How to Section Grapefruit with a Knife

The best way to section grapefruit is with a knife. You may be tempted to peel it and break it apart by hand, but using a knife to peel and section it allows you to remove more of the bitter pith and have less mess. Learn how to section a grapefruit this way and you’ll never have to pick pieces of peel and pith from under your fingernails again.

Sure you can eat grapefruit as is, but using it as an ingredient adds brightness and piquant flavor to things like salads, salsa and baked goods. It pairs well with things like basil, coconut, caramel, rosemary and pomegranate.

To section or supreme a grapefruit, you’ll need a sharp knife that’s the right size for maneuvering around it. We like the 4" Gourmet Paring Knife for the job because its sharp blade and comfortable handle allow you to easily guide the knife when cutting. Use this same technique for sectioning other citrus like oranges, lemons and limes.

How to Section Grapefruit

Use a 4" Gourmet Paring Knife to trim off the ends. Rest the grapefruit flat on the cutting board and cut away the peel.
Slice along the membrane on each side of grapefruit sections to remove them.

For an extra treat, don’t throw away the grapefruit peel. Scrape away as much of the white pith as you can and use it to make candied peels or stuff them into a chicken or turkey before roasting to infuse a nice citrus flavor.

Grapefruit is a true super food, packed with fiber, vitamins A and C and the antioxidant, lycopene, among other things. So grab a knife and learn how to section grapefruit and add it to recipes like these.