Learn how to cut a watermelon with these pro tips and tricks. From choosing the best watermelon to slicing, serving and storing, our tutorial has everything you need to know to enjoy this delicious summer fruit!
Love fresh fruit? Try our easy fruit salsa recipe and be sure to serve it up with homemade cinnamon sugar tortilla chips.
Picking the Perfect Watermelon
What food comes to mind first when you think of summer? For me there is only one answer: watermelon!
From May to August, my family goes through watermelon like it’s, well, water. Even the dog goes nuts for it on hot summer days.
My love for watermelon means I have plenty of watermelon recipes on the blog. Whenever I share one of those recipes, like Watermelon Salad or Watermelon Salsa, I get asked one over and over again:
How do I choose a good watermelon?
Everyone knows a good watermelon when they taste one. But when you buy a whole watermelon it’s hard to tell what’s happening on the inside from that hard green exterior.
The last thing you want is to bring home a watermelon from the market for your summer picnic only to cut it open and discover the inside is bland and mealy.
I’ll let you in on a few tips for identifying the perfect watermelon before you buy it.
- Check for a yellowish spot on the watermelon. This is the spot where the watermelon was resting in the field as it ripened. If that spot is white, the watermelon is not ripe.
- Pick one that is fairly heavy for its size. That extra weight means the inside is full of juice! The more juice the better when it comes to watermelon.
- Give it a thump. It should sound hollow.
Once you’ve found the best watermelon on the shelf, it’s time to bring it home and EAT IT!
How to Cut Watermelon Into Wedges
When serving watermelon as a snack or side for a picnic, wedges are the best way to go. You can eat them with your hands. No need for plates or forks!
- Start by washing and drying your watermelon. Use a paper towel or clean cloth to wipe away any dirt and pat dry. Now cut the watermelon in half.
- Lay each half cut side down on a cutting board. Cut each half in half once again.
- With the rind facing up, cut each quarter of the watermelon into 1-inch slices using downward strokes.
Done!
How to Cut Watermelon into Cubes
Cubes are a great option for serving watermelon in a fruit salad, on sticks or to prep ahead of time for an easy summer snacks.
It takes a little bit more effort than cutting watermelon into wedges, since you need to remove the rind too.
- After washing and drying your watermelon, cut it in half and slice of the ends. Lay each half with the widest cut side down on the cutting board. Remove the rind by placing a sharp knife between the rind and the watermelon flesh. Cut downward toward the cutting board until the rind comes off.
- Now cut the watermelon into 1-inch round slices horizontally. Repeat with vertical slices.
- Finally, give the watermelon a quarter turn. Slice one more time across creating a grid-like pattern.
Now you’ll have cubes about 1 inch square to eat, add to salads or store for later.
How to Cut Watermelon Into Spears
Watermelon spears or “sticks” are another finger-food friendly serving option perfect for any occasion! It has the rind attached to the end, making it easy to grab and go.
We think this is the EASIEST way to cut a watermelon!
- Like always, you will start by washing your watermelon and patting it dry. Cut the watermelon into equal halves. Lay the halves cut side down on a cutting board.
- Cut the watermelon into 1-inch slices by cutting down toward the board.
- Turn the watermelon a quarter turn and cut the watermelon into 1-inch pieces, creating a grid-like pattern.
- You’ll now have spears about 2 inches long and one inch thick.
More Tips and Tricks
- Storing: Cut watermelon should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before cutting, your watermelon should be stored at room temperature.
- Do not freeze: Unless you plan to puree the watermelon or enjoy it in a watermelon slushie, it should not be kept in the freezer. Freezing changes the texture making it less appealing eaten in its cubed form.
- When you cut the rind off of a watermelon, don’t worry if there are a few parts of the pith remaining. You can go back and trim it away with a knife or kitchen scissors once the majority of the rind has been removed.
More Kitchen Basics
- How to Brown Butter
- How to Freeze Cookie Dough
- How to Ripen Bananas
- How to Toast Nuts
- How to Shred Zucchini
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How to Cut a Watermelon
Ingredients
- 1 whole watermelon
Instructions
How to Cut into Wedges
- Wash and dry the watermelon.
- Position the watermelon with the stem spot at one end, and cut the watermelon in half. You should have 2 equal-sized, round halves.
- Take one half of the watermelon and lay it, cut side down, on a cutting board.
- Cut it in half again. Place one half with the rind facing up. Set the other half aside.
- Cut 1-inch slices by pressing downward toward the cutting board. Repeat the steps with the rest of the watermelon.
How to Cut into Cubes
- Wash and dry the watermelon.
- Position the watermelon with the stem at one end, and cut the watermelon in half. You should have 2 equal-sized, round halves. Cut the ends off.
- Take one half of the watermelon and lay it on a cutting board, with the widest cut side down and the more narrow end at the top.
- Very carefully, cut the rind off the watermelon by cutting down toward the cutting board and away from you. There may be parts of pith or rind left and that’s ok. You can go back and trim more away after you have cut away most of the rind.
- Next, cut the watermelon into 1-inch round slices by cutting horizontally. If you find this too challenging, you can flip the watermelon and cut in a downward motion toward the cutting board to make the slices. Return the watermelon to the original position by stacking the circle layers vertically.
- Then, cut the watermelon into 1-inch slices by cutting down toward the cutting board.
- For the final step, turn the watermelon a quarter turn and cut the watermelon into 1-inch slices, creating a grid-like pattern. This will create cubes that are about 1-inch square.
- Repeat with the other half.
How to Cut into Spears (Sticks)
- Wash and dry the watermelon.
- Position the watermelon with the step spot at one end, and cut the watermelon in half. You should have 2 equal-sized, round halves.
- Take one half of the watermelon and lay it, cut side down, on a cutting board.
- Cut the watermelon into 1-inch slices by cutting down toward the cutting board.
- Turn the watermelon a quarter turn and cut the watermelon into 1-inch pieces, creating a grid-like pattern.
- Repeat with the other half.
Notes
- How to Pick a Watermelon: Look for a yellowish spot on the underside of the watermelon. This is the spot where the watermelon was resting in the field and ripened. If that spot is white, the watermelon is not ripe. Pick one that is fairly heavy for its size. This is a characteristic of a watermelon with a lot of juice. Give it a thump. It should sound hollow.
- Uncut watermelon will last for about 2 weeks at room temperature.
- Cut watermelon can be stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to 5 days.
- Unless planning to use the watermelon for smoothies or pureed, we don’t suggest freezing it because it changes the texture.
- Wedges: A great way to serve watermelon as it has the rind attached and is handy for grabbing at a picnic or potluck.
- Cubes; Very easy to store in an airtight container. Wonderful way to prep and have a healthy summer snack ready at all times. This is also a great way to prep watermelon for party skewers, salads, or easy finger food.
- Spears: Also a great way to serve a crowd – has the rind attached at the end. This is the EASIEST way to cut a watermelon.
Video
Nutrition
Never struggle with slicing up a whole watermelon again! This step-by-step tutorial has all the tips you need for cutting watermelon into wedges, spears or cubes.
