How to Cut Mango into Cubes: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s be honest: mangos are undeniably delicious, but they can be slippery, messy, and intimidating to tackle. Between the tough skin and the oddly shaped, flat pit in the center, getting those perfect, Instagram-worthy cubes often feels like a puzzle.

If you’ve ever mangled a mango trying to get the fruit off the seed, you are not alone. However, once you understand the anatomy of the fruit, dicing it becomes incredibly fast and simple.

In this guide, we have synthesized the best techniques from top culinary experts to teach you how to cut a mango into cubes safely and efficiently. Whether you prefer the classic knife method, the "glass trick," or using a splitter, we’ve got you covered.

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Choosing and Ripening the Perfect Mango

You can't get perfect cubes from a rock-hard mango or a mushy mess. Success starts at the grocery store.

How can you tell if a mango is ripe?

Don't rely solely on color, as red redness is often just a blush and not an indicator of ripeness. Instead, use the squeeze test.

• Touch: Gently squeeze the mango. A ripe mango will give slightly, similar to a ripe peach or avocado.
• Smell: Give it a sniff near the stem. Ripe mangos release a sweet, fragrant aroma.

Ripening at Home

If your mango is hard as a rock, don't cut it yet! The flesh will be sour and difficult to cube.

• Timeframe: Ripening mangos at room temperature for 2-5 days is recommended for the flesh to soften and sweeten.
• Speed it up: To speed up the process, place the mango in a brown paper bag with a banana or apple. These fruits release ethylene gas, which accelerates ripening.

Method 1: The Classic "Hedgehog" (Grid) Method to Cut Mango

Best for: Ripe mangos and perfect presentation.

This is the most popular way to cut a mango because it is clean, efficient, and requires only a knife.

Tools needed: A sharp chef's knife or paring knife, and a cutting board.

Step 1: Locate the Pit

The mango seed is flat and oblong, running down the center of the fruit. Stand the mango up on your cutting board, stem side down. Imagine the seed is a flat oval standing up inside the fruit.

Step 2: Cut the "Cheeks"

Hold the mango steady. You want to slice the "cheeks" off the sides of the pit.

• Position your knife about ¼ inch from the center (the stem).
• Slice straight down, following the curve of the pit. If you hit something hard, move your knife slightly further out.
• Repeat on the other side. You now have two large fleshy "cheeks" and the middle section containing the pit.

Step 3: Score the Grid

Take one mango cheek and hold it in your palm (skin side down) or place it on the cutting board for safety.

• Using the tip of your knife, cut parallel lines through the flesh, being careful not to break the skin.
• Turn the mango 90 degrees and cut perpendicular lines to create a grid or checkerboard pattern.

Step 4: Invert and Remove Cubes

Now for the fun part. Push on the skin side of the cheek to invert the mango—it will pop up like a hedgehog!

• To finish: Use a knife or a spoon to slice the cubes away from the skin.

Method 2: The "Glass" or Cup Method for Dicing Mango

Best for: Very ripe, soft mangos and speed.

This is a viral kitchen hack that works surprisingly well if you are processing a lot of mangos at once for smoothies or salsa.

1. Slice the Cheeks: Cut the cheeks off the seed exactly as described in Method 1.
2. The Scoop: Take a sturdy drinking glass (a pint glass works well). Hold the mango cheek in your palm.
3. Slide: Line up the edge of the glass with the bottom of the mango cheek (between the skin and the flesh).
4. Push: Firmly push the mango down over the rim of the glass. The glass acts as a scoop, separating the flesh from the skin in one motion.
5. Cube: Dump the large slab of mango onto your cutting board and dice it into cubes.

Method 3: Using a Mango Splitter to Cut Mango

Best for: Beginners who struggle to find the pit.

If you have a specialized mango splitter tool, this removes the guesswork of finding the seed.

1. Position: Stand the mango upright on a flat surface.
2. Align: Hold the splitter handles. Center the opening of the splitter above the mango. Align the opening with the widest part of the mango, as this matches the orientation of the flat seed.
3. Push: Firmly push down to separate the mango flesh from the seed in one go.
4. Finish: You will still need to score and cube the flesh from the cheeks using a knife or spoon.

Handling Unripe or Firm Mangos for Cubing

Sometimes you need a firmer mango (for salads or pickles), or perhaps you bought a variety that doesn't soften much. The grid method can be difficult here because the skin is tough.

Research suggests peeling before cubing for firm mangos:

1. Peel First: Use a Y-peeler or a sharp knife to remove the green/red skin entirely while the mango is whole. Caution: The peeled fruit will be very slippery!
2. Slice: Cut the cheeks off the pit.
3. Dice: Place the flat side of the cheek on the cutting board and cut into strips, then rotate to cut into cubes.

Don't Waste the Pit! (Bonus Mango Fruit)

After you cut the two main cheeks, you are left with the middle section containing the seed. There is still fruit there!

• The Spears: Use a paring knife to carefully cut the skin off the thin strips of fruit remaining on the sides of the pit.
• Snack: These pieces are rarely perfect cubes, so consider these the "chef's snack" or slice them into smaller bits for mango salsas.

Storage and Preservation of Cut Mango Cubes

Did you cut more mango than you can eat? Don't let it go to waste.

Refrigerator

Freshly cut mango is best eaten immediately, but it stores well.

• Container: Place the cubes in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.
• Timeline: According to food safety guidelines, you can store mango cubes in the fridge for up to 3 days. After this, they may start to become mushy and lose flavor.

Freezer

If you want to keep them longer (perfect for smoothies):

1. Arrange the cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper so they aren't touching.
2. Freeze for 2 hours until solid (this prevents them from clumping together).
3. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They will last for up to 6 months.

Delicious Ways to Use Your Mango Cubes

Now that you have perfect cubes, here are a few ways to use them beyond just snacking:

• Fresh Cut Retail Style: Recreate the grocery store experience by mixing mango cubes with pineapple and melon for a tropical fruit salad.
• Salsas: Finely diced mango pairs perfectly with red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro for a fish taco topping.
• Mango Spirals/Noodles: While cubes are great, if you have a spiralizer, you can use firm mango flesh to create "noodles" for salads!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cutting Mangos

Enjoy your perfectly cut mango!