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Fall is just right around the corner, and that means seasonal autumn fruit is in! Learn how to cut a ripe pear into slices or cubes for your next charcuterie board, snack, fruit salad, or toddler with these super easy methods. Fancy occasion or not, you’ll be ready to serve fresh pear in no time.
Whether you’re using an Asian or Bartlett pear – both are delicious especially when they’re ripe. It can seem a little difficult to cut pears in slices or cubes, especially whenever you’re making a salad or preparing a snack for your toddler, but we’re here to help make it easy for you.
Follow my step-by-step guide on how to properly cut a pear.
Why Pears Are so Satisfying
There are several varieties of fresh pears out there that are so tasty – especially when they’re freshly picked. No matter which type you find, they all have these things in common:
- Delicious: Pears are delicious and so juicy in flavor! Ripe pears are ultra sweet, and yummy to bite into and make the perfect additions to salad or pizza toppings, cheeses, meats, pies, cakes, etc.
- Healthy: Fresh pears are rich in antioxidants and fiber that are good for you.
- Quick and easy snack: With just a couple of steps, you’ll have your pear ready to be eaten in no time! My process of slicing and cubing a pear is so easy and foolproof.
How do you Know When a Pear is Ripe?
Pears are a little tricky to tell if they have ripened or not, so it’s hard to determine just by looking at the fruit. To discover if the pear is ripe or not, gently apply pressure toward the top of the fruit near the stem. If the fruit is soft to the touch, then the pear is ripe and ready to be eaten.
Unripe pears are hard to the touch, do not give when pressure is applied, and are slightly greener than ripe pears. When you’re at the grocery store, be sure to do the “touch test” to make sure your pear is ready to be brought home!
How to Thinly Slice a Pear
Cutting and slicing a pear has never been easier! Follow these simple tips on how to cut a pear.
First, place the pear on its bottom on a wooden cutting board. Grab a sharp knife and a small spoon.
Next, while holding the pear with one of your hands, gently slice the pear from top to bottom in the center where the stem is. Cut through the pear until you reach the wooden cutting board, then pull the two halves of the pear apart.
After that, remove the stem. Gently cut around the stem of the pear and pull it down from the top of the fruit until you’ve reached the bottom. Discard the stem.
Next, with the spoon, scoop out the center of the pear making sure to remove the seeds. This is the easiest way to remove the seeds.
Place the pear flat on the cutting board with the peel facing upwards. With the knife, carefully slice the pear into ¼-inch thick slices.
Enjoy the slices by themselves or with plant-based nut butter. Serve on a platter or plate.
How to Cut a Pear Into Cubes
After you’ve cut slices out of the pear, now you can cut them into cubes. With the knife, carefully cut through the pear slices in the opposite direction making sure to cut across the slices.
Now, you have cubed pear! Enjoy the cubes as a small and healthy snack or serve them in a salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely! The skin of the pear contains the highest amount of nutrients and fiber.
No, the core of the pear contains compounds that make it hard to digest in the stomach. You will want to discard your pear core or put it in your compost!
Once the pears are ripe, yes, they should be placed in the refrigerator to maintain their fresh flavors. Placing the pears in the refrigerator also prevents them from ripening as fast as they do at room temperature.
How to Store Sliced Pears
To prevent browning, spritz the pear slices with lemon juice before placing the refrigerator. Next, wrap the pear slices with plastic wrap, put them in a reusable airtight container, or store them in a resealable plastic bag, and place them in the refrigerator.
Cut pears will remain fresh in the refrigerator for up to four days. Slicing fruit and storing it in the refrigerator is great for meal prep and guarantees you’ll have fresh fruit ready to be served in seconds. Perfect for after-school snacks, charcuterie boards, work snacks, and so much more.
More How-To Methods
- How to Cut a Potato Into Home Fries
- How to Cut a Cantaloupe Melon
- How to Cut an Apple Into Slices
- Cutting a Pomegranate
- DIY Almond Milk at Home
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How to Cut a Pear (Into Slices or Cubes)
Equipment
- 1 knife
- 1 wooden cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 medium pear fruit, with skin on
- 1 tbsp white vinegar, optional
Instructions
- First, wash the pear thoroughly with a bowl of water containing about a tablespoon of vinegar. Dry the pear thoroughly. Place the pear on its bottom on a wooden cutting board. Grab a sharp knife and a small spoon.
- Next, gently slice the pear from top to bottom in the center where the stem is. Cut through the pear until you reach the wooden cutting board, then pull the two halves of the pear apart.
- Remove the stem. Cut around the stem of the pear and pull it down from the top of the fruit until you've reached the bottom. Discard the stem.
- Next, with the spoon, scoop out the center of the pear making sure to remove the seeds.
- Place the pear flat on the cutting board with the peel facing upwards. With the knife, carefully slice the pear into ¼-inch thick slices.
How to Cut a Pear Into Cubes
- With the knife, carefully cut through the pear slices in the opposite direction making sure to cut across the slices.
Notes
- Use a sharp knife.
- Wash the pear thoroughly with a vinegar+water bath.
- Store any leftover pear slices in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- Serve with other favorite fruits or plant-based nut butter
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
