HOME/ How-Tos/ RECIPES/ Simplifying

My Favorite Way To Cut An Orange

Knife Cutting An Orange Into Slices
My kids think I am the only one on the planet that can cut an orange “properly.” I love that they think that. Their friends also tell me they love how I cut oranges. Then adults started telling me the same thing, which is when I started to believe there was something special about how I do it.

 

Hmmm…who woulda thunk it?

 

In this post I’ll show you my favorite way to cut an orange so you can see just how simple it is to get those picture perfect slices.

 

Knife slicing an orange

How I Cut An Orange

Here’s what I do. I slice the orange down the center. Notice the stem in the picture. It’s important that the orange is cut across the middle, not vertical through the stem part. Make sense??

 

Orange halves
If you did it right, it will look like this. So pretty. You’ll be able to see triangles with a white pithy center.

 

This is one of those special oranges that are a pinkish orange color, called a Cara Cara Navel Orange. Yum!! Just another reason why I love Trader Joes.

 

Knife slicing a half of an orange
Ok, now take the knife to the side of the white center, and make a slice.
Do the same on the other side, avoiding the white center.

 

Orange middle
The goal is to get both the top stem and bottom “dimple” in one slice. Why?

 

Flat lay of oranges
So the white, pithy center is contained in just those two pieces, which leaves the rest of the slices nice and juicy and tender, with no membrane to deal with.

 

Orange slices
See? Perfect orange slices.

 

Orange smiles
My kids argue over who gets stuck with the two end pieces. Usually, it’s mom!

 

………….

 

Is this how you learned to slice oranges? 

Step by Step How to Cut An Orange

 

You may also be interested in…

How to Make the Perfect Hard-Boiled Egg

Hulling Strawberries With A Straw

How to Eat A Pomegranate


You Might Also Like

  • Andrew
    September 12, 2016 at 8:53 pm

    Lots of fiber in the center membrane part. The main reason why fruit is considered healthy in the first place and not just as terrible for you as fruit juice. Would recommend you try to eat it.

    • AmyNewNostalgia
      September 12, 2016 at 9:56 pm

      Hi Andrew!
      We do eat it, it is just that most of the membrane is contained in 2 pieces. I do not cut it out. I agree, there’s lots of health benefits in the membrane!

  • Mel Proud
    June 21, 2015 at 8:06 pm

    Oh I LOVE this! x

  • sally
    February 16, 2015 at 11:40 am

    I am SO GLAD someone else cuts them like I do!!!! My whole family says I do it wrong….I say I am the only one who does it right!!! Thanks so much for this. I have to show it to my family!

    • Millie Russell
      August 26, 2016 at 2:19 am

      I cut it like this too!

      • AmyNewNostalgia
        August 29, 2016 at 12:46 pm

        It works so well!

  • Soccer Inspiration | Mama Momtourage
    September 11, 2014 at 10:56 am

    […] My Favorite Way to Cut an Orange via New Nostalgia […]

  • Lili M
    May 24, 2013 at 6:37 am

    Those oranges make me want an orange:)

  • Amy (So There, by Amy)
    May 23, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    UMM, hi, this is genius!
    I featured your tip on my blog today 🙂
    Thank you so much!

    http://www.sotherebyamy.com/2013/05/things-i-love-thursdays-kitchen-tips.html

  • Luzette Colon
    April 25, 2013 at 4:07 pm

    I just cut my first orange this way, thanks to you I will never cut another orange any other way again. I’m a proud mom now lol, thanks for such a simple solution.

  • Anonymous
    March 17, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    What a great idea. Prettier pieces than the way I do it. Can’t wait to try it.

  • Anonymous
    January 5, 2013 at 2:42 am

    My mother and grandmother always cut them this way, and I am 75 years old.
    Never understood why anybody would cut them any other way.

  • Anonymous
    January 5, 2013 at 2:17 am

    My mom has always cut oranges this way (and I’m 50), as a result, I’ve always cut them this way too … on the “equator” (the stem end and navel end being the “poles,” like a globe). Slice just a bit down between the pulp and the skin at each end, and when you bend the ends back, all the sections pop up and you can easily eat them off the peel. I’ve had to be patient with folks who don’t cut them this way, because, is there really any other way? It’s always been obvious to me!

  • Patricia
    December 12, 2012 at 10:39 pm

    Very clever, Amy!
    One that even a non-cook, like me, could handle!
    Thank You!
    Patricia

  • thewadebrigade
    December 13, 2012 at 3:20 am

    Does this work with grape fruit too? I love eating them unpeeled like an orange but hate the proccess of removing the membrane.

  • Off The Cuff Cooking
    March 16, 2012 at 3:56 am

    Nifty — I had not thought of that!

    I also have a trick for cutting onions on my blog if you want to check it out!

    http://offthecuffcooking.blogspot.com/2011/09/some-tips-about-onions.html

  • Pamela
    May 8, 2011 at 1:16 am

    Who would have thought there was a craft to it. Your slices look better than any of mine ever have. Now I want to go grocery shopping!

  • Melanie
    May 5, 2011 at 1:37 am

    LOVE this! I just linked to you at my linky party because this was one of my favorite reads of the week! 🙂 thanks so much! I would love for you to stop my and link up at “Only A Breath”.

    Have a great day!
    Melanie

  • erin
    May 4, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    You’re such a genius! Who taught you that? I hate the way I cut oranges. I did need this tutorial. 🙂 And now I need to run to T.J.s and get some of those yummy looking oranges. 🙂

  • Robin
    May 4, 2011 at 4:45 pm

    Oh my goodness! I end up with the same results when I cut mine!I start out like you, cutting them in half but then I lay the cut side of the orange flat and angle slice it fom there. Voila’! Very cool.

  • Anonymous
    May 4, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    I can smell the orange essence as I read your entry! What a simple idea for the day and one which will be used often. How refreshing to read about such a good, simple foodie technique!

  • Marianne
    May 4, 2011 at 5:19 am

    Ok you’ve got me. I have refused to buy oranges for such a long time because my kids don’t like the white part. I will buy some next time I go to the grocer and I will use your method of cutting and see what they say then. So easy, but I would never have thunk to cut it that way 🙂

  • Top