10 Small Yet Mighty Shortcuts for Prepping Your Favorite Fruits

Ariel Knutson
Ariel Knutson
Arie was the Features Director at Kitchn. She lives in Los Angeles.
updated Jun 8, 2019
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(Image credit: Kelli Foster)

Did you know you can peel a mango with just a drinking glass? Or that you can use a pastry tip to remove cherry stones? There are so many ways to peel, cut, or otherwise prepare fruit in the kitchen, but some are better than others.

If you love eating fruit by itself, or use fruit in a lot of seasonal recipes, these 10 small yet mighty shortcuts may just save you some valuable time.

1. Kiwifruit

(Image credit: Anjali Prasertong)

Instead of cutting a kiwi in half and shaving off the skin, just use your spoon!

2. Cherry Tomatoes

(Image credit: James Herron)

If you’re cutting a bunch of cherry tomatoes at the same time for a salad, you shouldn’t do it individually. This easy trick involving two plastic lids will make things a little easier.

3. Mango

(Image credit: Kelli Foster)

No need to use a knife to get the skin off a mango! Just grab the nearest drinking glass.

4. Pomegranate

(Image credit: Emma Christensen)

Keep the de-seeding process from turning your kitchen into a mess by submerging a cut pomegranate in water.

5. Bananas

(Image credit: Emma Christensen)

You should be opening your banana like a monkey — at the opposite end!

Get the Tip: Why You Should Peel Your Banana Like a Monkey

6. Avocado

(Image credit: Dana Velden)

The trick to cutting beautiful segments of avocado is to slice it while it’s still in its skin.

7. Grapefruit

(Image credit: Faith Durand)

Get more juice out of your grapefruit by slicing it into segments. It might take a bit more time, but it’s less messy.

8. Clementine

Get less juice on your hands by cutting the ends of a clementine and rolling it out like a caterpillar. Watch the video tutorial to see how it’s done.

9. Watermelon

(Image credit: Faith Durand)

There is, in fact, a method to the juicy madness that is cutting a watermelon. If you have a good cutting board and can shave off the rind, then you’re all set.

10. Cherries

(Image credit: Christine Gallary)

Don’t have a cherry pitter? No problem! Bust out your pastry tip and you’ll be just fine.

Do you have any surprising ways to cut, peel, or prepare your favorite fruit? Anything that saves you time in the kitchen? Let us know in the comments!