First choose a ripe watermelon, a ripe watermelon should have a uniform shape, a creamy yellow spot on one side, feel heavy for its size and have a hollow sound when tapped.
Wash the outer rind thoroughly with water and pat it dry with a clean towel. Place the watermelon on a clean cutting board.
Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the watermelon in half lengthwise to create two halves.
Take one of the watermelon halves and place them with its rind side up on the cutting board. Make horizontal cuts across the width of the watermelon, creating circular slices approximately 1 inch thick.
To cut the circular slices into wedges, place a watermelon slice flat on the cutting board. Starting from the center, cut towards the outer edge, dividing the slice in half. Make another cut from the center towards the opposite side, creating quarters. Continue making cuts from the center towards the outer edge, dividing each quarter into smaller wedges according to your preference and the size of the watermelon.
Repeat the process for all the watermelon slices.
Method 2: Stars
Repeat steps 1-4
Place a watermelon circle flat on the cutting board. Use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to press firmly into the center of the watermelon slice, creating a star-shaped cutout. Keep pressing the cookie cutter into various spots until there is no room for more left.
Remove the excess watermelon around the star.
Repeat the process with the remaining watermelon slices, creating star-shaped cutouts in each one.
Method 3: Long Strips (Rind up)
Repeat steps 1-3
Take one of the watermelon halves and place it cut side down on the cutting board. Cut the watermelon half in half again, creating quarters.
Take one watermelon quarter and place it cut side up on the cutting board. Make horizontal cuts across the width of the watermelon, about 1 inch apart, without cutting through the rind.
Turn the watermelon 90 degrees and make vertical cuts down the length of the watermelon, again about 1 inch apart, cutting just to the rind. Slide the knife between the red melon part and the rind and cut the strips away from the rind. Cut again into bite-sized pieces if desired.
Method 4: Triangular Wedges another way
Repeat steps 1-3
Take one of the watermelon halves and place it cut side down on the cutting board. Cut the watermelon half in half again, creating quarters.
Take one of the watermelon quarters and place it cut side down on the cutting board. Cut diagonally from the center of the watermelon towards the outer edge, creating triangular wedges
Repeat the process for the other watermelon half.
Method 5: Long strips (rind down)
Repeat steps 1-3
Take one of the watermelon halves and place it cut side down on the cutting board. Cut one-inch horizontal lines down the rind.
Rotate the watermelon 90 degrees and cut another set of 1-inch horizontal lines in the opposite direction.
Enjoy your freshly cut watermelon using any of these five easy methods! Remember to exercise caution when handling sharp knives and use a clean cutting board.