How to Cut and Prepare Fresh Mango

How to Cut and Prepare Fresh Mango

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  • 01 of 07

    Choose a Ripe Mango

    mangoes on a cutting board

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    When choosing a mango, pick a plump, fragrant one that feels heavy for its size. When you press a ripe mango, you should be able to leave a slight indentation with your thumb. Avoid mangoes that feel mushy or mangoes with visible brown marks.

    Ripe mangoes range in color from greenish to yellow to red, and you may see all three colors on the same piece of fruit. Unripe mangoes will ripen in a few days on the counter. You can refrigerate ripe mangoes to make them last longer.

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  • 02 of 07

    Make a Slice Down One Side of the Mango

    cut the mango

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Holding the mango with the stem end up, make an initial cut slightly off center so you miss the large, flat stone. As you slice down, angle the knife with a slight curve around the stone.

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  • 03 of 07

    Step 3: Make a Slice on the Other Side of the Stone

    Make a Slice on the Other Side of the mango Stone

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Holding the mango firmly, make a slice on the other side of the mango. You will now have three parts - two fleshy, plus the stone (don't throw the stone away yet!).

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  • 04 of 07

    Step 4: Score Each Fleshy Section

    cube the mango slices

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Here you can either scoop out the flesh with a large spoon (if eating right away) or score the two fleshy parts into cubes. Cubes are great for fruit salads and other mango recipes. When scoring, cut through until your knife reaches the peel.

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  • 05 of 07

    Step 5: Scoop out the Cubes of Mango

    Scoop out cubes of mango

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Scoop out the mango cubes with a large spoon. Dig deeply (along with the inside of the peel) to get all the fruit you possibly can.

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  • 06 of 07

    Step 6: Cut Away the Peel from Around the Stone

    cut off the flesh around the mango pit

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Now take the stone and thinly cut away the peel with your knife (like pairing an apple). Then you can cut the remaining flesh off (or eat it right off the stone, as we do in our house!).

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  • 07 of 07

    Step 7: Enjoy Your Mango, or Use it for Thai Cooking!

    mango cubes in a bowl

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Enjoy your fresh mango as is, or use to add to fruit salads, desserts, or other Thai dishes. Fresh mango will keep (covered) in the refrigerator for several days; it can also be frozen.

    Note that there are many varieties of mangoes. The typical Mexican type (pictured here) is rounder and slightly stringy compared to Asian mangos. The flatter, kidney-shaped mango with yellow skin has less fiber and a smoother texture.

    For mango recipes, see: Top Thai Mango Recipes - in one place or check out the following mango recipes: