Nothing can beat the heat of a hot summer day like chilled watermelon. The big juicy fruit with mellow sweet notes is a summertime staple that’s packed with nutrition. And the best part is you can munch on as much as you want because it’s super low on calories. Loving it even more!
But nibbling on those large wedges of watermelon can be a messy affair, with juice trickling down your arms. After learning how to easily cut a mango, it’s time to take slicing to the next level by learning some cool and nifty tricks to cut a watermelon in 2 simple steps.
First, you need to master the art of identifying the best watermelon to buy using these two pro tips.
- Bring the watermelon close to your ear and knock on it. If it makes a hollow sound like a wooden door, it is ripe.
- Look for a yellow spot on the watermelon. The more yellow the spot, the sweeter it will be. If the spot is white or green, the fruit was picked too soon.
Also, remember to wash the watermelon thoroughly with soap and water to remove any bacteria or dirt from the outer peel before you begin cutting it.
Now, here are five clever techniques to cut a watermelon in 2 simple steps.
Note: Always use a sharp knife when working with a watermelon. It ensures effortless slicing and also reduces the chance of slippage or injury.
Contents
Cutting Watermelon with the Rind
Method 1: Sticks
Watermelon sticks are perfect bite-sized portions that you can eat on the go during family outings or camping. The small, long sticks also easily fit into kids’ tiny hands.
Things you’ll need:
- Watermelon
- Sharp knife
Step 1. Cut the watermelon into two halves
- Place the watermelon on a chopping board.
- Cut it lengthwise into 2 halves.
Step 2. Cut the watermelon into sticks
- Place one half of the watermelon on the cutting board, flesh facing down.
- Cut it into slices about 1-inch wide.
- Rotate the board 90 degrees and make long cuts, perpendicular to the slices.
- Repeat the process with the other half as well.
- Now you have perfect watermelon sticks that you can hold by the rind.
Method 2: Slice Cutter
If those round slicers have always intrigued you, it is time to gift yourself one. The watermelon slice cutter cuts out even-sized wedges from the whole watermelon in one clean swipe. If the watermelon is bigger in size, it may require some strength to push the cutter through the fruit.
Things you’ll need:
- Watermelon slice cutter
- Sharp knife
- Watermelon
Step 1. Cut off both ends of the watermelon
- Cut thin slices off both ends of the watermelon.
Step 2. Push the slicer down on the watermelon
- Position the watermelon upright on the cutting board.
- Place the cutter over the watermelon, holding it with its handles.
- Exert some force to push the cutter down through the watermelon.
- Your perfectly sized wedges are ready to be served.
Method 3: Wedges
If messy watermelon is one of your summer traditions, then nothing can replace the good old wedges.
Things you’ll need:
- Watermelon
- Sharp knife
Step 1. Slice off both ends of the watermelon
- Place the watermelon on the chopping board and slice off both of the round ends.
Step 2. Cut the watermelon into halves, then quarters
- Keep the watermelon upright and cut it into 2 halves.
- Cut each half lengthwise again, so you have 4 quarters.
Step 3. Cut the quarters into wedges
- Cut the quarters crosswise to get the wedges.
- Repeat the process on the other quarters as well.
- Transfer them to a plate and enjoy.
Cutting Watermelon without the Rind
Method 1: Cubes
If you want to treat yourself to juicy watermelon while watching your favorite sitcom but don’t want to get your hands dirty, cut a watermelon in 2 simple steps to get watermelon cubes. You can also use the cubes to make flavored water or blend into a tasty watermelon lemonade.
Things you’ll need:
- Sharp knife
- Watermelon halve
Step 1. Cut the watermelon halve into quarters
- Place the watermelon on a cutting board and cut it in half.
- Keep one half on the cutting board with the flesh facing down.
- Slice the half into 2 quarters.
Step 2. Slice the quarters into wedges, then cut lengthwise to get cubes
- Taking one quarter at a time, cut slices about 1-inch wide across the quarter. Cut down only to the white rind, not all the way through the melon.
- With the knife facing down, make a lengthwise cut on one side of the quarter. It should be 1 inch below the peak of the quarter, as shown in the image above.
- For a larger quarter, you can make 2 cuts, with the second cut 1 inch below the first cut.
- Make similar cuts on the other side of the same quarter.
- Repeat the process for the other quarters to get bite-sized chunks of watermelon without the rind on them.
Method 2: Wedges
Another way to enjoy watermelon is to cut it into perfect triangles without the rind. Cutting watermelon into this shape is easier than it sounds. You can then use these watermelon triangles to make a healthy slush.
Things you’ll need:
- Watermelon
- Sharp knife
Step 1. Cut the watermelon off of the rind
- Start by cutting the watermelon into quarters as shown in Step 1 of the cube method.
- Starting from one end, insert the knife just above the white part of the rind and cut along it to separate it from the fleshy part.
- Keep the watermelon sitting inside the rind for easy slicing.
Step 2. Slice the big chunk into triangles
- Hold the separated watermelon quarter into the rind and slice down crosswise, cutting it into pieces that are ½-inch wide.
- Turn it over and drop the watermelon triangles/wedges onto a plate and serve.
Tips
- You can use a knife with serrated edges to cut through giant watermelons.
- You can also use carving tools to cut out fun shapes for kids.
- Always use a clean cutting board to cut a watermelon. Even better if the board has a groove around the edges to collect all the juice.