How to Cut a Watermelon

I’m going to show you all my BEST tips on how to cut a watermelon! They’re big, awkward, and messy! I’ll show you how to cut a whole watermelon fast into cubes, sticks, or triangles!

Plus I’ve got tips for picking the best watermelon. How to freeze watermelon. And lots of delicious watermelon recipes!

We wait patiently all spring and can’t wait to see those big boxes of watermelon in the grocery store. There are very few things that scream summer as much as watermelon. 

Unfortunately, our growing season in Eastern Idaho is too short and too cold to grow watermelons. I find the BEST watermelons at Sam’s Club, Costco, or farmers’ markets. I’ll show you exactly how to pick the best watermelon because once I haul a watermelon home, the last thing I want to do is cut into it have it be yucky inside. 

You guys, cutting a watermelon can feel a little bit like wrestling a baby pig! Watermelons are big and slippery, not to mention that sweet juice we all love drips all over the floor and the countertop which makes a nice sticky mess. You are going to fall in love with how to cut a watermelon easy! 

When I was a kid we lived 120 miles from the grocery store, seriously the middle of nowhere! My parents used to buy watermelons and put them in the creek in front of our house to store them for later! It was such a treat to get fresh fruit! I’ll show you how to store watermelons in the fridge since most of us don’t have a creek in front of our house!

Did you know you can freeze watermelon for later? Yes! You can enjoy it throughout the winter too! 

How to Pick a Watermelon

The BEST watermelons are perfectly ripe, juicy, and sweet! Although there really isn’t a scientific way to know how to pick a good watermelon, there are a few tips that will help! Don’t feel funny about standing in the grocery store knocking on watermelons, it will be worth it when you cut into it and it’s red and juicy, not pink and mushy!

1. But them at peak season, usually from May until the end of September. This can vary depending on where you live.
2. Heavy watermelons are dense and juicy! Pick up a few of them to compare their weights. 
3. Yellow bottoms are better than white or light green bottoms because they are fully ripened. The yellow bottom is where the melon was sitting on the ground while growing.
4. Bee stings look like little scars on the skin of the melon. The sweetest melons will attract bees.
5. The thumping method works great for me! Make a fist, hold the melon up to your ear, and tap. It should sound hollow, and deep, almost ringing.
6. Uniform-shaped watermelons have been watered more regularly than irregularly shaped ones. 
7. Seeded vs non-seeded watermelons is a matter of opinion. Some people swear by seeded watermelons, but seedless watermelons are so much easier to eat they are the winner for me!

How to Cut Up a Watermelon:

Once you see this you’re going to wonder where this little hack has been you’re whole life! Whenever people come over and watch me dice a watermelon they go crazy! 

Equipment Needed to Cut a Watermelon

• KNIFE: You’ll need a long, unserrated knife. Sharp knives are safer than dull ones, and you’ll want it to be sharp! 
• CUTTING BOARD: I like the cutting boards with a drip edge {affilliate link}
• LARGE BOWL: It’s best to store watermelon in a bowl with a strainer {affiliate link}

How to Cut a Watermelon into Cubes:

I’ll show you how to cut a watermelon step by step! Although, it’s easy to do it’s not a good job for kids. As always, be careful when using knives. 

STEP 1: Cut the watermelon with the rind on into half, then cut each half into halves. You will now have four quarters.

STEP 2: Leaving the watermelon in the rind, cut slices through the flesh of one of the quarters of watermelon all the way to the rind, but NOT through the rind. Cut slices as big as you want the cubes to be. Usually about 1/2 an inch to 1 inch wide.

STEP 3: Cut 1/2″ to 1″ slices perpendicular to the cuts you made in step 2.

STEP 4: Rotate the watermelon to the side that doesn’t have the perpendicular cuts and cut lengthwise on that side. At this point, you will have cubes of watermelon sitting in the rind.

STEP 5: Run the blade of the knife between the fleshy red part of the watermelon and the white part of the rind. As you slice lift slightly on the knife to make sure all the diced watermelon releases from the rind. I usually start on one end and cut towards the center, then flip the watermelon around and cut from the other end toward the center.

STEP 6: Pour the watermelon out of the rind and into a bowl. This is the fun part! It will just come right out!

How to cut a watermelon into triangles:

Cutting watermelon into wedges is even easier than cutting them into squares. But, it’s also messier to eat! 

STEP 1: Wash watermelon. Dry.

STEP 2: Cut watermelon into quarters, cutting widthwise, then lengthwise. Set all aside except one.

STEP 3: Lay watermelon flat on its flesh. Cut melon all the way through the flesh and the rind into slices about 1 inch apart.

How to cut a watermelon into sticks:

This is kids favorite way to eat watermelon! It’s almost like eating a popsicle!

STEP 1: Wash watermelon. Dry.

STEP 2: Cut watermelon into quarters, cutting widthwise, then lengthwise. Set all aside except one.

STEP 3: Lay watermelon flat on its flesh. Carefully, cut melon all the way through the rind and the flesh into slices about 1 inch apart.

STEP 4: Cut perpendicular slices all the way through the rind and the flesh to create sticks! 

How Long Does Watermelon Last? How to Store Watermelon?

My kids are much more likely to eat fruit if it’s already cut up and ready to eat. The best way to store watermelon for my family so we don’t waste any is to cut the melon in half and cube one half for eating now, and store the other half for cutting into wedges or cubes later!

Watermelon are picked when they are ripe, and won’t ripen more after they are picked. Although, if they will get mushy if they aren’t eaten quickly enough. Here are some tips on the best way to enjoy all the summer yumminess as much as possible! We don’t want to throw any away!

Whole Watermelon

• How long does a whole watermelon last? Up to 7 days. 
• How to store a whole watermelon? Store it out of direct sunlight in a cool place, but not the fridge. Storing uncut watermelon in the fridge isn’t good for it!

Cut up Watermelon

• How long does cut watermelon last? Usually 3-4 days
• How to store cut watermelon? Store it in the fridge. Keep it in an airtight container. Juices from watermelon will pool at the bottom of the container which will make the cubes of melon soggy. Use a colander in a bowl, or set a small plate upside down in the bottom of the container for the juice to drain into as it sits. You can also buy a container that allows the juice to drain. {Affiliate Link}
• How to store half watermelon? Cover cut part of melon with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days.

Can You Freeze Watermelon?

Even with the best intentions sometimes we end up with more watermelon than we can eat. That’s when I wondered, “Can I freeze watermelon”? 

YES! It will change the texture of the watermelon but is just fine used in smoothies or other watermelon drinks! Check out these easy steps on how to freeze watermelon!

1. Cut and dice watermelon.
2. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
3. Freeze for an hour. 
4. Move to an airtight freezer-safe container or sealable freezer bag.
5. Store for up to 6 months.

Watermelon Recipes

These are a few easy watermelon recipes we love! This is one amazing fruit because it can be made into side dishes, desserts, smoothies, or drinks! So many options!

• Watermelon Lemonade Mint – nonalcohol drink
• Watermelon Blueberry Salad – gorgeous red, white, and blue salad
• Healthy Watermelon Fries– with cream cheese marshmallow dip
• Popsicles with Watermelon – refreshing summer treat
• Watermelon Caprese Salad – with balsamic glaze
• No-Bake Watermelon Pie – perfect summer dessert