How to Tell if a Mango Is Ripe and the Easiest Way to Cut It

Slicing a mango can be tricky because of its large pit and slippery texture, but it’s simple with this easy technique.

Fresh, ripe summer mangoes are a delicious and nutritious treat with a sweetness that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Knowing how to slice them properly maximizes the amount of fruit you get, and once you know how to cut around the middle seed, the rest is easy.

How to Tell if a Mango is Ripe

To determine if a mango is ripe and ready to cut, gently squeeze it. A ripe mango will give slightly under the pressure of your fingers, similar to a ripe peach or avocado. The skin may also have a fruity aroma near the stem.

1. Hold the Mango Upright

Every mango has a long flat seed (or pit) in the center to avoid when cutting. Place the pointed end of the mango upright on a cutting board, with the stem side down. Hold the fruit steady with one hand, and with a large sharp chef’s knife, make your first cut from the top wide side of the mango, slightly off-center. Slice down along one of the wide sides.

2. Cut the Flip Side

Turn the mango around and make a similar cut on the opposite wide side, again avoiding the middle pit. This will give you two large halves of mango flesh.

3. What to do With the Pit?

With the two large slices removed, you’ll be left with the middle section containing the seed. There will be a little fibrous mango flesh around the seed's edges, which can be nibbled on as a cook’s snack. Alternatively, you can trim away the small amount of flesh with a paring knife.

4. Cube It

Use the tip of a knife to score each mango half and into cubes. Make sure not to cut through the skin. Create a grid pattern by making parallel cuts lengthwise and then crosswise. You can score large cubes or small cubes, depending on the size you need for your recipe.

5. Invert

Once scored, turn the mango halves inside-out. Do this by pushing the mango halves from their skin sides. The halves will invert, and the cubes of mango flesh will pop out making them easy to access.

6. Slice off the Cubes

Use the knife to carefully cut the cubes away from the skin. Now, you can use these perfectly sized mango pieces for a variety of dishes, or freeze them for future use in smoothies and other recipes. Or, try our favorite way to eat fresh cubed mango, with a simple sprinkle of chili-lime seasoning.