Watermelons are big and bulky, and the idea of cutting into one can be intimidating. But we made the process so simple, you’ll be snacking on chic watermelon cubes or enjoying our sweetest watermelon recipes in no time! Learn all of our tips and tricks for how to cut a watermelon, and put your new skills to practice before watermelon season is over.
Tools You’ll Need
How to Cut a Watermelon Into Slices
Step 1: Prepare a work station
You might be tempted to cut the watermelon in half to get things going, but it’s easier to start by cutting off the top and bottom of the watermelon. That creates a flat side so the watermelon doesn’t roll away, giving you nice, neat slices while also protecting your fingers! (Psst: If you didn’t already know, watermelons are definitely a food you should be washing first.)
Step 2: Quarter the watermelon
Stand the watermelon on one of the cut ends and slice it in half down the middle, creating two large halves. Then, lay each piece flesh-side down and slice in half lengthwise so the whole watermelon is now quartered.
Step 3: Slice your quartered watermelon
If you’re looking for snack-sized slices, simply place the quartered pieces flesh-side down on your cutting board. Slice the melon into 1-inch thick triangles. Add a sprinkle of salt to bring out the sweet flavors, or toss them on the grill for an unusual way to eat watermelon. Don’t be afraid to try out more savory watermelon recipes!
How to Ball Watermelon
Once the watermelon is quartered, you can also ball the fruit. Place a melon quarter flesh-side up on the cutting board. Insert a melon baller into the flesh and twist your wrist, rotating the baller toward you. Serve the balls in your favorite watermelon salad, on a skewer or soaked in alcohol for a boozy treat.
How to Cut a Watermelon Into Cubes
Step 1: Remove the rind before cubing
While starting with a quartered watermelon is our go-to way to create slices and melon balls, it’s safer (and easier) to cut watermelon cubes when you start with a whole, peeled watermelon. Instead of quartering it, stand the melon on one of the cut ends. Using a sharp knife, remove the green peels, saving them to make watermelon rind pickles later.
If you missed some of the white parts during the first pass, don’t worry; you can always go back over the watermelon and remove them.
Step 2: Cut peeled watermelon into cubes
Once the watermelon is peeled, cut it in half widthwise. Place the halves flesh-side down and slice the melon into 1-inch slices. Then, turn the board 90-degrees and slice the melon again into 1-inch slices. You can serve the watermelon sticks as-is, or turn them on their sides and slice them into smaller cubes.
Editor’s tip: It’s really easy to freeze watermelon once you’ve sliced it into cubes. Just put it on a tray and freeze it for a few hours. After that, you can take it and store it in a bag or other freezer safe container.
Tips for Picking, Cutting and Storing a Watermelon
How to pick a watermelon
A ripe watermelon = a juicy watermelon. Picking the perfect melon is key to securing the perfect summer snack! When you’re at the grocery store, don’t bring home the first melon you lay your eyes on.
First, look for watermelons that have a dark green rind and a yellow belly (which happens because watermelons grow resting on the ground). Make sure it’s yellow enough, because a white or pale yellow spot isn’t ripe enough yet.
After you’ve eyed up a few contenders, pick them up and compare their weights to each other. Most likely, the heaviest will likely be the juiciest! Check out more ways how to tell if a watermelon is ripe.
How to cut a watermelon
We generally recommend storing a whole, uncut watermelon at room temperature. However, refrigerating a melon for a while right before you cut into it can help it hold its shape better as you slice. This way, you won’t have as much juice spilling out onto your cutting board; plus, you’ll have a cold, refreshing treat to enjoy right away after it’s cut!
Editor’s tip: Don’t feel like you have to eat the watermelon whole! Toss cubed watermelon into the blender to make watermelon juice to use in one of these extra-refreshing watermelon drinks, like watermelon slush or watermelon margaritas.
How to store watermelon
Storing an uncut watermelon is simple—just keep it on the counter! (Just like these other foods you shouldn’t be storing in the fridge.) There’s no need to make space for it in the fridge until after you slice it up. But once you do, wrap slices in plastic wrap before you toss it back into the fridge. Keep watermelon cubes in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Try These Watermelon Recipes
Strawberry Watermelon Slush
We like to relax on the back porch with glasses of my slush after a long, hot day. Strawberries and watermelon blend up with lemon juice and sugar for an instant refresher. —Patty Howse, Great Falls, Montana
Flamboyant Flamenco Summer Salad
I came up with this salad simply by choosing the best-looking vegetables at a local farmers market—the colors are so beautiful! Turn it into a full vegetarian meal by adding roasted garbanzo beans or cooked white beans as protein. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Watermelon Gazpacho
This is a delightfully simple, elegant dish. Serve as a side or with pita and hummus for a meal. It’s so refreshing—guests will love it. —Nicole Deelah, Nashville, Tennessee
Mint Watermelon Salad
I invented this refreshing fruit salad one sultry afternoon while my friends were gathered around my pool. It was quick to prepare and disappeared from their plates even quicker. Even the kids loved it! —Antoinette DuBeck, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Strawberry Watermelon Lemonade
The nutrition department at my local hospital inspired me to create this refreshing summer sipper. I tweaked their recipe slightly to create this drink full of sweet-tart flavor. —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Tomato-Melon Chicken Salad
Nothing says summer like picking watermelon, tomatoes and raspberries, then tossing them together in a salad. The addition of grilled chicken makes it a satisfying yet still summery meal. —Betsy Hite, Wilton, California
Watermelon-Blueberry Salad
People love the unique combination of flavors in the dressing that tops the fresh fruit in this salad. It's so refreshing on a hot summer evening. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Juicy Watermelon Salad
This fruit salad has such a surprising yet fabulous mix of flavors that friends often ask for the recipe. Combine seedless watermelon varieties in yellow, red and pink for a colorful twist. —Heidi Haight, Macomb, Michigan
Watermelon Feta Flag Salad
Our family celebrates the Fourth of July with a watermelon salad that resembles the flag. Here’s an all-American centerpiece that’s truly red, white and blue. —Jan Whitworth, Roebuck, South Carolina
Grilled Watermelon Gazpacho
This is the perfect starter for a summer dinner or a lunch meal. It's cool and tangy with a whole lot of great grilled flavor. If you like a little more spice, just add more jalapenos. —George Levinthal, Goleta, California
Spicy Shrimp & Watermelon Kabobs
My three sons can polish off a watermelon in one sitting. Before they dig in, I set aside a few slices to make these zesty shrimp kabobs. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas
Watermelon and Spinach Salad
Summer's the perfect time to toss up this watermelon salad. You'd never expect it, but spinach is awesome here. Eat it and feel cool on even the hottest days. —Marjorie Au, Honolulu, Hawaii
Summer Splash Chicken Salad
When it’s too hot to eat inside, I head out to the patio. Shred some rotisserie chicken and toss with mango, watermelon and grapes for an ooh-ahh healthy chicken salad. —Barbara Spitzer, Lodi, California
Mojito Marinated Fruit
All the flavors of the popular mojito cocktail are featured in this fantastic salad. After you eat the fruit, you’ll want to sip the luscious syrup! —Marcy Griffith, Excelsior, Minnesota
Mixed Fruit with Lemon-Basil Dressing
A slightly savory dressing really complements the sweet fruit in this recipe. I also use the dressing on salad greens. —Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois
Tangy Watermelon Salad
The refreshing blend of watermelon, red onions and a splash of citrus always does me proud at picnics and potlucks. I like to prepare it a day ahead so the flavors have a chance to blend, and I use the rind as a colorful serving bowl. If you're short on time, simply substitute any bottled citrus vinaigrette. —Alisha Duncan, Blanchard, Oklahoma
Watermelon Spritzer
It couldn’t get much easier than this bright spritzer! “Watermelon blended with limeade is cool and refreshing. It’s a wonderful thirst-quencher on a hot summer day.” —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Minty Watermelon-Cucumber Salad
Capturing the fantastic flavors of summer, this refreshing, beautiful watermelon-cucumber salad will be the talk of any picnic or potluck. —Roblynn Hunnisett, Guelph, Ontario
Yellow Squash & Watermelon Salad
I always enjoy taking this healthy option to parties and potlucks, and people really seem to appreciate it. No oil is necessary for this salad; the lemon juice combines with the feta to lightly coat the bright, fresh ingredients. —Camille Parker, Chicago, Illinois
Quick Watermelon Salsa
On hot days, this sweet combo of watermelon, pineapple and fresh cilantro has everything you want. The flavors blend beautifully, it’s pretty, and it comes together in no time. —Betsy Hanson, Tiverton, Rhode Island
Watermelon Cups
This lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat! Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Watermelon Tomato Salad
Watermelon and tomatoes may seem an unlikely pair, but they team up to make a winning combination in this eye-catching salad. —Matthew Denton, Seattle, Washington
Quick Watermelon Cooler
Summer means cooling off with a slice of watermelon and a glass of cold lemonade. This combines two favorites in one. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Watermelon and Tomato Salad
You cannot beat this light and refreshing salad on hot summer days. The combination of watermelon, cilantro, lime and tasty heirloom tomatoes is just unusual enough to keep folks commenting on the great flavor—and coming back for more! —Be Jones, Brunswick, Missouri
Melon with Serrano-Mint Syrup
This is just one of the recipes I developed to take advantage of the fresh mint I grow nearly year-round. The serrano pepper is a nice contrast to the sweetness of the syrup and salad. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas
Melon and Grape Salad
Fruit salad is a cheery way to round out a potluck. This one—with an easy and refreshing citrus dressing, makes a nice addition to any buffet. —Mary Etta Buran, Olmsted Township, Ohio
Minty Watermelon Salad
My four year old twin grandchildren love to cook and create in the kitchen with me. Last summer, the three of us were experimenting with watermelon and cheese and that's where this recipe began. It's ideal for neighborhood gatherings and picnics, or as a healthy snack on a hot summer day. —Gwendolyn Vetter, Rogers, Minnesota
Melon-Berry Salad
The best way to cool down on a warm day is with a chilled fruit salad. Serve this one for breakfast, brunch or dessert. Yogurt and coconut milk make the creamy dressing even more decadent. Wait until just before serving to garnish the salad. Otherwise the toasted coconut will get soggy. —Carrie Hirsch, Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaThe post How to Cut a Watermelon (The Easy Way!) appeared first on Taste of Home.
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