The Easiest Way to Cut a Mango Into Slices, Wedges, and Cubes

Known for its vanilla-like sweetness and succulent texture, mango is a popular tropical fruit. However, due to the pit in the center, cutting the juicy treat can be challenging without a smart technique. Not only is the pit attached to the flesh, but it also runs through the entire length of the fruit. There's no way to cut through it, but it's possible to cut around it without wasting the precious flesh. Martha demonstrates the easiest way to cut a mango in the video above, plus expert tips and advice for cutting mango into wedges and cubes below.

What You Need

You'll need a cutting board and a chef's knife to cut a mango. A chef's knife has the ideal length for cutting fruits such as mangoes, says Jey Kempin, chef instructor at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. It also has sturdy blade and hilt, making it easier to maintain a grip and cut through peels, notes Kempin.

Make sure your knife is very sharp, which is essential for safe cutting, says Kempin. If the blade is dull, you'll need to apply more pressure to cut the mango, increasing the risk of slipping.

How to Cut a Mango

Before cutting a mango into wedges or diced pieces, you'll need to cut it into four large chunks. This includes the two "cheeks," or the thickest sides of the mango.

1. Cut off one end of the mango, then place it upright on the cutting board.
2. Slice the mango just off center, avoiding the stem, from top to bottom, says Nathan Lyon, chef, cookbook author, and host of A Lyon in the Kitchen on Discovery Health. Try to place your knife as close to the pit as possible without cutting it. This will cut off one cheek.
3. Repeat on the other side to cut a second cheek.
4. Place the flesh-covered pit flat on the cutting board. Cut the long sides to create two narrow pieces.

Using a spoon, you can then scoop the flesh out of the cheeks and eat it as is. Additionally, to ensure no mango goes to waste, feel free to nibble off any mango flesh directly attached to the pit, notes Martha Brahm, chef and founder of Hawaiian Tart Company and Big Island Private Chef in Hawaii.

How to Cut a Mango Into Wedges

The four pieces of a cut mango can be sliced into wedges for snacking, salads, or dessert.

1. Using a spoon, scoop out the flesh out of one cheek, taking care to keep the entire piece intact.
2. Place the cheek on the cutting board, flat side down. Using a paring knife, slice horizontally to create wedges.
3. Repeat with the second cheek.
4. For the two narrow pieces, place them on the cutting board, skin side down. Hold one end with your non-cutting hand, then run the knife between the skin and flesh. This will create two wedges.

How to Dice a Mango

Alternatively, after a mango has been cut into four pieces, you can dice it into cubes.

1. Place the cheeks on the cutting board, skin side down.
2. Using a paring knife, score the mango flesh, making evenly spaced vertical cuts; be sure to avoid piercing through the skin, says Lyon.
3. Repeat with horizontal cuts to create a crosshatch pattern.
4. Scoop out the flesh with a spoon. You might need to further separate the cubes with a knife.
5. Alternatively, you can gently press the back of the mango cheek to turn it inside out, then scoop or cut the flesh.
6. For the narrow wedges, place them on the cutting board, skin side down. Run the knife just above the skin to separate the flesh. Dice both pieces into cubes.