Peeling fruits and vegetables can be tricky and time-consuming, from kiwis and ginger to oranges and garlic. Each one demands its own approach. Fortunately, these 15 expert-tested tips, honed by years in busy kitchens, make prep work fast, clean, and frustration-free.
Here are 15 cooking hacks to peel fruits and vegetables while saving valuable time. Watch how:
Contents
- 1. Peel an orange without getting your hands dirty
- 2. Scrape ginger skin with a spoon
- 3. Peel multiple garlic cloves at once
- 4. Peel apples using a drill
- 5. Peel bananas monkey-style
- 6. Peel a single garlic clove in seconds
- 7. Peel a pomegranate in 30 seconds
- 8. Peel potatoes in seconds with ice
- 9. Peel onions without tears
- 10. Peel a mango mess-free
- 11. Peel kiwi with a spoon
- 12. Microwave corn for easy peeling
- 13. Peel clementines in 10 seconds
- 14. Peel avocados quickly
- 15. Cube butternut squash easily
1. Peel an orange without getting your hands dirty
How to
- Cut off both ends of the orange.
- Make a single vertical cut through the skin down to the flesh.
- Unroll the orange—it naturally separates into quarters.
Discover the trick here.
2. Scrape the skin off ginger with a spoon
How to
- Grab a teaspoon.
- Use the edge to scrape away the skin from the ginger root.
Discover the trick here.
3. Easily peel several garlic cloves at once
How to
- Place the cloves in a bowl or saucepan.
- Cover with a lid.
- Shake vigorously for 3 seconds.
- Pick out the peeled cloves.
Discover the trick here.
4. Peel apples with a drill
How to
- Insert a drill bit into one end of the apple.
- Position a peeler against the apple and turn on the drill.
- Guide the peeler around to remove the skin evenly.
Discover the trick here.
5. Peel bananas like a monkey
How to
- Flip the banana and pinch the stem end to split it open.
- Peel back the sides easily.
Discover the trick here.
6. Peel a single garlic clove in seconds
How to
- Place the clove on a cutting board.
- Lay the flat side of a knife over it and press gently to loosen.
- Slip the skin right off.
Discover the trick here.
7. Peel a pomegranate in 30 seconds
How to
- Stand the pomegranate stem-up in your palm.
- Cut off the top like a boiled egg.
- Score along the quarters without cutting through the base.
- Open like a flower and tap out the arils.
- Remove the white core and enjoy the seeds.
Discover the trick here.
8. Peel potatoes in 5 seconds with ice cubes
How to
- Boil the potatoes.
- Cool to about 50°C (122°F).
- Transfer one to a bowl of ice cubes.
- Wait 5 seconds and pull off the skin effortlessly.
Discover the trick here.
9. Peel onions without crying
How to
- Freeze onions for 15 minutes before peeling.
- Peel immediately after thawing slightly.
Discover the trick here.
10. Peel a mango without sticky fingers
How to
- Cut cheeks close to the pit.
- Press a glass rim against the skin to scoop out the flesh cleanly.
Discover the trick here.
11. Peel a kiwi with a spoon
How to
- Halve the kiwi lengthwise.
- Trim the ends.
- Slide a spoon under the skin and twist to remove the flesh whole.
Discover the trick here.
12. Easily peel corn on the cob in the microwave
How to
- Microwave the whole ear (husk on) for 4 minutes.
- Let cool slightly (use gloves).
- Squeeze the end—the silk and husk slide right off.
Discover the trick here.
13. Peel a clementine in 10 seconds flat
How to
- Flip upside down and poke thumb into the base dot.
- Insert second thumb and split in half.
- Pop segments out and enjoy.
Discover the trick here.
14. Peel an avocado in 1 minute
How to
- Quarter lengthwise and remove pit by twisting.
- Peel back skin from the stem end like a banana.
Discover the trick here.
15. Peel and cube butternut squash easily
How to
- Cut off ends for stability.
- Peel with a vegetable peeler.
- Halve lengthwise and scoop seeds.
- Cut into slices, then cubes as shown.
Discover the trick here.
