3 Easy Steps to Cut Watermelon
Healthy RecipesIn the Kitchen With Everyday Health

How to Cut Watermelon: A Step-by-Step Guide

Next up video playing in 10 seconds

How to Cut It: Watermelon

Watermelons are 92-percent water, making them a food that can help you meet your hydration goal, but do you know how to cut them? The Millennial Chef shows you how in this video.
How to Cut It: Watermelon
NOW PLAYING
How to Cut It: Watermelon
How to Cut It: Mango
NOW PLAYING
How to Cut It: Mango
How to Cut It: Kale
NOW PLAYING
How to Cut It: Kale
How to Cut It: Pumpkin
NOW PLAYING
How to Cut It: Pumpkin
How to Cut It: Avocado
NOW PLAYING
How to Cut It: Avocado
How to Cut It: Acorn Squash
NOW PLAYING
How to Cut It: Acorn Squash
By
Updated on March 25, 2026
by
There’s nothing like a slice of fresh, juicy watermelon on a hot summer day. As its name suggests, this mammoth melon is about 92-percent water by weight, so it can help you meet both your nutrition and hydration needs for the day. It’s also packed with micronutrients like potassium, vitamin A, and the antioxidant lycopene.

 Lycopene may help protect against free radicals, compounds associated with aging and many chronic diseases.

In addition to making a great, naturally sweet snack, watermelon can be used in savory dishes — but cutting it down to size takes some know-how. Follow these steps for the best way to cut watermelon.

How to Cut It: Watermelon

  1. With a sharp chef’s knife, slice off both ends.
  2. Place the watermelon on one of the cut sides and use the knife to cut away strips of the rind and white flesh until none remains.
  3. Slice the flesh into rounds. Then slice each round into cubes of your desired size.

Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad

Simple-Summer-Salads-01-Watermelon-cucumber-feta-salad-1440x810
Getty Images
Sweet and salty combine to create this refreshing summer dish. About 20 percent of our hydration should come from the foods we eat.

 Watermelon and cucumbers are two of the most water-packed produce choices out there, at 92- and 95-percent water, respectively.

 Watermelon will also give you a healthy dose of the carotenoid lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to lower risk of cancer, heart disease, and age-related eye disorders.

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 mini watermelon (or ½ regular watermelon), rind removed, cubed (about 4 cups)
  • 2 English cucumbers, peeled intact, then chopped
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 2 tablespoon (tbsp) grapeseed oil or light-flavored olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint

Directions

  • In a large bowl, combine watermelon, cucumbers, and feta cheese.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, grapeseed oil, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over watermelon-cucumber mixture and toss lightly to evenly coat.
  • Top with fresh mint and serve.

Nutrition per serving: 150 calories, 9 grams (g) total fat (2g saturated fat), 3g protein, 21g carbs, 2g fiber, 16g sugar (0g added sugar), 210 milligrams (mg) sodium

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Why Watermelon Should Be Part of Your Diet. Cleveland Clinic. February 23, 2023.
  2. Shafe MO et al. Lycopene: A Potent Antioxidant With Multiple Health Benefits. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism. June 8, 2024.
  3. Soak It In: 10 Foods to Help You Stay Hydrated. Cleveland Clinic. May 22, 2025.
  4. Watermelon, Seedless, Flesh Only, Raw. U.S. Department of Agriculture. December 18, 2025.
  5. Cucumber, With Peel, Raw. U.S. Department of Agriculture. October 28, 2022.
  6. Wempen K. The Wonders of Watermelon. Mayo Clinic. April 24, 2025.
Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
Lynn Griger photo

Lynn Grieger, RDN, CDCES

Medical Reviewer

Lynn Grieger is a registered dietitian-nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, certified personal trainer, and certified health and wellness coach. She comp...

See full bio

Kelly Kennedy, RDN, LDN

Author

Kelly Kennedy is a licensed dietitian-nutritionist with over 14 years of experience in digital media. She previously managed and oversaw nutrition content, recipe development, meal...

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network