If you haven’t tried grilled watermelon yet, you’re in for a real treat!
It’s a surprising twist that’ll completely transform this summer favorite.
Grilling caramelizes the natural sugars in fruit, drawing them out and making them extra sweet. Plus, the smoky char is unbelievable.
Trust me! Try it once, and it’ll become your new favorite summer obsession.
Why You’ll Love This Grilled Watermelon
BBQ season is almost here. And if you’re not grilling your fruit, you’re doing it wrong!
Unexpected Flavor: You’ve never experienced sweetness like caramelized melon. But the subtle smoky flavor is what’ll really surprise and delight your guests.
Easy Entertaining: With minimal ingredients and prep work, grilled watermelon is practically effortless.
Versatile: You can serve grilled watermelon as an appetizer, side dish, or even a light dessert!
Ingredients
- Watermelon: Select the ripest fruit you can get and go for seedless varieties for the easiest and quickest results.
- Granulated Sugar: Sugar helps caramelize the watermelon and gives it an irresistibly sweet finish.
- Kosher Salt: Salt enhances the watermelon’s taste and balances the flavors.
- Lime Zest and Wedges: Just a little adds a pop of brightness.
- Feta Cheese (optional): As a topping, feta provides a tangy, salty contrast to the sweet grilled melon.
- Fresh Mint Leaves: Mint is refreshing and herbal. It pairs perfectly with the melon and the feta.
- Honey: Drizzle a little of nature’s liquid gold over the melon to highlight the caramelization.
How to Make Grilled Watermelon
You can prepare this simple, delicious fruit in as few as six steps:
1. PREHEAT. Set the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. Alternatively, warm a grill pan over medium-high heat.
2. CUT. Cut the watermelon into 1-inch-thick wedges. Transfer the wedges to a baking sheet.
3. SEASON. Mix the sugar, salt, and lime zest in a small bowl and season both sides of the wedges. Let them rest for 15 minutes.
4. GRILL the seasoned wedges directly on the grates for 2 to 3 minutes per side until visible grill marks appear. (Cook for the same amount of time in a grill pan.)
5. GARNISH. Transfer the grilled wedges to a platter and top with feta and fresh mint leaves, if desired.
6. DRIZZLE. Finally, drizzle honey over the tops of each wedge and serve with lime wedges on the side. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Grilled Watermelon
Even though this recipe is incredibly simple, I still have several tips to make it even easier!
Keep these things in mind when preparing grilled watermelon:
- Brush the grill with oil. You’ll grill the watermelon wedges directly on the grill grates. So, be sure to oil them first to prevent sticking.
- Use seedless watermelon. Let’s be honest: no one wants to waste time picking all the seeds of a watermelon. Save time and irritation by starting with a seedless watermelon.
- Slice them properly. Cut the melon into thicker slices approximately 1 inch in thickness. Anything thinner, and they’ll burn.
- Remember to preheat. A grill is just like an oven in one respect: they both work better when you preheat them. If you’re unsure of how to know when a grill is ready, invest in a grill thermometer to help you out.
- Don’t overcook. The wedges should only need 2 to 3 minutes per side. Any more than that, and you’ll over-char them.
- Experiment with toppings. Sprinkle your favorite herbs on top, or experiment with different cheeses. My mom likes to sprinkle crushed almond slivers over hers.
- Try it with other melons. I like this recipe best with watermelon, but you could also use it to grill honeydew or cantaloupe.
How to Serve Grilled Watermelon
However you serve grilled watermelon, make sure you do it straight from the grill. Don’t give it time to sit out and cool down.
Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it:
- As a side dish for burgers or veggie burgers
- As a side dish for pork chops, ribs, or steaks
- Alongside grilled veggies
- Chopped up and added to a summer salad
- With a big scoop of vanilla ice cream, custard, or Greek yogurt
How to Store
While you can store leftover grilled watermelon, it won’t taste as good later.
This dish is definitely best served piping hot and fresh. That’s when it has the best texture and flavor.
Still, if you’re like me, you can’t stand to throw out good leftovers.
To Store: Transfer the cooled watermelon to an airtight container and refrigerate the leftovers for up to 2 days. Enjoy cool, straight from the fridge.
Note: I don’t recommend freezing this, as the watermelon will likely turn mushy after thawing.
More Grilled Fruit To Try
Grilled Pineapple
Grilled Peaches
Grilled Fruit Recipes
Grilled Watermelon
6
servings10
minutes6
minutes110
kcalIf you haven’t tried grilled watermelon yet, you’re in for a real treat! It’s a surprising twist that’ll completely transform this summer favorite.
Ingredients
1 small seedless watermelon (about 5 pounds)
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
zest of 1 lime
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional
2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped
2 teaspoons honey
lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, around 450 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush the grill grates lightly with oil.
- Cut the watermelon into 1-inch-thick triangular wedges. Place the wedges on a baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, mix the sugar, salt, and lime zest. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over both sides of the wedges and leave for 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Place the watermelon wedges directly on the preheated grill grates. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side until grill marks appear and the melon softens slightly.
- Remove the grilled watermelon from the heat and arrange on a serving platter. Sprinkle feta cheese (if using) and chopped mint over the top.
- Drizzle the honey over the watermelon and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing. Enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t skip the sugar and salt mixture. It’s key for helping the watermelon caramelize on the grill.
- Serve immediately!
