The Best Way To Cut and Store Watermelon

Here's the best way to cut watermelon. It's simple to do, mess free to eat and is so fun for kids and adults. I'll also show you the best way to store cut watermelon so it stays fresh as long as possible.

When watermelon is in season, we can't get enough of it. There's nothing quite like a a juicy, sweet bite of watermelon that has been chilling in the refrigerator on a hot summer day.

Watermelon isn't hard to cut, but it can be difficult to maneuver if you have a really large melon and a big knife. After cutting watermelon for decades for many family gatherings, this is our favorite way to do it in our family - cut it into convenient and super cute watermelon sticks. They kind of look like popsicles!

They are so easy to cut this way and best of all, really easy to eat. The watermelon rind is handy to have something to hold on to without any utensils. Since the watermelon is in the shape of a narrow rectangle just wide enough to put in your mouth, you won't have watermelon juice dripping all over your cheeks, like you would with watermelon triangles or half moons.

I also love to cut up watermelon ahead of time when meal prepping. In that case, I cut it up into cubes and we are so much more likely to have a healthy snack more often when it's already prepped and ready to enjoy. I'll show you the best way to store cut watermelon so it stays fresh as long as possible.

How To Cut Watermelon Sticks

Wash the watermelon well before cutting. If you have time, chill the watermelon in the refrigerator before cutting. It really helps to use a large, sharp knife; it makes a huge difference.

1. Cut the watermelon in half.
2. Then, place the watermelon halves cut side down, one at a time and cut across, into half circles.
3. Place the watermelon half circles flat down on the cutting board and cut them into rectangles. Now you have watermelon popsicles 😊.
   • You can also cut the whole watermelon into rectangles by cutting it into grids with each watermelon half, but it's much easier if you do a few slices at a time.
   • If you are a novice, you're less likely to cut yourself if you do it a few slices at a time, instead of attempting to cut across the entire watermelon halves.
   • If you don't have a large, sharp knife, it's also easier to maneuver.

How To Cut a Watermelon Into Cubes

• One way to cut a watermelon into cubes is to do it just like the instructions above to cut it into sticks. Then just cut off and discard the watermelon rind.
• You can also cut off all the rind first, then cut the watermelon into cubes. (Don't do this if you don't have a large, sharp knife.)
  1. Cut the watermelon in half, also cutting off the top. Place it wide cut side down on the cutting board.
  2. Carefully slice off the rind in sections from top to bottom. Rotate the melon as you go. Go back and trim away any remaining white and light pink parts of the watermelon.
  3. Now, cut across the watermelon, into the thickness that you want.
  4. Rotate the watermelon 90 degrees and repeat again, creating cubes.

How To Cut Watermelon Video

How To Store Watermelon

I stumbled across this storage completely accidentally a few years ago. I had some cut up watermelon that had been in the refrigerator for several days. As I was eating the watermelon, I was so happy with how crisp and juicy the cubes were.

However, as I ate the watermelon that had been sitting in its own juices in the bottom of the bowl, there was such a stark difference. These cubes were mushy, starting to taste "off" and definitely looked wilted.

The secret to keeping your cut up watermelon as fresh as possible is to prevent it from sitting in it's own juice.

There are two easy ways to do this, without any special storage containers.

1. Place the cut up watermelon in a bowl and store in the refrigerator, covered. Once a day, drain the juice from the bowl.
   • That's it! So easy. Use a lid or even a plate to hold back the watermelon cubes over the side of the bowl while you drain the juice.
   • This works great, it doesn't take up any extra space in your refrigerator and will keep your watermelon fresh for days.
   • The only "con" of this method is that you have to remember to do this step.
2. Put a colander in the bowl first, before placing the watermelon in the bowl. Once again, cover and store in the refrigerator.
   • You don't have to remember to drain the juice every day, since it will naturally drain the watermelon while it's conveniently prepped in the fridge to be enjoyed anytime.
   • A few "cons" with this method:
     • You won't be able to use your colander before you eat your watermelon up. If you have an extra colander, then that fixes that issue.
     • It may take up more space in the refrigerator.
     • You might not have a colander that fits into the bowl that you have.

How To Pick the Best Watermelon

Here are a few helpful tips when you're choosing a watermelon at the store. When we follow these suggestions, we're much more likely to pick a juicy, sweet and crunchy watermelon.

1. Avoid cracks, soft spots and blemishes.
   • Of course, these things will indicate that the watermelon is damaged and possibly spoiled.
2. Look for a nice, yellow spot near the bottom of the watermelon. (Usually, the bigger, the better.)
   • This is actually a great sign! It means the watermelon has had a long time to ripen on the vine and wasn't picked while it was still green and before it finished ripening. The yellow spot is where the watermelon was resting on the ground while connected to the vine.
   • (Just make sure that the yellow spot is not cracked through the rind or has become soft.
3. Give it a good rap with your knuckles.
   • You'll get better at recognizing the best sound with experience. You're looking for a deep, hollow sound, meaning a juicy, ripe watermelon.
   • It should also have a reverberating vibration when you rap the watermelon. An under ripe or overripe watermelon will have more of a thud.
   • I think this is the least reliable thing to look for and wont' give you perfect results every time, but it definitely helps.
4. The outside of the watermelon will have a more dull coating the more ripe it is. Before the watermelon ripens, it's much more glossy and shiny.