Do you ever wonder how to cut watermelon on that’s easy to eat? Or how to slice watermelon in a way that’s simple to serve for parties? We have four simple ways to mix up your ripe watermelon routine. But before you learn the different ways, let’s talk a bit about watermelon preparation. 

3 ways to cut watermelon

How to pick a good watermelon? 

  • Some people say to “thump it”, we say to “spank it”.
  • The key is to hold the watermelon in your other hand when you spank it, so you can feel the vibrations through the watermelon. A tighter vibration should be reflective of a crisp texture while a mealy watermelon will have a much softer vibration. It should not have a hollow sound.
  • Look for the “field spot”. Yellow creamy color spot on the bottom means that it was resting on the ground and sweetened on the vine. This “field spot” should be a rich yellow color indicating it had plenty of time to lay in the field and sweeten in the sun. Avoid the green all over melons as they were usually picked too soon and didn’t get to ripen in the fields.
  • Here’s all our photos to show how to pick a watermelon details and story behind our inspiration.

Video: Best ways to slice and cut Watermelon for easiest eating

How To Cut watermelon Safely (Prep)

  • Use these no slip cutting boards or similar. This will help you slice into the watermelon securely without the board underneath slipping on you. Or you can use a dish towel to place under your cutting board to keep it from slipping. OXO no slip cutting boards
  • If wet, dry the sharp knife, board and watermelon to ensure minimal slipping.
  • A medium to large sharp chef’s knife with a thick blade.
  • Make sure to have a secure hold on the watermelon to keep it from rolling.
  • Don’t try to cut the whole watermelon in half at once. Cut through the rind one one side and work your way around the watermelon. Insert the knife tip into the watermelon and then cut into it a 3 or 4 inches deep. Cut through the rind, rotating the watermelon to cut the circumference. Finally, once the rind it cut through, the interior of the watermelon with break to separate into halves.
  • Take it slow and avoid any injury!
watermelon triangles

How to cut watermelon in triangle shapes or watermelon wedges

  • Once you’ve prepped the watermelon cut it in half. Halved melon
  • Cut one half into half again. You will basically have 1/4 watermelon at this point. 1/4 melon on board
  • Then cut that 1/4 watermelon in half again. slicing watermelon triangles
  • Slice it in half one more time into the flesh. This will make the slices small enough for easy eating. Triangle melon
  • Hold the tip up on one end of the watermelon and slice into serving pieces. slicing watermelon
watermelon sticks on platter

How to cut watermelon in sticks for easy serving 

  • Halve the watermelon. Place cut side down on board. how to cut watermelon
  • Cut thick 1-inch to 1.5 inch slices across the melon. Cut melon in half
  • Turn and slice again across to create sticks. cutting watermelon sticks
  • Serve on a platter or allow guests to just serve themselves. Guests love eating cut watermelon sticks because you don’t need any utinsels! holding watermelon sticks

Cutting Watermelon Cubes for Salads

Once you have your sticks cut to length, chop them up for any type of salads. From fruit salads to our popular Summer watermelon salad recipe with arugula and mint or other herbs. This is the perfect bite size pieces for easy eating. You can also use a melon baller to make water melon balls. But we feel that this method is wasteful when you scoop small balls of watermelon. The remaining watermelon can be eaten, but it’s still wasteful.

cubed watermelon on cutting board
3 ways to cut watermelon

How To Cut Watermelon

Here's an easy way to cut watermelon into sticks or cubes. Great for parties or snacking. See write up above for additional ways to cut watermelon and other tips.
5 from 4 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 whole Watermelon

Options for Serving

  • chili salt, lime wedges, honey, balsamic vinegar

Instructions 

  • Halve the watermelon and slice the top end.
    Watermelon half with top sliced off
  • Trim the sides by slicing off the rind, exposing the fruit.
    trimming watermelon rind
  • Cut thick slices down and across the melon.
    cutting thick watermelon slices
  • Turn and slice again across to create sticks. For cubes, stack the watermelon sticks (don't skewer them), and then slice the stacks of watermelon sticks into cubes.
    cutting watermelon into sticks
  • Place bowl over the trimmed watermelon.
    bowl placed over watermelon sticks
  • Flip the cutting board which will expose all the flat sides of the sticks.
    flipping cutting board with the watermelon stick in the glass bowl
  • Add skewers into each stick and serve with any optional accompaniments if desired.
    pulling watermelon stick out by skewers

Video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 82kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 3mg, Potassium: 305mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 1549IU, Vitamin C: 22mg, Calcium: 19mg, Iron: 1mg

How to Store Cut Watermelon

Watermelon can last for a few days of stored in an airtight container in the fridge. If you want to freeze watermelon it’s best to use it if you’re going to blend it into smoothies or drinks. Thawing watermelon makes it soggy if it’s previously frozen. We don’t recommend freezing watermelon to try to eat it fresh. The freezer method for preserving watermelon is only good for drinks.

Easy watermelon recipes 

Now that you have your cut watermelon, try these refreshing and healthy fruit recipes: