Food & DrinkRecipessummerfruit

What To Do With Watermelon: Salads, Drinks, Desserts And More

Straight-up slices can get you that watermelon sugar high you want, but here's how to get more creative this summer.
HuffPost Staff
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HuffPost

First, Beyoncé got us all drinking watermelon a few summers ago. Then when things got hot in 2020, Harry Styles sent the internet searching for “what does watermelon sugar high mean?” Now, it’s your turn to give watermelon its moment in 2021.

Even if you’re a watermelon purist who believes the fruit is best in its unadulterated form, we think some of the recipes below will change your mind. There are sorbets, mojitos, salads, margaritas, gazpachos and so many ways to use watermelon that you’ll never wonder what to do with a big old melon again.

1
All The Healthy Things
Watermelon, Feta, Cucumber And Mint Salad
Get the recipe for Watermelon, Feta, Cucumber and Mint Salad from All The Healthy Things
2
Butter Be Ready
Watermelon Margaritas
Get the recipe for Watermelon Margaritas from Butter Be Ready
3
Minimalist Baker
5-Minute Strawberry Watermelon Sorbet
Get the recipe for 5-Minute Strawberry Watermelon Sorbet from Minimalist Baker
4
All The Healthy Things
Watermelon Mojito Cocktail
Get the Watermelon Mojito Cocktail recipe from All The Healthy Things
5
Love and Olive Oil
Tomato Watermelon Gazpacho With Pistachios And Basil Oil
Get the recipe for Tomato Watermelon Gazpacho with Pistachios and Basil Oil from Love and Olive Oil
6
Half Baked Harvest
Watermelon Rosemary Frozé
Get the recipe for Watermelon Rosemary Frozé from Half Baked Harvest
7
Boulder Locavore
Grilled Watermelon With Smoked Salt And Jalapeno Rings
Get the recipe for Grilled Watermelon with Smoked Salt and Jalapeno Rings from Boulder Locavore
8
How Sweet It Is
Layered Watermelon Coconut Shakes With Salty Lime Sugar
Get the recipe for Layered Watermelon Coconut Shakes with Salty Lime Sugar from How Sweet It Is
9
A Spicy Perspective
Watermelon Salad With Burrata And Yogurt Dressing
Get the recipe for Watermelon Salad with Burrata and Yogurt Dressing from A Spicy Perspective
10
Minimalist Baker
Watermelon Juice
Get the recipe for Watermelon Juice from Minimalist Baker
11
How Sweet It Is
Salted Watermelon Margarita Popsicles
Get the recipe for Salted Watermelon Margarita Popsicles from How Sweet It Is
12
Butter Be Ready
Super Easy Watermelon Slusharitas
Get the recipe for Super Easy Watermelon Slusharitas from Butter Be Ready
13
Minimalist Baker
Coconut Lime Watermelon Slushie
Get the recipe for Coconut Lime Watermelon Slushie from Minimalist Baker
14
How Sweet It Is
Watermelon Ginger Sparklers
Get the recipe for Watermelon Ginger Sparklers from How Sweet It Is
15
Oh Sweet Basil
Blueberry Feta Watermelon Salad
Get the recipe for Blueberry Feta Watermelon Salad from Oh Sweet Basil
16
Half Baked Harvest
Pink Watermelon Lemonade Slushies
Get the recipe for Pink Watermelon Lemonade Slushies from Half Baked Harvest
17
Half Baked Harvest
Minty Watermelon Cucumber Margaritas
Get the recipe for Minty Watermelon Cucumber Margaritas from Half Baked Harvest
18
A Beautiful Mess
Fresh Watermelon Jello
Get the recipe for Fresh Watermelon Jello from A Beautiful Mess
19
I Heart Umami
Whole30 Watermelon Peach Mocktail
Get the recipe for Whole30 Watermelon Peach Mocktail from I Heart Umami
20
Grandbaby Cakes
Watermelon Ice Cream Floats
Get the recipe for Watermelon Ice Cream Floats from Grandbaby Cakes

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Before You Go

Grilling Accessories That Make Cookouts And Barbecues Way Easier
A disposable grill topper to save time on cleanup(01 of13)
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Nothing is a barbecue buzzkill quite like having to clean up. Grills can require a heck of a lot of scrubbing, too. It’s worth shelling out $5 for disposable grill toppers, which will cut your cleaning time way down. These ones are fully recyclable and can come in handy for tailgating and camping, too. (credit:Walmart)
A barbecue tool set to make grilling easier (02 of13)
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There are a lot of barbecue tool sets out there, but this one is a cut above the rest. The slotted spatula has a serrated edge which comes in handy for separating and cutting, there’a a set of four skewers for kebabs, a fork for testing the tenderness of meat, and a basting brush which is helpful when seasoning your food. Oh, it comes with a case so everything can be stored properly, too. (credit:Walmart)
A pocket thermometer to check the done-ness of your meat(03 of13)
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Having a thermometer at your grilling station is key because if your meat isn’t cooked thoroughly all the way through, it can lead to foodborne illnesses—definitely not something you want to be responsible for. This one is small enough to fit in your pocket and bring with you to others’ cookouts. Safety first! (credit:Walmart)
A grill mat to ensure no food is lost through the grates (04 of13)
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Grilling something to perfection only to have it slide through the grates when you are transferring it to a plate is a travesty. Fortunately it will never happen if you use a grill mat like this one. Consider it an insurance policy for your food. (credit:Walmart)
A pair of grilling gloves to protect your forearms (05 of13)
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If you plan on doing some serious grilling, it’s worth investing in a pair of grilling gloves. Wearing a pair of these will protect your forearms as you reach across the grill to flip and remove your food. This pair is non-slip and waterproof, so it's no big deal if you start sweating over that fire. (credit:Walmart)
A pack of grill-cleaning bricks to remove grease(06 of13)
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Made of pumice stone, these grill bricks are great at getting up grease buildup that would otherwise live on your grill for … who knows how long. You’re left with a sparkling clean rack with no scratches made in the process. (credit:Walmart)
A grilling basket rack to hold your food(07 of13)
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You can smoke or grill pretty much anything in this basket. It fits up to six racks of ribs or 12 drumsticks. As for that detachable can holder in the middle, it’s perfect for beer can chicken. (credit:Walmart)
A charcoal barbecue kettle to get the fire going faster (08 of13)
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If you have a charcoal grill, chimney starters are the quickest way to get the fire going—and you don’t have to use any lighter fluid in the process. This kettle also comes in handy when camping, too. (credit:Walmart)
A cast iron grill press to make your burgers cook faster (09 of13)
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Once you have your grill going, it’s only a matter of time before your mouth starts watering, ready for your meal. Using an iron cast grill press can make grill patties cook quicker making the time between you and your burger that much shorter. (credit:Walmart)
A grilling apron to keep you looking fresh(10 of13)
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Manning the grill is an important job, but you don’t want to spend the entire rest of the night smelling like smoke. Protect your clothes with a grilling apron like this one, which comes with pockets to stash your grilling tools. (credit:Walmart)
A grill basket to hold your smaller food items(11 of13)
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If you’re grilling shrimp or veggies, having a grill basket like this can be super helpful. It will ensure every part of the food gets cooked to perfection and protects it from falling through the grates. (credit:Walmart)
A seasoning set to make sure your food has flavor(12 of13)
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You weren’t planning on serving up something bland, right? This set of spices will ensure your food has maximum flavor. The blends include a whiskey maple smoke rub, IPA chili seasoning, ale house chicken seasoning, and a bourbon barrel steak seasoning. (credit:Walmart)
A grilling cookbook for recipes and tips(13 of13)
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If you’re a budding griller, a good cookbook is a must. This one has more than 85 recipes for everything from meat, fish, and produce. Warning: You will drool just looking at the photos. (credit:Walmart)
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