Chop tomatoes with Alligator
How to Dice Tomatoes Perfectly with Your Alligator Chopper
Getting perfect, uniform tomato cubes is easy once you know the technique. Follow these simple steps for clean, professional results every time.
Step 1: Choose Your Tomato
Use a firm, ripe tomato for best results. Overripe or very soft tomatoes are harder to dice cleanly. A Roma tomato or a firm vine tomato works particularly well.
Step 2: Cut the Tomato in Half
Before placing the tomato in the Alligator, cut it in half with a kitchen knife. This ensures it fits properly within the cutting area and gives the blades a clean, flat surface to work with.
Step 3: Position the Tomato Correctly — This is Important!
Place the tomato half on the base of the Alligator with:
- Skin side facing DOWN toward the pusher/base
- Freshly cut side facing UP toward the blades
This is crucial. The flat, freshly cut surface allows the blades to enter the tomato cleanly and smoothly. If you place it the wrong way around, the skin will resist the blades and the tomato may get crushed or stuck.
Step 4: The "Karate Whack" — Speed is Everything
This is the most important step. Do not press down slowly.
Think of it like a karate strike — firm, fast, and decisive. Bring your hand down in one quick, confident motion straight through the tomato. The speed of the blades moving through the tomato is what creates clean, uniform cubes. The blades need momentum to cut through the skin cleanly without crushing the flesh.
Fast = perfect cubes
Slow = crushed, mushy tomato
Step 5: Collect and Cook
Lift the top, remove the cutting base, and your perfectly diced tomatoes are already waiting in the collector box — ready to go straight into your salsa, sauce, or salad.
Quick Recap
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Choose a firm, ripe tomato |
| 2 | Cut in half with a knife |
| 3 | Skin side DOWN, cut side UP |
| 4 | Use a fast "karate whack" — never press slowly |
| 5 | Collect and enjoy perfect cubes |
Pro Tip
The same technique applies to bell peppers, cucumbers, and other soft vegetables. Always use a quick, decisive motion and let the speed of the blades do the work. When in doubt — think karate, not yoga!