Everybody is aware of that when the climate heats up, watermelon comes out. Not solely does this fruit style its finest through the summer time months, however watermelon recipes are the proper companion for poolside enjoyable and all issues outdoor. Whether or not you’re craving a savory salad with contemporary, juicy slices or maybe a candy deal with to finish the day, this checklist has every part you could possibly dream of.
Earlier than we get into the very best watermelon recipes this summer time, there are a number of vital particulars to bear in mind when making ready and deciding on your fruit. You received’t need to miss these steps, as going up in opposition to a complete watermelon with out some fruit-cutting expertise may be daunting. By no means concern, nonetheless—look no additional for every part that you must know for a simple breezy watermelon expertise.
Methods to Decide the Greatest Watermelon
There are a number of key methods to make sure you’re choosing the ripest, sweetest, and tastiest watermelon of the bunch. Other than the truth that watermelon thrives in the summertime, beneath are extra issues to bear in mind throughout your farmer’s market journey.
- Form and Dimension. An excellent rule of thumb—the heavier the watermelon, the juicier it’s. They’re fabricated from 90% water, in spite of everything! Moreover, the very best watermelon will probably be symmetrical in form, whether or not it’s spherical or oval. Irregular shapes can point out that through the rising course of, the watermelon obtained inconsistent quantities of solar or water.
- The Discipline Spot. When choosing your melon, take into account the place your fruit grew. A yellowish spot on the watermelon, generally known as the sphere spot, can point out the place the watermelon grew and ripened on the bottom. If the spot is a darker shade of yellow, the watermelon is prone to be sweeter and extra mature.
- The Sound Take a look at. When you’ve picked a handsome melon, faucet the fruit together with your knuckles. A ripe watermelon may have a deep, hole sound, whereas an unripe watermelon will produce a flat or boring sound when tapped.
Methods to Reduce and Prep Watermelon
There are a few methods to go about slicing a watermelon. If its measurement is overwhelming, these strategies could assist to simplify the method.
Slices
- Slice off each ends of the watermelon.
- Stand the watermelon upright and halve the watermelon.
- Place every half flat-side down and lower it in half once more to quarter the melon.
- Slice the quarters into 1-inch slices or no matter measurement you favor.
Cubes/Sticks
- Slice off each ends of the watermelon.
- Stand the watermelon upright and halve the watermelon.
- Place every half flat-side down and lower it in half once more to quarter the melon.
- Place every of your quarters flat aspect down, and punctiliously slice alongside the rind to take away it.
- When you’ve eliminated your rind, lower the watermelon flesh into sticks after which into cubes if most well-liked.
15 Watermelon Recipes for a Candy Summer time
Watermelon Chopped Greek Salad
Why We Love It: Till lately, I didn’t perceive how versatile watermelon may very well be, which meant that I hadn’t explored together with it in my summer time salads. In the event you’re in search of a wholesome and attractive aspect salad to current at your summer time gatherings, this chopped Greek salad is the proper crowd-pleaser.
Hero Ingredient: A little bit of feta goes a great distance.
Grilled Watermelon Salad
Why We Love It: Grilled fruit is certainly one of my summer time cooking secrets and techniques. Paired with a crumbly cheese of your selection, akin to feta or goat cheese, this recipe is straightforward and liked by company of all ages. Plus, the grill time is lower than 5 minutes, which implies extra time for enjoyable within the solar.
Hero Ingredient: The cheese is the important thing.
Watermelon Vodka Cocktail
Why We Love It: Everyone knows and love watermelon bevs, however this vodka cocktail is scrumptious and absurdly simple to make. Impressed by the cocktail recipe from chef/proprietor Helene Henderson of Malibu Farm, it’s the final word drink to sip on this summer time. Merely shake all 4 substances collectively and serve it up!
Hero Ingredient: Contemporary lime juice provides a little bit of tang to this cocktail.
Watermelon Punch
Why We Love It: In the event you’re in search of a NA choice to serve up, this watermelon punch is for you. With a wholesome quantity of watermelon chunks, paired with lime juice and bubbly membership soda, it’s the proper strategy to keep hydrated and refreshed within the warmth.
Hero Ingredient: Membership soda makes this drink really feel elevated and lightweight.
Watermelon Tomato Caprese Salad
Why We Love It: Caprese salads are my go-to for summer time, as they encompass every part that I am keen on through the hotter months. Creamy mozzarella cheese, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crunchy cucumbers are the savory components that work to enrich contemporary watermelon on this gorgeous salad. For sure, I’m a bit obsessed.
Hero Ingredient: A high-quality EVOO can provide this salad a wealthy addition.
Watermelon Mint Margarita
Why We Love It: It wouldn’t be summer time and not using a margarita recipe to quench your thirst. It’s laborious to withstand the slushy mixture of contemporary fruit and tequila after a day within the warmth, and this recipe is certain to fulfill your yearning for the frozen bev.
Hero Ingredient: Contemporary mint and watermelon are an elite duo.
Watermelon Salad with Cucumber and Feta
Why We Love It: In the event you’re like me, you’re at all times on the hunt for a brand new summer time salad recipe that includes seasonal flavors. Paired with a easy limey olive oil French dressing, this watermelon salad takes lower than an hour to throw collectively, together with time spent chilling within the fridge.
Hero Ingredient: Child arugula provides a little bit of inexperienced goodness to this contemporary fruit salad.
Spicy Watermelon Salad
Why We Love It: With a spicy Indian-inspired kick to enrich cool summer time flavors, this is likely one of the watermelon recipes that you may’t go with out this season. With additions like paneer and chaat masala to spice up your contemporary sliced fruit, this can be a bowl of candy, tangy taste.
Hero Ingredient: Paneer as a salad ingredient? Sure, please.
Crispy Salmon with Watermelon Mint Salsa
Why We Love It: That is the summer time of salmon recipes. The fish is straightforward to arrange in a pinch and may be paired with all kinds of candy and savory toppings that you could be even have mendacity round in your fridge or pantry.
Hero Ingredient: I’ll be including this watermelon mint salsa to simply about every part for the foreseeable future.
Watermelon Skewers
Why We Love It: These skewers can function a candy snack or a light-weight dessert. Both approach, they’re a must have for summer time. Merely add all of your fruit to skewers, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and basil, and revel in!
Hero Ingredient: There’s simply one thing about watermelon and basil.
Watermelon Salad with Kale and Avocado
Why We Love It: Filled with handfuls of curly kale and crispy veggies like sliced fennel, cucumbers, and crunchy radishes, that is THE summer time salad. With sliced avocado and crumbled feta to stability out the daring textures on this bowl, it’s laborious to withstand.
Hero Ingredient: I’m a bit fan of avocado on absolutely anything.
Watermelon Agua Fresca from Isabel Eats
Why We Love It: This agua fresa recipe is a foolproof drink that every one ages and tastebuds can get pleasure from. All it takes is watermelon, water, and a little bit of sugar, and also you’ve received your self a easy summer time bev that’s excellent for the sunniest days.
Hero Ingredient: In relation to a brewing up a refreshing bev, ending issues off with a sprig of contemporary mint is at all times the reply.
Strawberry Watermelon Sorbet from Minimalist Baker
Why We Love It: Maybe essentially the most well-known watermelon dessert is sorbet. It consists of an ice cream-like texture, minus the dairy and the copious quantities of sugar. Made by mixing frozen watermelon together with your alt milk of your selection—together with frozen strawberries and bananas—it’s the final word dessert recipe to get essentially the most out of your summer time fruits.
Hero Ingredient: Incorporating another milk akin to almond or coconut offers this sorbet a pleasant mouthfeel whereas nonetheless being dairy-free.
Watermelon Salsa from Recipe Woman
Why We Love It: Everybody loves an excellent salsa recipe to snack on pre-dinner or all through the day. This watermelon salsa is a sweeter tackle the historically tomato and pepper-based appetizer. Bonus: with solely six substances, it may be thrown collectively in quarter-hour.
Hero Ingredient: Contemporary jalapeños add an excellent, spicy kick.
Simple Chocolate Dipped Watermelon Bites from The Glutenless Maximus
Why We Love It: That is a kind of “don’t knock it ’until you attempt it” watermelon recipes. But when the flavour combo appears up your alley, this can be a gorgeous and easy dessert that’s certain to fulfill your candy tooth. Merely dip your ripe watermelon items in darkish or milk chocolate and sprinkle with a little bit of sea salt.Â
Hero Ingredient: No matter chocolate you go for, it offers a pleasant little bit of decadence to this virtuous dessert.
