27 Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Watermelon

It happens every summer. You buy the most beautiful and perfect watermelon the store has to offer, cut it up, and eat half of it before you realize you have a lot of leftover watermelon. Each of these 27 delicious watermelon recipes below offers up a creative recipe for those wondering what to do with leftover watermelon.

Contrary to what some believe, yes, old watermelon does go bad. A whole, uncut ripe watermelon lasts about 10 days in the fridge, but just 2-5 days once cut. If you buy your watermelon pre-sliced, you should have a plan to eat it before it goes bad. Unlike other fruits, old watermelon does not easily show its age—no wrinkles to give away that it's past its prime, and it may go bad before a telltale slime develops.

Related: The Easiest Way to Cut a Watermelon

Since watermelon needs to be eaten quickly once it's cut, use these refreshing ideas so you'll never need to waste your watermelon leftovers! Who knew you could make a spicy salad out of watermelon? Or what about sipping it in a creative watermelon cocktail?

Related: 4 Ways To Tell if a Cantaloupe Is Ripe

Other Watermelon Recipes to Try:

• Watermelon Cupcakes

• Watermelon White Claw Grapes

• Grilled Watermelon Salad

• Watermelon Margarita

• Grilled Watermelon Salsa

Up next: How to Make the Best-Ever Potato Salad, According to Chef Jacques Pépin