How to Properly Cut a Mango

Cut the sweet, delicious flesh from a mango without any stress! Learn how to properly cut a mango with step-by-step instructions, as well as a short instructional video.

Original post: February 2019 | Updated: June 2021

Say buh-bye to avoiding mangoes just because you don’t know how to cut them, my friends. The pit of a mango has an awkward and misunderstood shape, making it an intimidating fruit to dig into.

I spent years scratching my head every time one of these succulent fruits found itself upon my counter. I decided to finally sit down and get to know the mango because it is a delicious, juicy little food that should not be avoided.

This post details my favorite way to cut into a mango in order to get your hands on as much of the edible parts as possible.

How To Tell if a Mango is Ripe

There is nothing worse than arriving at the grocery store and not knowing how to pick the best fruit. It’d be easier if all the fruit was ripe when you were there to buy it, am I right?

There are two simple ways to know if you are selecting a mango that’s ripe and ready to enjoy immediately. First, mangoes that are ready to eat will have a stronger aroma than ones that aren’t quite ready, especially near the stem (closest to where it was plucked from the tree).

Also, when you give the mango a gentle squeeze, you will be able to feel it give a little underneath your fingers. If it is rock solid, it is not ready. But if it is mushy, it is too ripe. Look for a mango that gives just a little bit under the pressure of your touch, because then it is ready to eat!

The more you do this, the better you’ll get at determining when the succulent fruit is ready for consumption!

How To Ripen a Mango

If you see mangoes on sale at your local grocery, pick some up and let them finish the ripening process at home. Be sure to store them at room temperature, preferably in an enclosed, dark paper bag. Refrigerating them will slow down the ripening process, so keep them on the counter for best results.

Step by Step Instructions: How to Properly Cut a Mango

Step 1 – Remove Base

Cut the base (the end with the stem) off the mango. This will allow you to situate the mango on its end for easy cutting.

Step 2 – Stand Upright

Stand the mango up on its flat base that you’ve just removed.

Step 3 – Remove Mango “Cheeks”

The fullest, fleshiest sides of the mango are called the “cheeks.” Starting from the top of the mango, cut down the mango, angling slightly around the pit, to remove the cheeks. It helps to understand the basic shape of the pit so you can most easily cut around it.

The pit is oblong and flat, somewhat like a disc. If your knife hits friction while cutting you have likely run into the pit. Redirect your knife so that it cuts around the pit.

Step 4 – Remove Sides

Now cut down the sides of the mango, doing your best to avoid the pit and remove as much of the flesh as possible.

Step 5 – Score The Flesh

Use a sharp knife to score cross-hatched lines into the flesh of the cheeks. Be sure not to cut through the mango skin while you do this.

Step 6 – Invert Mango

Invert the sides of the mango to make the flesh pop out, revealing fun little squares.

Step 7 – Scoop Out Flesh

Once the flesh has been inverted, it should be easy to pull or scoop out the mango chunks with your fingers or with the side of a spoon. If the flesh doesn’t easily pull away from the skin, use a paring knife to carefully cut it away.

Step 8 – Remove Flesh From Sides

Using a knife, cut away the flesh from the sides of the mango skin. Chop or slice the mango pieces.

Step 9 – Cut Remaining Flesh Off Pit

Stand the mango on its end and use a knife to cut down around the pit, removing as much additional flesh as possible. Chop or slice it, as desired.

FAQ About Mangoes

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• Fresh Mango Jalapeno Salsa Recipe
• Mango Crab Guacamole Recipe
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• How to Cut Butternut Squash (and peel it, too!)

Delicious Uses For Mangoes

Now it’s time to enjoy the juicy fruit! Here are a few ways to enjoy mangoes:

• Enjoy them as a healthy snack, simply chopped or sliced!
• Toss them into your next batch of guacamole! This Mango Crab Guacamole is a yummy option.
• Throw chopped mango into your next batch of salsa.
• Finely chop a mango and add it to your next Superfood Salad or fruit salad.
• Add chopped mango to your next smoothie!
• Use mangoes as an ingredient in your next batch of chutney or butter.

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