If you really think about it, why not have summery watermelon at every meal? From dinner and dessert to happy hour cocktails, watermelon is one of our favorite ways to jazz up all our everyday recipes. So don't stop at just cutting and slicing up your watermelon (That is, unless it's destined to become a tequila and lime-infused margarita watermelon).
That being said, summer's best fruit can be tricky to cut up. Lucky for you, we have tips and tricks for how toquickly (and safely!) slice, cube, and cut watermelon in one minute flat. From there, so many options await you. Do you make chocolate-covered watermelon? Freeze some watermelon ice cubes for a watermelon daiquiri, frozen watermelon margarita, or my favorite, just sprinkling the slices with a bit of Tajin (or a mix of chili powder, lime juice, and salt).
And did you know that the entirety of a watermelon (including the rind) is edible? While many people toss the rind away, it's actually fantastic pickled. Need proof? Try our pickled watermelon rind recipe and you'll be so happy to have it on hand for making our sweet and sour watermelon rind stir-fry all summer long.
OK, OK, technically this isn't a sippable cocktail—it's even better: We soak watermelon slices with all the ingredients of a margarita (tequila, lime juice, triple sec) for the perfect perfect BBQ drink and snack. Save the leftover liquid from soaking for frozen watermelon margaritas.
Part watermelon juice, part limeade, and 100% refreshing, watermelon agua fresca just might be the drink of the summer. It's slightly sweet, making it a perfect daytime treat or as a mocktail option at a dinner party. (Of course, you could stir in a shot of tequila or vodka if you want it boozy.)
Newsflash: This might be the most refreshing margarita you'll ever drink. Frozen watermelon cubes make this delightfully slushy, but if you forget to freeze them overnight, don't fret! Two hours in the freezer will do the trick.
If summer had a flavor, it might taste a lot like this soup. Though we'll always love a classic, tomato-based gazpacho, the addition of watermelon gives the soup a delicious subtle sweetness we can't get enough of.
When the temperature rises, there's something so satisfying about a spiked lemonade. This version is big on watermelon, our favorite thirst-quenching summer fruit. If you're short on lemons, or want to mix it up, lime juice would also be delicious.
Making fruit leather at home is surprisingly easy. All you need is a blender, a little extra sugar, and a bit of patience—it'll take at least 3 hours (in a very low oven) until it's all dried out and ready to roll. (If you like this recipe, you need to try our rainbow fruit roll-ups, too!)
There's really nothing like a crisp and spicy, ginger-lime Moscow mule. What's even more refreshing? The frozen watermelon cubes make this drink super slushy and the copper mugs gives the chilled drink an extra-cool sensation.
Step aside, all other fruit salads. The brightness of strawberries mixed with briny feta and sweet watermelon is the trio we've been waiting all summer for.
Sangria can often be overly sweet or an odd mix of too many fruits. Simplify the summery cocktail with some lime zest and juice, which adds some nice punch to keep the drink bright.
Just like pickled carrots or pickled red onions, pickled watermelon rind is a delicious, crunchy addition to top salads, fried rice, a sandwich, or be enjoyed on its own. This recipe has a sweet soy pickling liquid, but don't let this stop you from experimenting with other brines—you can use any pickle brine recipe on this overlooked part of the watermelon
This light, refreshing summer salad takes all the best flavors of the season and puts it all in caprese salad form. You might be skeptical of eating cheese and watermelon, but we eat it with feta, mozzarella, and halloumi all summer long.
By mixing coconut oil into melted chocolate, you're basically making a magic shell with the perfect crackly texture for your watermelon. It's not a totally necessary step, but it does help the chocolate harden—meaning the dipped watermelon is ready to eat pretty much immediately.
This stupid-easy recipe requires zero ice. Frozen watermelon cubes do the job on their own. Double down on the watermelon by swapping in watermelon rum!
Did you know that the entirety of a watermelon (including the rind) is edible? While many people toss the rind away, it's fantastic pickled. Combined with a sweet & sour brine, the punchy stir-fry addition of pickled watermelon rind elevates any stir-fry.
This is one of our most most creamiest, most refreshing rum cocktails ever, thanks to lime juice and coconut milk. The best part? Halved mini watermelons are the perfect serving size for this amazing cocktail!
Have your booze and eat it too, with these vodka-infused bites. Don't have a melon baller? No worries, these will look just as cute cubed up on a skewer.
If you're in a rush, you can skip freezing the watermelon. But whatever you do, don't skip through the 1 hour soaking time — you want that booze, don't you!?
Mix up this riff on your favorite tropical piña colada. We combined the classic mix of pineapple and white rum with watermelon to really bring the tropics home. Pro tip: Blend up frozen watermelon instead of ice to get an even smoother cocktail.
Sweet watermelon mellows the heat of red pepper flakes for winner of easiest, most ingenious summer side dish ever. Drizzle watermelon slices with olive oil, sprinkle with red pepper flakes, and top with crumbled feta.
The only true way to get through the dog days of summer is with watermelon. And with just four ingredients in total, these refreshing popsicles will keep you cool all season long.
Watermelon + feta is one of our favorite combinations of all time — especially during summer time. Skewer them with some crunchy cucumber and drizzle balsamic glaze on top and you've got an easy, healthy summer appetizer everyone will love. P.S. You can skip the skewers and just toss everything in a bowl, like we did in our watermelon feta salad.
Sweet, creamy, and doesn't require a fancy ice cream maker? Sign us up for this light ice cream that is like the perfect mix between a snow cone and ice cream.
Like with grilled peaches and grilled pineapple, grilling watermelon not only changes the texture of the fruit, it lends a smoky flavor and brings out its natural sweetness. We love this simple preparation, but the watermelon would also be super-delicious cubed and added to a watermelon feta salad.
If you've ever had watermelon salsa (or any fruit salsa, really), you know that watermelon + spice is a surprisingly delicious combination. We add just a a little kick to complement the sweetness of the watermelon, but if you're a fan of spicy foods, feel free to go crazy with the chili powder.
