Grilled Watermelon with Smoked Salt and Jalapeno Rings

Grilled Watermelon with Smoked Salt and Jalapeno Rings is a great way to spice up your grilling season! It adds an unexpected twist to any meal.

Everyone has their favorite grilling recipes. Every now and again it’s fun to change it up and try something new.

Grilled Watermelon is a great option. This recipe was born out of my curiosity to see how it would taste.

I was delighted but not for the reasons I expected!

Grilled Watermelon

I have a very easy, quick, healthy, low cal recipe to share that is also out of the ordinary:  Grilled Watermelon.

Sound unusual? Not as much as you’d think.

There are many ways to prepare it though this is the most simple and direct. It grills in less than 3 minutes.

What Does Grilled Watermelon Taste Like?

Perhaps the most unique thing is that during the short grilling the consistency of the watermelon becomes more ‘meaty’, losing its familiar granularity and some sweetness.

The only way to describe it for me it that the taste becomes more like a sweet vegetable (think corn) versus the juicy fruit defining summer.

It’s hot and smoky on the outside, and cool and refreshing on the inside.

Grilled Watermelon Ingredients

This recipe is about as simple as they come. Only a few things are needed:

• Watermelon
• Jalapeno peppers
• Alderwood smoked salt
• Oil for coating the grill

Using Smoked Salt

I love to prepare the watermelon with just a hint of smoked salt. Smoked salt tastes the way a campfire smells.

It’s fantastic but powerful! A little goes a long, long way.

Dusting the watermelon slice before grilling further enhances the grilled flavor along with the traditional grill marks.

To spark it up further, grilling some jalapenos to slice up with the watermelon is heaven.

Smoky, lightly sweet, and spicy really perk up any grilled meal.

A Tip about Jalapeno Peppers

Jalapeno peppers can vary incredibly in heat.

I’ve had some that barely have any heat and others that feel like the cartoons with the steam coming out of the ears to the sound of a train whistle.

Being conservative works best. Grilling then slicing the jalapeno having removed the seeds (contributes much of the heat), allows more control over how much heat works for you! Remember when handling hot peppers always to wash hands thoroughly and be careful not to touch your eyes.

How to Make Grilled Watermelon – Step by Step

Grilling watermelon is fast with only a few minute per side needed! Preparing the grill is an important step to ensure it’s clean and oiled before beginning.

Preparing the Grill

1. Heat the grill to medium-high (350 degrees).
2. Using a grill brush, brush the grill clean, removing any residue from prior grilling.
3. Fold a paper towel into quarters. Pour a bit of olive oil or vegetable oil on the paper towel to fully dampen one side. Place the oil side on the grill and using a grill tool, push the oil-soaked paper towel along the grill to coat.

Grilling the Watermelon and Jalapenos

1. Place the prepared jalapeno peppers on the grill and close the lid. Allow to cook 3 minutes on each side until blistered.
   Remove and allow to cool and slice into thin rings.
2. If needed coat the grill again with the oil-soaked paper towel.
3. Place the watermelon triangles on the grill and sprinklea very small amount;of smoked salt. NOTE: Only salt one side of the watermelon.
4. Allow the watermelon to grill for 1 ½ to 2 minutes to form grill marks (may or may not be black charred); then turn and allow to grill 1 ½- 2 minutes on the opposite site.
5. Remove from grill and serve with sliced jalapenos.

Ways to Eat Grilled Watermelon

Enjoy it on its own as a side dish for grilled meats.

Swap it into a Watermelon Goat Cheese Salad. Feta can be swapped for the goat cheese in this recipe too.

Make Grilled Watermelon Salsa for a new twist on your favorite Mexican recipes.

More Delicious Grilling Recipes to Try

• Grilled Thai Shrimp-Pineapple Skewers
• Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with Creamy Light Dressing
• Ultimate Burger Grill Guide: How to Grill the Perfect Burger
• Smoked Blue Cheese Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Chile Peppers

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Grilled Watermelon with Smoked Salt and Jalapeno Rings

Grilled watermelon is a fun different summer treat. Grilling changes the flavor to be more like a vegetable than a sweet fruit!

5 from 10 votes

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Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: grilled fruit recipe, grilled watermelon

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 14 minutes

Total Time: 24 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 45kcal

Author: Toni Dash

Ingredients

• ▢ Olive oil to coat the grill
• ▢ Watermelon triangles
• ▢ Jalapeno peppers
• ▢ Alderwood Smoked Salt , fine grain

Instructions

Preparing the Grill

• Heat the grill to medium-high (350 degrees).
• Using a grill brush, brush the grill clean removing any residue from prior grilling. 
• Fold a paper towel into quarters. Pour a bit of olive oil on the paper towel to fully dampen one side. Place the oil side on the grill and using a grill tool, push the oil-soaked paper towel along the grill to coat.

Grilling the Watermelon and Jalapenos

• Place the prepared jalapeno peppers on the grill and close the lid. Allow to cook 3 minutes on each side until blistered. Remove and allow to cool and slice into thin rings.
• If needed coat the grill again with the oil-soaked paper towel.
• Place the watermelon triangles on the grill and sprinkle a very small amount of smoked salt. NOTE: Only salt one side of the watermelon.
• Allow the watermelon to grill for 1 ½ to 2 minutes to form grill marks (may or may not be black charred); then turn and allow to grill 1 ½- 2 minutes on the opposite site.
• Remove from grill and serve with sliced jalapenos.

Nutrition

Calories: 45kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 170mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 865IU | Vitamin C: 12.3mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.4mg

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