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How to Cut Watermelon — Best Ways to Serve Up a Watermelon

Cutting a watermelon is a challenge for a lot of people due to its tough rind and large size. In this guide, we’ll show you how to cut watermelon properly!

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As one of the most popular fruits in the world, you’re missing out a lot if you haven’t yet learned how to cut watermelon.

Highly indulging with its juicy flesh and mild sugary taste, watermelon slices are excellent as a snack during hot, summery days. It can also be pressed for juice or blended with other ingredients to make a tropical mixed smoothie. Plus, watermelon chunks make for superb garnishing in fruit salads and other recipes.

Watermelon is a favorite for many around the world
Watermelon is a favorite for many around the world. Credit: Gimme Some Oven

With that said, here are the best ways to serve up watermelon.

Is It Easy to Cut a Watermelon?

The most challenging part of cutting a watermelon is its solid outer rind. The rind alone typically makes a watermelon an utter pain to cut for a lot of people. Fortunately, once you have learned the proper technique, the rind won’t be much of an issue.

Is It Easy to Cut a Watermelon
Credit: Pixabay

Other than the rind, cutting a watermelon is a piece of cake. The inner flesh is soft, juicy, and can be cut into different shapes easily.

How to Cut a Watermelon

There are several ways to cut up a watermelon.

First, you can choose to cut it with or without the rind.

The latter is great for snacking, as the rind gives you a makeshift ‘coaster’. It makes the piece of watermelon easier to hold onto, and the sticky juice won’t dampen your whole hand.

Meanwhile, the former is better for adding into salads, garnishing recipes, or for drink-mixing.

Next, there are many different cutting styles you may try your hands at. You can choose to cut the watermelon into wedges, sticks, cubes, or balls.

How to Cut a Watermelon Into Wedges

Wedges are the simplest way to cut a watermelon. If this is your first time cutting a watermelon, try out this method first before moving to others.

Depending on how you intend to use the watermelon, you may choose to cut wedges with the rind on or off.

With the Rind Off

Lay your watermelon on its side and place the blade of your knife around ¼ inch from the stem. Carefully slice off the top portion, then repeat with the other end.

Stand the watermelon upright on the flat surfaces that were created when you sliced the ends off.

Position your knife at the edge of the fruit, right at where the flesh meets the rind. Run the knife downward, following the contour of the fruit to slice off the skin. Don’t feel too bad if the slices are jagged or uneven, as the rind is difficult to cut.

Once all of the rind has come off, make a single lengthwise cut right down the middle of the watermelon to split it in half.

Next, make a similar centered, lengthwise cut on each half to get four quarter pieces. The smaller quarter pieces are easier to cut into shape.

Take out a quarter and slice crosswise to cut into wedges.

How to Cut a Watermelon Into Wedges

Repeat with the other three quarters, and you’re finished!

With the Rind On

If you want to keep the rind on, the process isn’t all that different from the above. All you need to do is skip the first and second steps. The rest of the process should be the exact same as above.

With the Rind On
Just don’t cut off the rind while you’re cutting and this is what you’ll get.Credit: Pixnio

How to Cut a Watermelon into Sticks

For snacking, cutting into small sticks is best.

This method involves cutting the watermelon into rectangular blocks, with the rind attached to the base. Hold the stick by the rind-covered end and eat the top flesh.

How to Cut a Watermelon into Sticks
Sticks are excellent for snacking. Credit: Once Upon a Chef

Step 1: Cut in Half

For this method, you don’t have to cut off the ends. You don’t need to slice off the rind, either.

To begin with, hold the watermelon firmly on the chopping board and make a single centered, lengthwise cut down the middle. Split the watermelon into two clean halves.

Step 2: Carve a Grid Pattern

Lay one half with the cut side down on the chopping board. Then, make multiple lengthwise cuts from the top down. Space around 1 inch between each cut.

After that, rotate the cut-up watermelon 90° and make similar lengthwise cuts (also spaced out 1 inch in-between). Aim for a grid-like pattern on the watermelon.

Each square in the grid is one stick
Each square in the grid is one stick. Credit: Watermelon.org

When the grid is carved, each ‘square’ within the watermelon will be a stick!

How to Cut a Watermelon into Cubes

Cubes are great for snacking. Additionally, their peculiar shapes make them a great option for decorating dishes.

Step 1: Cut Off Both Ends & Slice Off the Rind

Cut ¼ inch from the stem section and the bottom of the watermelon to create a working surface. Then, sit the watermelon upright and slice off the rind by running your knife down its skin. Follow the curve of the fruit.

Step 2: Cut Into Large Slices

Lay the naked watermelon on its side. Make crosswise cuts to separate the watermelon into large slices.

Step 3: Cut the Slices into Cubes

Take one of the slices and lay it flat-side down on the chopping board. Begin carving a grid-like pattern on the watermelon slice by cutting intersecting crosswise and lengthwise lines.

Cut the Slices into Cubes
Carve out the cubes. Credit: Well Plated

Upon completion, each square in the grid will be one cube of watermelon ready for use.

How to Cut a Watermelon into Balls

Watermelon balls are rare enough that if you were to serve it up to guests, they would most definitely be the star of the table. Fortunately, they are quite easy to do as long as you have the tool for it. If you want to serve your watermelon this way, you will need a melon baller.

Step 1: Cut in Half

Place the watermelon on the chopping board and split it in half with your chef’s knife. No need to remove the rind.

Step 2: Scoop with the Melon Baller

Use the spherical-shaped end of your melon baller and scoop up the flesh. Twist the utensil to create a sphere. Most of the time, the sphere won’t be perfectly symmetrical, but that’s not too big of a deal.

Scoop out the whole watermelon
Scoop out the whole watermelon. Credit: Watermelon Board

Scoop your way through the entirety of the watermelon’s inner flesh until you can’t anymore. There will be a bit of edible flesh leftover. You can carve them out with a spoon and eat them right away if you don’t want to waste them.

Conclusion

You don’t have to struggle every time you need to crack open a watermelon. Just follow these steps to always achieve juicy watermelon pieces to munch on.

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