How to Cut Grapes: Halves, Quarters and Safe Pieces

To cut grapes, pull them off the stem, rinse and dry them, then halve each one lengthwise, from the stem end to the tip, on a board. Lay each half flat and cut it again to make quarters, or cut across the halves for chopped grapes. Seeded grapes are halved first, then the seeds come out with the tip of the knife.

A dark purple seedless grape cut in half lengthwise, showing translucent green flesh with a pale line running from the stem end to the tip — A seedless grape halved lengthwise, from the stem end to the tip: the flat face keeps each half steady for quartering. Photo by V.Boldychev via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; resized.

Wash and dry them

Pull the grapes off the stems first, leaving behind any that are soft, split or shriveled. Then wash only what you are about to use. The FDA’s advice for produce is to rub it gently under plain running water, with no soap or produce wash, and to dry it with a clean cloth or paper towel. Drying matters more than it seems with grapes: a wet, smooth skin makes them roll and slip under the knife.

Halve them lengthwise

Set it on its side. Lay the grape on the board with the stem end pointing toward or away from you. A slightly oval grape sits more steadily on its long side.
Steady it. Hold it with your fingertips tucked back, as in the claw grip, so the side of the blade can rest against your knuckles rather than your fingertips meeting the edge.
Cut through the length. Start the cut at the stem end and slice through to the tip with a light, even stroke. A long cut through the grape’s length gives two halves with a large flat face each, as in the photo above, which keeps them still for the next cut.

Halving across the middle also works and gives round coins for a garnish, but the halves are smaller and roll more easily.

Quarters

Lay each half cut side down, so it cannot roll, and cut it lengthwise again. The halves are steady on their flat face, so the second cut is easier than the first. For a fruit salad, quarters of large grapes sit well alongside other chopped fruit.

Chopped grapes for salads and relishes

For chicken salad, a grain salad or a relish, cut the grapes into quarters, then line up several quarters and cut across them. Keep the pieces about the same size as the other ingredients so the grapes do not sink or dominate.

Seeded grapes

If your grapes have seeds, halve each one lengthwise as above to expose them. Lift them out with the tip of a paring knife, then quarter or chop the halves as usual.

Cutting a lot of grapes

A bowl of halved grapes takes a while one at a time, and there is no shortcut worth the risk of a slipping blade. Work in a steady rhythm instead: keep a pile of dry grapes on one side of the board, cut, and sweep the halves into a bowl on the other side. Wipe the board when it gets wet, since juice is what makes grapes slide. A sharp knife helps here, because a dull edge pushes the skin in before it cuts, and the grape squirts away.

Pieces for a young child

Here is what three health bodies say about grapes and young children.

The CDC lists uncut grapes, berries, cherries and melon balls among potential choking hazards for young children, and says cutting food into smaller pieces and mashing foods can help prevent choking.
The American Academy of Pediatrics includes whole grapes in its list of foods to avoid or modify. It says round, firm foods such as grapes can be served “if completely chopped into tiny pieces,” and advises cutting food for infants and young children into pieces no larger than one-half inch.
The NHS advises cutting small round fruits like grapes into quarters (4 small pieces), and always supervising babies and young children while they are eating.

Follow the advice that applies to your child, and ask your pediatrician if you are unsure.

Which knife and board

Grapes are small and slippery, so a short, sharp blade is easier to control than a big chef’s knife; a paring knife or a petty knife both suit the job. Our guides to paring vs utility knives and the petty knife explain the difference. A small board is enough; see the cutting board size guide. For the claw grip and other basics, see knife skills for beginners. For other fruit and vegetables, browse all our how-to-cut guides.

Sources: CDC, Choking Hazards (uncut grapes, cutting and mashing); American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org, Choking Prevention for Babies & Children (whole grapes, completely chopped into tiny pieces, pieces no larger than one-half inch); NHS, Preparing food safely for babies (quarter small round fruits like grapes, supervise); FDA, 7 Tips for Cleaning Fruits, Vegetables (plain running water, no soap, dry).