5 Mouthwatering Watermelon Recipes

Savor every last morsel of watermelon with these creative recipes for salsas, salads, and cocktails.

Watermelon, Mâche, and Pecan SaladPhoto: William Dickey
























Ingredients
3/4 cup chopped pecans
5 cups seeded and cubed watermelon
1 (6-oz.) package mâche, thoroughly washed
Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette
1 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette
Whisk together 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar, 1/4 cup pepper jelly, 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice, 1 Tbsp. grated onion, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Gradually add 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking until blended.

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°. Arrange pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet, and bake at 350° for 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant. Cool on a wire rack 15 minutes or until completely cool.

Combine watermelon and mâche in a large bowl; add vinaigrette, tossing gently to coat. Transfer watermelon mixture to a serving platter, and sprinkle evenly with pecans and cheese.

Related: Our Favorite Summertime Salads

Watermelon-Mint Margaritas























Ingredients
4 cups seeded and chopped watermelon
Fresh lime juice
Sugar
1/2 cup tequila (1/2 cup orange or apple juice may be substituted)
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. grated lime rind
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
(about 3 limes)
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint leaves
Garnish: fresh mint sprig

Preparation
Place watermelon in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze 4 hours or until firm.
Coat rims of cocktail glasses with lime juice; dip in sugar.

Process frozen watermelon, tequila, and next 4 ingredients in a blender until slushy. Pour into glasses. Garnish, if desired.

Related: Refreshing Fruit-Filled Cocktails

Watermelon-Peach Salsa and TomatoesPhoto: Beth Dreiling Hontzas
























Ingredients
1/2 cup hot pepper jelly
1 Tbsp. lime zest
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 cups seeded and diced fresh watermelon
1 cup peeled and diced fresh peaches
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup chopped fresh chives
3 cups baby heirloom tomatoes, halved
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Garnish: fresh basil sprigs

Preparation
Whisk together pepper jelly, lime zest, and lime juice in a bowl; stir in watermelon and next 3 ingredients.

Season halved baby tomatoes with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste; spoon into cocktail glasses. Top with watermelon salsa. Garnish, if desired.

Related: Our Favorite Ways with Fresh Tomatoes

Grilled Grouper with Watermelon SalsaPhoto: Jennifer Davick
























Ingredients
4 (4-oz.) grouper fillets
1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 tsp. salt, divided
3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
2 cups chopped seedless watermelon
1/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives
1/2 English cucumber, chopped
1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
2 Tbsp. minced red onion
2 Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar

Preparation
Preheat grill to 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat. Sprinkle grouper with pepper and 1/2 tsp. salt. Drizzle with 2 Tbsp. olive oil.

Grill fish, covered with grill lid, 3 to 4 minutes on each side or just until fih begins to flake when poked with the tip of a sharp knife and is opaque in center.

Combine chopped watermelon, next 5 ingredients, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Serve with grilled fish.

Related: Grilled Fresh-from-the-Sea Recipes

Tomato-Watermelon Sorbet
Photo: Ralph Anderson























Ingredients
6 cups (1-inch) seeded ripe watermelon chunks
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
6 very ripe large tomatoes, quartered (about 3 1/2 lb.)
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Coarse salt (optional)

Preparation
Combine first 3 ingredients in a large bowl; stir well. Let stand 30 minutes.

Squeeze tomato quarters into a wire-mesh strainer over a 4-cup measuring cup. Place squeezed tomatoes into strainer, and firmly press with back of a spoon, pressing until liquid measures 3 cups. Discard tomato pulp in strainer.

Process half of tomato juice and half of watermelon mixture in a blender until smooth. Repeat with remaining tomato juice and watermelon. Stir in lemon juice. Pour mixture into freezer container of a 2 1/2-qt. electric ice cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. Sprinkle each serving with coarse salt, if desired.

See more Mouthwatering Watermelon Recipes

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