Sharpen Up

5 Ways to Use a Utility Knife

updated May 1, 2019
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(Image credit: Erika Tracy)

Sized midway between a chef’s knife and a paring knife, this handy general-purpose tool is a jack of all trades that excels at tackling everyday tasks. Here are five smart ways to put this knife to work.

1. Cutting mid-sized fruits and vegetables.

Reach for your utility knife to cut and peel mid-sized produce, like large potatoes and apples, small winter squash, and cucumbers.

(Image credit: Kelli Foster)

2. Slicing cheese.

This sturdy knife is just the right tool for slicing through big chunks of cheese.

(Image credit: Faith Durand)

3. Cutting small citrus.

When working with limes, lemons, and oranges, your utility knife is perfect for cutting through these fragrant citrus fruits.

4. Cutting meat.

When it comes to slicing small cuts of meat, like pepperoni and salami, or even trimming chicken breast or small fish fillets, this knife is a good tool for the job.

5. Slicing sandwiches.

No reason to reach for something as large as a chef’s knife or even a serrated knife to cut through your turkey sandwich — your utility knife is a better-sized tool for this small job.