How To Cut A Watermelon into Slices

Name: How To Cut A Watermelon into Slices
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 medium watermelon

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Learn how to cut a watermelon into slices in just a few simple steps. Have perfect watermelon slices in just 5 minutes.

Slicing is one of the most common ways to cut a watermelon. It’s easy for kids to hold and looks pretty too.

For more how-to guides on cutting produce, check out How to Cut a Mango Hack, How To Cut a Pineapple, and How To Cut A Bell Pepper.

Table of Contents

Cutting A Watermelon

Here in the Midwest, watermelon season runs May to September and we take full advantage of the availability each year! Finding different ways to cut, slice and dice keeps our family enjoying watermelon all season.

You may be surprised how simple it is to cut watermelon. Along with this guide, keep our How To Cut A Watermelon into Cubes and How To Cut Watermelon Sticks guides handy for years to come!

Watermelon is great to serve on any hot summer day, poolside, at potlucks or pack in lunchboxes and send to school or camp. Easily cut watermelon into different shapes to encourage kids to eat more fruit.

To get started, gather the equipment and a watermelon then follow the step-by-step guide. Enjoy!

whole watermelon on cutting board with knife

Equipment

cutting board
chefs knife

Ingredients

1 medium watermelon

Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.

How To Cut Watermelon Slices

Rinse the watermelon under running water.

Cut the watermelon in half

Place the watermelon onto the cutting board. Carefully cut the watermelon in half through the center of the melon. Set one half to the side and place the other half cut side down.

Cut the watermelon into sections

Cut the watermelon half in half, then again. Repeat until you have cut 8 sections.

Cut into slices

Take each section and place them flat onto the cutting board. Starting at the end cut into slices. Repeat for the other half of the watermelon.

Serve

Serve right away or refrigerate until serving.

half of watermelon sliced into eight sections

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does watermelon last?

A whole watermelon that hasn’t been sliced will last at room temperature for a few weeks.

How long does cut watermelon last?

Once cut, watermelon will last up to 5 days in the fridge in a covered container.

How to tell if a watermelon is ripe?

From the weight, sound and overall appearance, there are a few characteristics of a ripe watermelon to be on the lookout for.

First, the whole watermelon should be heavy for its size as this is key to a juicy fruit. Lift each watermelon aiming to pick the heaviest. Next, give it a tap, you are listening for a deep hollow sound. Lastly, the watermelon should be blemish-free, dark green in color with a yellow spot or “field spot” on the melon.

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Cutting a large watermelon into sections is best left to an adult- but taking over to cut the melon from sections into slices is definitely a good way to practice your knife skills. Use a kid-safe knife or chef’s knife with the help of an adult.
Serve watermelon slices with Yogurt Fruit Dip or Fruit Dip with Cool Whip
Top each slice with a dollop of cool whip and fresh berries for a treat
Freeze watermelon slices to enjoy on a hot day or add to a cup of water as an “ice cube”

top down view of watermelon slices on a cutting board

Watermelon Recipes

Watermelon Ice Cream (Without Ice Cream Maker)
Cube Watermelon
Watermelon Sticks
Watermelon Feta Salad
Yogurt Fruit Dip

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

A little girls hand picking up a slice of watermelon off a wooden cutting board.

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