A simple tutorial with step-by-step instructions on How to Cut a Watermelon into cubes, sticks, or triangles. It is a staple of the summer and now you will know how to easily cut it for the whole family to enjoy!
How To Easily Cut A Watermelon
Our whole family loves enjoying fresh watermelon from the farmers market or local grocery store all summer long, but I have to admit that sometimes I feel like cutting a large watermelon is a big undertaking. However, after learning these 3 simple ways to cut a watermelon in different variations it has become more enjoyable and no problem at all! We love enjoying it with a meal, as a healthy snack, tossing it in a watermelon feta salad with mint, or using it for an easy watermelon cocktail. There are so many options for this refreshing summer fruit!
Ever cut-up a whole pineapple? We also have a simple tutorial on how to cut a pineapple – 3 ways!
What You Will Need
- whole watermelon – follow tips below for picking a perfectly ripe watermelon.
- large sharp knife – we love using a large chef’s knife to easily slice through the thick rind.
- cutting board – a large cutting board that will fit your watermelon, we like using one with a groove around the outside to help contain some of the juices.
How To Pick The Perfect Watermelon
- You can be begin by looking for a watermelon that doesn’t have any soft spots, bumps, holes, or any other issues with the outside that would make for a bad inside.
- Next, knock on the outside of the rind and listen. A ripe watermelon will have a hollow sound when you knock on it.
- Take a look at the “field spot” on the bottom of the watermelon, if it is yellow in color that is another sign of a ripe watermelon.
Best Ways To Enjoy Cut Watermelon
There are so many ways to enjoy this fruit of the summer! First, you can just enjoy it by itself with a meal or as a healthy snack. Our kids, plus all the kids in the neighborhood, come running when fresh cut watermelon is around! We also love enjoying it as part of a fruit salad, like in our watermelon mint salad! Or if you are looking for a refreshing beverage you can use it in a sweet watermelon spritzer.
Storage Tips
Once your watermelon is cut, no matter how you cut it, you can store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. You also have the option of freezing your watermelon chunks. Simply place the cubes on a parchment-lined pan so that they aren’t touching, place the pan in the freezer, and then once they are frozen you can move them to a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months.
What Is The Easiest Way To Cut A Watermelon
The answer is more of a personal preference or depends on how you plan on serving the watermelon. Here are 3 different options:
How to Cut a Watermelon into Cubes
Begin, by slicing off the ends of your watermelon.
Place the cut-side down on the cutting board and use your large knife to slice down the sides of the watermelon, cutting off the rind.
Leaving the watermelon standing vertically, it can be cut in half, lengthwise.
Place the flat-side of the watermelon half on the cutting board and cut in half, lengthwise creating quarters.
Lay one quarter on the board and make 1 inch slices lengthwise so you have 3-4 slabs. Rotate and make 1-inch slices lengthwise so you have several watermelon sticks.
Rotate the sticks and make 1 inch cuts through the sticks making cubes.
Continue with the rest of the watermelon and enjoy!
How to Cut a Watermelon into Sticks
Place the watermelon on its side and use a large, sharp knife to cut through the middle of the watermelon.
Now put one half of the watermelon on the cutting board with the cut-side down. Make 1 inch cuts resulting in several slabs. Rotate 90 degrees and again make 1-inch cuts (creating a grid pattern).
Then you can easily pull out sticks to enjoy or store for later.
How to Cut a Watermelon into Triangle Slices
For this option you can begin by cutting 1/4 inch ends off the top and bottom of the watermelon.
Then place the cut-side down and cut the watermelon in half, lengthwise.
Stand up one half, vertically, and slice in half, lengthwise again. This will give you quarters.
Place one quarter of the watermelon on the cutting board with the rind-side down and begin cutting one inch thick triangles. Continue this process for the rest of the watermelon.
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How to Cut a Watermelon
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 16–18 servings 1x
- Category: How-To
- Method: Counter Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
How to Cut Watermelon – how to cut watermelon into cubes, sticks and slices (with and without the rind). So easy and perfect for a crowd!
Ingredients
- 1 whole ripe watermelon
Instructions
- Rinse watermelon with water or wipe down with damp paper towel to remove any excess dirt or grime.
Cubes:
- Lay a whole watermelon on a large cutting board on its side and cut off 1/4 inch off each end of the watermelon with a sharp chef’s knife.
- Place watermelon flat side down on the cutting board.
- Position a sharp knife where the red flesh meets the white part of the watermelon rind and make a cut removing the white and green rind following the contour of the watermelon, leaving a section of open red watermelon meat. Repeat this process as you work your way around the watermelon until you have only red meat remaining. You can use a smaller knife to remove little bits of white that are leftover.
- Leaving the watermelon standing vertically, make a cut down the center splitting it in half lengthwise.
- Lay one half of the watermelon flat, cut-side down on the cutting board. Cut in half lengthwise again creating two quarters.
- Take one of the quarters and lay flat on the cutting board.
- Make 1 inch slices lengthwise so you have 3-4 slabs. Rotate and make 1-inch slices lengthwise so you have several watermelon sticks.
- Make 1 inch cuts perpendicular to the previous cuts (creating a grid pattern) so you end up with watermelon cubes.
- Repeat process with remaining watermelon.
Sticks:
- Lay watermelon on its side on a large cutting board and cut in half widthwise with a sharp chef’s knife.
- Place one piece cut-side down on a cutting board.
- Make 1 inch cuts resulting in several slabs.
- Rotate 90 degrees and again make 1-inch cuts (creating a grid pattern).
- Grab a piece of watermelon by the rind and pull out watermelon stick.
Classic Slices:
- Lay watermelon on a large cutting board on its side and cut off 1/4 inch off each end of the watermelon with a sharp chef’s knife.
- Place watermelon cut-side down on the cutting board.
- Cut down the center splitting it in half lengthwise.
- Lay one half of the watermelon flat, cut-side down on the cutting board. Cut in half lengthwise again creating two quarters.
- Take one of the quarters and lay flat on the cutting board.
- Make 1-inch slices resulting in small triangles.
Notes
- Rindless Slices: to cut rindless slices simply follow steps 1-5 under the Cubes tutorial. When you place the rindless watermelon quarters on a cutting board you can simply make 1 inch slices to create rindless slices.
- Melon Balls: option to use a melon baller to easily turn your watermelon into small watermelon balls.
- Storage: store cubes, slices and sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you have half of an uncut watermelon leftover then simply wrap the flesh side or cut side with plastic wrap or foil and store in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
- Freezing: place cubed watermelon on a parchment-lined pan (making sure they aren’t touching) and put it in the freezer. Once the pieces are frozen you can place them in a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months.
- Best for party: we love cutting watermelon into sticks for a party because it is quick, easy and the little bottoms with the rind and perfect for holding it to eat.
- Picking ripe watermelon: check to make sure there aren’t any holes or soft spots, give it a knock and listen for a hollow sound, and check the “field spot” at the bottom of the watermelon – it should be yellow in color.
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