Fourth July Recipe: How To Make Grilled Watermelon

It’s Independence Day this week, which means parties will be taking place across the U.S. That means lots of red, white and blue decor, patriotic tunes and festive tablescapes – but what to serve your guests? There are a whole host of American recipes you could whizz up, from burgers to ribs to shrimp rolls, but for a lighter dish, grilled watermelon always goes down a treat at summer parties. Here’s how to make the popular Fourth July recipe.

Grilled Watermelon Recipe

Why Is Watermelon A Popular Fourth July Dish?

Watermelon is the most popular fruit to consume on Independence Day: each year, Americans spend over $160 million on it for the holiday. Packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, watermelon is a nutritional powerhouse, and acts as a refreshing alternative to all the hot dogs and chips often served at Fourth July parties.

What Does Grilled Watermelon Taste Like?

Grilled watermelon makes a lovely appetizer or side dish for a Fourth July party. The fruit has a high sugar content, and grilling it creates a caramelized effect, plus a slightly smoky flavour. This creates a balanced taste that blends sweet and savoury. 

Top Tips

• First thing’s first: choose a fairly large watermelon which is ripe (it should have a vibrant colour and a hollow sound when tapped). 
• It’s also important to preheat the grill to a medium to high heat to get those grill marks.
• When it comes to cutting it, use a chef’s knife and slice the fruit into two halves, then again into quarters. Then, slice these quarters into one-inch thick triangle pieces.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 x large watermelon (or more depending on the size of your party)
• Olive oil
• Sprinkle of sea salt
• Zest of 1 lime
• 1 tsp tajin or chilli powder

Method:

1. Preheat your grill – if you don’t have an outdoor grill, you can use an indoor griddle. 
2. Slice your watermelon into thick triangles, leaving the rind attached. 
3. Drizzle the watermelon with olive oil, squeeze on some lime juice, and sprinkle with sea salt and tajin or chilli powder (on both sides).
4. Arrange the melon slices onto the grill, and grill over direct heat for two to three minutes until grill marks begin to appear.

How To Serve It

Watermelon pairs well with lots of different dishes. You could sprinkle some feta and mint on the top, make a honey-based dressing, or give it a spicy kick with some fresh chilli. Serve as a side dish alongside grilled meats, fish and salads for the perfect Fourth July feast.