Learn how to cut a watermelon in the easiest possible way. Only 5 minutes prep and you have a whole watermelon cut up for snacking over the week. Great for meal prepping, adding to a fruit platter, making smoothies, or just eating as a snack. No mess! And so easy!
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I originally created the instructional video a year ago and added it to my Watermelon Mimosa post. However, after trying to explain the best way to cut a watermelon to a few of my friends, I decided that it’s time to create a separate post to go with that video.
There’s something magical about holding a big watermelon wedge and biting into it on a hot summer day. With sticky juices running down your arms and covering your face.
Well, maybe not magical and more nostalgical instead.
Although the idea of eating the watermelon that way is appealing in theory, in practice I shudder at the idea of all the mess and stickiness.
Over the years, I tried different tricks on how to cut a watermelon that I found online. I tried watermelon sticks, I tried small watermelon triangles. All were more effort than they were worth and the result was still messy.
A few years ago my mom showed me this trick on how to cut a watermelon and I swear, it is the best way to cut a watermelon if you don’t want much mess, if you want to enjoy your watermelon easily over the week.
How to cut a watermelon
Instead of the usual wedges, I now cut the rind off the watermelon first, almost like if you were to do it to a grapefruit, and then when it’s just the sweet red flesh that is left I cut it easily into chunks.
It’s super convenient, takes no time, and I don’t know why I’ve never done this before.
Now that I learned this new trick, it’s easy to enjoy the watermelon. I used to hate all the mess that came with eating it.
I usually chop it into chunks and keep in airtight meal prep containers in the fridge which makes eating it and cooking with it really convenient.
Equipment needed to cut a watermelon
- Cutting board that is big enough to put your watermelon on its side.
- Big mixing bowl where you’ll put all the watermelon rinds. It’s just easier to have it right next to the cutting board.
- Big sharp knife, often called Chef’s Knife.
- Tons of meal prep containers.
Instructions on how to cut a watermelon
- First, slice the end of a watermelon, this way you’ll be able to stand the watermelon on a cutting board and it won’t wobble.
- Now, stand the watermelon on a cutting board on a cut edge.
- Slice the rinds off the watermelon in a way similar to how you would be peeling a grapefruit. Try to get as much white off, but don’t worry if some white is still on the watermelon.
- Keep turning the watermelon around and slicing more and more rinds off until the whole watermelon is without any rinds.
- Now trim the white parts as much as possible so that mostly the red flesh is left.
- Once the whole watermelon is cleaned up, put it on its side and slice a whole round about 1-2 inches thick.
- Dice each round into 1-inch pieces and store in the meal prep containers.
- Repeat until the whole watermelon is diced up.
How to store cut up watermelon
I store my cut up watermelon in these meal prep containers. This is my favourite brand of storage containers and I have a whole drawer with different sizes and shapes. You can use both glass and plastic containers.
Watermelon cut up this way will last in the fridge for about one week. I have never stored it longer because I usually finish it in a week.
Why it’s the best way to cut a watermelon
There are many reasons why I consider this as the best way to cut a watermelon but here are a few:
- Once you do the initial prepping of the watermelon, there’s no mess to deal with after. No extra rinds to throw out, no extra mess.
- It’s easy to store in the fridge. You split all the cut up watermelon between containers and you can stack them and put them on different shelves.
- You don’t need to worry about storing half a watermelon, wrapping it in to prevent trying out, making sure that there’s enough space in the fridge for a big plate.
- Watermelon is ready to eat any time you want it. It’s always refreshingly cold and delicious.
- You can portion out the watermelon easily into whatever servings you’d like and then just grab a container and use it as you need. Great for meal prep.
- It’s also not messy to eat and moms of toddlers will appreciate it. Yes, the watermelon sticks are quite popular with kids (especially on picnics) but they still have lots of mess. Cubed watermelon like this is much easier for little ones to eat with a fork when they sit at the table and there is no (ok, maybe just less) mess.
More cooking tips:
- How to Store Herbs: mind-blowing trick!
- How to bake perfect boiled eggs in oven
- How to cook perfect mushrooms – you won’t believe the secret!
Watermelon Recipes:
- Refreshing Watermelon Mimosa (with non-alcoholic option) from Imagelicious
- Once you mastered how to remove watermelon rind, you must make this stunning Summertime Watermelon Cake from The Lemon Apron
- Watermelon Pizza from Homemade & Yummy
- Sumac Watermelon Fries with Coconut Yogurt Crema from Mid-life Croissant
- Spicy Watermelon Arugula Salad from Rhubarbarians
- Watermelon Cucumber Salad from Girl Heart Food
- Watermelon Salad with Honey Lime Dressing from Garlic & Zest
- Watermelon and Tuna Crudo from Diversivore
How to cut a watermelon
Ingredients
- 1 watermelon
Instructions
- Slice the end of a watermelon, this way you'll be able to stand the watermelon on a cutting board and it won't wobble.
- Stand the watermelon on a cutting board on a cut edge.
- Slice the rinds off the watermelon in a way similar to how you would be peeling a grapefruit. Try to get as much white off, but don't worry if some white is still on the watermelon.
- Keep turning the watermelon around and slicing more and more rinds off until the whole watermelon is without any rinds.
- Trim the white parts as much as possible so that only the red flesh is left.
- Once the whole watermelon is cleaned up, put it on its side and slice a whole round about 1-2 inches thick.
- Dice each round into 1-inch pieces and store in the meal prep containers.
- Repeat until the whole watermelon is diced up.
Video
Mention or tag @Imagelicious
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Now I’m totally craving watermelon!! Love how detailed this is, Julia! Lots of great tips too! Thanks so very much for the watermelon cucumber salad shout out 🙂
Julia says
Thank you so much! I have been cutting my watermelons like this for a few years and it’s just so great to have a container of them in the fridge. So easy and accessible