Grapefruit sometimes gets a bad rap thanks to its bitter pith. But when you cut a grapefruit into supremes, sections with the pith and peel removed, it takes on amazing texture and flavor.
Learning how to cut a grapefruit into delectable sections will transform your fruit tray, packable snacks, and breakfast in bed.
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Grapefruit, one of the more affordable fruits available year-round, can offer a tremendous punch of fiber and vitamins to your diet, but it’s a bitter fruit, or at least that’s what folks think. They often resort to buying cut grapefruit in a jar or can instead of cutting it themselves.
Learn to cut a grapefruit into sections, or supremes, for the best eating! Taking that little extra effort makes the humble grapefruit just a little sweeter so you can enjoy it more often!
Why Do This
It’s good for you. Grapefruits are high in fiber and vitamins, especially vitamin C.
It’s so tasty. Cutting grapefruit this way makes it so much more fun to eat. Without the bitter pith, the grapefruit will quickly become one of your favorite fruits.
It’s easy. Once you learn the steps, you’ll be able to cut a grapefruit into sections in just minutes!
Ingredients
Grapefruit – You don’t need anything but a grapefruit, but choose wisely. Select grapefruit that are firm, free from blemishes, and heavy for their size.
Store them in the fridge in a plastic bag for up to 2 weeks.
Step By Step Instructions
Even though you aren’t going to eat the peel, you are going to cut through it, thereby possibly exposing the inner flesh to bacteria and other germs. I like to use white vinegar, a cheap cleaning agent, to kill surface bacteria.
By the way, I like to trim juicy fruit on a cutting board set into a rimmed cookie sheet. This makes clean up so much easier and prevents juice from running all over the table or countertop.
1. Cut off the ends of the grapefruit.
You’ll want to cut enough of the grapefruit end off so that you see the wagon wheel shape of all the sections. Do this on both sides.
2. Once you’ve cut off both ends, stand up the grapefruit on one end.
You want it to stand firmly with no risk of rocking and rolling.
3. Cut away the peel and pith from around the sides of the grapefruit.
With a chef’s knife, cut away the rind, curving your cuts between the rind and flesh, around the shape of the fruit. Proceed around the sides of the grapefruit until all the rind is removed.
Trim away any bits of pith you might have missed. Sometimes a cut doesn’t get every bit of pith. Move around the fruit, trimming any pith that the knife overlooked. It should look like this when you’re done:
4. Cut each grapefruit section out of the dividing membrane.
Once all the rind is removed, slice into the fruit, along the edge of one membrane. Cut along the other side of that section to remove the first section.
After the first section is removed, it will become easier to remove the remaining sections. Cutting down one side, you can insert your knife under the inner edge of the pulpy section and cut from the inside if the fruit to the outer edge. This will allow you to keep more of the fruit’s flesh.
Work all the way around the fruit, removing the grapefruit sections from the membrane. Then you’re ready to serve!
To be honest, I usually have to cut more grapefruit than I think because my family eats them so quickly when prepared this way. They are delicious on their own or mixed with other citrus.
Serve them right away or store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
FAQs
You can, but the pith is super bitter. It’s best to cut away the peel and pith
You can cut oranges in the same way as you cut a grapefruit. It’s nice to serve a combination of oranges with yellow, pink, and ruby red grapefruits. So pretty — and so much fun to eat!
While supremes are the tastiest way to cut a grapefruit, you can also halve the grapefruit and cut around the spokes of the wagon wheel to loosen the sections. Then you can eat each section with a spoon.
Learn to Cut Other Fruits & Vegetables
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How to Cut a Grapefruit
Equipment
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- heavy duty sheet pan
- spray bottle
Ingredients
- 1 grapefruit
- white vinegar for rinsing the grapefruit
Instructions
- Place your cutting board onto a cookie sheet. This will help catch any juices so they don’t run all over your cutting board.
- Rinse the outside. Wash the grapefruit with a little bit of vinegar and water so you can kill off any germs and bacteria before you cut into the grapefruit.
- Cut off the ends of the grapefruit. You’ll want to cut enough of the grapefruit end off so that you see the wagon wheel shape of all the sections.
- Once you've cut off both ends, stand up the grapefruit on one end. You want it to stand firmly with no risk of rocking and rolling.
- Cut away the peel and pith from around the sides of the grapefruit. With a chef’s knife, cut away the rind, curving your cuts between the rind and flesh, around the shape of the fruit. Proceed around the sides of the grapefruit until all the rind is removed. Trim away any bits of pith you might have missed.
- Cut each grapefruit section out of the dividing membrane. After the first section is removed, it will become easier to remove the remaining sections. Cutting down one side, you can insert your knife under the inner edge of the pulpy section and cut from the inside if the fruit to the outer edge. This will allow you to keep more of the fruit’s flesh.
- Work all the way around the fruit, removing the grapefruit sections from the membrane.
- Serve the grapefruit sections immediately or store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Notes
- Place your cutting board onto a cookie sheet. This will help catch any juices so they don’t run all over your cutting board.
- Rinse the outside. Wash the grapefruit with a little bit of vinegar and water so you can kill off any germs and bacteria before you cut into the grapefruit.
- Stand it up. You want to cut off both ends and stand it up so it doesn’t rock and roll around on you potentially risking injury.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on April 29, 2010. It has been updated for content and clarity.
Lynn from NC Outer Banks
I have eaten grapefruit both ways-as supremes or as halves with a grapefruit spoon. Jessica, it was your method that I use for the supremes. I like serving them in this fashion, so thank you for your instructions. And, like Diana, when cut around the equator, I too use a knife to separate the membranes to allow a good wedge with the spoon. I purchased a grapefruit last week. Grapefruit reminds me so much of my dear sweet father, who always salted his and taught us to do the same. Sweet memories.
Jessica Fisher
Sweet!
Janet
I had to smile while reading your post. My daughter loves grapefruit but she wants it serve halved with the sections loosened with a grapefruit knife. She complains when I serve the supremes. On the other hand, everyone in the family likes oranges prepped like grapefruit supremes.
Jessica Fisher
To each his own, right? The supremes are so much less messy with little kids which is why I started doing it. I have fond memories of eating the grapefruit half like your daughter does, though.
Carol B.
We like grapefruit and have always eaten it the ways described above ( even have the special spoons.) I just last week learned to cut supremes! The y raise grapefruit to a whole new level!! Great tip , Jessica!
Jessica Fisher
Glad to hear it was helpful!
Karen
Grapefruit “supremes”, prepared as you describe can be frozen successfully if they are submerged in their juice. Thaw in the frig,…delicious. Try it..you’ll be surprised how simple it is to preserve fresh grapefruit!
Jessica Fisher
That is good to know! Thanks for the tip!
Coby
I cut the peel off in a spiral like an apple. It’s easier for me. I section the inside the same. It’s not my favorite fruit, but since I work at a school set in 12 acres of grapefruit trees I eat a lot of it!
Smockity Frocks
I am DROOLING! I love grapefruit! I have never known this way of preparing it, but I will be giving it a whirl.
By the way, I only eat my grapefruit sprinkled with plenty of salt. My kids think I’m crazy and prefer sugar.
Jessica
@Smockity Frocks, it is wonderful this way! And great to put on salads.
alyssa
This is the article that has brought me to your site.
Thanks for posting the grapefruit help. I have been eating grapefruit cut in half and with a spoon for months. I’m thrilled to have a new (prettier) way to present grapefruit to son, husband and friends. (NO WAY would I take a grapefruit, cut in half with spoons to a party… Now, fresh sections, maybe)
Katie in AZ
We have a HUGE grapefruit tree and I’m the only one who likes grapefruit. I’m going to try your grapefruit sections this very morning.
eko
Before my husband and I were married – he stole my heart by preparing me a grapefruit without membrane (I had just had surgery to remove wisdom teeth) – I thought it was thee most delicious fruit I had ever eaten. It still is 😉 — and we work hard to remove the membrane; I am SO pining this post. I grew up with a dad who ate gf almost every breakfast and used the special spoon, and he would inadvertently squirt one of us (6) kids in the eye. 🙂
Jessica
Great stories! Thanks for the pin, too.
Sheri J
My dad would peel and section like an orange, the peel the membrane from each section. I do it the same way and it takes longer but is great when I am hungry because it takes a while to eat it this way.
Diana
Yes, oh YES! I love grapefruit! Actually, I was eating one just as I came to your site this morning and saw the link to this post! I had peeled it like an orange and was trying to get the sections apart, and it wasn’t working so awesome. A little late to try your method, but I may next time! This is how my mom did it, and how I usually do it: cut the grapefruit in half at the “equator.” Then take your knife and slice next to all the membranes and around the perimeter of the grapefruit. Then you can take a spoon and [pretty] easily slide out each piece and eat it, one at a time. After you’re done, turn your grapefruit half upside down and squeeze into your bowl–out comes a few spoonfuls of fresh-squeezed juice!
Emily
@Diana, That’s how I do mine too, except I now use a grapefruit knife from Pampered Chef…a little easier!
Diana
@Emily, Didn’t know there was such a thing! We had grapefruit spoons growing up–serrated spoons that were triangular shaped so they fit easily into the sections. I’ll keep an eye out for that knife though 🙂
Kelly Cook
That’s what I do too.