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23 Creative & Healthy Watermelon Recipes for July 4th

Take your watermelon to the next level with these inventive, delicious—and healthy!—spins on a summer classic.

There's no fruit more synonymous with summer than watermelon. Not only is the red-hued fruit tasty, beautiful, and widely available, but because it is comprised of 90% water, it's a fantastic option if you're trying to lose weight, because it's a sweet and satisfying treat that also keeps you feeling fuller, longer compared to many other snacks. In fact, research from the University of Kentucky suggests that eating watermelon improves lipid profiles and lowers fat accumulation, thanks to the fruit's high concentration of anthocyanin, a compound that calms the action of fat-storage genes and gives watermelon its signature hue. It gets better: Watermelon may also help reduce the level of muscle soreness after a tough workout.

Whether you're trying to lose weight, looking for the perfect post-workout snack, or just want a more inventive way to incorporate watermelon into your July 4th BBQ, we've got you covered. Make the most of watermelon season by loading up on these healthy watermelon recipes. You'll be shocked to learn how versatile this fruit is!

Watermelon Margaritas

watermelon manarita pitcher
Courtesy of Teremana

What's a cookout without a refreshing drink? This recipe from Teremana tequila is the most delicious way to stay hydrated this weekend.

Get our recipe for Watermelon Margaritas.

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Watermelon & Kiwi Pops

watermelon kiwi popsicles
Courtesy of Real Food by Dad

Can't take the heat and humidity? Cool off with a homemade popsicle you can feel good about. Its short ingredient list and low sugar count knock the majority of packaged pops out of the water. The best part: These treats are extremely easy to make; all you need is a watermelon and a few kiwis.

These easy, delicious treats require only two ingredients—puréed watermelon and puréed kiwi (and technically, some popsicle sticks). Just blend them together and freeze them in a popsicle mold for the perfect watermelon snack!

Get the recipe from Real Food by Dad.

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Balsamic Watermelon Chicken Salad

balsamic watermelon chicken salad
Courtesy of Pinch of Yum

Seven ingredients and about 30 minutes are all you need to whip up this refreshingly sweet and crunchy salad. We love that it's built on a bed of spinach—a muscle-builder that's a rich source of fatigue-crushing iron, plant-based omega-3s, and folate, a nutrient that helps reduce the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.

Get the recipe from Pinch of Yum.

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Watermelon Blueberry Salsa

bowl of watermelon blueberry salsa
Courtesy of Love and Olive Oil

Kick that salty jar of salsa to the curb and whip up this simple—yet remarkably healthy—dip at home. Paired with veggies or tortilla chips, it makes a creative addition to party platters. If you can't stand to share, it also fares well as a grilled chicken or salad topper. All you need to make this recipe is a knife, a cutting board, and a food processor.

Get the recipe from Love and Olive Oil.

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Watermelon, Feta, & Basil Quinoa

watermelon feta basil quinoa in serving dish
Courtesy of How Sweet Eats

If you haven't paired grains with watermelon before, this summer dish is about to change your life. All you'll need to whip this up is quinoa (the only grain that's a complete source of protein), watermelon, honey, feta, basil, lime juice, and a few simple seasonings. The simple yet bold flavors are sure to please kids and adults alike. Serve it with BBQ chicken and veggies for a crowd-pleasing family meal.

Get the recipe from How Sweet Eats.

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Chili Lime Cucumber Noodles on Salted Watermelon with Mint & Basil

cucumber noodles with watermelon and chili lime
Courtesy of The First Mess

This no-cook watermelon dish is overflowing with flavor thanks to the addition of lime juice, chili powder, honey, mint, and basil. And just one serving will provide 62% of the day's vitamin C and 37% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin A, an antioxidant that plays a vital role in immunity, vision, bone growth, and cell function.

Get the recipe from The First Mess.

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Watermelon Gazpacho

watermelon gazpacho
Courtesy of Gimme Some Oven

Who knew you could make chilled soup with watermelon? This ingenious blogger. All you need to make it is a blender, meaning cleanup is minimal, which is always a bonus. Enjoy this refreshing soup as an appetizer or alongside a sandwich, wrap, or veggie-packed salad as a full meal.

Get the recipe from Gimme Some Oven.

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Watermelon Bacon Salad

watermelon bacon salad on white plate
Courtesy of Running to the Kitchen

This one's for you, bacon lovers. Though watermelon and bacon may be an unusual combination, we can assure you it's a delicious one. This creative salad is sweet, salty, crunchy, and refreshing—all the essential elements of a satisfying dish, and clocks in at just 150 calories.

Get the recipe from Running to the Kitchen.

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Grilled Watermelon Caprese Salad

watermelon caprese salad in bowls with forks
Courtesy of How Sweet Eats

If you've never grilled watermelon before, this is the summer you should try it out. In this recipe, the charred fruit serves as a delicious base for a new take on the classic tomato Caprese salad you already know and love.

Get the recipe from How Sweet Eats.

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Fresh Mint Granita with Watermelon & Raspberries

watermelon mint granitas
Courtesy of Gourmande in the Kitchen

Enjoy this sophisticated pick-me-up of tart raspberries, sweet watermelon, and a hint of cool mint leaves with your next meal.

Get the recipe from Gourmande in the Kitchen.

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Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Corn & Cotija Salsa

shrimp tacos with corn watermelon and salsa
Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest

We love the idea of mixing it up for July 4th with some tacos, but either way, this meal can be enjoyed every day of the week. Packed with zesty shrimp, corn, and diced watermelon, this recipe delivers an explosion of diverse flavors with each bite.

Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest.

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Chili Lime Watermelon

cubes of watermelon seasoned with chili and lime
Courtesy of How Sweet Eats

For another watermelon snack idea, give these chili-lime cubes a try. The simple sweet-spicy combo is to die for.

Get the recipe from How Sweet Eats.

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Watermelon Salad with Basil Ginger Dressing

watermelon feta salad
Courtesy of Lexis Clean Kitchen

This salad is higher in protein than other fruit salads, thanks to the slivered almonds sprinkled on top. The light drizzle of the basil-ginger dressing complements the heat from the red onion that is interspersed throughout an abyss of sweet watermelon. Plus, the only sugar in this dish comes from the honey and, of course, the watermelon itself. Give your body the cooling effect it deserves with a refreshing bowl of fruit that ends with a spicy kick!

Get the recipe from Lexi's Clean Kitchen.

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Watermelon Frosty

watermelon slushes
Courtesy of Running to the Kitchen

Wendy's Frosty just got kicked to the curb with this drink. That's right: the genius behind Running to the Kitchen has blessed us with a lower-cal, lactose-free version of the beloved fast-food dessert. Cool down and drink up with this chill drink. The best part? It only has five ingredients!

Get the recipe from Running to the Kitchen.

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Spinach, Watermelon, & Zucchini Salad

spinach watermelon zucchini salad
Courtesy of Gourmande in the Kitchen

As we said earlier, watermelon is mostly comprised of water, but zucchini is even more full of H2O—about 95%, according to WebMD. Combining the two makes this salad super hydrating, and super filling. That grilled masterpiece laying across the bed of greens (and a splash of pink from the watermelon) may look like a chicken breast, but it's actually grilled Halloumi cheese. Halloumi remains solid, even when heated, which is why it works so well when it's grilled. It's also one of the most delicious cheeses ever!

Get the recipe from Gourmande in the Kitchen.

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Strawberry Chia Watermelon Smoothie

strawberry watermelon chia smoothie glasses
Courtesy of Minimalist Baker

Chia seeds can be mixed into bowls of fruit, smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt parfaits, and plenty more. With five grams of fiber per tablespoon, why wouldn't you use this wonder ingredient? In addition, chia seeds have a special liquid-binding power, which means that they physically expand and thicken the liquid they're immersed in. Translation? You'll feel fuller, faster!

Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker.

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Heirloom Tomato, Watermelon, & Fennel Salad

tomato watermelon fennel salad
Courtesy of VeguKate

Fennel is one of the quirkier superfoods that you don't hear about as often as powerhouses like beets and kale. But don't overlook the value of fennel, because it carries a specific amino acid called histidine. Histidine is a protein that stimulates the production of hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells), and when paired with iron, has been shown to help combat anemia. Women who are not pregnant need about 15 to 18 milligrams of iron per day, and thankfully, the vitamin C-rich tomatoes and watermelon aid in the absorption of iron in your bloodstream. Reap the energizing benefits of this salad, stat!

Get the recipe from VeguKate.

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Watermelon Feta Salad with Cornmeal Crusted Fried Scallops

salad with watermelon feta and scallops
Courtesy of Running to the Kitchen

This isn't perfectly healthy—fried scallops are not something you want to consume regularly—but we couldn't pass up this creation. It's chock-full of protein, so you certainly won't need to eat more than a serving size in order to feel satisfied. Fun fact: Your body can only synthesize 20 to 30 grams of protein in a single sitting, so anything more just turns straight into fat. You've been warned!

Get the recipe from Running to the Kitchen.

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Watermelon Lime Slushie

two glasses of watermelon lime slushies
Courtesy of Running to the Kitchen

Talk about refreshing! The lime adds a tangy twist to this mega-sweet drink and will help you stay hydrated throughout the course of a sunny day. Opt for a glass of this slushie rather than a beer or margarita, which will only dehydrate you—which could even put you at risk for heatstroke.

Get the recipe from Running to the Kitchen.

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Watermelon Salad with Feta & Mint

watermelon salad with feta and mint
Courtesy of Laughing Spatula

So, here's a fun fact about pairing fruit with cheese: It actually helps stabilize your blood sugar. Thankfully, most fruits have a low glycemic index, which just means your sugar levels won't spike immediately after you eat it. Watermelon actually has a medium glycemic index, so your body breaks it down a bit quicker, which may lead to an immediate sugar spike and typically a hankering for more food. This can happen if it's eaten alone—but when paired with a protein, the effects of sugar will mellow out, helping you to feel full. The addition of protein even boosts your metabolism!

Get the recipe from Laughing Spatula.

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Summer Melon Fruit Salad

summer melon fruit salad with berries
Photo: Courtesy of Creme de la Crumb

Sometimes, you just want a classic side dish, and that's where this fruit salad comes in. Made with watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, strawberries, blueberries, and more, this just might be the most colorful side dish at your Fourth of July gathering.

Get the recipe from Creme de la Crumb.

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Coconut Lime Watermelon Slushie

watermelon coconut slushie
Courtesy of Minimalist Baker

It's no accident that there are multiple slushies on this list. But this one is special—have you ever enjoyed a frozen drink straight from a hollowed-out pineapple? What if we told you that you can do the same thing with a watermelon? Did we just blow your mind?

Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker.

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Watermelon Juice

watermelon juice in a cup
Courtesy of Cookie and Kate

Don't feel like making a slushie? Juice your watermelon instead! Easy as pie—and way better for you!

Get the recipe from Cookie + Kate.


This story has been updated to include additional entries, fact-checking, and copy-editing.

Dana Leigh Smith
Dana has written for Women's Health, Prevention, Reader's Digest, and countless other publications. Read more about Dana Leigh
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