The 13 Best Watermelon Recipes to Make This Summer
Reaching its peak from May-August, now is the perfect time to experiment with unexpectedly versatile watermelon. So with that in mind, we’ve put together 13 deliciously creative ways to enjoy it. Whether you grill it, freeze it, or simply dice it up, recipes with this hydrating treat are guaranteed to brighten up any summer meal.
A simple balsamic reduction and drizzle of honey perfectly offset spicy arugula, and the fatty feta adds depth to an otherwise light salad. Recipe here.
Key ingredients:
- Balsamic vinegar
- Pine nuts
- Arugula
- Watermelon
- Feta
Fruit leather is the homemade version of Fruit Roll-Ups, but without all the dye. Relive your childhood and make this immediately. Roll it here!
Key ingredients:
- Watermelon
- Sugar
Two of summer’s best flavors come together in this five-minute dessert (not including freeze time) that anyone can master. Get the recipe.
Key ingredients:
- Cubed watermelon
- Raw honey
- Lime juice
- Coconut milk
- Shredded coconut
Salty, spicy chorizo topped with a zesty watermelon salsa is offset by a drizzle of creamy avocado sauce for one seriously summery tostada. Recipe here.
Key Ingredients:
- Chorizo
- Tostada shells
- Avocado
- Watermelon
- Tomatoes
This no-cook recipe threads chunks of watermelon and mozzarella between salty slices of prosciutto and fresh basil for an easy and light summer appetizer that you can make in mere minutes. Find it here!
Key ingredients:
- Mozzarella balls
- Watermelon
- Cucumber
- Prosciutto
- Basil
Blend fresh watermelon into barbecue sauce for a truly unique, sweet-and-salty drumstick. Blue cheese cilantro dipping sauce is a no-brainer. Recipe here.
Key ingredients:
- Chipotle peppers
- Watermelon
- Chicken drumsticks
- Ketchup
- Honey
Because all great salads have bacon. It’s here!
Key ingredients:
- Watermelon
- Red onion
- Feta cheese
- Bacon
- Mint
Tacos are great, sure, but the real star of this dish is the boozed-up watermelon salsa. Loaded with mangos, jalapeño, and a nice dose of tequila, it’s got a lot going on, but it all comes together beautifully. Check it out here!
Key ingredients:
- Watermelon
- Tequila
- Mango
- Jalapeño
- Mahi-mahi
Refresh the standard pork chop and fruit combo by swapping out tired old applesauce for a watermelon and feta pico. Find it here!
Key ingredients:
- Pork tenderloin
- Watermelon
- Jalapeño
- Lime juice
- Feta
No blender is needed for this sweet-and-spicy summer cocktail. Shake it up here!
Key ingredients:
- Jalapeño
- White tequila
- Watermelon
- Lime juice
- Triple sec
In this seasonal spin on the classic caprese, watermelon is brushed with olive oil and honey before being grilled to char-marked perfection. Recipe here!
Key ingredients:
- Watermelon
- Honey
- Grape tomatoes
- Mozzarella
- Basil
This simple side combines honey-drizzled chunks of watermelon with feta, basil, and quinoa, making it the ideal dish for sweltering summer days. Make it here.
Key ingredients:
- Quinoa
- Watermelon
- Feta
- Honey
- Basil
Layer watermelon and peaches between hunks of mozzarella and basil for a no-fuss summer treat that’s bound to please. Ready in just 15 minutes. It’s here!
Key Ingredients:
- Watermelon
- Tomatoes
- Peaches
- Buffalo mozzarella
- Basil
Christine Fischer is a freelance writer dedicated to a strict diet of Champagne, cookies, and the occasional pizza. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.