Summer doesn't start until you take a bite out of a big, juicy watermelon. But if you're looking for more than a slice, watermelon recipes like minty salads, frosty slushes, creamy pies and more make the ultimate refreshers for super-sizzling days.
23 Extra-Refreshing Watermelon Recipes
Updated on Jan. 14, 2022
1/22
Frosty Watermelon Ice
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here'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
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 81 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 3mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1/2 starch.
2/22
Watermelon Pie
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This 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
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 272 calories, 12g fat (8g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 147mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
3/22
Zippy Shrimp Skewers
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These flavorful skewers deliver a mouthwatering kick with minimal effort. Fix them for your next party and watch them disappear. —Jalayne Luckett, Marion, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 skewer: 57 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 199mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat.
4/22
Tangy Watermelon Salad
Total Time
35 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The 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
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 147 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 80mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
5/22
Juicy Watermelon Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This 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
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 232 calories, 20g fat (5g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 295mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.
6/22
Ancho Garlic Steaks with Summer Salsa
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The 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
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked beef with 1/2 cup salsa: 195 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 442mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 fruit.
7/22
Watermelon and Spinach Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Summer is 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
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 84 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 288mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 fruit.
8/22
Mojito Marinated Fruit
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
All 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
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 128 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 8mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
9/22
Watermelon Tomato Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
18 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Watermelon 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
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 33 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 fruit.
10/22
Strawberry Watermelon Slush
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We 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
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 112 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 4mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein.
11/22
Yellow Squash & Watermelon Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I 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
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 61 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 299mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fruit.
12/22
Watermelon Gazpacho
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings (1 quart)
From the Recipe Creator:
My refreshing gazpacho is a delightfully simple, elegant dish. Serve as a side or with pita and hummus for a meal. —Nicole Deelah, Nashville, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 58 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 599mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit.
13/22
Contest-Winning Watermelon Salsa
Total Time
20 min
Servings
3 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
I entered this recipe in a local fair, and it took first place! This is one of my favorite dishes because all the ingredients (except for the lime juice) came directly from my garden and beehives. —Carolyn Butterfield, Lake Stevens, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 22 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch.
14/22
Melon with Serrano-Mint Syrup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This 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
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 92 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 13mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1/2 starch.
15/22
Strawberry Watermelon Lemonade
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
The 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
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 119 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
16/22
Melon-Berry Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The 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
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 105 calories, 3g fat (3g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 30mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1/2 fat.
17/22
Watermelon Cups
Total Time
25 min
Servings
16 pieces
From the Recipe Creator:
This 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
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 7 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
18/22
Frozen Watermelon Lemon Cream Tarts
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These 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
Nutrition Facts:
1 tart: 55 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 17mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch.
19/22
Mixed Fruit with Lemon-Basil Dressing
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A slightly savory dressing really complements the sweet fruit in this recipe. I also use the dressing on salad greens. —Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 145 calories, 11g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 76mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 fat, 1 fruit.
20/22
Watermelon Feta Flag Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our 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
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup salad: 140 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 256mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
21/22
Watermelon Sorbet
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
No ice cream maker is needed to make this easy, 3-ingredient watermelon sorbet recipe. We couldn't keep enough watermelon in the house to keep up with the demand! —Kory Figura, Waverly, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 184 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (49g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
22/22
Watermelon Spritzer
Total Time
5 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It 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
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 140 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 4mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (36g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein.
