How to Cut and Dice Mango

Preparation: Check Whether the Mango is Fully Ripe

Before diving into the different methods you can use to cut and dice a mango, there is an important first step that can’t be ignored. You should always check whether or not a mango is fully ripe before you start cutting into it. If the mango is not ripe, it will make the entire process significantly harder and the mango will not taste as nice.

Luckily, there is a very easy trick to check whether a mango is ripe. Just give it a gentle squeeze. While you are doing this, you need to check whether the mango bounces back. If it doesn't, then this means that the mango is not ripe. If it does, then, the mango is ripe and you can start cutting and dicing the fruit.

Method 1: Peel the Mango First

There are three common methods used to cut and dice a mango. The first method requires that you peel the mango first. You can do so with the use of a vegetable peeler. However, a sharp potato knife will do as well.

Once the peel is removed, you will have to remove the pit. However, it is actually better to cut the mango around the pit. First, remove the mango flesh from the pit on one side. Then, do the same on the other. Once you are done with this, you can easily remove any excess mango flesh from around the pit. A useful tip in this department is to hold your knife at an angle. This will increase your chances of removing all the flesh in an effective manner.

Now that the peel and pit are gone, all that is left to do is dice the mango. To do this, you should first slice the mango. Then, you can transform the slices into cubes with the help of your potato knife.

Method 2: Cut the Mango While Still in the Peel

Another common way of cutting and dicing a mango requires you to leave the peel on at first. You will have to take your mango and cut it in half without removing the peel. Make sure to cut in the middle of the mango along the pit. This way, you will easily be able to remove the pit first. Then, you have to take each half and make both vertical and horizontal cuts in both. In other words, you should cut some kind of grid into each mango half.

In order to obtain perfectly diced cubes of mango, you will then need a spoon. Because of the vertical and horizontal cuts, you will be able to gently scoop out the cubes of mango with your spoon. Make sure to stay as close to the peel as possible so as to avoid any mango flesh going to waste. If you notice that the cubes aren't coming out easily, you could always bend the mango peel outwards. This will give you better access to all the mango flesh with your spoon.

Method 3: Slice and Dice the Mango

The third method to cut and dice a mango is basically a combination of the previous two methods. That is to say, it combines the cutting method of the first method with the leaving the peel on of the second.

You should start by cutting the mango in half. Leave the peel on and make sure to cut along the pit. This way, you will not experience any trouble with removing the pit. Then, take both of your mango halves and cut them into long strips. When this is done, use a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler to remove the peel. After that, all that is left to do is cut the strips into cubes. Voila, your mango will be perfectly bite-sized and ready to eat!