How to Cut a Watermelon

Is there anything better than a ripe juicy watermelon? Learn How to Cut a Watermelon into cubes, sticks, and triangles with our top tips!

Grab that perfect watermelon and cut it like a pro! Then enjoy your leftovers with all of the watermelon recipes like Watermelon Juice and a tasty Watermelon Smoothie.

How Do you Cut a Watermelon?

You’ve picked your watermelon, bought it, and carried it into your kitchen. Now you’re ready to cut it up and eat it for a healthy snack!

But how do you cut it? There are so many different ways, it can be confusing to know the best way to cut it.

We’ll show you three ways to cut a watermelon, including our favorite way – cutting a watermelon into cubes. This has been the easiest way that I have discovered.

Cubes are perfect for putting into Fruit Salads, or eating straight from the bowl, and are the best to store and grab for an afternoon snack.

Having said that, we will also show you how to cut a watermelon into sticks and into triangles.

The first trick to cutting watermelon is making sure you know how to pick out a good one (scroll down to see our top tips).

Picking the best ripe watermelon

Check out our post on How to Pick Out a Good Watermelon for all the best tips, but a few key factors to look for include:

• A uniform shape
• A large yellow sunspot
• A hollow sound when thumped
• Bee stings for sweetness

The next step is to have a sharp long knife. Our personal favorite can be found on Amazon here. 

Then, just decide how you want it cut – cubes, sticks, or triangles!

How to Cut a Watermelon Into Cubes

Grab a cutting board and a long sharp knife. Follow these simple steps to cut it into cubes:

1. Cut your watermelon in half lengthwise.
2. Cut each half in half (lengthwise again) to make 4 quarters of watermelon.
3. Take one of the quarters and make cuts from the top part of the melon all the way down to the rind.
4. Make 1-inch slices from one side of the melon to the other side.
5. Take your knife and slice 1-inch strips down the length of the melon. (You are essentially making a crosshatch pattern on each quarter of the watermelon.)
6. After the cuts are made, start from one edge of the melon and cut along the rind. The cubes should easily fall out of the rind!

How to Cut a Watermelon into Sticks

Grab a cutting board and a long sharp knife. Follow these simple steps to cut it into sticks:

1. Cut the watermelon in half.
2. Flip the watermelon over after cutting it in half so that the flat surface is facing down on the cutting board. This way it is much more stable and easy to cut.
3. With half of the watermelon upside down on the cutting board, cut off the four edges to create a square.
4. Then, slice it lengthwise about 1″ apart. 
5. Once you have cut the entire melon lengthwise, cross-cut it every 1″.

These sticks are fun to eat and much less messy! And everyone loves them!

How to Cut a Watermelon into Triangles

If you prefer watermelon slices, here is what you’ll need to do for those:

1. Cut the watermelon in half.
2. Flip the watermelon over after cutting it in half so that the flat surface is facing down on the cutting board. This way it is much more stable and easy to cut.
3. Cut the half watermelon one more time into quarters lengthwise.
4. Then, cut those quarters down the middle lengthwise into eighths.
5. Next, crosscut the watermelon about 1″ apart until you have cut the entire melon.

Other ways to cut a watermelon 

Melon balls. Cut the watermelon in half and use a melon baller to scoop and place all the melon balls in a large bowl.

Once the red flesh has been removed, use a spoon to smooth out the inside of the watermelon. This can now be used as a serving bowl to hold the watermelon balls.

Fun shapes. Cut the melon into 1-inch slices. Use a cookie cutter to stamp out the flesh. Star shapes are particularly common as watermelon is often served around memorial day and the 4th of July. Hearts and flowers would also be cute.

The shapes can be arranged in a single layer or stacked on a platter to serve. They are also great to be threaded onto skewers for some delicious watermelon sticks. 

Serving Suggestions

• Serve the watermelon in a fun bowl or on a platter.
• Use a hollowed-out watermelon rind as a bowl. 
• Popsicle sticks make a good tool to spear the melon cubes.

Watermelon is perfect for a picnic or BBQ, and it’s always a hit with the kids!

How to Store Watermelon

UNCUT MELON. Store the uncut melon in the refrigerator or on the counter. Watermelon will only ripen slightly beyond when it was picked—so don’t choose an under-ripe melon thinking it can be stored until it ripens. 

• Fridge. Store in the fridge for up to a week before it begins to deteriorate. Do not store below 40°F
• Counter. Store on the counter for about 2 days. For longer storage put it in the fridge.

CUT MELON. Cut pieces of melon must be in an airtight container and stored in the fridge. They’ll last for 2-3 days.

• If only part of the melon is sliced, wrap the uncut part of the melon in plastic wrap or foil and keep it in the fridge. 
• Any leftovers that don’t get eaten can be used to make homemade Watermelon Juice or a Watermelon Smoothie!

FAQ

For more of our favorite summer sides, try:

• Potato Salad
• Pasta Salad
• Dill Vegetable Dip
• Coleslaw
• Broccoli Salad