How To Cut Watermelon Into Sticks, Cubes And Triangles

When summer rolls around, few things are better than a big, delicious watermelon. While we are not one to judge if you enjoy cutting open a watermelon and eating the insides with a spoon, sometimes you need to cut up the entire watermelon, whether for a party, a recipe, or just for keeping in the fridge. The nice thing is that multiple cutting options fit everyone's needs.

For example, if you are having a party and want some ready-to-eat watermelon, cutting your melon into sticks or triangles creates perfect self-serve bites. However, if you are prepping for storage or for a recipe, cutting into cubes might be the better option. It takes a little time and patience to learn how to cut a whole watermelon but ultimately, if you have basic knife skills, you should be able to cut watermelon like a pro in no time. We will walk you through everything you need to know to cut your watermelon into sticks, cubes, and triangles so the next time watermelon season rolls around, you are ready.

Cutting watermelon does take some skill, but it does not take a lot of equipment. Do not fall into the trap of thinking you need a special watermelon cutter to carve up your watermelon for you. To prepare watermelon all you need is a sharp knife, a cutting board, a bowl for the watermelon pieces, and either a bowl or tray to hold your watermelon rind after the fruit pieces have been cut out.

The first thing to look at for your watermelon is the color. Watermelons naturally have a lighter underside and a darker green top. The light underside is where the watermelon sat on the ground when growing. This spot should not be white but instead should be a yellowed color. This will indicate the fruit is entirely ripe. 

Additionally, look for a watermelon that is no longer shiny. Watermelon with a matte finish is fully ripe. Next, listen to the watermelon. Tap on your watermelon. The resulting sound should be hollow if the fruit is ripe and ready to eat.

There are two methods you can use to cut a watermelon. Both methods require a few steps. However, one method gives more stability.

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To cut the watermelon horizontally, place your watermelon on the cutting board, with each end pointing towards opposite walls.

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Hold the watermelon steadily with one hand, and with your dominant hand take your chef's knife and slice down the middle. This will take some rocking back and forth, and may require you to reposition to cut all the way through. If your watermelon is particularly large, roll the watermelon lightly to cut all the way around the watermelon.

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If you value additional stability, you can also cut the watermelon vertically. To do this, place the watermelon on the cutting board. Cut off both ends of the watermelon, leaving two flat edges.

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Prop your watermelon up vertically, with a cut flat edge on the cutting board. Take your knife and slice down the middle of your watermelon, gently rocking back and forth if you need additional leverage.

For this method, we recommended a horizontally cut watermelon, as it will give you longer sticks. 

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Take your sliced watermelon, and place it flat, fruit-side down on the cutting board. Pick a direction, and with your knife, cut the half into one-inch wide strips. Make sure to keep your watermelon together.

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When you are finished, switch directions and cut the watermelon into one-inch strips again. 

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This will create a grid-like pattern and give you perfect watermelon sticks.

For this method, we recommend starting with a vertically cut watermelon. Stand your watermelon up, with the large flat side down, creating a dome.

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Holding the watermelon with one hand, take your sharp knife, and gently trim off the outer layer of the watermelon. The goal here is to remove as much of the white pith and rind as possible, leaving only the juicy red fruit inside.

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Now, cut your watermelon into slices approximately one inch thick.

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Stack a few of the slices on the cutting board with the largest flat side down, placing the others on the side. Cut these into strips roughly one inch thick.

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Now, cut the strips in the opposite direction, cutting one inch thick and creating a grid pattern. Transfer your cubed watermelon to a clean bowl, and repeat the process with the remainder of the watermelon.

For this method, we recommend starting with a vertically cut watermelon. This will give you the best starting point.

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Take your watermelon half cut vertically, and cut it in half again lengthwise. This will create two long, thin pieces of watermelon. If you prefer big triangles, leave your watermelon at this point.

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If you want slightly smaller triangles, cut your watermelon half lengthwise again.

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Then, take a length of watermelon and slice it into one-inch pieces. Repeat for the remainder of the watermelon.

One of the nice things about watermelons is that they can last a long time. Before being cut, a watermelon can survive on the counter for 7-10 days. If placed whole into the fridge, this number goes even higher, up to four weeks.

However, given how bulky a whole watermelon is, we can see why you may not want to store it in your fridge for close to a month. Once you have peeled or cut open your watermelon, the timeframe does go down. A sliced watermelon must be stored in the refrigerator and is only good for about four days.

Watermelon can also be frozen but keep in mind that freezing watermelon can cause the fruit to lose its crisp bite, making it soft and a little mushy. However, in the freezer, watermelon can last for up to six months.

The easiest way to store watermelon is simply to do nothing to it. Do not cut it, or peel it, or anything. However, if you find yourself with some prepped watermelon you are not going to eat immediately, don't worry. It is not hard to store watermelon.

To store in the refrigerator, place the watermelon in an airtight container or cover it with plastic to create an air-tight seal. If placing it in the freezer, start by freezing pieces on a parchment paper-lined baking tray. Once the pieces are frozen, transfer them to a sealed freezer-safe bag.