How to Tell If a Melon Is Ripe—and Pick Perfectly Every Time
Updated: Apr. 30, 2019
Next time you're at the store, here's how to tell if a melon is ripe. Hint: You'll need to tap into all your senses!
Nothing says “summer” like a sweet and juicy melon! (Especially an extra-refreshing watermelon.) That’s why getting home and finding you’ve purchased a lackluster cantaloupe, honeydew or watermelon is so disappointing. This guide will show you how to tell if a melon is ripe before you make your decision in the produce section.
Conventional wisdom says thumping a melon is the best way to tell if it’s sweet and juicy. But here’s what you should do first:
How to Pick a Watermelon
Start be looking at the skin’s “finish.” A ripe watermelon will have a dull skin—which is somewhat unexpected. You also don’t want to see bruises, spots or cracks. You’ll also notice most watermelons develop a spot where they rest on the ground, and when it’s yellow (and you don’t see any stripes on the patch), the melon should be ripe and ready to slice.
After all that, you can tap or thump the melon with your palm—a ripe watermelon should sound hollow and make a thunk sound.
Spicy Shrimp & Watermelon KabobsMy three sons can polish off a watermelon in one sitting. Before they dig in, I set aside a few slices to make these zesty shrimp kabobs. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas
Ancho Garlic Steaks with Summer SalsaThe first time I tasted this, I was amazed how well the blueberries and watermelon went with the peppery steak. Use whatever fruits are in season so you can serve this anytime. —Veronica Callaghan, Glastonbury, Connecticut
Watermelon and Spinach SaladSummer's the perfect time to toss up this watermelon salad. You'd never expect it, but spinach is awesome here. Eat it and feel cool on even the hottest days. —Marjorie Au, Honolulu, Hawaii
Mojito Marinated FruitAll the flavors of the popular mojito cocktail are featured in this fantastic salad. After you eat the fruit, you’ll want to sip the luscious syrup! —Marcy Griffith, Excelsior, Minnesota
Watermelon Tomato SaladWatermelon and tomatoes may seem an unlikely pair, but they team up to make a winning combination in this eye-catching salad. —Matthew Denton, Seattle, Washington
Strawberry Watermelon SlushWe like to relax on the back porch with glasses of my slush after a long, hot day. Strawberries and watermelon blend up with lemon juice and sugar for an instant refresher. —Patty Howse, Great Falls, Montana
Melon with Serrano-Mint SyrupThis is just one of the recipes I developed to take advantage of the fresh mint I grow nearly year-round. The serrano pepper is a nice contrast to the sweetness of the syrup and salad. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas
Melon-Berry SaladThe best way to cool down on a warm day is with a chilled fruit salad. Serve this one for breakfast, brunch or dessert. Yogurt and coconut milk make the creamy dressing even more decadent. Wait until just before serving to garnish the salad. Otherwise the toasted coconut will get soggy. —Carrie Hirsch, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Frozen Watermelon Lemon Cream TartsThese fruit tarts are so refreshing on a hot summer day! They are extremely healthy and convenient, and just a few ingredients means they're easy to make, too. —Bethany DiCarlo, Harleysville, Pennsylvania
Watermelon Feta Flag SaladOur family celebrates the Fourth of July with a watermelon salad that resembles the flag. Here’s an all-American centerpiece that’s truly red, white and blue. —Jan Whitworth, Roebuck, South Carolina
Watermelon Vodka SorbetThis icy granita is a cooling delight on a hot summer day. This is an adults only goody. You can use watermelon vodka for plain vodka if you like. —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas
How to Pick a Cantaloupe or Honeydew
To choose a cantaloupe or honeydew, start by checking the number of segments or dark furrows. The more the better! Then, give the melon a sniff where it was attached to the vine. It should have a subtle, sweet smell but not a strong one (that’s a sign of an over-ripe fruit).
Be sure to check the melon’s color and tone. The best and sweetest cantaloupe should have golden undertones. Like the watermelon, a dull honeydew is a ripe honeydew.
Mojito Marinated FruitAll the flavors of the popular mojito cocktail are featured in this fantastic salad. After you eat the fruit, you’ll want to sip the luscious syrup! —Marcy Griffith, Excelsior, Minnesota
Cantaloupe A La ModeThis special dessert is a refreshing finale to a warm-weather meal. —Nancy Walker, Granite City, Illinois
Cantaloupe Ice PopsYour reminders to "eat your fruit" will finally stick once kids take a lick of these mmm-melony snacks. A perfect use for overripe cantaloupe, these pops make a light dessert or healthy between-meal refresher. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
Honeydew Lime CoolerServe up a frosty glass of this citrusy blend of lime sherbet and honeydew melon for a real thirst-quencher. I like to sip this on warm afternoons, but it's equally good for breakfast or brunch. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland
Minty Watermelon-Cucumber SaladCapturing the fantastic flavors of summer, this refreshing, beautiful watermelon-cucumber salad will be the talk of any picnic or potluck. —Roblynn Hunnisett, Guelph, Ontario
Glazed Fruit MedleyThe homemade orange dressing on this salad complements the fresh fruit flavors beautifully. It’s perfect for a spring or summer brunch. —Karen Bourne, Magrath, Alberta
Watermelon Rind Pickles"Waste not, want not" has always been smart advice—especially when it produces picked watermelon rind that's so refreshing. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Ancho Garlic Steaks with Summer SalsaThe first time I tasted this, I was amazed how well the blueberries and watermelon went with the peppery steak. Use whatever fruits are in season so you can serve this anytime. —Veronica Callaghan, Glastonbury, Connecticut
Strawberry Melon FizzExperimenting in the kitchen is fun for me. That's how I came up with this recipe—I adapted it from recipes I got from friends for a melon ball basket and for a sparkling beverage. —Teresa Messick, Montgomery, Alabama
Spicy Shrimp & Watermelon KabobsMy three sons can polish off a watermelon in one sitting. Before they dig in, I set aside a few slices to make these zesty shrimp kabobs. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas
Summer Tea SandwichesThese dainty finger sandwiches are perfect for casual picnics or luncheons. Tarragon-seasoned chicken complements cucumber and cantaloupe slices. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Frozen Watermelon Lemon Cream TartsThese fruit tarts are so refreshing on a hot summer day! They are extremely healthy and convenient, and just a few ingredients means they're easy to make, too. —Bethany DiCarlo, Harleysville, Pennsylvania
Creamy Cantaloupe PopsI make these delicious pops when the melons are ripening quickly in our cantaloupe patch.—Deanna Richter, Elmore, Minnesota
Watermelon and Tomato SaladYou cannot beat this light and refreshing salad on hot summer days. The combination of watermelon, cilantro, lime and tasty heirloom tomatoes is just unusual enough to keep folks commenting on the great flavor—and coming back for more! —Be Jones, Brunswick, Missouri
Summer Splash Chicken SaladWhen it’s too hot to eat inside, I head out to the patio. Shred some rotisserie chicken and toss with mango, watermelon and grapes for an ooh-ahh healthy chicken salad. —Barbara Spitzer, Lodi, California
Watermelon Vodka SorbetThis icy granita is a cooling delight on a hot summer day. This is an adults only goody. You can use watermelon vodka for plain vodka if you like. —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas
Melon with Serrano-Mint SyrupThis is just one of the recipes I developed to take advantage of the fresh mint I grow nearly year-round. The serrano pepper is a nice contrast to the sweetness of the syrup and salad. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas
Melon-Berry SaladThe best way to cool down on a warm day is with a chilled fruit salad. Serve this one for breakfast, brunch or dessert. Yogurt and coconut milk make the creamy dressing even more decadent. Wait until just before serving to garnish the salad. Otherwise the toasted coconut will get soggy. —Carrie Hirsch, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Blueberry Cantaloupe SaladThe simple citrus and poppy seed dressing in this fruit medley really dresses up the refreshing mix of berries and melon. —R. Jean Rand, Edina, Minnesota
Minty Watermelon SaladMy 4-year-old twin grandchildren love to cook in the kitchen with me. Last summer, the three of us were experimenting with watermelon and cheese, and that's where this recipe began. It's amazing for picnics, at neighborhood gatherings or as a healthy snack on a hot summer day. —Gwendolyn Vetter, Rogers, Minnesota
Watermelon and Spinach SaladSummer's the perfect time to toss up this watermelon salad. You'd never expect it, but spinach is awesome here. Eat it and feel cool on even the hottest days. —Marjorie Au, Honolulu, Hawaii
Do Some Heavy Lifting
Before you make your final decision, pick up the melon and make sure it feels heavy for its size. Compare a few similar-sized melons to find the heftiest one. If there’s a stem, it should not be squishy-soft but should yield to gentle pressure from your thumb. If there’s no stem, check the blossom end (that’s the opposite end) the same way.
No matter which melon is on the menu, taking the time to use all of your senses will yield juicy results!
Psst… See what melon keeps ripening after you buy it—and what melon doesn’t.
Originally Published: June 21, 2018
