37 Watermelon Recipes for Your Juiciest Summer Yet
Perhaps there’s no limit to the number of watermelon slices you can eat your way through straight off the rind. But these watermelon recipes might make you think twice before downing a 20-pounder in a single sitting. When a cooling watermelon slush awaits, or a spicy-sweet chilled watermelon soup, or a salad dressed with creamy yogurt or a punchy umami vinaigrette, it’s worth letting a little more variety into your melon routine.
Before you get started, learn how to cut a watermelon slice by slice—just don’t eat them all while you perfect your technique. Then, get scrolling to discover our very best recipes for watermelon desserts, drinks, sides, and more.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson1/37Watermelon, Arugula, and Pine Nut Salad
While the ingredients for this sweet, salty, and savory watermelon recipe can all be prepped ahead, the greens should be tossed through just before serving so they stay bright and crisp. Serve with grilled pork chops or lobster rolls.
Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo4/37Aguas Frescas (Mexican Fruit Coolers)
Got a big juicy seedless watermelon and not sure how to eat it all? Aguas frescas are a cool and refreshing way to make the most of it.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Simon Andrews5/37Country-Style Ribs With Quick-Pickled Watermelon
Pickled watermelon flesh pairs perfectly with hearty country-style ribs. This is one of our favorite backyard dinners. Just finish the night off with a frozen dessert and everyone will be happy.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Sean Dooley6/37Barbie Girl
This pretty pink drink gets its color from watermelon juice (buy some fresh at a juice shop, juice your own, or blend a heap of watermelon and strain through a cheesecloth) and fruity crème de cassis.
Photo by Baxter Miller8/37Sweet Potential
Separate watermelon flesh from the rind, then preserve both in different batches using this method from North Carolina chef, cookbook author, and television host Vivian Howard. Pro tip: This is even a good way to make use of a less-than-sweet watermelon.
Photo by Colin Price9/37Watermelon Chia Smoothie
Pair watermelon and mint for a rejuvenating morning drink. The nutrient-packed secret to this smoothie’s creamy texture may surprise you.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano10/37Jam Session
This refreshing sherry and watermelon cocktail gets a spicy kick from ginger kombucha. It’s low in alcohol, making it a great brunch drink or lazy day sipper.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson13/373-Ingredient Grilled Watermelon, Feta, and Tomato Salad
Photo by Eva Kosmas Flores18/37Watermelon-Berry Salad With Chile Dressing and Lots of Herbs
The Thai-inspired dressing—tart and spicy and salty—plays up the sweetness of watermelon and berries while keeping this fruit salad firmly in savory territory.
Photo by Shannon Sturgis19/37Say Anything
If you’re craving a bar-worthy cocktail at home, this recipe from Brooklyn’s Ivy Mix is worth the effort. It’s got a spicy kick thanks to a simple jalapeño infusion and a bitter backbone courtesy of Aperol.
Photo by Beatriz Da Costa21/37Grilled Watermelon Salad With Lime Mango Dressing and Cornbread Croutons
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca22/37Spicy Watermelon Onigiri
Can watermelon stand in for tuna in a vegan riff on onigiri? Turns out the answer is yes.
Photo by Dylan James Ho and Jeni Afuso23/37Watermelon, Lime, and White Pepper Yogurt Drink
Chef Josef Centeno’s cooling take on ayran, doogh, or lassi brings together fresh watermelon, tangy yogurt, tart lime, sweet honey, and herbaceous white pepper.
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jaime24/37Watermelon and Snap Pea Salad
Sliced watermelon becomes a savory dinner dish when hit with Taiwanese black vinegar, fish sauce, fried shallots, and chile crisp.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Molly Baz, Prop Styling by Emily Eisen26/37Salted Watermelon Margarita
Sip on a glass of salted watermelon juice (like Gatorade, but fresh tasting) or use it to make a fruity riff on a classic margarita.
Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Kat Boystova, Prop Styling by Allie Wist27/37Kimchi-Melon Gazpacho
Use juicy-sweet watermelon (a botanical cousin to the cucumbers used to make traditional gazpacho) to balance zippy kimchi and toasty cashews in this riff on a summertime favorite.
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou29/37Tomato-Watermelon Salad With Turmeric Oil
Red, juicy, and sweet, tomatoes and watermelon are soul mates—paired with salty feta and smoky, bright spice, they’re the ideal companion to any grilled fish.
Gentl & Hyers31/37Watermelon Gazpacho With Feta Crema
This recipe with watermelon goes delightfully savory thanks to cucumber, tomato, and jalapeño. Like many cold soups, it can be made a day ahead.
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Heather Greene, Food Styling by Alison Attenborough33/37Watermelon With Lime Dressing and Peanuts
Zach DeSart34/37Pickled Watermelon Rind
Pickled watermelon rind is a Southern classic that makes a great addition to chopped salads but also pairs well with grilled meats and fried chicken.
Jennifer May35/37Yellow Watermelon & Mint Pops
Watermelon doesn’t only come in red: These pretty pops get a boost of color from yellow watermelon and extra flavor from herbs. If basil or tarragon are growing in your herb garden, they’re excellent alternatives to the mint.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce37/37Vodka and Watermelon Cooler
Turn all your favorite watermelon recipes into a full-on party by serving them alongside this vodka cocktail, using a tapped hollowed-out watermelon as the punch bowl.
