Watermelon On The Go {Indy Style}
Fun and delicious watermelon recipes that are great on-the-go!
Summer is the season of pool parties, family reunions, corporate picnics, camping, and vacations. It’s important to find foods that can keep up with the busy pace of summer life. Surprisingly, watermelon is a great on-the-go food. It travels well, and unlike many fruits, watermelon doesn’t break down when cut.
The following dishes can be prepared ahead of time and then transported with ease to your upcoming summer events.
How to Select a Great Watermelon
Any great watermelon dish must begin with a great watermelon. When selecting watermelon at the grocery store, there are two important things to look out for. First, select a watermelon with a creamy yellow spot. This indicates that the watermelon fully ripened on the vine. Second, choose a watermelon that is heavy for its size. That’s it. No thumping needed!
Watermelon Sundae Dippers
Watermelon Sundae Dippers are fun for all ages, but kids are especially big fans of this sweet summertime treat. It’s a smart alternative to a traditional sundae bar as you don’t have to worry about melting ice cream!
Ingredients
- Watermelon, cut into sticks
- Caramel fruit dip
- Chocolate dip
- Shredded coconut
- Crushed nuts
- Whipped cream
- Sprinkles
- Other toppings of your choice
Directions
- Cut your watermelon into sticks. First, cut the watermelon down the middle. Working with half the watermelon, place the flat side down, cut in a checkerboard pattern (1-2 inch slices horizontally and then vertically).
- Arrange your dips and toppings to create a sundae bar.
*Recipe courtesy of our brand partner, Watermelon Board
Watermelon Pizzas
How cute are these watermelon pizzas? We love how easy it is to grab a slice and eat without plates or utensils, a must for summer cookouts!
Ingredients
- Watermelon
For savory watermelon pizza:
- Spreadable goat cheese
- Prosciutto
- Sliced almonds
- Microgreens
- More ideas for a savory watermelon pizza can be found here
For sweet watermelon pizza:
- Cream cheese fruit dip
- Assortment of berries
- More ideas for a sweet watermelon pizza can be found here
Directions
-
- Slice watermelon into 1-2 inch round slabs. Blot the top of the watermelon with a clean dish towel. This will help the toppings stay on the watermelon.
- Spread your “pizza sauce” on top of the watermelon round and top with toppings of your choice.
Slow Cooker BBQ Lettuce Wraps
Country-style pork ribs slow cooked in a watermelon puree results in juicy, succulent pulled pork that is then elevated with a cucumber watermelon salad. It’s every bit as delicious as it sounds!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 – 2 pounds country style pork ribs
- varied amount salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1-2 tablespoons gochujang or sriracha
- 1 cup seedless watermelon, cubed and pureed
- 2 heads bibb lettuce, leaves separated
- For the Cucumber Watermelon Salad
- 1 cup seedless watermelon, diced
- 2 mini cucumbers thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds
- varied amount salt to taste
- 1/4 cup basil, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon mint, thinly sliced
Directions
- Begin by seasoning the ribs with salt and pepper. Arrange the seasoned ribs in the bottom of a crockpot.
- In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, gochujang (or sriracha), and watermelon puree. Whisk until smooth and pour over the ribs. Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
- Meanwhile, whisk together the sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar for the salad in a small bowl. Add the cucumbers and watermelon. Toss to combine and season with salt as needed. Add the sesame seeds, basil and mint and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- When the ribs are done cooking, use to forks to shred the meat. To assemble the lettuce wraps, take a leaf of bibb lettuce and fill it with the shredded pork. Top with the watermelon salad, and drizzle with additional gochujang or sriracha as desired.
*You can also use beef short ribs for this recipe. Recipe courtesy of Watermelon Board.
Watermelon Grape Feta Mint Salad
The flavors in this salad are unreal! It takes all the best pairings for watermelon — grapes, feta, and mint — and puts them in one delicious dish.
Sun World’s premium red seedless grapes are known for their striking color and distinctively rich, sweet flavor, making them a no-brainer for this salad. They’re non-GMO, heart-healthy, and have just 90 calories per 1.5 cup serving. Plus, they’re full of antioxidants and vitamins A & C. Learn more about Sun World’s premium red seedless grapes here.
Ingredients
- 1-2 lbs watermelon
- 2 cups red seedless grapes
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 6 oz feta cheese
- 1 bunch fresh mint
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Directions
- Using a sharp knife, cut the watermelon into bite-sized chunks.
- Combine watermelon, grapes, sliced onion, crumbled feta, and mint leaves into a bowl. Toss gently.
- Place salad onto a shallow serving bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.
Watermelon Waldorf Salad
Waldorf salad is a beloved classic. But sometimes it’s fun to shake things up and that’s exactly what this recipe does. Adding watermelon puts a unique twist on this old-time favorite. Be sure to choose Sun World’s premium red seedless grapes for this recipe too!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cubed watermelon (about ½-inch cubes)
- 1/2 cup sliced celery, with celery leaves
- 1/2 cup seedless red grape halves
- dash of salt
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted
Directions
Stir together watermelon, celery, and grapes in a bowl. Just before serving, stir salt into yogurt for dressing. You may want to add a little water to lighten the thickness. Pour mixture over fruit and stir until coated. Sprinkle with almonds.
*Recipe courtesy of Watermelon Board
Now that these recipe ideas have gotten your creative juices flowing, come up with your own and enter Watermelon Board’s “Use The Whole Watermelon” Recipe Contest. There are three categories — flesh, juice, and rind. Winners will receive $500 and their recipes will be professionally photographed and featured on watermelon.org! Click here to enter and read the contest rules.
