Mangoes add a citrusy, floral flavor to sweet and savory dishes. However, breaking down a mango can be tricky. Once peeled, the slippery fruit can escape your hand (or the cutting surface entirely), resulting in a sticky mess and some near-misses with a sharp knife.
Cooking Tips
Need to Peel a Mango? Grab a Spoon.
Take the hassle out of mango prep.
By Published June 5, 2023.
If you don’t want to purchase a mango splitter (this one from OXO is the test kitchen’s time-tested favorite), we have a simple technique for mess-free mango peeling that will make them easier to prep (and eat).
All you need is a spoon.
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Whether you need to dice the fruit for a Mango-Mint Salsa or cook it with warm spices to make a Mango Chutney, simply spooning the mango from the skin to your dish will make peeling a thing of the past. This method works best with ripe mangoes.
Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Slice
Cut a thin slice from the bottom of the mango so that it will sit flat on the counter. Slice the mango in half along each side of the pit to remove the flesh.
Step 2: Score
Use a knife to slice the mango flesh in a crosshatch pattern, taking care not to cut through the skin of the fruit.
Step 3: Spoon
Hold the scored fruit in your nondominant hand. Use a spoon to scoop the flesh from the skin. (The riper the mango, the easier this will be.) Your mango meat is ready to use!
Watch how to make this delicious Mango, Orange, and Jícama Salad.