtight container and freeze them for up to 6 months.

Is there a pit in a mango

Mangos have a pit, but it is not as obvious as a peach or nectarine. If you try to slice into the center, you will find a very firm, hard to cut section that makes up the pit. You will need to cut around and toss the center of the mango.

How do you cut mangoes for beginners

If you are new to mango cutting, your best bet is the no peel option. To do this, follow the steps above to slice the mango and use a spoon to remove the cubes or slices. 

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