Learn How to Cut a Watermelon in two different ways so you can serve it easily or store it for later. Includes step-by-photos, video, tips, tricks and methods that will make watermelons much easier to cut and eat whether you want to cut a watermelon into cubes or spears.
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The Easiest Ways to Cut a Watermelon
Wondering how to cut a watermelon without making a big mess? These fool-proof techniques for cutting a watermelon will give you pretty little cubes or spears. The cubes are perfect for people who don’t like eating around the rind, while the spears give you that classic sliced watermelon look. Both methods are super quick and easy, so it really comes down to personal preference!
Love pineapple just as much as watermelon? We’ve also got a tutorial on How to Cut a Pineapple with tips on choosing a good pineapple as well.
How to Pick a Good Watermelon
Follow these simple tips to select the most ripe watermelon possible. Picking the perfect watermelon is half the work!
- Look for a Field Spot: A “field spot” is the area on the watermelon that was sitting on the ground as it grew. This area will be a yellow color if the watermelon is ripe. The darker the yellow spot, the riper the watermelon. Don’t be fooled by a completely green watermelon – that means it’s underripe!
- Avoid Shiny Melons: If a watermelon has a shiny surface, it’s likely underripe. The perfect watermelon will have a dull surface.
- Test the Firmness: A ripe watermelon will be pretty firm. If you knock on the melon with your knuckles, you can tell if it’s too soft or just right. A soft melon is probably starting to spoil.
- Avoid Lumpy Surfaces: If your watermelon has wonky lumps or bumps on it, it probably didn’t get enough sun or water. The best watermelons are a smooth oval or circle shape. If you see black spots on the melon, it’s probably okay. Dark brown dots on the surface of a melon mean it’s extra sweet.
How to Cut a Watermelon into Spears for a party
Watermelon spears are fun, pretty and easy to store. Watermelon spears are perfect for summer barbecues, picnics and to enjoy by the pool without getting your hands all sticky and dirty.
All you need is a large seedless watermelon, a sharp knife and a cutting board!
- Prepare Watermelon: Wash and dry the watermelon, then use a sharp knife to cut it in half.
- Cut One Half: Place one half of the watermelon flat side down on a cutting board. Slice the watermelon vertically into 1 to 2 inch pieces.
- Make Spear Shapes: Cut the watermelon in the opposite direction to form your watermelon ‘spears.’
- Cut the Other Half: Transfer the spears into a tub or container and repeat the previous steps with the remaining watermelon half.
- Serve or Store: Enjoy right away or cover your spears and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to eat!
How to Cut a Watermelon into Cubes
Wondering how to cube a watermelon? Watermelon cubes are great for enjoying in a bowl as a healthy snack, adding into salads or feeding a crowd in a big fruit platter. Pile them onto a serving plate or pack them in a container for a picnic! Watch the video below to see how easy it is to cut a watermelon:
- Prepare Watermelon: Wash and dry the watermelon, then cut off both ends to create a flat surface.
- Remove the Rind: Stand the watermelon upright on one of the flat ends. Use your knife to cut down, trimming off the rind in strips. Rotate the watermelon and continue cutting off all of the rind. Trim any excess white parts of the melon.
- Cut Cubes: Cut the watermelon in half and slice vertically into 1 to 2 inch pieces. Then, cut in the opposite direction to create a grid. Cut the sticks horizontally into cubes.
- Serve or Store: Enjoy right away or cover and store in an airtight container in the fridge!
How to Store Cut Watermelon
Store your watermelon slices in the fridge so they stay fresh. You need to keep them covered in an airtight container. I recommend using a lidded storage container instead of a bowl covered with plastic wrap, or else your watermelon might absorb other flavors in the fridge.
Can I Freeze Watermelon?
If you want to store your watermelon slices for more than a few days, try freezing them. There’s a chance they will get a bit mushy when they thaw, but you can minimize this by quick-freezing them before storing them long term.
To quick-freeze your watermelon slices, place them on a baking tray lined with wax paper. Put the tray in the freezer for 1 hour or until the slices are frozen solid. Then, transfer them to a ziploc bag and let out all the air before sealing the bag and placing it in the freezer.
How Long Does Cut Watermelon Last?
Sliced watermelon is best served fresh, but it will last for 3-4 days in the fridge. If you freeze your watermelon slices, they will last for 6-9 months!
How to Use Cut Watermelon
There are so many things you can do with watermelon slices. They’re a great healthy snack on their own, and they taste amazing in salads and plenty of other dishes. Here are some of our favorite watermelon recipes:
- Make Popsicles and other frozen treats: Watermelon is the perfect popsicle or sorbet ingredient! I’m especially fond of these 3 Ingredient Watermelon Popsicles, Watermelon Slushie and Watermelon Sorbet!
- Pair with Other Fruit: These watermelon slices go great with every fruit you can think of. Throw them in this Arugula Watermelon Salad or Berry Fruit Salad for an extra juicy snack or side dish.
- Frozen Cubes Will Keep Cocktails Cool: If you like cold drinks but don’t like it when they get watered down, substitute ice with frozen watermelon cubes. They’ll keep your cocktails cool and add even more fruity flavor. You can also puree your watermelon to make margaritas!
More summer fruit recipes:
Learn How to Cut a Watermelon in two different ways so you can serve it easily or store it for later. These tips, tricks and methods will make watermelons much easier to cut and eat!
- 1 large seedless watermelon
Wash and dry the watermelon. Use a sharp knife to cut the watermelon in half.
Place one half of the watermelon flat side down on a cutting board.
Slice the watermelon vertically into 1-2" pieces.
Cut the watermelon in the opposite direction to form your watermelon 'spears'.
Transfer the spears into a tub or container and repeat the previous steps with the remaining watermelon half.
Enjoy right away or cover and store in the fridge until ready to eat!
Wash and dry the watermelon. Cut both ends off the watermelon to create a flat surface.
Stand the watermelon upright on one of the flat ends and use your knife to cut down, trimming off the rind in strips. Rotate the watermelon and continue cutting off all of the rind. Trim off any excess white parts on the watermelon.
Cut the watermelon in half. Slice vertically into 1-2" pieces. Then cut in the opposite direction to create a grid.
Cut the sticks horizontally into cubes and enjoy right away or cover and store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to eat!
Emily Zanelli -
Wasn’t a recipe but 2 ways to cut watermelon. I like this page so I am going to bookmark and Pocket it. Uhas 4 differen5rsually you have to search through a heap of junk. Or Wikihow will give you 5 ways all that make no sense. I mean it.. You are better off knowing a chef. Luckily I do know a few. you ask another chef, and he does it another way. Being bartender the hardest thing I had to cut was a pineapple… or passion fruit. I can never tell if they are ripe or over ripe. I bought 6 I got 1 right. Like Dragonfruit. They want 9 a fruit. I have only found 1 that had the magenta flesh. The rest were all white. I think the secret was to not get a big one – but Truly I forget. Once I found one I hated it. It didnt taste different. Same as always…. flavorless (to me) Anyways. Thank you! This is a great site.