There are few foods that scream “summer!” louder than a slice of juicy watermelon. Plus, there are so many fun things to do with a watermelon! However, there are some surprising secrets for how to tell if watermelon is ripe. Next time you head to the market on the hunt for the very best melon, don’t grab the first one you find. To take home the sweetest one in the whole heap, use our easy tricks.
And if you don’t know how to carve a watermelon, this simple adjustment makes it easy.
How to Find the Perfect Watermelon
It seems like everyone has a rule of thumb for finding the best watermelon—a butter-colored “belly,” a dull skin, plenty of brown scars and so on. But regardless of your method, we’d like to recommend doing this experiment, too.
First, pick up a watermelon. It should be surprisingly heavy for its size, whether it’s large or small!
The idea is that watermelons are 92% water, so a heavier watermelon should be juicy, sweet and ready to eat. But don’t stop at the first melon. You’ll want to pick up one or two more melons, and see whether those are heavy, too. Be sure to take home the heaviest of the bunch.
Another handy tip is to check the underside of the watermelon for a golden yellow spot, called the field spot. This is the part where the watermelon touched the ground while growing, and if it’s light or white, it definitely hasn’t reached peak ripeness yet.
How to Tell If Watermelon Is Ripe
You can do the weight test along with other melon methods. Next time you’re at the market or grocery store, remember these tell-tale signs of a ripe watermelon:
- A dark green rind
- A golden yellow spot on the melon’s underside
- A deep, hollow sound when thumped
- Brown spots, webbing or scarring
- Heavy for its size
Then, bring home a beauty! By the way—here’s why a perfect watermelon costs $1,500 in Japan.
Find a Fresh Way to Eat Watermelon
Frosty Watermelon IceHere's a fun twist on watermelon. It's so refreshing on a summer day, and you don't have to worry about seeds while you're enjoying it. —Kaaren Jurack, Manassas, Virginia
Cool and Creamy Watermelon PieThis simple pie is so refreshing that it never lasts long on warm summer days. Watermelon and a few convenience items make it a delightful dessert that doesn't take much effort. —Velma Beck, Carlinville, Illinois
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
Tangy Watermelon SaladThe refreshing blend of watermelon, red onions and a splash of citrus always does me proud at picnics and potlucks. I like to prepare it a day ahead so the flavors have a chance to blend, and I use the rind as a colorful serving bowl. If you're short on time, simply substitute any bottled citrus vinaigrette. —Alisha Duncan, Blanchard, Oklahoma
Juicy Watermelon SaladThis fruit salad has such a surprising yet fabulous mix of flavors that friends often ask for the recipe. Combine seedless watermelon varieties in yellow, red and pink for a colorful twist. —Heidi Haight, Macomb, Michigan
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
Yellow Squash & Watermelon SaladI always like to bring this healthy option to parties and potlucks, and people seem to really appreciate that. No oil is necessary for this salad; the lemon juice combines with the feta to lightly coat the bright, fresh ingredients. —Camille Parker, Chicago, Illinois
Watermelon GazpachoMy refreshing gazpacho is a delightfully simple, elegant dish. Serve as a side or with pita and hummus for a meal. —Nicole Deelah, Nashville, Tennessee
Spicy Watermelon SalsaI threw this together after an overzealous trip to the farmers market! My family loved it from the first bite. You can serve it right away but the best flavor is achieved after letting the salsa rest in the refrigerator for a few hours. —Andrea Heyart, Aubrey, Texas
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
Strawberry Watermelon LemonadeThe nutrition department at my local hospital inspired me to create this refreshing summer sipper. I tweaked their recipe slightly to create this drink full of sweet-tart flavor. —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
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
Watermelon CupsThis lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat! Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs. —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
Mixed Fruit with Lemon-Basil DressingA slightly savory dressing really complements the sweet fruit in this recipe. I also use the dressing on salad greens. —Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois
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
Watermelon SpritzerIt couldn’t get much easier than this bright spritzer! “Watermelon blended with limeade is cool and refreshing. It’s a wonderful thirst-quencher on a hot summer day.” —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
