Transform Your Watermelon Into A Sweet Steak Marinade That's Perfect For Summer

Summer is calling, and, surprisingly, so are the watermelons. With grilling season underway, there is an undeniable influx of barbecuing points to prove — who actually has the best recipes? Fortunately, there is a fruit-forward marinade to immediately wow guests: Watermelons might be the secret to a sweetened steak. 

Watermelon is among the most iconic summer ingredients to add to your steak marinade; a true symbol of sunshine. The trick is balancing that sweet stamp. Blend the chopped melon in a food processor before incorporating a careful selection of other ingredients. Brown or soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and even mustard are potentially complementary options. Add a kick of something peppery (we're looking at you, garlic and chile flakes), or even a dash of bourbon, and the dreamiest steak is en route. 

Let's be honest. Barbecue prep is enough to provoke some serious decision paralysis; the list of ingredients that will give your steak marinade a flavor boost is longer than many expect. Yet where watermelon comes into its own is its natural sugar content, resulting in a subtle and smoky caramelization once on the grill, with none of the intense stickiness that you get with honey. The succulent scarlet flesh is easily blended and lighter in its results. Besides, there's a novelty aspect, too, isn't there? Maybe leave the empty shell on grill-side display ... just for added effect.

This fruit is hardly a shrinking violet on the culinary scene. Watermelon in summer cocktails isn't unusual, and there are many more ways to eat watermelon, ranging from condiment creations to spiking entire fruits with bottles of vodka. So why not keep that momentum by mixing this marinade with different meats?

Obviously, steak is a term typically reserved for beef. Think T-bone, sirloin, and tenderloin, all dished up with a melon-imparted sweetness. Yet this recipe has more flexibility up its sleeve than you and your barbecue guests might initially expect. There are no one-trick ponies around here, just swap the beef for chicken, fish, or pork.

Watermelon has a uniquely transformative effect on each dish, as different meat types have significant variations in texture and innate flavors. Dry-prone chicken benefits from that additional juiciness, while the delicate taste of fish sets the stage for a bolder fruitiness. Embrace total creativity, whether that's crafting a watermelon and lime-glazed chicken or even injecting puree into pork tenderloin. This fruity marinade perfectly embraces seasonal produce. It's time to adopt a Midas touch for your summer barbecue recipes — apparently, red is the new gold.