Got a Watermelon? Here are 45+ Genius Ways to Make the Most with It
Warmer temps mean sipping on summer drinks, practicing the art of front porching, and of course enjoying the absolute best fresh produce at the grocery store and the farmers' markets. There's a lot that's delicious right now, but if we had to declare one the official fruit of the sunny season, it would be watermelon hands down.
Watermelon is great all by itself. We love adding a pinch of salt to a slice and snacking straight down to the rind (then, of course, pickling that rind).
But one of the greatest things about watermelon is that there are so many different ways to prepare it. We often find ourselves enamored with watermelon in savory situations, paired with beef kebabs or next to a coffee-spiced grilled chicken breast. Next to something savory, watermelon's sweetness really gets a chance to shine.
But whether you prefer slicing, dicing, grilling, or marinating your watermelon, we're betting these recipes will have you covered this summer. Add a tangy taste to your next block party with watermelon skewers or salad. Make it into ice pops, top it like a pizza, or even coat it in barbecue sauce!
Or stay refreshed with watermelon juice recipes, frosé, lemonade, or an adult-friendly watermelon mojito. But whatever you do, enjoy the pink-and-green fruit while it lasts, because it's only in season so long!
1. Mason Jar Watermelon Frosé
No need to get out the blender to make this simple, 2-ingredient, frosé. Just combine the ingredients in a Mason jar, stick it in the freezer, shake occasionally and voilà! Summer just got real chill.
2. Watermelon, Tomato, and Feta Salad
This combo of salty feta, savory tomato, and sweet, juicy watermelon is a must for the season. Top it with lime juice, mint, and a kick of red onion for an absolutely unbeatable taste.
3. Watermelon-Cilantro Lemonade
If you're solidly #teamcilantro, you have to try this herby, sweet summer sipper.
4. Watermelon Slices with Lime-Honey Syrup
This is the perfect way to upgrade an easy snack into something a little more elegant. The lime-honey syrup takes just a couple minutes to make, keeps well in the fridge, and will wow family and guests alike.
5. Watermelon Pizza
For a barbecue snack that folks will really love, dress up your watermelon! Two different sets of toppings will please both sweet-tooth and salt-hound guests.
6. Watermelon Sorbet
All you need is a blender, a freezer, and a hot day to enjoy this extra-delicious refreshing treat.
7. Mojito Watermelon
To give this zesty snack an adult twist, try letting the melon soak in a little actual tequila as well.
8. Watermelon Skewers
Who needs a charcuterie board when you can have meat, cheese, and watermelon on a skewer instead? Assembly couldn't be easier, and you can count on these summery sticks becoming a hit at your next party.
Get the recipe from Cook Nourish Bliss.
9. Watermelon Salsa
It's not a summer celebration until watermelon-infused salsa makes an appearance. The sweet supplement makes a welcome addition among slices of traditional ingredients like red onion, peppers, and jalapeños.
Get the recipe from The Kitchen Docs.
10. Watermelon Mousse
This indulgent watermelon recipe checks all the boxes—sugar-free, low-carb, and, most importantly, downright delicious.
Get the recipe from Sugar-Free Mom.
11. Chile-Lime Grilled Watermelon
It's near impossible to one-up the smoky flavor of grilled fruit, but a chile-lime seasoning does just the trick. From burgers to kebabs, any main course will seamlessly mesh with this easy summer side.
Get the recipe from Cooking on the Weekend.
12. Watermelon Barbecue Sauce
Your go-to BBQ sauce will pale in comparison to this savory spread, which you can whip up in just 15 minutes.
Get the recipe from Yummy Healthy Easy.
13. Watermelon Roll-Ups
You only need two ingredients for these tasty snacks that your kids (and you!) will want to munch on all summer long.
Get the recipe from Baked by Rachel.
14. Watermelon Syrup
Pancakes, ice cream, pie—you name it, this fruity syrup has the capacity to make it instantly taste a million times better. You'll never go back to regular old maple again.
Get the recipe from Domestically Blissful.
15. Watermelon Coconut Mojitos
Say hello to your new favorite summer cocktail. With the best tropical flavors, including a dash of coconut rum, it'll be love at first sip.
Get the recipe from Yammie's Noshery.
16. Watermelon Salad
Feta, mint, bacon, and red onion wedged between marinated watermelon slices put an inventive spin on standard salads. Plus, it's almost too stunning to eat.
Get the recipe from BS' in the Kitchen.
17. Watermelon Ice Pops
There's no better way to beat the heat and stave off sweat than homemade ice pops, and this batch earns bonus points for its lime juice and fresh blackberries.
18. Mango, Watermelon, and Corn Salad
Bursting with fresh flavor, this fruit and veggie salad will hit the spot as a standalone meal or paired with grilled meats for a backyard BBQ.
Get the recipe from The Forked Spoon.
19. Watermelon Fries
Admittedly, nothing could ever top the greasy goodness of classic French fries, but this much healthier watermelon rendition is a close second. With a tasty seasoning and coconut lime dip, the ingenious side dish will win your kids over in no time.
Get the recipe from Abbey's Kitchen.
20. Watermelon, Feta, and Mint Salad Bites
Mini watermelon hors d'oeuvres on sticks? We'll take five.
Get the recipe from Rosyscription.
21. Watermelon, Cucumber, and Quinoa Salad
Rather than leafy greens, turn to quinoa as your summer salad base. The fluffy fare adds some light texture and will enhance the rest of the fresh ingredients smashingly.
Get the recipe from Health Nut Nutrition.
22. Watermelon Cucumber Smoothie
Day or night, there's no bad time to bust out the blender and sip on a smoothie. Leave a few watermelon slices in the freezer to whip up this three-ingredient beverage whenever you want.
Get the recipe from Snacking in Sneakers.
23. Honey Lime Chicken Tacos With Watermelon Salsa
Whether it's taco Tuesday or not, make any weeknight dinner more memorable with a sweet spin on standard tortilla fillings.
Get the recipe from Cravings of a Lunatic.
24. Watermelon Jelly
Itching to broaden your can collection? Fill mini Mason jars with homemade jelly, made from watermelon and lemon juice.
Get the recipe from Love & Olive Oil.
25. No-Bake Watermelon Cupcakes
No cake mix or baking pans are needed to bring these visually-appealing desserts to life. Simply use a round, juicy watermelon slice as the base, then top with whipped cream or icing and dig in.
Get the recipe from Carolina Girl Cooks.
26. Strawberry Watermelon Salad
Two seasonal staples—watermelon and strawberries—are always better than one. Throw together this easy fruit salad in just ten minutes, honey lime vinaigrette dressing and all.
Get the recipe from Giggles Galore.
27. Yogurt & Fruit Topped Watermelon Pizza
Pizza pie gets a glorious new meaning. Ditch the crust for a fruit-based alternative and top the sliced creation with yogurt, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, and blueberries.
Get the recipe from Choosing Chia.
28. Watermelon Gazpacho
Cold, watermelon-infused soup couldn't get more summer-worthy if it tried.
Get the recipe from Priya Kitchenette.
29. Watermelon Whiskey Pops
You're never too old for a flavored ice pop—and the alcoholic addition doesn't hurt either.
Get the recipe from The Little Epicurean.
30. Heirloom Tomato, Basil, and Watermelon Salad
Have you ever seen a more perfect porch dinner? This colorful plate is practically begging you to enjoy it from the great outdoors.
Get the recipe from Luci's Morsels.
31. Watermelon Mint Mimosas
Because when have you ever said no to a watermelon cocktail?
Get the recipe from Mindful Avocado.
32. Watermelon Coconut Sorbet
Put your watermelon to good use in the dessert realm. This creamy concoction calls for just three ingredients and a blender or food processor.
Get the recipe from Easy Peasy Creative.
33. Chilled Watermelon and Rosé Soup
Believe it or not, watermelon and rosé don't have to be just a cocktail combo—you can even meld them into a cool summer soup, as long as you add ingredients like jalapeño, fresh ginger, lime juice, honey, and a handful of enticing garnishes.
Get the recipe from No Spoon Necessary.
34. Balsamic Watermelon Chicken Salad
If we've learned anything at all from barbecues, it's that watermelon and meats go together better than peas and carrots. Let a bit of a baby spinach and balsamic glaze in on the fun too with this healthy chicken-infused salad.
Get the recipe from Pinch of Yum.
35. Fresh Watermelon Cake
Cut your watermelon down to a cake shape, layer with whipped cream, and give guests a juicy surprise once they take their first bites.
Get the recipe from SprinkleBakes.
36. Cedar Plank Salmon With Watermelon Feta Salsa
Once you've grilled salmon on an orange juice-soaked cedar plank and drizzled with a savory watermelon salsa, you'll have even non-fish fans feeling intrigued.
Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest.
37. Watermelon Fruit Sparklers
Come Fourth of July (or really any summer day, for that matter), keep things patriotic with star-shaped watermelon and blueberry "sparklers." A much safer alternative to actual sparklers, these skewers make playing with food a blast.
Get the recipe from Tastes Better From Scratch.
38. Watermelon Caprese Salad
Dress up grilled watermelon slices with honey, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil leaves.
Get the recipe from How Sweet Eats.
39. Watermelon Ice Cubes
Toss your ice trays this summer—these frozen watermelon cubes keep temps low and flavor high inside a glass of regular or seltzer water.
Get the recipe from Taste and Tell.
40. Watermelon and Goat Cheese Appetizer
Trust us—these bite-sized noms will be gone in the blink of an eye the next time you play host.
Get the recipe from A Foodecentric Life.
41. Watermelon Lemonade Margaritas
For those days when you could use something a tad bit stronger than plain lemonade.
Get the recipe from Crazy for Crust.
42. Salted Watermelon Sorbet Bars
The more layers, the merrier, as evidenced by this three-part dessert's design: a waffle cone crust base, homemade watermelon sorbet middle, and whipped cream to top it all off.
Get the recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen.
43. Watermelon and Manchego Stack With Arugula Pesto
There's something about eating stacked foods that just gets us really excited, and this refreshing appetizer is no exception.
Get the recipe from Food Republic.
44. Spicy Watermelon and Avocado Salad
This healthy salad is equal parts sweet and tangy.
Get the recipe from Love and Lemons.
45. Orzo Salad With Chicken, Watermelon, and Feta
This nutritious recipe—featuring boneless chicken, lime, and whole wheat orzo—is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next picnic.
Get the recipe from Rachel Cooks.
46. Watermelon Vodka Tonic
Watermelon soaked in vodka is the star of this summery cocktail.
Get the recipe from Biscuits and Such.
47. Balsamic Watermelon Salad
Red onion, mint leaves, and balsamic give this sweet fruit a more savory flavor.
Get the recipe from Mom on Timeout.
You Might Also Like
