The BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (2024)

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By: Sarah Bond 19 Comments

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This pan-seared Watermelon Steak transforms juicy watermelon into a deliciously chewy vegetarian steak! With a quick brush of flavor and a sear in the pan, this looks as good as it tastes.

The BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (1)

I once had a brilliant idea of cooking up a savory watermelon steak.

But then a Boston restaurant apparently invented a time machine, came to the future, invented a mind reading machine, and stole my idea. So I tried out their Oven-Roast Watermelon Steak recipe and even though I added twice as much cream sherry as was required, it was pretty good.

But now it’s time to do things Sarah’s way. And Sarah’s way involves:

  • Trials/errors/minor grease burns
  • Lower cook time
  • Feta cheese + balsamic reduction
  • Pure watermelon transformational magic

Reader rating

★★★★★

“Came out great and tastes just like a steak. Thanks for your recipe.” —Robin

Add your review

The BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (2)

Here’s what you’ll need

This watermelon recipe is unlike any other. AND you only need a handful of ingredients. Double win!

  • Seedless Watermelon: Seedless watermelon is best here, though you can use any watermelon variety that you have on hand.
  • Flavorful Oil: A combination of oil, liquid smoke, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. This helps to accentuate the savory flavors, tricking your brain into thinking you’re eating something closer to steak!
  • Toppings: Top with crumbled feta, balsamic reduction, and fresh mint!
The BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (3)

How do you make watermelon steak?

Making watermelon steak is really easy. You’ll basically just:

  1. Cut watermelon into planks
  2. Pat steaks dry
  3. Brush on flavor
  4. Saute in a hot pan
  5. Serve warm with feta, mint, and balsamic

How to cut watermelon steaks

So you start by cutting out some watermelon steaks. Cut the watermelon in half lengthwise, then place the flat edge down and cut 1 ½ to 2 inch slices down. It’s better to make them too thick than too thin. From each slice, cut out a rectangle.

The BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (4)

Those grease burns I mentioned? Yea I thought it’d be smart to throw the sopping wet piece of watermelon into a hot pan of grease. Don’t do that. Instead, pat dry the watermelons with paper towels (for maximum dryness, place them uncovered in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours).

The BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (5)

Brush with your flavored oil mixture, then it’s onto the cooking! Add a dash of oil to a skillet and bring to a low-medium heat. To prevent any splash-ups, gently slide each steak into the pan. Cook each side for about 5 minutes, then increase the heat to medium-high and continue cooking, about 1 minute per side, until edges are slightly browned.

The BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (6)

What does watermelon steak taste like?

Cooking watermelon transforms its distinct granular texture into a slightly chewier texture, almost like raw tuna. The taste becomes less sweet and more savory/smokey!

The BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (7)

How to serve watermelon steak

These steaks go well as the main course or as a fun side dish! Here are some summery idea that go well with them:

  • Carrot Hot Dogs
  • Garden Tomato Soup
  • Portobello Mushroom Burgers
  • Mexican Street Corn Salad
  • Vegetarian Caesar Salad
The BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (8)

Looking for another plant-based steak? Try these Seitan Steaks!

The BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (9)

How To Make A Watermelon Steak (Stove or Grilled)

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 20 minutes minutes

Total: 30 minutes minutes

Author: Sarah Bond

Calories: 55kcal

Servings: 6 steaks

Print Rate

This Pan-Seared Watermelon Steak is made by transforming juicy watermelon into a deliciously chewy steak with a quick sear in the pan!

Ingredients

  • ½ large seedless watermelon
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil 30 mL
  • ½ tsp liquid smoke
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ tsp each salt and pepper
  • Garnish: balsamic reduction, crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh mint

Instructions

  • Cut: Cut watermelon in half lengthwise. Place flat side down, and cut 1 ½ inch wide slice. Cut the largest rectangle possible from each of these slices. You should be able to get about 6 steaks from ½ of a watermelon.

    The BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (10)

  • Dry: Pat each of the steaks dry with paper towels. If you have time, place them in the refrigerator uncovered for 1 to 2 hours to dry out excess moisture. Give them a final pat right before preparing.

  • Flavor: Whisk together oil liquid smoke, garlic, salt, and pepper. Liberally brush on both sides of watermelon steaks.

  • Saute: Lightly grease a large saute pan over low/medium. Gently slide each steak in, cooking for about 5 minutes on each side. Increase heat to medium-high and continue to cook each side for one minute, or until lightly browned.

    The BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (11)

  • Serve: Serve warm, topped with balsamic reduction*, feta, and mint.

    The BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (12)

Tips & Tricks

*How to make a balsamic reduction: Bring ½ cup of balsamic vinegar to a simmer in a small saucepan. Whisking occasionally, allow balsamic to cook and reduce down until it is syrupy and coats the pan and spoon (it will reduce in volume by about half).

To cook watermelon steaks on the grill, cook on the stove as described above, but do not turn up the heat and brown on the stove. Instead, move partially cooked watermelon steaks to a well oiled grill and cook on high for a minute or two, until char lines develop.

Storecooked steaks in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.

To make ahead, cut the watermelon into steaks and place in the fridge until ready to cook, up to 2 days. Brush with oil right before cooking.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1steak (no toppings) Calories: 55kcal (3%) Carbohydrates: 3.8g (1%) Protein: 0.2g Fat: 4.7g (7%) Saturated Fat: 0.7g (4%) Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 97mg (4%) Potassium: 49mg (1%) Fiber: 0.2g (1%) Sugar: 3.3g (4%) Calcium: 5mg (1%) Iron: 0mg

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

  1. Find My Rice says

    Never thought of making this with watermelon! Great idea! 😀
    – Regine

    Reply

  2. Robin Fox says

    Came out great and tastes just like a steak. Thanks for your recipe.

    Reply

    • Sarah says

      So happy to hear, Robin! 😀 Isn’t the transformation it takes so interesting (and tasty)?

  3. India says

    Sounds great, I will be trying this but I unfortunately found it a little too late today. It was just after I chucked my sliced watermelon into hot oil and splattered myself with red hot grease that I thought I should maybe look up an actual recipe. Ah well, we live and learn.

    Reply

    • Sarah says

      Ah, so sorry to hear, India! Indeed, with the hot oil and the ultra-watery watermelon, you gotta be careful. Positive side is…you’ll never make that mistake again! Haha, I have many learning points like that 😀

  4. charley says

    I have tried this and its awesome. If you slice melon really thinly it looks and tates like smoked salmon…………….yummy

    Reply

    • Sarah says

      Brilliant! I’ll have to give that a go!

  5. NormaJean says

    Can’t wait to try this one. Come on summer!!

    Reply

  6. NormaJean says

    What sides would you serve with this?

    Reply

    • Sarah says

      Our avocado mango fruit salad or veggie spring rolls would be great! Check out more summer inspiration here.

  7. Liz says

    Brilliant!
    Our favourite salad is cos lettuce, watermelon, walnuts and fried halloumi ..( delicious with sweet chilli sauce and spanakopita) but now I’ll try searing the watermelon too!

    Reply

    • Sarah says

      YUM! That sounds like an amazing salad! 😀

  8. Thomas Abbott says

    Didn’t like itThe BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (17)

    Reply

    • Sarah says

      Sorry to hear it, Thomas!

  9. Jim Steel says

    Delicious with olive oil and pepper, next to the steak on the barbecue.

    Reply

  10. Sitara says

    Hey, I have no idea where to get liquid smoke from, is there any way I can make the recipe without?

    Reply

    • Sarah says

      Most grocery stores will carry it, otherwise it’s pretty cheap online. With that said, you can definitely make this recipe without it. If you have smoked paprika you might add a dash of that for smoky flavor.

  11. Kelly says

    Does this taste like steak? Of course not! But it tastes great, with a “meaty” flavor per the seasonings. I love it & my carnivorous husband is quite fond of it as well. He tolerates my cooking so when he likes something, I take notice! 🤣The BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (18)

    Reply

  12. Tyler says

    i personally tried making this it was very difficult but i managed to make it. I tasted the watermelon steak and it tasted like eating 5 star wagyuThe BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (19)

    Reply

The BEST Watermelon Steak Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does cooked watermelon taste like steak? ›

Texture and Flavor

He added that the flavor of the fruit "isn't sweet, although it isn't meaty either, but enough of the browning comes through to make it a little like a piece of meat." Cookery writers Andrew Schloss and David Joachim described the result as "kind of like a fillet steak."

What do you sprinkle on watermelon? ›

Mint, basil, and thyme are all lovely fresh herbs to chop up and sprinkle over watermelon. The earthy and savoury nature is a fabulous contrast to the sweetness of the melon. Olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, and lime juice are also sensational with watermelon.

What does grilled watermelon taste like? ›

Grilled watermelon sounded strange to me at first too, but the grill caramelizes the melon's sweetness and gives it a subtle, smoky flavor. Paired with a sweet and spicy seasoning, grilled watermelon can be an intriguing side dish or a surprising dessert.

What is the meat of a watermelon called? ›

The large fruit is a kind of modified berry called a pepo with a thick rind (exocarp) and fleshy center (mesocarp and endocarp).

What happens when you cook watermelon? ›

Just like with grilled mango, the grill not only gives it beautiful char marks, it also caramelizes the sweetness and gives it a slightly smoky flavor in just a few minutes! And as far as the texture, a grilled watermelon will remain juicy but will turn somewhat chewy in a satisfying way.

What makes watermelon taste better? ›

Salt is commonly used to dampen bitter flavors—Brussels sprouts or leafy greens are a good example—so when the bitterness of the watermelon is masked by the salt, the sugary sweetness shines. Salt also activates your salivary glands, so a bit of salt is enough to make watermelon seem juicier.

What can you add to watermelon to make it taste better? ›

Try each pairing one of two ways: mixed into a recipe or topped on your next slice.
  1. Cheese 🧀 Sweet to savory, light to rich, the complementary flavor combination of rich cheese and juicy watermelon makes for a mouthwatering summer snack. ...
  2. Honey 🍯 Drizzle, dunk or dip. ...
  3. Salt ✨ ...
  4. Spice 🔥 ...
  5. Lemon 🍋 ...
  6. Cucumber 🥒 ...
  7. Salmon 🐟 ...
  8. Coconut 🥥

Is watermelon steak good? ›

Pan seared Watermelon Steak is a delicious and completely gorgeous vegan meal. Fresh watermelon slices are marinated in miso, garlic, and soy, and then cooked to perfection, turning juicy melon into perfectly chewy steaks.

Can dogs eat watermelon? ›

Good news: Your pooch can eat watermelon. However, this does come with precautions, according to the American Kennel Club. First, the watermelon must be seedless or you should remove the seeds before giving it to your pet. The seeds could lead to an intestinal blockage, so be sure that you pick a seedless watermelon.

How to season watermelon? ›

Sprinkle Your Watermelon with Salt and Citrus Juice

I prefer flaky sea salt on my watermelon because it adds a crunchy textural element, but any salt will do. Finish it all off with some citrus zest if you want to add a pop of color.

What color watermelon is the sweetest? ›

As a rule of thumb, the color should be a creamy yellow or near orange, which indicates a melon full of flavor. If it's white or light yellow, you may want to choose another one. White field spots suggest that the watermelon lacks flavor.

Is cooked watermelon good? ›

Sure, if it's your first grilled fruit, it may sound a bit strange. But, like grilled peaches, a quick kiss from the grill works wonders, changing the texture and adding a slight smoky flavor to the naturally sweet fruit. Grilled watermelon can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or dessert.

What does cooked watermelon taste like? ›

Cooking watermelon transforms its distinct granular texture into a slightly chewier texture, almost like raw tuna. The taste becomes less sweet and more savory/smoky!

Why does my watermelon feel like meat? ›

When a watermelon gets too ripe for its own good, the juicy crisp texture of the flesh can turn gritty and dry. If you cut it open, you might see the flesh actually pulling away from the seeds. If your watermelon is mealy, it's still safe to eat.

Is it OK to cook watermelon? ›

Yes, it is safe to eat watermelon that has been cooked. Cooking watermelon can change its texture and taste, but it will not make it unsafe to eat. Some people cook watermelon to use it in sweet or savory dishes, or to make juice or syrup.

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