How to Cut an Orange: 3 Tips for Cutting Oranges

Follow this step-by-step guide to cutting the perfect orange.

1. 1. Gather your equipment. Grab a cutting board and sharp knife. A paring knife, chef's knife, or serrated knife will do the job.
2. 2. Wash your orange. Run it under cold water to remove dirt and debris from the outer rind. Dry the orange with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel.
3. 3. Remove the orange peel. You can use a knife to cut away the rind, working your way from the top to the bottom of the orange. You can also remove the peel by hand after making a few shallow cuts. To do this, start by placing the orange on your cutting board. Use a paring knife to score all the way around the stem end and bottom of the orange. Score the sides in segments. Then, use your hands to gently peel away the rind.
4. 4. Cut the orange into segments. You can slice the orange into wheels or wedges. To cut orange wedges, start by cutting the orange in half. Place the cut side down on the cutting board. Make several angled cuts in each orange half until you have your desired number of slices. To cut orange wheels, lay the orange on its side and slice vertically.

Consider these tips for cutting orange slices.

1. 1. Always use a sharp knife. One of the best ways to avoid a knife injury is to use a sharp knife. A dull blade will force you to use an unnecessary amount of pressure, which can lead to an accident.
2. 2. Cut oranges ahead of time. The total time to cut an orange varies on the technique you use. Cut down on your cooking prep time by making your orange slices a couple of days before you intend to use them. Cut oranges can last three to four days when refrigerated in an airtight container.
3. 3. Try supreming an orange. To supreme an orange is to remove the white parts that get left behind after the orange has been peeled. This white membrane is known as the pith. Supreming is a French culinary technique for removing the white pith from citrus fruits. It's a great technique to use when adding orange segments to fruit salads. To supreme an orange, use a sharp paring knife to cut away all the white parts from a peeled orange. Then, you can slice the oranges into segments.

Once you've mastered orange cutting, consider some ideas for using cut oranges and the leftover peels.

1. 1. Eat orange slices as a healthy snack. Oranges are packed with nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, and potassium.
2. 2. Make a garnish. You can place a thin slice of orange on the rim of the glass as a garnish. Several classic cocktails call for a citrus twist. Use a paring knife or vegetable peeler to cut a thin slice of the rind and add it to drinks as a garnish.
3. 3. Add cut oranges to salads. Consider adding orange slices to fruit salads for a burst of citrus. Try using blood oranges or Cara Cara oranges in savory salads.
4. 4. Make candied orange peels. Valencia and Navel oranges are perfect for making candied citrus peels.

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