The Best Watermelon Recipes to Try This Summer

Nothing says summer quite like a juicy slice of watermelon. Not only is it low-calorie and full of H2O (it's one of the best foods to help you stay hydrated, with a water content of 90%), but the brightly colored summer fruit also boasts some serious health benefits. Like tomatoes, watermelon is a terrific source of lycopene, a powerful chemical pigment that's been found to help fight heart disease and certain types of cancer. (Here are more facts about watermelon you didn't know.)

Here, eight delicious new ways to use watermelon this summer, from soups to salads to cocktails.

Try this recipe: Watermelon and Scallop Ceviche

This refreshing, low-calorie summer recipe will be your new favorite way to enjoy seafood. If you can't find bay scallops, which are small, buy a pound of sea scallops and cut them into quarters.

Ingredients: Navel oranges, bay scallops, limes, watermelon, fennel, jalapeno, raw honey, kosher salt, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh mint leaves

Calories: 152

Try this recipe: Watermelon, Cucumber, and Burrata Salad

Watermelon is nearly 92 percent water (hence its name), so it's great for hydrating in hot summer weather. Serve this yummy recipe at a summer get-together—the sweet fruit, slightly-salty burrata, and crunchy cucumbers make an incredibly addictive dish that your guests will love.

Ingredients: Extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, shallot, English cucumber, watermelon cubes, burrata cheese, sliced almonds

Calories: 267

Try this recipe: Sriracha-Lime Grilled Watermelon

No time to hit the grill? You can forgo the grilling and just sprinkle the seasonings on raw watermelon for an equally-delicious dish. This recipe also works well with jicama.

Ingredients: Watermelon, extra-virgin olive oil, sriracha, kosher salt, coconut sugar, lime zest, lime wedges

Calories: 45

Try this recipe: Watermelon, Tequila and Lime Granita

Cocktail in a bowl, anyone? This low-calorie watermelon dessert is the perfect (boozy!) treat for a hot summer day.

Ingredients: Cubed watermelon, lime zest, fresh lime juice, blanco tequila, light agave nectar, lime wedges (optional)

Calories: 143

Try this recipe: Chilled Watermelon Soup

Break out of your gazpacho rut with this tasty recipe for chilled watermelon soup. Pair with a side salad or grilled chicken for a cool, refreshing summer meal.

Ingredients: Cucumber, fresh mint, cubed watermelon, sugar, dry white wine, fresh lime juice, salt, Tabasco sauce (optional)

Calories: 240

Try this recipe: Strawberry-Watermelon Floats

Got a sweet tooth? These strawberry and watermelon floats will satisfy your dessert cravings while also tantalizing the palate, thanks to a hit of cayenne pepper.

Ingredients: Watermelon cubes, chopped strawberries, balsamic vinegar, cayenne pepper, lime or lemon sorbet, chilled club soda or seltzer

Calories: 161

Try this recipe: Watermelon, Feta, and Grilled Shrimp Salad

This summer salad is both refreshing (thanks to juicy watermelon wedges) and satisfying (grilled shrimp packs a serious protein punch).

Ingredients: Large shrimp, olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, olive oil, fresh lime juice, honey, red onion, fresh mint, arugula, seedless watermelon wedges, crumbled feta cheese

Calories: 273

Try this recipe: Sesame-Chile Chicken with Gingered Watermelon Salsa

Watermelon may be ideal in cocktails and salads, but this chicken recipe with watermelon-and-pepper salsa elevates the summer fruit to main-dish status.

Ingredients: Low-sodium soy sauce, chili sauce, dark sesame oil, boneless chicken breasts, diced watermelon, diced yellow bell pepper, green onions, fresh cilantro, fresh ginger, mirin, fresh lime juice, salt, cooking spray, cilantro sprigs (optional), lime wedges (optional)

Calories: 247

Try this recipe: Grilled Watermelon, Mint, and Feta Salad

This fresh watermelon salad can be whipped up in just a few minutes. And thanks to the delicious combination of sweet-and-smoky grilled watermelon cubes and tangy feta cheese, it basically tastes like summer on a plate.

Ingredients: Small watermelon, mint leaves, feta cheese, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt, black pepper

Calories: 122

Try this recipe: Watermelon Slushie

You’ll be the star of the BBQ with this super-hydrating watermelon cocktail. Jalapeño gives it an unexpected kick.

Ingredients: Frozen seedless watermelon cubes, fresh lime juice, honey, jalapeño, silver tequila (optional), mint sprigs and watermelon wedge for garnish

Calories: 126

Try this recipe: Pressed Watermelon with Basil Water

Quench your thirst with a glass of refreshing pressed watermelon juice. This summery drink is unbelievably delicious on its own or paired with grilled dishes.

Ingredients: Red or yellow seedless watermelon chunks, basil leaves, sea salt, white wine vinegar, chilled water

Calories: 46

From Cool Waters by Brian Preston-Campbell