20 Fresh Watermelon Recipes to Satisfy Your Summer Cravings

Melon and Salt
Photo: Carson Downing

Whether it's a picnic or barbecue, watermelon is a summer staple. Everyone loves the refreshing fruit sliced, but have you tried it in your desserts, in a soup, or on a salad? Here you'll find some of our most delicious watermelon recipes in both sweet and savory form.

01 of 20

Delicious Fat-Free Watermelon Sherbet

Fat-Free Watermelon Sherbet
Blaine Moats

Cool down this summer with in-season watermelon sherbet. With only four ingredients, this cool watermelon treat is easy, delicious, and bursting with refreshing flavor. Even better, it's a budget-friendly option, too!

02 of 20

Grilled Chicken with Watermelon Glaze

Grilled Chicken with Watermelon Glaze
Andy Lyons

Try a spicy red pepper-watermelon glaze on your next grilled chicken recipe. Apple jelly and a hint of lime add sweet flavor to this unique summer dish.

03 of 20

Grilled Watermelon Salad

Grilled Watermelon Salad
Jason Donnelly

The grill comes in handy for more than burgers and hot dogs. Grilling your watermelon adds a delicious smokey flavor to this easy fruit salad recipe, while pickled radishes give it a bit of tang. You'll love the honey-lime vinaigrette recipe on its own, so save that recipe for all your favorite salads.

04 of 20

Melon and Salt

Melon and Salt
Carson Downing

Just like the recipe name, all you need for a perfect healthy summer snack is those two ingredients, except we've added one more: smoked paprika. If that's not your thing, you can alternatively drizzle a bit of red or white wine into your salt before coating your watermelon cubes.

05 of 20

Mini Gyro Burgers with Watermelon-Feta Salad

Mini Gyro Burgers Watermelon-Feta Salad
Blaine Moats

You probably haven't had a burger like this before. Mint, watermelon, and feta add unique flavors that complement the seasoned half-lamb-half-turkey blend.

06 of 20

Watermelon-Berry Sorbet

Watermelon-Berry Sorbet in metal pan
Andy Lyons

Pair watermelon with your favorite summer berries in this easy, icy dessert. With fewer than 100 calories per serving, it's a summery treat you can feel good about serving to your family.

07 of 20

Watermelon Margarita

Watermelon Margarita
Andy Lyons

Add a fresh hit to fan-favorite margaritas with sweet watermelon at your next outdoor cookout. A double dose of the fruit (both juice and frozen watermelon cubes) guarantees bright summer flavor in every sip.

08 of 20

Watermelon Pickles

Watermelon Pickles
Andy Lyons

Next time you dig into a plateful of watermelon, don't toss out your leftover rinds. When sliced and soaked in white vinegar and cinnamon, the pale green sections make a delicious snack year-round.

09 of 20

Watermelon Shrub

Watermelon Shrub in glass with skewer of watermelon cubs
Jacob Fox

Up your at-home drink game with a homemade watermelon drink to cool down this summer. The term "shrub" refers to two different things: a tart, fruity liquid you can sip straight up (a shrub starter) or as a cocktail made with the liquid.

10 of 20

Watermelon Soup with Fresh Mint

Watermelon Soup with Fresh Mint
Andy Lyons

Soup in the summertime? You bet! Try our simple two-step watermelon soup at your next family meal. This sweet time-saver can be served as an appetizer or with vanilla yogurt as a dessert.

11 of 20

Melon-Hibiscus Gelato

Melon-Hibiscus Gelato
Andy Lyons

Sweet watermelon, fragrant hibiscus, and zesty orange peel transform this light-as-air frozen treat into an even more indulgent affair. Just one scoop of the homemade gelato will have you instantly refreshed on any hot summer day.

12 of 20

Watermelon Cooler

Watermelon Cooler Punch
Andy Lyons

It's summertime, and nothing's more delicious than ice-cold punch poolside. Enjoy our light, minty grape cooler packed with watermelon slices and lime juice.

13 of 20

Spicy Watermelon Salad

Spicy Watermelon Salad
John Kernick

This watermelon recipe is practically a work of art. And because this healthy salad is flavored with olive oil, lime juice, and balsamic vinegar, it clocks in at just over 100 calories per serving.

14 of 20

Watermelon Sorbet

Watermelon Sorbet
Blaine Moats

Talk about summer in a cup! This 4-ingredient (plus water) cooling treat combines zesty lime and tart raspberries with fresh watermelon to make this easy frozen dessert recipe.

15 of 20

Watermelon-Mint Salad

Watermelon-Mint Salad in small glass jars
Blaine Moats

Make this fruity watermelon salad if you're looking for something fancy and refreshing. It only takes a few ingredients and makes the perfect treat for your summertime picnic. Plus, it gives you a new recipe to use up those mint leaves taking over your herb garden.

16 of 20

Watermelon Salad

Watermelon Salad
Andy Lyons

As refreshing sides go, this easy watermelon recipe hits it out of the park. Grape juice gives a hint of sweet pucker, while mint and feta add fresh, savory flavor.

17 of 20

Tomatillo-Watermelon Salad

Tomatillo-Watermelon Salad on white plate
Jason Donnelly

A little salty, a little sweet, this flavor-packed fresh watermelon recipe is anything but boring. We're talking queso fresco, a hint of lime, some fresh mint, and a kick of fresh jalapeno chile pepper.

18 of 20

Watermelon-Mint Coolers

Watermelon-Mint Cooler
Andy Lyons

Sit outside and enjoy the sun while you sip on this nonalcoholic watermelon drink. Or if it's an adults-only dinner, add 2 cups of white rum, then swap in club soda for the ginger ale.

19 of 20

Watermelon-Kiwi Pops

Watermelon-Kiwi Pops
Karla Conrad

Though it may not be a competition, prepare to have the most adorable ice pops on the block. Plus, your kids will have no idea you're basically serving them blended fruit. If you want an adult version of this pop, look no further than our boozy watermelon pop recipe.

20 of 20

Watermelon Agua Fresca

Watermelon Agua Fresca
Blaine Moats

This watermelon water might end up being the only drink refreshing enough to sip all summer long. If you're abstaining from alcohol, you'll definitely want to give this Mexican-inspired agua fresca recipe a try.

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