Master the Art of Cutting Watermelon: 5 Easy Techniques for Summer Enjoyment

How to Cut a Watermelon

If you pick up a whole watermelon this summer, how do you even start? Cutting it to fit how you’ll serve it makes eating and storing so much easier. Below are simple, delicious ways to slice a watermelon depending on the situation.

First thing first: wash the watermelon before you cut it. Rinse it thoroughly under running water — any bacteria on the rind can get dragged into the flesh when you slice it.

After washing, cut the watermelon in half. It’s much easier to slice once it’s halved. If that’s too much at once, put the other half in the fridge and slice it later.

Square Cuts

Square cuts are perfect for chilling in the fridge and serving as a snack or dessert. To do this, cut the halved watermelon in half again so you’re working with a quarter. Then make two deep cuts on each side down to the white rind.

Now slice from top to bottom at bite-sized intervals. When you’re done, run your knife along the line where the white rind meets the red flesh to release the cubes.

If cutting deeply in one go is tough, make the side cuts in two passes to make it easier.

Once you lay the cut pieces flat on the board, you’ll see neat, evenly spaced cubes.

If you don’t want to prep a lot at once, slice the watermelon into rounds like the photo instead.

Place the round slices on the cutting board and trim off the white rind.

Then cut into evenly spaced squares — that’s it! Slice just enough to enjoy now and keep the rest refrigerated for later.

Store the cubed watermelon in an airtight container — it makes for an easy, grab-and-go dessert.

Wedge Cuts

Wedge cuts are ideal when guests arrive. Use a leftover half or cut the half again, then slice from top to bottom at regular intervals all the way to the white rind. After that, run the knife along the red-and-white boundary to free the wedges.

Stagger the wedges when you plate them — they look great and are super easy to pick up and eat.

When You Have Many Guests

This last method is perfect when you’re hosting a crowd. Place a halved watermelon on the board and make long, evenly spaced cuts. Watch the ends so you don’t leave chunks with too much white rind.

Cut both lengthwise and crosswise at even intervals.

These slices are great for guests to grab like a watermelon bar and eat by hand.

Kids can easily grab a piece, and any leftovers can be cubed and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for convenient snacking.