This foolproof guide on how to cut watermelon teaches you 3 different ways to cut everyone’s favorite juicy fruit – slices, cubes, & sticks. Hello, summer!
Whether it’s watermelon season or you can access melon year round in your region, it’s time that you got privy to the easiest way to cut summer’s favorite fruit. In fact, we’re going to up the ante and teach you not one, but three, simple ways to carve into a whole watermelon. Each serves a different purpose, but all of them result in you enjoying all the juicy splendor.
Tools you’ll need: All you need to cut a watermelon is a sharp chef’s knife and a large cutting board.
Picking the Perfect Watermelon
Before we dive into the different ways to slice and dice a whole watermelon, let’s first cover my favorite ways to pick the perfect watermelon.
- Weight – The first indicator of a ripe watermelon is its weight. It should be heavier than you expect when you pick it up – this means that it’s packed full of juice!
- Color – When watermelon rests on the ground before it’s harvested, it develops a creamy yellow coloring on the underside where the light doesn’t hit it. When this patch reaches a yellow color, the watermelon is ripe on the inside.
- Hollow sound – Give the watermelon a couple of knocks for the last test. If it sounds hollow, it’s full of juice and at its peak.
How to Cut a Watermelon in 3 Different Ways
While everyone has their own approach to cutting a watermelon, these three ways are the simplest and most straight-forward in my book. Explore all the different shapes and see which one is best suited for your snacking needs.
How to Cut a Watermelon into Slices/Wedges
Watermelon slices make for perfect hand-held snacking. Pack these along for a summer picnic or serve them alongside whatever you have grilling at your next cookout.
- Cut the melon in half – With a sharp knife, slice the watermelon in half.
- Slice the halves again – Place each half flesh-side down onto a cutting board. Slice each half into four equal quarters.
- Cut into slices – Slice each quarter into 1-inch slices. Enjoy!
How to Cut a Watermelon into Cubes
Watermelon cubes are best when making classic fruit salads, watermelon juice, or a watermelon smoothie.
- Cut the watermelon in half – Again, cut the melon in half.
- Cut in half again – Cut each half into four quarters. It is easiest to do this with the flesh side down on a cutting board.
- Cut the quarters diagonally – Cut across the flesh 3-4 times one way, then again diagonally the other way. Run your knife flush against the watermelon rind to separate the flesh from the rind.
- Shake the chunks free – Wriggle the chunks of watermelon loose from the watermelon rind. Repeat with the other quarters. Enjoy!
How to Cut a Watermelon into Sticks
Watermelon sticks are probably the most uncommon cut, but they are perfect for feeding younger kids who have too small of hands to hold onto a big slice.
- Cut the watermelon in half – Cut the watermelon in half.
- Slice the watermelon in one direction – Place the flesh-side down of the half on a cutting board. Slice 1-inch thick slices from one side to the other.
- Repeat in the other direction – Rotate the watermelon and slice in the opposite direction. This will make cube-sized shapes within the rind and form long watermelon sticks. Enjoy!
Bonus! How to Make Watermelon Balls
Melon balls are such a fancy way to level up some of your favorite watermelon recipes. To make them, all you’ll need is a melon baller or a typical tablespoon. An ice cream scoop will work, too!
- Slice the watermelon – Slice the watermelon in half.
- Cut off the bottom of the melon – To make the watermelon sturdy and stable enough to stand, cut off the round bottom ends from both halves.
- Make the melon balls – Use the melon baller, tablespoon, or ice cream scoop to scoop out balls. Dig the utensil into the flesh deep and diagonally. Rotate it until a ball forms. Repeat until you’ve scooped out all the watermelon flesh. Enjoy!
Different Ways to Use Watermelon
While juicy watermelon is one of the most healthy snacks out there, it’s also great added into so many different recipes. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.
- Watermelon Feta Salad – Trust me when I say this combination of salty feta cheese, sweet watermelon, fresh cucumber, and mint just works!
- Spicy Watermelon Salad – Toss half a watermelon (cut into chunks) with Tajin (a Mexican-style sweet and spicy chili seasoning) for a puckery snack.
- Watermelon Salsa – Add small cubes of watermelon to pico de gallo for a refreshing salsa great for carne asada tacos.
Storing Watermelon
Whether your watermelon is whole, sliced in half or quarters, or broken down into slices, chunks, or sticks, here’s all you need to know to store it properly.
- Whole watermelon – Whole watermelon can be kept at room temperature, unsliced until you’re ready to use it. Depending on when it was picked, it will keep for 1-2 weeks. Or, keep it in the fridge if you want it cold right away when you cut into it.
- Watermelon halves & quarters – If you only used a portion of a large watermelon, store the remaining halves or quarters wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Once the rind is cut into, the fruit is prone to turning soft and mushy faster – so use it as quickly as possible!
- Slices, chunks, & sticks – If your watermelon is broken down, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. The longer it sits in the fridge, the more the juice will break down the fibrous parts and turn the pieces watery.
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Recipe
Instructions
Slices
- Slice the watermelon in half.
- Place each watermelon half down on a cutting board flesh side down. Slice each half into four equal quarters.
- Cut each quarter into thick 1-inch slices.
Cubes
- Cut the watermelon crosswise.
- Place each half down on a cutting board with the red flesh side down. Cut each half into four equal quarters.
- Using a sharp knife, slice diagonally across the flesh 3-4 times. Flip the watermelon quarter around and slice diagonally across the other side 3-4 times. Run your knife close against the watermelon rind to remove the rind.
- Shake the chunks of watermelon loose from the rind. Repeat.
Sticks
- Cut the watermelon in half.
- Place the watermelon flat side down on the cutting board. Slice it into 1-inch thick pieces from one side to the other.
- Turn the watermelon halfway and slice in the opposite direction, making small cube-sized shapes with the rind and forming 3-4 inch long watermelon sticks.
This is very good item . Thanks to you.
Glad to be helpful!
Love the different ways you shared, our favorite at home is Cutting the Watermelon Crosswise!
Thank you! No need to be intimidated by giant watermelons anymore haha.
Love this post! We eat watermelon all summer long and these tips are great for switching up how we serve it. I love watermelon balls for fruit salads!
Watermelon balls are only the cutest ever!! So fun.
These are awesome hacks!! Thanks for sharing! This will come useful this summer!
You're welcome, enjoy!