How To Cut Mango (Step-By-Step)

Mangoes are a juicy, golden, and tropical fruit loved by pretty much everyone! But, with their delicious flavor comes a unique shape that makes them somewhat difficult to cut. In this quick guide, I’ll show you how to cut mangoes simply and efficiently every time!

Mangoes add a burst of floral, juicy flavors and vibrant colors to so many different dishes, both sweet and savory. That’s why it’s important to understand how to properly cut mangoes so you can unlock their full potential while staying safe during preparation.

By mastering two simple cutting techniques, you can use the golden delicious flesh for virtually any recipe. Our two go-to methods for cutting mango are:

1. Hedgehog Method
2. Glass Method

More on each below! Whether you’re hungry for mango salads, mango smoothies, mango salsas, chutneys, or even mango kombucha, learning how to chop a mango is step 1 in your quest for deliciousness.

How to cut mangoes

There are a surprising number of ways to cut mango — some more practical than others! These are the two methods I always use, and they’ve never let me down.

The “hedgehog” method

1. Halve: Slice off both sides (or “cheeks”) of the mango, about ¼-inch away from the center to avoid the seed.
2. Slice: Hold one of the mango halves in the palm of your hand. Without cutting through the skin, make lengthwise cuts through the flesh. Rotate the mango and make crosswise cuts to create a grid pattern.
3. Flip: Push in the center of the skin side of the mango so the cubes of fruit pop out like a hedgehog.
4. Slice: Slice off the mango cubes and repeat the process with the other half.

The “glass” method

1. Halve: Slice off both sides (or “cheeks”) of the mango, about ¼-inch away from the center to avoid the seed.
2. Skin: Take a drinking glass or a small cup with a thin rim and place the edge right where the mango skin and flesh meet. Slide the glass between the skin and the fruit, following the curve of the mango, to separate the flesh from the skin.
3. Slice: Remove the mango flesh from the glass and cut it into cubes, slices, etc.

Don’t let the rest of the fruit go to waste whichever method you choose! Peel the skin off the rest of the mango that contains the pit, then slice or bite off whatever fruit remains behind.

Tips for cutting mangoes

Use a sharp knife: A sharp knife makes it easier to slice through the mango’s skin without crushing the fruit. Remember to sharpen your knives on a regular basis! 👉 Grab our knife guide to learn which knife is best for cutting various ingredients.

Stabilize the mango: Place the mango on a non-slip surface like a cutting board, or hold it with a paper towel to prevent it from slipping while cutting.

Cut away from yourself: Always cut away from your body to avoid injury. You don’t want to be using a sawing motion.

Practice, practice, practice: If you’re not comfortable with holding the mango in the palm of your hand while you slice it, rest it on the cutting board. Keep practicing and you’ll eventually feel more confident with knowing how to cut mangoes!

Picking the best mangoes

Now that you understand how to cut mangoes, you need to know which ones to choose and which ones to steer clear of at the store. Here are a few tips for picking out the best fruit:

• Feel: A ripe mango will give slightly under gentle pressure. Avoid mangoes that are too soft, and let mangoes that feel quite firm ripen for a few more days.
• Aroma: Ripe mangoes will have a sweet, fruity, almost floral aroma near the stem.
• Appearance: The skin should be smooth and relatively free of blemishes. The color isn’t always an indicator of ripeness, as it varies depending on the variety. But, mangoes tend to become more wrinkly as they ripen, so don’t let it become too wrinkly!

Storing cut mangoes

Properly storing cut mangoes is essential in maintaining their flavor and texture. Whether you’re planning to eat them the next day or want a juicy snack later, follow these storage guidelines:

• Fridge: Transfer the cut mangoes to an airtight container and store them in the fridge. You can keep them fresh for up to 5 days this way. 
• Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze cut-up mango pieces. Just add them to a baking sheet on a single layer and freeze them until they’re solid. You can transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag and keep them for up to 6 months.