A black dish filled with cubes of watermelon that is topped with olives, mint, and aleppo pepper.
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Four glasses partially filled with watermelon lemonade and topped with ice cubes.
Gentl & Hyers
1 of 5

Watermelon Lemonade

This watermelon lemonade is a refreshing drink made with puréed watermelon, lemon juice, and simple syrup. We can’t think of a better remedy for a hot summer afternoon.
A black oval dish filled with watermelon salad with Aleppo pepper and black olives.
William Brinson
2 of 5

Watermelon Salad with Aleppo Pepper

This watermelon salad with Aleppo pepper is a simple side dish that is made with fruity Aleppo pepper, watermelon cubes, black olives, and fresh mint. It's easy to make and is ready in just 15 minutes.

I made this watermelon salad and took it to the roasting of a whole pig, and the salad was almost as big a hit as that pig. The hostess let me take home an entire leg/ham and assorted bits in exchange for the last few bites of the salad! This recipe is definitely a keeper.

Carol P.
A jar of pickled watermelon rind on a rack with a dish and spoon beside it.
Matthew Benson
3 of 5

Pickled Watermelon Rind

Pickled watermelon rinds are a Southern classic that are crisp and sweet and tangy and oh so enticing. Tasting is believing. Here's how to make them.
Three scoops of watermelon sorbet in a white serving dish.
Quentin Bacon
4 of 5

Watermelon Sorbet

This watermelon sorbet requires no ice cream maker. Just watermelon, lemon, sugar, mint, and surprisingly little time in the freezer. (Doesn’t just looking at it make you feel cooler?!)

What a fantastic watermelon sorbet recipe! The texture and flavor are incredible. Thank you so much!

Erica
A blue and white bowl filled with melon and avocado salad with a bowl of pita beside it.
Haarala Hamilton
5 of 5

Melon and Avocado Salad

This melon and avocado salad is made with cantaloupe, watermelon, avocado, cucumber, and feta, in a lemon and mint vinaigrette is an easy summer dish that comes together in less than 30 minutes.

Watermelon FAQs

How do I pick a ripe watermelon?

For the ripest, juiciest watermelon, choose one that is uniform in shape, feels heavy for its size, and has a yellow spot on the rind. For more details, check out this article on how to tell if a watermelon is perfectly ripe.

How should watermelon be stored?

If you haven’t cut into your watermelon, it can be stored whole on the counter at room temperature for up to a week. Once cut, stash your watermelon in a sealed container or covered with plastic wrap and enjoy within 5 days.

Can you freeze watermelon?

Yes. For best results, cut the watermelon into cubes before freezing. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the freezer until solid, then pop them into a resealable bag and keep frozen for up to 1 month.

I don’t recommend thawing frozen watermelon as it can become mushy. Instead, enjoy it frozen, or blend it into frozen drinks.

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About David Leite

I count myself lucky to have received three James Beard Awards for my writing as well as for Leite’s Culinaria. I’m the author of The New Portuguese Table and Notes on a Banana. For more than 25 years, I’ve been developing and testing recipes for my site, my books, and publications. My work has also appeared in the New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Saveur, Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Food & Wine, Yankee, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, and more. I’m also a cooking teacher, memoirist, and inveterate cat lady.

Read More About Me

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