Whether you are getting ready for the party of the summer, relaxing with the family on a hot day or feeding the kids a healthy alternative snack, I will show you my step-by-step technique for how to cut a watermelon into cubes, sticks and triangles that you can enjoy all summer long.
You can easily slice your watermelon into spears, chunks or even use cookie cutters to create fun shapes for the kids. Adding fun, fruity snacks will definitely clear your fruit platter fast.
You could also add the watermelon cubes to other dishes like a summer watermelon salad or blend them into a watermelon basil cocktail.
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What You Will Need
- whole watermelon - This technique can work for most, if not all, watermelon sizes from small to large.
- chef's knife - If I could choose only one knife to use to cut watermelon, it would be a chef's knife. The majority of the slicing will be done with this knife.
- utility knife - You can use a utility knife to slice along the rind for the cubes, ensuring you can get all the juicy goodness out of your cutting.
- paring knife - This is optional.
- cutting board - This is essential to protect your countertops.
Prep the Watermelon
No matter how you plan on cutting your watermelon, follow these prep steps first.
Step 1. Clean. Clean the watermelon with cool water and pat it dry.
Step 2. Cut the ends. Cut off the ends of the watermelon.
Step 3. Half the watermelon. Cut the watermelon in half using a chef's knife.
Chef's Note: If you only want to cut half a watermelon, you can cover the other half with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. Now you can carry on to the steps for cubes, sticks or triangles.
How to Cut a Watermelon into Cubes
Step 1. Take one of the watermelon halves and cut it into half again (you’ll get quarters).
Step 2. With each watermelon quarter, pass the knife close to the white part of the watermelon, following all of the borders as best you can. Repeat on the other side.
Step 3. Make vertical cuts to the watermelon in one direction.
Step 4. Now make vertical cuts again in the other direction.
Step 5. Then, make horizontal cuts, creating cubes.
Step 6. Let the cubes fall off into a bowl.
👩🏻🍳Chef's Note: You can also use the watermelon cubes is in this tuna and watermelon tartare recipe or watermelon gazpacho!
How to Cut Watermelon Sticks
Step 1. Starting from the watermelon halves, peel off the outer white and green parts of the watermelon with a chef's knife.
Step 2. Make vertical cuts in one direction.
Step 3. Make vertical cuts in the other direction (forming a chessboard-like shape in the upper part of the watermelon).
Chef's Note: You can make the sticks as wide or narrow as you like.
Optionally, you can insert popsicle sticks into the watermelon sticks to make them easier and more fun to serve.
How to Cut Watermelon into Triangles
Step 1. Take a watermelon half and cut it into half again (you’ll get quarters).
Step 2. Take the quartered pieces and cut them in half into wedges.
Step 3. Repeat cutting the wedges in half lengthwise until desired size.
Chef's Note: With a small or mini watermelon, you will not have to make as many cuts as a large one.
Step 4. Now you can slice each piece, to your desired thickness, to create triangles. If you don't want the rind, you can cut that off as well.
Step 5. Serve!
Tips
- Use sharp knives. No matter which way you slice your watermelon....be sure to use a sharp knife!
- Seeds or seedless. The best option is to get a watermelon without seeds, but seeds can easily be plucked out with a small paring knife or simply spit out.
- Cut it when it just turns ripe. Avoid letting the watermelon go over-ripe before digging into it.
- Elevate your platter. If you're making a platter, add a little extra to your watermelon pieces by pairing with cheese cubes, grapes and some crackers to the spread for a little variety.
- Kebab style. Or, stick the cubes on a kebab stick for an easy-to-grab snack.
Watermelon Slicing FAQs
A couple of ways to tell if your watermelon is ripe for cutting is to check for a yellow spot in the area it would have sat on the ground, and/or if the watermelon is heavy (meaning full and juicy!).
If you do have any left over, watermelon is fast and easy to store for later! Simply wrap your leftover watermelon slices with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container to enjoy within 3 to 5 days.
If your watermelon has an off, almost sour, taste and smell and/or its texture is slimy or fuzzy, your cut watermelon has probably gone bad.
If you find that the water collects on the bottom of the container when storing cut watermelon, try storing it in a colander inside of a bowl. That way the liquid will drain to the bottom of the bowl without touching the watermelon pieces.
More Pro Tutorials to Consider
If you tried this recipe tutorial for 🔪🍉 How to Cut a Watermelon into Cubes, Sticks or Triangles or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!
📋Recipe
How to Cut a Watermelon (3 Ways)
Ingredients
- 1 watermelon - any size
Instructions
For All Watermelon Cuts
- Clean the watermelon and pat it dry.
- Cut off the ends of the watermelon.
- Cut the watermelon in half using a chef's knife.
- Now you can carry on to the steps for cubes, sticks or triangles.
For Watermelon Cubes
- Follow the steps for 'All Watermelon Cuts'. Then, take one of the halves and cut it into half again (you’ll get quarters).
- Starting from the quarters, pass the knife close to the white part of the watermelon, following all the borders as best you can on both sides.
- Make vertical cuts to the watermelon in one direction.
- Now make vertical cuts again in the other direction.
- Then make horizontal cuts and let the cubes fall off into a bowl.
For Watermelon Sticks
- Follow the steps for 'All Watermelon Cuts'. Then, starting from halves, peel off the outer white and green parts of the watermelon with a chef's knife.
- Make vertical cuts in one direction.
- Make vertical cuts in the other direction (forming a chessboard-like shape in the upper part of the watermelon).
- Serve!
For Watermelon Triangles
- Follow the steps for 'All Watermelon Cuts'. Then, take one of the halves and cut it into half again (you’ll get quarters).
- Take the quartered pieces and cut them in half into wedges. Repeat cutting the wedges in half lengthwise until desired size. With a smaller watermelon, you may not have to make as many cuts as a large one.
- Now you can slice each piece, to your desired thickness, to create triangles.
Notes
- Optionally, you can insert popsicle sticks into the watermelon sticks.
- No matter which way you slice your watermelon....be sure to use a sharp knife!
- The best option is to get a watermelon without seeds, but seeds can easily be plucked out with a small paring knife or simply spit out.
- A couple of ways to tell if your watermelon is ripe for cutting is to check for a yellow spot in the area it would have sat on the ground, and/or if the watermelon is heavy (meaning full and juicy!).
- If you do have any left over, watermelon is fast and easy to store for later! Simply wrap your leftover watermelon slices with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container to enjoy within 3 to 5 days.
- If your watermelon has an off, almost sour, taste and smell and/or its texture is slimy or fuzzy, your cut watermelon has probably gone bad.
- If you find that the water collects on the bottom of the container when storing cut watermelon, try storing it in a colander inside of a bowl. That way the liquid will drain to the bottom of the bowl without touching the watermelon pieces.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
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