This Is the Best Way to Cut a Watermelon, According to the Experts

Watermelon may be the ultimate fruit of summer—but the big and bold, unwieldy fruit may make cutting it seem like a major challenge. So what’s the best way to cut a watermelon to minimize the fuss and make it easy to enjoy every juicy bite? We turned to the experts at the Watermelon Board for the official scoop on chopping up a watermelon.

The Best Watermelon Slicing Hack

The biggest (and most dangerous) issue with slicing up a watermelon is trying to cut a wobbly watermelon. “I see so many videos of people cutting watermelons round-side-down, steadying the fruit with their hands coming at it with a huge knife, and I am nervous every time,” says Stephanie Barlow, senior director of communications for the Watermelon Board. The secret is making only one big slice to cut the watermelon in half, then making every additional cut with the cut side down for a sturdy base. “Flat side down eliminates all that danger.”

The Best Way to Cut a Watermelon

While the traditional triangles are a classic way to cut it, and you’ll need cubes to make a stellar watermelon salad, Barlow advocates for the watermelon stick as the coolest new way to cut watermelon. This method creates thin “batons” that maximize fruit and minimize rind. (And likely, this method also minimizes food waste as people get smaller portions to start and can grab more sticks as they desire.)

Here’s how to make it happen:

1. Cut the watermelon in half and put the sturdy flat side down.
2. Make downward cuts into the watermelon to create two rows of perpendicular cuts about an inch apart.
3. Pull out each stick. The sticks come out clean as a nice portion.

Tips for Cutting Watermelon

No matter how you slice it, there are strategies to simplify digging into the juicy fruit.

Wash the watermelon well.

You can rinse it off with water, or use a produce brush or wet cloth to scrub the surface. There’s a good reason to scrub the exterior: “Anything that touched that outside you’re potentially cutting into the inside with your knife,” Barlow says. “So think of a shopping cart for example—I’ve seen kids in that shopping cart standing up with their shoes on.”

Use a large, sharp knife.

“You really need to use a good, large, sharp knife,” Barlow says. “You can’t saw into it like a loaf of bread.” Using a hefty knife helps put more weight behind each cut, so you can more easily slice and dice your watermelon.

Only cut what you need.

Only cut as much watermelon as you’ll use in the next 24 hours, and leave the rest refrigerated, with plastic wrap over the cut end, in your fridge. That will help ensure that it stay in the best shape possible until you’re ready to dive in for more.

Minimizing Mess When Cutting Watermelon

Watermelons are very aptly named, as they are almost 92 percent water. That makes them a great way to stay hydrated—but also makes cutting watermelon a bit of a messy affair. Fortunately, there are some ways to help contain the juice so it’s easier to clean up after you cut your watermelon.

Drain it off as you go.

Barlow recommends using the cutting board close to the sink, and draining off the excess water after every quarter of the watermelon either into a glass to drink (watermelon juice is delish!) or into the sink.

Use a cutting board with a channel cut into it.

Meat carving boards, which often feature a channel to capture the meat’s juices, are ideal—but you’ll want to have a separate one to use for your watermelon or other produce to avoid cross contamination.

Place towels around the cutting board.

Don’t place them under the cutting board itself, as that could cause the cutting board and the watermelon to slip and slide—never a good thing when you’re using a big knife.

Storing Your Cut Watermelon

If you can’t quite finish your watermelon in one sitting—or you’re cutting it in preparation for later in the day—you’ll need to refrigerate your sliced watermelon. Place the watermelon sticks in an air-tight container, trying to minimize exposure to air, or cover them thoroughly with plastic wrap to help ensure that it doesn’t dry out in the fridge.