Need to Peel a Mango? Grab a Spoon.

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. 

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.

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 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 cross-hatch pattern, taking care not to cut through the skin of the fruit. 

Step 3: Spoon

Hold the scored fruit in your non-dominant 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!

Need an idea for how to use it? Watch our recipe for delicious Mango, Orange, and Jícama Salad:

These six recipes are among our all-time mango favorites. Start a free trial to access all these, plus our other home kitchen–tested, foolproof recipes.

• Spiced Crispy-Skinned Salmon with Tomato-Mango Salad for One
• Coconut Shrimp with Mango Chutney
• Curried Rice Salad with Cauliflower, Mango, and Cashews
• Slow-Cooker Quinoa, Black Bean, and Mango Salad | America's Test Kitchen
• Pineapple–Mango Fools (Reduced Sugar)
• White Chocolate-Macadamia Nut Cake with Mango | America's Test Kitchen