Learning how to cut a watermelon may look daunting, but once you learn how to do it, it’s as easy as cutting up any other fruit.
Whether you want to cut cubes or perfect watermelon wedges, this article breaks down exactly how to cut and slice a watermelon.
You’ll learn how to select the perfect watermelon in this article as well as masterfully cut it into bite-sized cubes or into slices.
Once your watermelon is cut up, it’s the perfect fruit to snack on as a treat by itself, or use it in a Watermelon Feta Salad.
How to Pick out a Watermelon
Before you even get started with cutting up your watermelon, you will want to take a couple of minutes to select the perfect watermelon. There are many ways to tell a watermelon will be perfectly ripe, but when shopping for the perfect fruit in the grocery store it can be tough to tell sometimes.
- It’s heavy: The watermelon you pick out should be heavy for its size. A heavy watermelon is a juicy watermelon!
- A yellow patch spot: The patch spot is where the melon rests as it grows. As the fruit ripens, it turns yellow. A creamy yellow spot means a ripe melon!
- Give it a knock: I’m sure you’ve seen people “knock” or “thump” on watermelons in the grocery store. They do this to hear a hollow sound echoing back. This means that the melon is full of juice. If the melon sounds dull, leave it on the store shelf!
How to Cut a Watermelon into Cubes
First up, how to cut a watermelon into cubes.
Step 1: Wash your Melon
The first step of cutting your watermelon should be to wash the outside with cool running water. There can be (read: probably is) dirt, bacteria and pesticides lingering on the surface which will be transferred to your knife and to the flesh of your watermelon.
Step 2: Slice the Ends Off
Take a clean cutting board and place a dishtowel underneath it. This will prevent your surface from slipping around. Place your watermelon on top of the cutting board and grab a sharp chef’s knife.
With your knife, slicing the stem ends off, since this will help you steady both your watermelon and your knife when you’re trimming off the sides of the rind.
Step 3: Slice down the Center
Take your watermelon and your knife and make one vertical cut down the center.
Since the stem ends are already sliced off the watermelon, you will have a perfect “step” for the watermelon to rest on. This will prevent slipping.
Step 4: Slice off the Rind
You are prepared to begin slicing off the rind of the watermelon now. Take your knife and follow the rind down the sides. Take care to get as much of the white rind as you can off of the watermelon. If you miss some of it on your first pass with your knife, you can always make another pass with your knife.
You can let the watermelon rest on either side when you are slicing off the rind.
Step 5: Slice into Rounds
After all the white and green rind is sliced off, you are ready to slice the halves into rounds.
Steady your watermelon by either setting it on its side or by slicing it horizontally.
Step 5: Cut the Watermelon into Cubes
After the watermelon is cut into rounds, you are ready to slice it into cubes!
Another option for your watermelon is to make watermelon sticks instead of cubes.
After you have your cubes, you can add them to various dishes, or eat them plain! Watermelon is best served cold, so pop it in the fridge before serving.
How to Cut Perfect Watermelon Wedges
First again, wash the melon and slice off the ends and then slice the watermelon in half (shown below). After cutting the watermelon in half, cut it again in fourths.
Make your Slices
After your watermelon is cut into fourths, you are ready to make your slices. Begin at one end of the fourths and cut your slices as thick or as thin as you’d like. I prefer a watermelon slice about half an inch thick.
After your watermelon is sliced, you are ready to enjoy!
Watermelon Storage Tips
- Whole watermelon: The whole fruit can be stored in the fridge for up to weeks. If it begins to look soft or discolored, chop it open and see how the fruit looks. If it is still firm then it can still be eaten, but if it is soft and mushy, it’s best to toss it.
- Watermelon cubes: After cutting, these watermelon cubes will save in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
