Grilled Watermelon Recipes: Sweet, Smoky Fruit for Summer BBQs

Sweet grilled watermelon brushed with a fresh honey-lime-cilantro glaze. Bright, juicy, and an ideal appetizer for summer cookouts—ready in about 10 minutes.

Grilled Watermelon with char marks and honey lime glaze

Watch how to grill watermelon in minutes…

WHY YOU’LL LOVE MY GRILLED WATERMELON

It’s juicy, sweet, and just a touch fancy. Ready in 10 minutes or less, this grilled watermelon gets a punch of flavor from a simple honey-lime-cilantro glaze—don’t skip it.

I first made this for a poolside weekday hangout and it quickly became a summer staple. It looks impressive on the table but takes almost no effort—perfect alongside smoked queso or grilled corn.

Grilled Watermelon Appetizer Platter on Brunch Table

Cool off with a frozen watermelon lemonade cocktail for a boozy slushy that pairs nicely with this appetizer.

INGREDIENTS TO MAKE GRILLED WATERMELON

For the Watermelon

¼ medium seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch thick wedges

For the Honey Lime Glaze

2 tablespoons honey
1 medium lime, zest and juice
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped

Serving Ideas

1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons feta cheese, crumbled
1 teaspoon Tajín (optional)
½ teaspoon sea salt

HOW TO GRILL WATERMELON

The Gist: Slice the watermelon, grill briefly, brush with honey-lime-cilantro glaze, and serve. Ready in about 10 minutes.

Watermelon cut in slices — Step 1 – Prep the watermelon: cut into 1-inch thick wedges and set aside.

Mixing Honey Lime Cilantro Glaze for Grilled Watermelon — Step 2 – Make the glaze: whisk honey, lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro in a small bowl.

Brushing Watermelon with Honey Lime Cilantro Glaze — Step 3 – Brush both sides of each wedge with the glaze.

Weber Gas Grill — Step 4 – Preheat a gas grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high (about 450°F). Grill over direct heat.

Fresh Watermelon on the Grill — Step 5 – Grill the watermelon 1–2 minutes per side, flipping and rotating to get crisscross marks. Indoor grill time may be slightly longer.

Grilled Watermelon with Char Marks on Appetizer Platter — Step 6 – Serve warm or slightly chilled. Finish with your favorite garnish.

Delicious and refreshing—perfect for summer gatherings.

For extra summer vibes, pair this with a watermelon cucumber gin cocktail.

MAKE IT A MEAL – WHAT TO SERVE IT WITH

Salad: Spinach salad with crunchy croutons
Side: Cheesy grilled broccoli rabe
Main: Grilled ribeye or another favorite steak
Dessert: Grilled mango with ice cream

For simple, fresh sides, try easy summer salads that highlight seasonal produce.

Can’t wait to hear what you think!

Share how your grilled watermelon turned out—ratings and comments help other home cooks. If you share photos, tag the account on social media so the recipe author can see and repost reader pictures.

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