25 Juicy Summer Watermelon Recipes

Ripe, juicy watermelon just screams peak summer! It's great in side salads, desserts, and even main courses - I'm sharing some of my favorite watermelon recipes to enjoy all summer long.

I recommend a seedless watermelon for these recipes so you aren't battling the seeds. Picking a watermelon can be tricky. I created a guide to show you how to choose the best mini watermelon so you know it will be juicy and perfect.

1. Mexican Watermelon Salad

With fresh squeezed lime juice and the salty taste of cotija cheese, this watermelon salad is so refreshing on a hot day. The cotija cheese helps to mellow out the tang and slight spice from the citrus and Tajin seasoning.

Mexican watermelon salad in a white bowl.

2. Watermelon Pizza

If you're looking for a tasty dessert or a fun snack on a hot summer day, this fun and adorable watermelon pizza is it! With Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey for the sauce and more fresh fruit toppings, this pizza is a great way to use your favorite summer fruit.

3. Watermelon Poke Bowl

This poke bowl is such a fun, vegan take on a traditional poke recipe. With watermelon cubes marinated in a savory sauce and served with rice, vegetables and a spicy mayo dressing, it's one of the best savory watermelon recipes and sure to be hit for you this summer.

A closeup shot of a bowl of watermelon poke.

4. Watermelon Sorbet

This sorbet is one of the best watermelon desserts! A bit of honey, sea salt, and lime juice are added to watermelon slices, and a blender or food processor is used to make a watermelon puree. It's then frozen for a few hours, and when it's done, you have the fresh flavor of watermelon in a delicious frozen dessert.

Watermelon sorbet in a large plastic container with an ice cream scoop.

5. Watermelon Cucumber Mosaic Salad

This watermelon cucumber salad is sure to be a summer staple. In a beautiful display of chopped fresh watermelon and cucumbers topped with bits of fresh mint and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil, it will be a hit no matter where you serve it.

A cucumber watermelon mosaic salad on a cutting board.

6. Watermelon Mozzarella Salad

This watermelon salad is one of the most delicious salads loaded with fresh herbs and creamy mozzarella. You can serve it as a stack or chop everything up. The creamy mozzarella pairs perfectly with the sweet watermelon, and you'll be so impressed by the flavor of this one.

An overhead shot of three stacks of watermelon mozzarella salad.

7. Watermelon Blueberry Sparklers

This is one of the most fun, easy recipes in the summer. These sparklers are so cute and festive. Perfect for the 4th of July and come together in only 15 minutes. If you're looking for creative ways to serve watermelon, try these fun sparkers.

8. Watermelon Strawberry Sangria

This watermelon sangria is a delicious summer drink that's sweet without added sugar. You'll blend watermelon chunks with strawberries and orange juice and add white wine and Cointreau for a tasty and refreshing watermelon cocktail.

Watermelon strawberry sangria in a glass.

9. Watermelon Mustard Recipe

Adding mustard to watermelon has been a growing trend on TikTok. And though it seems strange, it's actually really good when you do it right. This recipe makes a quick sauce using stoneground mustard, lime, honey, and Tajin, giving this recipe a sweet and savory taste that's perfectly balanced.

10. Watermelon Olive Salad

This watermelon feta salad recipe is just so good! You'll love the salty feta cheese with the briny black olives and the sweetness of the watermelon. It's simple and one of the best summer salads to enjoy all summer long and at your next dinner party.

An overhead shot of a watermelon olive salad in a white serving bowl.

11. Dark Chocolate Watermelon

These chocolate dipped watermelon sticks are another fun way to enjoy watermelon. Plus, you can top them with whatever you want. Toppings like crushed nuts and flaky sea salt add even more flavor to this one.

Closeup shot of watermelon triangles dipped in dark chocolate.

12. Watermelon, Blueberry, and Feta Salad

Blueberries, watermelon, and feta cheese are such a wonderful combination. A bit of mint and honey is added to this salad for added flavor. This salad can be put together quickly and only needs 30 minutes of marinating time until it's ready to serve.

13. Adorable Heart Fruit Skewers

These fruit skewers are the perfect treat for kids. Show them your love with fruit snacks in an adorable shape. Melons and strawberries are easy to use with cookie cutters and I'll show you how with this simple and adorable recipe.

Valentine's fruit skewers on a white plate.

14. Watermelon Summer Salad

This lovely summer salad includes a mix of watermelon, apples, and cantaloupe topped with fresh mint and a slightly tangy dressing. You can even make this salad ahead. I'll show you how to keep the cut apples from browning so you can take this to all your summer parties.

Watermelon apple and cantaloupe salad on a white plate.

15. Hwachae Drink Recipe

Hwachae is a Korean watermelon punch that's a little bit creamy and so refreshing. You'll love the flavors of fresh watermelon, various fresh fruit, strawberry milk and fruit cocktail mixed together and combined with a carbonated drink. It's sweet and delicious and makes a great dessert drink or a a fun drink to enjoy while out by the pool.

16. Watermelon Lemonade

This watermelon lemonade combines watermelon, lemon juice, simple syrup and a bit of mint for a delicious and refreshing summer drink kids and adults will love.

Two glasses of watermelon lemonade with slices of watermelon and mint.

17. Watermelon Coconut Ice Cream

Watermelon juice is combined with coconut cream (the cream on top of a can of coconut milk) to make this creamy and refreshing ice cream you can enjoy on the hottest days of summer.

A cone with a scoop of watermelon ice cream in a cup.

18. Watermelon Gazpacho

This watermelon gazpacho recipe combines summer vegetables with watermelon for a sweet and savory soup you can enjoy all summer.

19. Watermelon Margaritas

If you love margaritas, you must try these watermelon margaritas. They're full of flavor without any added sweeteners.

Two glasses of watermelon margarita with a slice of fresh watermelon.

20. Fresh Watermelon Juice 3 Ways

Enjoy pureed watermelon juice with these three variations! Whether you want a spicy kick, a little mint or a little bit of ginger flavor, this recipe has you covered.

21. Dehydrated Watermelon

If you aren't familiar with dehydrated watermelon, it's like a chewy candy. Similar to other dehydrated fruit, it's naturally sweet without any added sweeteners, and it's a great snack when you have a sweet tooth.

A jar with dehydrated watermelon, sitting in front of a slice of watermelon.

22. Watermelon Peach Salsa

Grab your tortilla chips and indulge in this fruity salsa with red onion, lime juice, jalapeno, and cilantro. It's full of nutrients and flavor and the perfect watermelon salsa.

A white bowl with watermelon peach salsa.

23. Watermelon Popsicles

All you need for these refreshing summer treats are watermelon, limes, a blender and popsicle molds. This ice cold refreshing treat is always a good idea on a hot summer day.

A plate of ice with a stack of watermelon popsicles.

24. Watermelon Rose Cooler

The rose water in this delicious mocktail adds an extra sweetness and floral scent. This is a delightful drink to enjoy during watermelon season. And if you prefer cocktails to mocktails, you can add a bit of your favorite spirits.

Several glasses of rose watermelon cooler.

25. Watermelon Agua Fresca

The watermelon, lime juice, and sugar mix in this drink to make a sweet, flavorful summer drink. Top the rim with additional lime and sugar for a fun presentation, great for parties.