20 Watermelon Recipes That Are Perfect for Summer

Grilled Watermelon Pizza Recipe

For a fruity and finger-friendly appetizer, grill watermelon wedges and top with pickled onions, blue chees, and pecans. 

Sip Watermelon Rum Punch Directly from the Fruit Recipe

This tart and floral watermelon rum punch is a delightful brunch sipper all afternoon long. The star of the show may be the melon, but this drink's flavor power owes a lot to St-Germain, a sweet elderflower liqueur.

Watermelon Salsa Recipe

This watermelon salsa is bright, acidic, and fruity. Thanks to a soak in cold water, the raw onion has a much milder flavor. Meanwhile, the lime juice and zest balance out the watermelon's sweetness. We love this as a dip, but it's also fantastic over grilled fish or in fish tacos, and it only takes 15 minutes to whip up.

Beef-and-Watermelon Stir-Fry Recipe

Spicy beef and refreshing watermelon make the perfect pair in this crowd-pleasing dinner. Hearty, yet not heavy, this light and fresh take on a classic stir-fry is sure to become your next favorite summer meal.

Spike Your Watermelon with Tequila Recipe

Before biting into a sweet slice of watermelon, you should really soak it in tequila. Essentially a cocktail poured over the fruit, tequila-spiked watermelon is so much better a brunch side than a pile of the plain fruit.

Watermelon Salad with Feta and Cucumber Pickles Recipe

Sumac--available at spice stores--adds a subtle piney, tangy note, but don't worry if you can't find it: The salad will still have loads of flavor complexity without it. You could also sub 1 teaspoon of prepared horseradish for the wasabi powder.

Watermelon Syrup Recipe

This versatile watermelon syrup will save your summer desserts and add a fun twist to refreshing homemade shaved ice.

Watermelon-Mint Margarita Recipe

Try a new twist on a classic margarita with watermelon and mint flavors.

Crunchy Jerk Tacos with Watermelon-Mango Salsa Recipe

Watermelon and mango are the fruity stars of these summery chicken tacos. With the perfect amount of sweetness to balance the savory flavors, we're confident this dinner will be a repeat in your summer rotation. 

Watermelon-Jalapeño Ice Pops Recipe

Sweet meets heat in this summer-ready popsicle recipe. A bit of pectin helps keep all the ingredients incorporated evenly in this treat; without it, they tend to separate.

Tuna-and-Watermelon Poke Bowls Recipe

This poke bowl is super delicious and flavorful, complete with umami-soy saltiness and citrus notes. Poke should only be made with sushi-grade tuna, which you can find at specialty stores like Whole Foods or your local fishmonger.

Heirloom Tomato, Watermelon, and Peach Salad Recipe

This summer salad features seasonal tomatoes, watermelon, and peaches to create a sensationally delicious side dish that's appropriate for any occasion.

Watermelon and Arugula Chicken Salad Recipe

If watermelon wedges are a mainstay at your summer cookouts, try dicing for this instant, gorgeous salad. Refreshing bites of watermelon and hearty chicken will make this easy salad an instant summer favorite.

Watermelon-Mint Margarita Recipe

Try a new twist on a classic margarita with watermelon and mint flavors.

Grilled Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint Recipe

Your search for the perfect summer side is over—grilled watermelon salad topped with feta and mint balances sweetness and saltiness, making it an excellent complement to a cookout or backyard barbecue. The right amounts of balsamic vinegar and salt work with a little char to make watermelon sing in a completely new way, while olive oil and black pepper tie it all together. 

Watermelon and Cucumber Tonic Recipe

A reinterpretation of the familiar gin and tonic, this cocktail includes fresh watermelon and cucumber juices for a refreshing taste.

Watermelon-Cucumber Salad Recipe

For a refreshing summer side, serve lemony Watermelon-Cucumber Salad to go along with your favorite grilled dish.

Tomato, Watermelon, and Feta Skewers with Mint and Lime Recipe

No time for skewers? Gently toss the ingredients in a salad bowl, or dice the tomato, watermelon, and cheese into small cubes to serve as a fresh relish for grilled meats.

Cucumber-Watermelon Crush Recipe

Cucumber water is a refresher at many spas. Relax with our jazzed-up version that includes fresh melon and mint.

Minted Watermelon and Lemon Ice Pops Recipe

Boasting just 82 calories and a boatload of vitamin C, these double-decker popsicles feature a sweet-tart lemon layer topped with a minty watermelon layer. If you prefer one flavor over the other, double the amount of ingredients required for each layer and make single flavored pops.