Grilled Watermelon

Grilled veggies may get all the love during the summer months, but I’m here to say that grilled fruit is extremely underrated. Grilling fruit, like grilled peaches or grilled pineapple, not only changes the texture, but lends a smoky flavor while bringing out the fruit's natural sweetness. Grilling watermelon is no different: the juicy, sweet flavor is only amplified and enhanced by the grill. Ready to upgrade your summer BBQ? Keep reading on for everything you need to know:

How To Make Grilled Watermelon

INGREDIENTS

• Lime: Lime and watermelon are a match made in heaven, so I'm using lime zest and juice in this recipe to add a zingy citrus flavor. Use freshly squeezed juice, please! You’re using the lime for the zest, so you might as well get the fresh juice.
• Honey: Depending on how ripe your watermelon is, it may not be at the optimal sweetness level. A little bit of honey not only helps the sweetness factor, but also helps to create a caramelized char on the grill.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil will not only help amplify the flavor of the watermelon even more, but will also help the watermelon caramelize on the grill. Use your favorite olive oil, or consult our list of the best (and worst!) olive oil brands.
• Watermelon: Watermelon is one of the greatest summer pleasures. Need help cutting it? Check out our guide on how to cut watermelon.
• Mint Leaves: Mint goes perfectly with watermelon, as you can see in our watermelon feta salad and watermelon pizza. I like to add some on as a garnish for a pop of freshness in this recipe, but you can skip it if you don’t have any on hand.
• Sea Salt: Some sprinkles of flaky sea salt will bring all our flavors together, balancing the sweetness with a punch of saltiness.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

First, heat a grill (or a grill plan) to medium heat. While that’s heating up, whisk together the lime juice and zest, honey, and olive oil in a medium bowl.

Once your watermelon is cut into wedges, brush the mixture all over each wedge and place them on the grill.

Cook until the fruit softens slightly and grill marks are visible—this should only take about 2 minutes per side.

Once done, remove from the grill, and sprinkle with mint and flaky sea salt before serving.

The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.

Grilled Fruit Variations

• Grilled Fruit Skewers: Pineapple, peaches, and strawberries combine in this fruit skewer recipe for a three-in-one treat.
• Grilled Peaches: When grilled, peaches turn extra juicy and caramelized for a simple dessert best paired with vanilla ice cream.
• Grilled Strawberries: Brushed with a lemon honey butter, these grilled strawberries will upgrade any campfire you host.

Storage

This watermelon is best eaten day of, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for around 3 days.