Pineapple fans know that the juicy, tropical fruit is best when it's fresh! Sure, you can buy pre-cut pineapple at most supermarkets these days, but if you can get your hands on a whole ripe pineapple, then knowing how to cut a pineapple is a great place to start. Luckily, Ree Drummond has a few tricks up her sleeve when it comes to the spiky, daunting fruit!

The Pioneer Woman took to Instagram to share a handy dandy video on how to cut a pineapple. "This is how I've cut up a pineapple since I was 18 months old. Well, or however old I was when I first cut up a pineapple," Ree joked in her caption. "I'm sure there's a more intuitive way to do it but this has worked fine for me for the past twelve decades or so."

For starters, Ree reaches for The Pioneer Woman Knife Set and her checkered wood butcher block. Then, it's time to get down to business! So how does Ree Drummond cut up a pineapple? Read on for all the simple tricks, including her step-by-step video!

How do you know when a pineapple is ready to eat?

Peak pineapple season is from March to July, so you can find especially sweet and juicy pineapples during that time. When asked how Ree picks out the best pineapple at the grocery store, she responded in the comments: "I have a foolproof method! First, I buy a pineapple. Then I stick it in my fridge and forget about it... by the time I remember, it's perfectly ripe!"

You can also tell if a pineapple is ripe by its color, feel, and smell. Look for pineapples that feel heavy with a yellow exterior. They should have a little give when squeezed and smell sweet and fruity on the bottom.

How do you cut a pineapple?

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Step 1

Cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple.

Step 2

Place the pineapple upright and carefully cut the skin off the pineapple. Follow the shape of the pineapple and cut in a downward motion.

Step 3

Cut the pineapple in half lengthwise, then continue to cut lengthwise again to create equal-sized wedges.

Step 4

Slice off the tough core from each wedge and discard.

Step 5

Cut wedges crosswise into chunks.

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Once you've mastered cutting a pineapple, you can use the fruit is so many pineapple recipes. Think: pineapple-upside down cake, pineapple salsa, pineapple-peach sangria, and so much more!