Food Cooking Tips & Techniques Cooking How to Cut a Papaya in 4 Easy Steps Here’s how to cut a papaya like a pro. By Ariel Klein Ariel Klein Ariel Klein is a freelance writer specializing in lifestyle, fashion, beauty, technology, home, cooking, and gardening topics. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Well+Good, Travel+Leisure, Better Homes and Gardens, and Food & Wine magazine. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on March 28, 2024 Close Photo: Maren Caruso/Getty Images Tropical fruits are vibrant, juicy, and delicious, but more often than not, they’re a bit intimidating to handle. Papaya is a perfect example of this. If you’ve never tried papaya, it’s a seasonal fruit that’s best in the summer and fall months. It’s soft and sweet, with a complex taste that’s a bit like a cross between a cantaloupe and a mango. But how do you cut a papaya? Believe it not, it’s not as difficult as it may seem. While papayas may be similarly shaped to a butternut squash, they are way easier to slice into. The key to cutting papaya is waiting until it’s perfectly ripe, so the skin and flesh are soft, and the seeds can be easily scooped out. Follow these four simple steps to learn how to cut a papaya so you can eat it at home whenever you want. How to Peel and Cut a Mango—the Hassle-Free Way Want to know when to cut your papaya? You’ll know the papaya is perfectly ripe when the skin starts changing from green to yellow. It should also be soft to the touch, similar to an avocado. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Sharp chef’s knife Cutting board Vegetable peeler Spoon Materials Papaya Instructions Make the First Slice Using your chef’s knife, slice the papaya in half, lengthwise. Scoop Out the Seeds Scoop the black seeds out using a spoon. If you want to eat the seeds on their own, store them in an airtight food storage container for up to two days. Don’t scrap the seeds! Once you’ve cut your papaya, you might want to snack on the seeds since they’re high in fiber and healthy fats. Just be sure not to eat too many at once because they may give you a stomach ache. Peel the Papaya Using a vegetable peeler, peel the papaya from the top down until all the skin is removed. Cut the Papaya to Your Liking Hold your knife and cut the papaya into cubes, wedges, or half-moons, depending on how you want to enjoy it. How to Cut an Avocado Like a Pro