31 Watermelon Recipes to Satisfy Your Summer Cravings

By BH&G Food Editors
Updated July 31, 2020
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
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.
Start Slideshow

1 of 31

Delicious Fat-Free Watermelon Sherbet

Blaine Moats
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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!

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 31

Grilled Chicken with Watermelon Glaze

Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

3 of 31

Watermelon Fruit Salad

Kritsada Panichgul
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

There's no easier way to use up sweet watermelon than in a potluck-perfect fruit salad. Honey, basil, and red wine vinegar coat the colorful fruit medley.

Related: 4 Genius Tricks to Pick a Perfectly Sweet Watermelon

Advertisement

4 of 31

Grilled Watermelon Salad

Karla Conrad
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

Related: 18 Irresistible Grilled Desserts

5 of 31

Melon and Salt

Carson Downing
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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 ($5, The Spice House). 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.

6 of 31

Mini Gyro Burgers with Watermelon-Feta Salad

Blaine Moats
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

Buy It: Watermelon Slicer  ($10, Williams Sonoma)

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 31

Pork Tacos with Spicy Watermelon Salsa

Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Amp up a ho-hum taco with our homemade watermelon salsa. The spectacular spicy-sweet topper is filled with chopped Anaheim peppers, fresh cilantro, and watermelon.

Related: 31 Healthy Mexican Recipes for a Mexican Night Made Light

8 of 31

Watermelon-Berry Sorbet

Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

Related: 8 No-Churn Ice Cream Recipes That Are Unbelievably Easy to Make

9 of 31

Caprese Watermelon Salad

Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Summer calls for simple, and while this watermelon salad may be easy, you'll be craving it all season long. All you need is watermelon, mozzarella, basil, and balsamic to have the perfect summer-fresh salad.

Related: How to Grow Watermelon for a Sweet Summer Treat

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 31

Watermelon Margarita

Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

11 of 31

Watermelon Pickles

Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

Related: How to Make Fermented Foods at Home

12 of 31

Watermelon Margarita Pops

Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These popsicles with an adults-only twist are just what you need for summer. Combine orange juice, tequila, orange zest, and sugar, then drizzle all over watermelon wedges.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 31

Lemon-Watermelon Bites

Greg Scheidemann
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Make the perfect summer snack with our 3-ingredient watermelon bites. Simply top watermelon chunks with goat cheese, drizzle with lemon-flavored olive oil, and dig in!

14 of 31

Flatbread Panzanella with Watermelon, Feta, and Mint

Jason Donnelly
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Add a unique twist to Panzanella, a classic bread salad, with fresh, juicy watermelon. Serve this healthy side dish with your favorite cooked protein for a fully balanced meal thanks to the veggies, grains, fruit, and dairy in every bite.

15 of 31

Watermelon Soup with Fresh Mint

Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 31

Melon-Hibiscus Gelato

Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

17 of 31

Watermelon Cooler

Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

18 of 31

Watermelon-Prosciutto Bites

Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Salty prosciutto and creamy goat cheese give summer's favorite fruit an Italian twist. Sprinkle with pepper and serve with mini skewers or toothpicks for an elegant starter.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 31

Grilled Watermelon-Shrimp Salad

Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In case you couldn't tell, we really love putting watermelon in our salads. Here we've also grilled up some succulent shrimp to add an extra boost of protein to your healthy lunch.

20 of 31

Spicy Watermelon Salad

John Kernick
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

21 of 31

Watermelon Sorbet

Blaine Moats
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

Buy It: KitchenAid 5-Cup Food Chopper ($60, Bed Bath & Beyond)

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 31

Watermelon-Mint Salad

Blaine Moats
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

23 of 31

Watermelon Salad

Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

24 of 31

Homemade Gyros with Watermelon-Feta Salad

Blaine Moats
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Whoa. Not only are these sandwiches absolutely delicious, but they're also healthy! Take your gyro game to the next level by serving them up on some easy two-ingredient flatbreads.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 31

Tomatillo-Watermelon Salad

Jason Donnelly
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

26 of 31

Watermelon-Tomato Gazpacho

Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Gazpacho may not typically be fruity, but you don't know what you're missing. This chilled watermelon soup is perfectly refreshing on a hot summer day.

Related: Gazpacho Recipes to Satisfy Soup Cravings All Summer

27 of 31

Watermelon Salsa

Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This salsa is almost as easy to make as it is to unscrew a jar of store-bought chip dip. Just combine three ingredients (watermelon, green onions, and lime) and chill. Serve them over some shredded pork tacos for a unique burst of flavor.

Related: Fresh Salsa Recipes to Shake Up Taco Night

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 31

Watermelon-Mint Coolers

Andy Lyons
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

Related: 35+ Refreshing Summer Drinks

29 of 31

Watermelon-Kiwi Pops

Karla Conrad
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

Buy It: Zoku Classic Pops Mold ($15, Bed Bath & Beyond)

30 of 31

Watermelon-Raspberry Jelly