How to Cut Dragon Fruit: 3 Easy Methods For the Intimidated

Most people probably associate dragon fruit with the Starbucks Refreshers drink, or perhaps recognize it as the fruity ingredient that can turn any smoothie a vibrant shade of pink. Dragon fruit is widely known as a superfood due to its antioxidants and vitamin-rich content, and combined with its uniquely sweet and refreshing flavor, there's no reason not to enjoy fresh dragon fruit in your own kitchen.

But if its otherworldly appearance deters you, don't fret — although it may seem like an intimidating fruit to work with, learning how to cut dragon fruit isn't so hard. What's more, cutting up a dragon fruit doesn't require very many steps or any special techniques. And despite its bright pink skin and green spiky leaves, its versatile flavor complements many ingredients, making it easy to transform and enjoy even by itself.

It's common knowledge that apples grow on trees, berries grow on bushes, and grapes grow on vines. But when it comes to dragon fruit, not many people know where it comes from, which is perhaps what makes it seem unapproachable to some. Dragon fruit, as it turns out, actually grows on cacti. The flowers that blossom from the plant eventually turn into a fruit called pitaya, or what most people call dragon fruit.

Dragon fruit, which is cultivated primarily in tropical regions of South and Central America as well as Mexico, comes in four main varieties — white, yellow, purple, and red — that vary in color and sweetness. The two varieties you're most likely to find at the grocery store are the red and white varieties. The red, most often used in drinks, is sweet and tart, while the white offers a milder flavor profile.

The outer part of dragon fruit, while somewhat fleshy, is not edible. It's very similar to a banana peel, and is in fact just as easy to peel with your hands. Starting from one of the spiky leaves, or from the top of the fruit where the stem used to be, simply peel the skin down and out, and it should easily separate from the fruit's juicy interior. You don't technically don't need to use a knife, however if you'd much rather cut it up, there are three methods you can follow.

Because dragon fruit doesn't have a seed on the inside like an avocado or mango, it's easy to slice right through the fruit. You can either slice it into wedges, like you would with an orange, or into discs similar to a kiwi. It's best to lop off a bit off the top and bottom of the fruit, as it can sometimes be bitter. And of course, make sure to peel away the rind from each piece, or eat it as you would an orange wedge or watermelon slice, avoiding biting into the rind.

Not only does dragon fruit not have a seed, it also doesn't have a core or any tough spots, so unlike, say, a pineapple, there isn't anything you have to cut around or remove before serving. To cube a dragon fruit, start by cutting it in half. Then, peel away the skin from each halve, which should come off in a single piece. Once the skin is removed, you can dice up the fruit according to your desired thickness.

Perhaps the simplest and least messy way to eat dragon fruit is to cut it in half, either horizontally or vertically so it resembles a little bowl. You can then scoop out the flesh with a spoon and eat it directly. To achieve a neater look, for example, if you're planning to serve the scoops of dragon fruit in a dish or drink, you can always use a melon baller, which will produce uniform spheres.

You can't go wrong with eating fresh dragon fruit by itself. But since it has a naturally mild flavor, it's important to eat it ripe, when the fruit's flavor is the most pronounced. Some people complain that plain dragon fruit doesn't taste like anything, and this usually happens if it's underripe. You'll know a dragon fruit is ready to eat when it's firm but not hard, sort of like an avocado, and when the skin is a vibrant pink.

Dragon fruit smoothies and drinks from a shop often use the freeze-dried or powdered form of dragon fruit. However, in a homemade smoothie or this Starbucks copycat recipe, using fresh dragon fruit will produce similar, if not better, tasting results. Dragon fruit tends to pair the best with other tropical fruits including coconut, pineapple, banana lychee, mango, pineapple, and guava. According to The Bakers Almanac it also goes well with citrus, cherry, pomegranate, and strawberry.

If you enjoy fruity cocktails, dragon fruit is a delightful addition to classics like margaritas, mojitos, or even the pink Barbie cocktails from TikTok. Typically, the fruit is paired with vodka, rum, and tequila, but since it also complements vanilla and orange, consider using it in combination with vanilla or orange liqueur.

Dragon fruit isn't just great in drinks, it goes surprisingly well in salad too. Try it in a summer salad that you might otherwise add strawberries to or dress with raspberry vinaigrette. It will add a touch of sweetness and brightness to the dish, especially in a salad that also includes foods that complement dragon fruit including cucumber, cilantro, mint, or thyme.

If you're not entirely sure how you want to serve your dragon fruit, it may be helpful to know that its flavor and texture are often compared to that of kiwi, pear, and watermelon. If there are any recipes that you really like that include these fruits, consider substituting them for dragon fruit for a new twist on the dish. There are plenty of possibilities once you realize how easy dragon fruit is to prepare and transform.

Kalea Martín writes primarily about food and cooking for PS, but as a former figure skater and hockey player, she covers fitness, too. Prior to becoming a lifestyle writer, Kalea covered hotels, restaurants, and travel for Luxos Magazine in Milan and worked in marketing at HarperCollins Publishers.