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Wooden cutting board with various examples of how to cut watermelon (wedges and sticks).

How to Cut a Watermelon

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  • Author: Erin Jensen
  • 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

Scale
  • 1 whole ripe watermelon

Instructions

  1. Rinse watermelon with water or wipe down with damp paper towel to remove any excess dirt or grime. 

Cubes:

  1. 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. 
  2. Place watermelon flat side down on the cutting board. 
  3. 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. 
  4. Leaving the watermelon standing vertically, make a cut down the center splitting it in half lengthwise. 
  5. Lay one half of the watermelon flat, cut-side down on the cutting board. Cut in half lengthwise again creating two quarters. 
  6. Take one of the quarters and lay flat on the cutting board. 
  7. Make 1 inch slices lengthwise so you have 3-4 slabs. Rotate and make 1-inch slices lengthwise so you have several watermelon sticks.
  8. Make 1 inch cuts perpendicular to the previous cuts (creating a grid pattern) so you end up with watermelon cubes. 
  9. Repeat process with remaining watermelon. 

Sticks:

  1. Lay watermelon on its side on a large cutting board and cut in half widthwise with a sharp chef’s knife. 
  2. Place one piece cut-side down on a cutting board. 
  3. Make 1 inch cuts resulting in several slabs. 
  4. Rotate 90 degrees and again make 1-inch cuts (creating a grid pattern). 
  5. Grab a piece of watermelon by the rind and pull out watermelon stick. 

Classic Slices:

  1. 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. 
  2. Place watermelon cut-side down on the cutting board. 
  3. Cut down the center splitting it in half lengthwise. 
  4. Lay one half of the watermelon flat, cut-side down on the cutting board. Cut in half lengthwise again creating two quarters. 
  5. Take one of the quarters and lay flat on the cutting board. 
  6. 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.