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Graphic for post - how to cut a watermelon, images are in a grid with colorful plates and different ways to cut a watermelon
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Step-by-Step: How-To Cut a Watermelon

A step-by-step guide on how to cut a watermelon, 5 fun and easy ways!
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Servings: 10 servings
Author: Michele Olivier

Equipment

  • large cutting board
  • sharp knife
  • storage container

Ingredients

  • 1 watermelon

Instructions

How to Cut Watermelon Wedges

  • Wash and dry the watermelon. On a cutting board, cut one of the ends off of the watermelon. Sit the cut end on the cutting board, and with a sharp knife, cut down through the watermelon, slicing it lengthwise. You will now have two halves of a watermelon.
    What are melon on a cutting board with a hand holding a knife cutting it in half.
  • Place one of the halves of the watermelon cut side down on the cutting board and cut lengthwise. You will now have two quarters. Flip one of the watermelon quarters over so the rind is on the cutting board, and cut it into 1″ slices.
    A wedge of a watermelon on a wooden cutting board with two hands, one hand holding a knife and cutting slices of watermelon.
  • Repeat until you have all the watermelon you want to be cut into wedges
    A wooden cutting board with a fan of sliced watermelon on it.
  • Serve and enjoy!
    A purple plate with three wedges of watermelon.

How to Cut Watermelon Cubes

  • Wash and dry the watermelon. On a cutting board, cut the watermelon in half. Cut off the rounded end, close to the red watermelon flesh.
    Wooden cutting board with a watermelon and a hand holding a knife cutting the bottom off of it.
  • Place the watermelon, cut side (flesh) down on the cutting board. Holding your knife at an angle, slice off the rid and white flesh of the watermelon, starting at the stem cut and working your way down to the cutting board. Cut around the entire watermelon until the rind and white flesh have been removed.
    A wooden cutting board with a watermelon on its side with a hand trimming the rind off of the watermelon.
  • Cut the watermelon in half from the stem side to the middle.
    A half of a peeled watermelon on a wooden cutting board with a hand holding a knife cutting it in half.
  • Turn the watermelon, so the last cut is on the cutting board. Slice the watermelon into 1-inch slices. Repeat on the other half of the watermelon. You will have roughly 6-8 slices of watermelon.
    Four slices of watermelon sitting on a white wooden cutting board
  • Lay one slice of watermelon on the cutting board and cut the watermelon into 1-inch slices.
    A pair of hands with a knife cutting each slice of watermelon into slices
  • Turn the watermelon and slice in the opposite direction in 1-inch slices to make cubes.
    A slice of watermelon cut horizontally and now being cut vertically into cubes.
  • Repeat until you have cut all of the watermelon slices.
    A wooden cutting board with two thick slices of watermelon in a pile of cubes of watermelon
  • Serve and enjoy!
    Blue plate with cubes of watermelon and a hand holding a cube of water melon.

How to Cut Watermelon Sticks

  • Wash and dry the watermelon. On a cutting board, very carefully cut the watermelon in half. Then place one of the halves of the watermelon flesh side facing down on the cutting board.
    A watermelon on a wooden cutting board with hands holding a knife cutting it in half.
  • Slicing from the top of the rind down to the bottom of the watermelon closest to the cutting board, you will cut each end of the watermelon trying to make your round watermelon into a square. You will have 4 pieces of rind.
    A watermelon board cut in half, with hands holding a knife cutting the edges off
  • Starting on one side, cut the watermelon into 1-2″ strips from the top of the rind down to the bottom of the watermelon, creating long vertical strips.
    A half of a watermelon sitting on its side cut into long vertical strips
  • Turn the watermelon. Then, cut the watermelon into 1-2″ strips from one side to the other.
    Hands holding a knife cutting a watermelon into long sticks
  • Thus creating sticks when the watermelon is pulled out.
    A hand holding and showing off a 6 inch watermelon stick over the rind of the watermelon.
  • Serve and enjoy!
    Yellow plate with sticks of watermelon.

How to Cut a Watermelon into Shapes

  • Wash and dry the watermelon. On a cutting board, cut the watermelon in half. Cut off the stem end, close to the red watermelon flesh.
    Wooden cutting board with a watermelon and a hand holding a knife cutting the bottom off of it.
  • Place the watermelon, cut side down on the cutting board. Holding your knife at an angle, slice off the rind and white flesh of the watermelon, starting at the stem cut and working your way down to the cutting board.
    A wooden cutting board with a watermelon on its side with a hand trimming the rind off of the watermelon.
  • Cut around the entire watermelon until the rind and white flesh have been removed.
    A board against a white background, with a knife, a half of a skin watermelon and the peels of a watermelon.
  • Cut the watermelon in half from the stem side to the middle. Turn the watermelon, so the last cut is on the cutting board. Slice the watermelon into 1-inch slices. Repeat on the other half of the watermelon. You will have roughly 6-8 slices of watermelon.
    Four slices of watermelon sitting on a white wooden cutting board
  • Lay a slice on the cutting board, and using your favorite cookie cutter, cut out any shapes you prefer.
    A slice of watermelon being cut into flower shapes with a cookie cutter.
  • Repeat until you have cut shapes out of all of the slices. You can dice any leftover watermelon to eat or use in a smoothie or popsicles.
    A slice of watermelon being cut into flower shapes with a cookie cutter.
  • Serve and enjoy!
    A green plate with flower shaped pieces of watermelon.

How to Cut Watermelon Balls

  • Wash and dry the watermelon. On a cutting board, cut a watermelon in half.
    A watermelon on a wooden cutting board with hands holding a knife cutting it in half.
  • Take one half of the watermelon and slice the back (rounded part) of it off, this creates a solid foundation. Flip the watermelon over, so the red flesh is facing up. Using a melon baller or small cookie scoop, press it into the watermelon flesh, rotate it in all directions, and remove the ball from the watermelon.
    A watermelon cut in half with two hands holding a melon Baller over the flesh side of the watermelon.
  • Repeat until you have desired amount of watermelon balls. When you have used the entire surface of the watermelon, simply cut off that portion so you have a fresh layer to make more watermelon balls.
    They have a watermelon with holes in it in a bowl of melon balls sitting next to it.
  • Serve and enjoy!
    Teal plate with melon balls on it.

Notes

Storage: Cut watermelon is best stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.