Why Does a Chef’s Knife Crush Tomatoes Instead of Slicing Them?

A knife that crushes a ripe tomato rather than cutting the skin cleanly may have a dull or poorly maintained edge.

Steps to follow

1. Check that the tomato is ripe and the cutting board stable.
2. Use a gentle forward or backward slicing motion instead of pressing straight down.
3. If the skin resists, stop and inspect the knife rather than applying more force.
4. Clean, hone or sharpen the blade with appropriate tools.
5. Retest with a normal slice while keeping fingertips tucked back.

Why the approach works

Tomato skin is thin yet resistant to an edge that has become rounded, while the flesh underneath is soft. A clean cut requires a sufficiently keen edge and controlled motion.

Mistake to avoid

Avoid testing a knife by striking or repeatedly sawing with excessive pressure, which can slip unexpectedly.

Frequently asked question

Would a serrated knife help?

A serrated knife often grips tomato skin effectively, but a properly sharpened chef’s knife should also slice tomatoes well.