How to Cut a Mango

Wondering how to cut a mango? It's easy once you understand the mango's "anatomy"! Take a look at these tips and you'll be cutting a mango like a pro for sweet and savory recipes.

A woman's hands are shown bending a mango that has been scored so that cube-shaped pieces of the fruit are releasing from the peel, another mango half is on a plate to the right.

Don't be intimidated by cutting a mango! The trick is just to slice each half away from the seed in the center, then you're free to cut it into cubes or strips as you please.

I'll show you how to cut a mango a couple of different ways, give you tips on storage, and suggest a few delicious mango recipes, too!

Jump to:

How to cut a mango into cubes
How to cut a mango into strips
Don't leave the fruit around the seed behind!
How choose and store mangoes
Sweet recipes with mango
Savory recipes with mango

A woman's hands are shown slicing cube-shaped pieces of mango away from its peel, another mango half is on a plate to the right.

How to cut a mango into cubes

This is probably the most popular way to cut mangoes, perfect little cubes are great for salsa, salads and more.

Use a chef's knife to slice vertically down each side, just off center so you avoid the long thin seed in the middle.
Now switch to a paring knife and score the fruit in a criss-crossing diagonal pattern.
Push on the skin side of the fruit like you're turning it inside out, so the cubes start to pop out and separate from each other and the skin.
Use the paring knife or a spoon to cut or scoop the fruit away from the skin. Done!

How to cut a mango into strips

Use a chef's knife to slice vertically down each side, just off center so you avoid the long thin seed in the middle.
Switch to a paring knife and cut slices into the fruit going either top to bottom or across.
Use the paring knife to cut around the edge of the peel and bend it backwards to release the slices, or use a spoon to scoop them out.

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A woman's hands are shown using a paring knife to cut strips of fruit away from a mango seed.

Don't leave the fruit around the seed behind!

There's still a lot of fruit around that seed and you can cut a much of it away. You have to hold the seed upside down to do this. If it's right side up, it won't work. Don't ask my why, this is the mystery of this magical tropical fruit!

Remove the remaining peel.
Carefully hold the seed upside down and slice down the edge on both sides.

How choose and store mangoes

Mangoes are ripe when they give slightly when squeezed. The same method you might use to choose an avocado or a peach.
Store at room temperature until they are ripe, then transfer to the refrigerator.
If you've got more ripe mango than you can use immediately, cut it into cubes and freeze for up to 6 months. Use it to make Frozen Mango Margaritas!