How to Cut a Watermelon

Let’s be honest—cutting a watermelon feels like prepping for battle. You’ve got this massive, juicy beast rolling around on your counter like it owns the place, and all you want is a few neat pieces to snack on. Sound familiar?

I used to dread it. Every summer, I’d just awkwardly saw it in half and scoop it out with a spoon because… well, laziness. But once I learned a few simple tricks? Game-changer.

If you’re tired of uneven chunks, juice puddles everywhere, or playing “guess what shape this is,” you’re in the right place.

Let’s get you slicing like a pro—with less mess, less stress, and more watermelon joy.

Why Bother Learning How to Cut It Properly?

Good question.

Because watermelon is:

Huge (and annoying to wrangle if you don’t know what you’re doing)
Messy (ever cleaned up sticky juice from between stove burners? Yeah… not fun)
Totally worth it when cut the right way

Plus, knowing the best way to cut it makes you look weirdly skilled. Like, “Oh hey, this person probably makes their own cold brew and organizes their spice rack” kind of skilled. 😏

Step 1: Choose the Right Watermelon

Before we even think about slicing, we need a good watermelon. Because a bad watermelon? Not worth cutting. Not worth eating.

Here’s how to pick a winner:

Look for a yellow spot on the side (this is where it sat on the ground ripening—more yellow = more ripe)
Knock on it (yep, this isn’t a myth—go for a deep, hollow sound)
Feel the weight (heavier than it looks = juicy inside)
Check the shape (round ones tend to be sweeter; oval ones are often more watery)

Picked the perfect one? Great. Now let’s cut this sucker.

Step 2: Gear Up (What You’ll Need)

Let’s avoid using that sad butter knife you’ve had since college.

Here’s what actually works:

Large chef’s knife (serrated knives don’t work well here—go for something heavy-duty and sharp)
Cutting board (bonus points if it has a groove to catch the juice)
Dish towel (place it under your board to keep things stable—because slipping is how fingers get sliced, FYI)

Step 3: Cut Off the Ends First

This is the move that makes everything easier.

Stand the watermelon up on one end so it’s vertical.

Now:

Slice off the top and bottom (about ½ inch)
Boom—flat base. No rolling. You’re welcome.

Ever try cutting a watermelon without doing this first? Yeah, you basically play Fruit Ninja on hard mode.

Step 4: Decide Your Endgame

What do you want?

Cubes for a fruit salad?
Wedges for a BBQ?
Sticks for the kids?
Or just something easy to snack on while standing at the fridge? (No judgment)

Different goals = different methods.

Let’s break them down.

How to Cut Watermelon Into Cubes

The classic.

Step-by-step:

Stand the watermelon upright (flat base still helping you out)
Slice the rind off vertically, going top to bottom—follow the curve
Once you’ve got a naked watermelon (weird visual, but okay), cut it in half
Lay each half flat-side down
Slice into 1-inch slabs, then rotate and cut again to make nice little cubes

Pro tip:

If you want even more satisfying results, pat the cubes dry with a paper towel before serving. Less juice, more bite.

How to Cut Watermelon Into Wedges

If you want those classic triangle slices like grandma used to serve, this one’s for you.

Cut the watermelon in half (lengthwise)
Lay the flat side down, then slice into 1-inch half-moons
For full triangle wedges, cut those slices in half again

Great for BBQs. Great for sticky faces. Just don’t forget napkins.

How to Cut Watermelon Into Sticks

Want something clean to hold without a fork? Watermelon sticks = genius.

Cut the watermelon in half (crosswise this time)
Lay one half cut-side down
Slice vertically into thick slabs
Rotate and slice again—you’ll end up with rectangular sticks

Perfect for parties, or if you have a toddler who refuses anything not shaped like a fry.

Bonus: How to Make a Watermelon Bowl

Feeling a little extra?

You can use the shell as a serving bowl. Looks cool, saves dishes.

Here’s how:

Cut the watermelon in half
Scoop out all the flesh (use an ice cream scoop if you want cute spheres)
Pat the inside dry
Fill with fruit salad, sorbet, or whatever else makes you feel fancy

Congrats. You just went from watermelon rookie to Martha Stewart in 5 minutes.

How to Store Leftover Watermelon

Because yes, you can have too much watermelon (especially if you bought one the size of a toddler).

Storage tips:

Airtight container in the fridge: lasts 3–5 days
Wrap cubes in paper towels to soak up moisture and keep them firm
Don’t store the whole thing once it’s cut—you’ll end up with a soggy mess and weird texture

And please, don’t freeze it unless you’re making slushies. Frozen watermelon turns to mush.

Watermelon Cutting Mistakes (I’ve Made Them All)

Common traps to avoid:

Using a dull knife – It’ll squish, not slice. Also: super dangerous.
Not cutting a flat base first – Hello, slippery nightmare.
Cutting on a small board – Juice will spill over, and you’ll curse gravity.
Trying to peel it like an apple – Why?? It’s not an apple. Don’t do this.

IMO, half of learning how to cut a watermelon is just avoiding dumb ideas.

Make It Fun: Extra Ideas

Want to get cute with it? Here’s what I’ve done when I felt a little Pinterest-y:

Watermelon stars (use cookie cutters—kids go nuts for these)
Mini fruit skewers (great for brunch)
Add chili-lime salt or mint for a flavor twist

And yes, watermelon + feta = still underrated.

FAQ: Stuff People Always Ask

Q: Can I eat the seeds?
A: Yes. Will it grow a watermelon in your stomach? No. You’re not 7 anymore.

Q: How long does watermelon last once it’s cut?
A: 3–5 days in the fridge. After that, it gets sad and slimy.

Q: Is there a tool for this?
A: There’s a gadget for everything now, but honestly? Just use a good knife. Most “melon slicers” are more hassle than help.

Final Thoughts

Cutting a watermelon shouldn’t feel like a survival challenge. With the right steps (and a decent knife), you can go from messy chaos to perfect cubes in under 5 minutes.

The key?

Start with a flat base
Know what shape you want
Use a sharp knife and a big board
And maybe don’t wear white while doing it. Just saying. 😬

Next time you buy one, skip the scooping spoon. You’ve got better options now.

So… ready to chop that watermelon like a boss?

If you try one of these methods (or invent your own weird one), let me know how it turns out. I’m always up for a good fruit hack. 🍉✌️