Watermelon Steak Juicy Summer (Printable Version)
Grilled watermelon steaks with balsamic marinade, smoked paprika, and fresh mint garnish.
# What You Need:
→ Main
01 - 2 thick slices seedless watermelon (about 1 ½ inches thick)
→ Marinade
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
04 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - ¼ teaspoon sea salt
06 - Pinch of black pepper
07 - ½ teaspoon fresh lime juice
→ Garnish
08 - 2 teaspoons fresh mint leaves, chopped
09 - 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
10 - 1 tablespoon crumbled vegan feta (optional)
# How-To:
01 - Pat the watermelon slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, smoked paprika, sea salt, black pepper, and lime juice.
03 - Brush both sides of each watermelon steak with the marinade, ensuring an even coating.
04 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
05 - Place the watermelon steaks on the grill and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until grill marks appear and the flesh is slightly caramelized, but still firm.
06 - Transfer to serving plates. Sprinkle with chopped mint, flaky sea salt, and vegan feta if using. Serve immediately.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- You get that impressive grill-master presentation with almost zero effort
- The sweet-smoky-spicy combination makes people rethink everything they know about watermelon
02 -
- Don't rush the paper towel step, excess moisture is the enemy of good grill marks
- Let the watermelon rest for a minute after grilling so the flavors settle
03 -
- Make sure your grill is properly hot before adding the watermelon, otherwise you'll get steamed fruit instead of caramelized magic
- Use a pastry brush for even coating, but don't go overboard, too much oil makes for flare-ups