36 Best-Ever Watermelon Recipes to Serve This Summer

By Southern Living Editors
Photo: Jennifer Davick

There are many things that remind Southerners of summertime, and at the top of the list you’ll find a cold, juicy slice of watermelon. Some love it plain, others with a sprinkling of salt. Either way, it’s a delicacy enjoyed by everyone below the Mason-Dixon all summer long. And while watermelon is delicious enough to stand alone, it makes just as strong of a showing as a main ingredient in summer salads, salsas, desserts, and cocktails.

We’re making it easier than ever to celebrate the South’s favorite melon by sharing the tastiest watermelon recipes ever. Start with one of our watermelon salads that serve as the ultimate cookout side dishes, or perhaps begin with one of our refreshing watermelon cocktails that cool off the hottest of summer days. In between, plenty of watermelon dishes like watermelon-infused popsicles, watermelon-peach salsa, and even a watermelon chiffon pie will give fresh flair to your summer menu. Make the most of this summer staple with these 36 best-ever watermelon recipes.

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Watermelon Margaritas

You won't find a prettier cocktail than this oh-so-fresh Watermelon Margarita.

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Watermelon-and-Feta Orzo Salad

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Watermelon-and-Feta Orzo Salad

Watermelon and feta make a foolproof salad combo—but orzo, arugula, and a homemade lemony vinaigrette take this dish to delicious new heights. 

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Watermelon Salad

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick

Recipe: Watermelon Salad

Start your summer party on a fresh note with this simple salad. 

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Watermelon Gazpacho

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Watermelon Gazpacho

Cool off with your new favorite chilled soup. Every summer should see a batch of watermelon gazpacho. 

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Watermelon-Ginger Mojitos

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Watermelon-Ginger Mojitos

Watermelon, mint, lime, and ginger come together to make this wonderfully refreshing pitcher drink.

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Tomato-and-Watermelon Salad

Photo: Oxmoor House

Recipe: Tomato-and-Watermelon Salad

This no-cook salad combines sweet, juicy watermelon chunks with the makings of a beautiful summer salad. 

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Tomato, Watermelon, and Feta Skewers with Mint and Lime

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

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.

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Watermelon Chiffon Pie

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Watermelon Chiffon Pie

My, oh my—watermelon pie! You never knew you needed this summer dessert until now. 

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Marinated Watermelon and Tomato Salad

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Marinated Watermelon and Tomato Salad

This isn't your basic watermelon salad. Tomatoes and melon soak up the tangy lime-ginger-mint vinaigrette, while goat cheese crumbles add a nice, creamy note.

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Spiked Watermelon Lemonade

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Spiked Watermelon Lemonade

Your local lemonade stand’s got nothing on this summer cocktail refresher.

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Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

Recipe: Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad

Cucumbers add a welcome crunch to this salad recipe. 

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Crunchy Jerk Tacos with Watermelon-Mango Salsa

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Crunchy Jerk Tacos with Watermelon-Mango Salsa

This recipe has more personality than your Taco Tuesday has ever seen. 

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Tipsy Red-and-Yellow Watermelon Salad

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Tipsy Red-and-Yellow Watermelon Salad

This pretty and easy to prepare spiked-fruit salad is guaranteed to be a conversation-starter at your next gathering.

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Watermelon Smoothies

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Watermelon Smoothies

Make use of your fresh watermelon by way of a hearty breakfast smoothie. Five ingredients, and you're set. 

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Watermelon Salsa

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Watermelon Salsa

This colorful salsa makes a delicious topping for sliced tomatoes, grilled chicken, or steak.

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Watermelon-Lime Pops with Chile Dipping Salt

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Watermelon-Lime Pops with Chile Dipping Salt

This zingy watermelon pop is refreshing with the most subtle spicy kick.

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Watermelon Agua Frescas

Photo by Tina Cornett, Jennifer Davick / Styling by Melanie Clark, Sissy Lamerton / Food Styling by Vanessa McNeil Rocchio, Angela Sellers

Recipe: Watermelon Agua Frescas

Melons are at their most flavorful this time of year so chill out with this summer refresher.

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Grilled Grouper with Watermelon Salsa

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Grilled Grouper with Watermelon Salsa

This delicious dish is ready in less than 30 minutes! Cool watermelon salsa pairs perfectly with hot-off-the-grill fish. For a sandwich option, serve fish and salsa in pita pockets.

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Watermelon-Peach Salsa and Tomatoes

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Watermelon-Peach Salsa and Tomatoes

Reinvent the fruit cocktail with hot pepper jelly, watermelon, peaches, herbs, and tomatoes.

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Chadwick Boyd’s Watermelon Derby Juleps

Chadwick Boyd

Recipe: Chadwick Boyd’s Watermelon Derby Juleps

It doesn’t have to be Kentucky Derby weekend to sip on mint juleps, especially one that's perfect for deep summer. 

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Watermelon, Mâche, and Pecan Salad 

William Dickey/ Styling Rose Nguyen/ Food Styling Vanessa McNeil Rocchio

Recipe: Watermelon, Mâche, and Pecan Salad

Spiked with the sweet-sharp heat of a pepper-jelly vinaigrette, ice-cold cubes of watermelon team up with buttery crumbles of Gorgonzola cheese and toasted pecans. Mâche is a tender, heirloom variety of lamb’s lettuce, but the salad is equally good prepared with a mix of baby lettuces.

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Melon-and-Mozzarella Salad

Photo: Lauren Rubinstein

Recipe: Melon-and-Mozzarella Salad

This rainbow of summer fruit makes for an elegant presentation and a refreshing side for a luncheon, brunch, or dinner. 

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Watermelon-Tomato Cooler

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Watermelon-Tomato Cooler 

Think of this fun cocktail as a sweeter, fruity take on a Bloody Mary. 

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Beef-and-Watermelon Stir-Fry

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Beef-and-Watermelon Stir-Fry

The sweet heat of this beef dish is surprisingly refreshing. Slice the watermelon into sticks about the same size as the sugar snap peas so you get a sweet crunch in every bite. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for extra flavor.

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Herbed Goat Cheese-Melon Party Bites

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Herbed Goat Cheese-Melon Party Bites

Indulge in the warm days of summer with this refreshing watermelon and goat cheese combination.
 

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Southwest Watermelon Salad

Photo: John Kernick

Recipe: Southwest Watermelon Salad

The reserved watermelon flesh from the Pickled Watermelon Rind is perfect for this recipe.

 

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Watermelon Cooler

Photo: Van Chaplin; Styling: Ashley Wyatt

Recipe: Watermelon Cooler 

Watermelons are a classic summer road stand fruit that sometimes goes to waste because they are so large. Make use of your leftover watermelon slices and cool down from the heat with this fresh, tangy summer sipper.

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Grilled Watermelon with Blue Cheese and Prosciutto

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Grilled Watermelon with Blue Cheese and Prosciutto

Blue cheese and salty prosciutto are delicious with sweet melon. Grilling the watermelon enhances that sweetness and adds a touch of smoky flavor. Brushing the wedges with oil keeps them from sticking to the grill.
 

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Melon and Plum Salad

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Melon and Plum Salad

Watermelon, honeydew, and plums are dressed with a bold Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette in this fresh salad.

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Shrimp Salad over Zesty Watermelon

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Shrimp Salad over Zesty Watermelon

This salad uses just enough mayo to coat the shrimp, which will keep them moist but not drown them in a deluge of dressing.

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Watermelon Bellini

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Watermelon Bellini

Whirl up any summer melon in this refreshing sipper. For a nonalcoholic option, replace the sparkling wine with sparkling white grape juice, sparkling cider, or club soda.

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Watermelon "Steak" Salad

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Watermelon "Steak" Salad

Not your mother's fruit salad. A cold, thick, steak-like slice of ripe watermelon pairs unexpectedly well with salty Cotija cheese and a smoky vinaigrette. Also try it with leftover grilled chicken or beef.

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Pickled Watermelon Rind

Photo: John Kernick

Recipe: Pickled Watermelon Rind

Don't let your watermelon rind go to waste—enjoy this fresh and easy recipe to get the most out of this delicious summer fruit. Use the watermelon flesh in our Southwest Watermelon Salad recipe.

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Tomato-and-Watermelon Salad

Recipe: Tomato-and-Watermelon Salad

This surprising salad combination will please your palate. The bright hues and refreshing flavors make Tomato-and-Watermelon Salad the perfect summer side dish.

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Watermelon-Mint Margaritas

Southern Living

Recipe: Watermelon-Mint Margaritas

Use leftover watermelon to make this slushy summer drink. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

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Instant Watermelon Pops

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Instant Watermelon Pops

Cut a 1-inch slit into the rind of a just-cut watermelon wedge, and insert a wooden stick. Serve pops a variety of ways: sprinkle with flavored salts and freshly ground pepper, drizzle with local honey and fresh lime juice, dust with red pepper, or add a splash of schnapps.

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