Freeze

Cut leftover watermelon into chunks, flash-freeze them on a sheet, and then transfer them to a bag or freezer-safe container. Use them in smoothies or other icy dishes.

Make sure to cut the watermelon into wedges, chunks, or slices, and avoid freezing it whole as it can expand and explode due to its high water content, creating a sticky mess.

Salad

Make a summer salad with fresh watermelon chunks as the base or put it overtop greens, such as spicy arugula. You can also puree watermelon to use in a salad dressing.

Watermelon’s sweet notes pair well with salty feta, the zing from red onion, and citrus elements of lime juice. To make a compatible dressing, use lime, honey, and ginger.

Grill

Try Ree Drummond's grilled watermelon recipe to get a tasty caramelized exterior. This will give your fruit a slightly deeper, smokey flavor and firmer texture.

Keep the watermelon in large slices, pat dry, and grill on high heat for a few minutes on each side. Season with salt, paprika, chili powder, or a spritz of citrus juice.

Soup

Watermelon is a wonderful addition to a cold gazpacho soup. Tyler Florence's recipe calls for 2 cups of cubed watermelon, red onion, cucumber, serrano chili, and a tomato.

To make it, puree your watermelon, along with other ingredients, until it is silky smooth and serve it chilled. Feta, diced cucumber, and dill are also nice additions.

Juice

If your watermelon is starting to get a little soft, blend it with other fruits for a nice juice. You can use a juicer or blender, depending on your preferred texture.

You can spice your juice up with extra flavor, such as lime juice. Add sparkling water, champagne, or clear liquor for a mocktail or cocktail that tastes like summer in a glass.