Whether it’s served sliced at a backyard barbecue, bought at a roadside stand or sprinkled with a bit of salt, summertime just isn’t summertime without watermelon. Along with other seasonal produce like stone fruit, corn and tomatoes, perfectly ripe watermelon is a warm-weather highlight that almost makes the heat worth bearing.
Watermelon’s only flaw? The fruit’s peak condition is short-lived, especially once it’s cut. While a whole watermelon will last up to 10 days in the fridge, cut watermelon will last between 2 and 5 days. As you look at that tub of watermelon cubes in the fridge, you might wonder, can you freeze watermelon? Luckily, the answer is yes. Freezing cut watermelon is a simple and reliable way to extend this summertime treat. We have the expert tips on how to freeze watermelon, what to do with those frozen assets and what not to do when you stick this fruit in the deep freeze.
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Can You Freeze Watermelon?
“Watermelon is 92% water, so it absolutely will freeze,” says Stephanie Barlow, Senior Director of Communications at The National Watermelon Promotion Board. Barlow has 20 years of watermelon experience, so she knows her stuff. “Whether you’re freezing blended up juice or puree in an ice cube tray or pieces of watermelon, it will turn from flesh to frozen,” she says.
One thing to note right off the bat: For the best taste and texture, it’s best to eat or use frozen watermelon while it’s still frozen. That means using watermelon puree or juice ice cubes in drinks, tossing frozen chunks into smoothies, etc. You can thaw frozen watermelon pieces, but the texture and taste won’t be the same, so you’ll have more limited options in how you can use it.
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How Do You Freeze Watermelon?
For the best frozen watermelon, start with the freshest, juiciest watermelon you can. As with many foods, watermelon’s sweetness and texture will change once it’s frozen. And no matter what watermelon form you’re going for (chunks, melon balls, puree or juice), start by removing the seeds. If you have a seedless watermelon, that job’s already been done for you.
One thing to note: It’s not a good idea to freeze a whole watermelon because it will be nearly impossible to cut when it’s a gigantic oval ice ball and who has the room in the freezer anyway? Curious about freezing forms of watermelon? Here’s what you need to know.
How to Freeze Watermelon Chunks
To freeze watermelon chunks, you’ll need a cutting board, a knife and a baking tray lined with parchment paper or plastic wrap.
First, use the cutting board and knife to cut the watermelon into pieces, slicing off any rind. If the watermelon has any seeds, remove them.
Place the chunks on the parchment-lined tray, making sure they don’t touch, before placing the uncovered tray in the freezer. Let the chunks freeze until solid, which should take 1-2 hours. Once the chunks are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container, such as a zip-top bag, and store them in the freezer. Be sure to mark the date on the container so you’ll know how long they’ve been in the deep freeze.
How to Freeze Watermelon Balls or Cubes
If you want to make cute watermelon balls or more precise cubes, you can prep the fruit and then freeze it using the same method you would for watermelon chunks.
How to Freeze Watermelon Puree
Simply puree the watermelon in a blender or food processor before pouring the puree into an ice cube tray or an airtight container, giving around an inch of space for the frozen watermelon to expand.
How to Freeze Watermelon Juice
You can absolutely freeze watermelon juice. Just make watermelon puree and then use a fine mesh strainer to separate the pulp from the juice. Transfer to ice cube trays or another airtight container. If you go the container route, leave some room for the liquid to expand.
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How Long Can You Freeze Watermelon?
Like a lot of freezer-related questions, there’s a difference between “can” and “should” when it comes to timing. Although some sources say you can store frozen watermelon chunks for up to 8 months, Barlow recommends trying to use frozen watermelon within a couple of weeks, if you can.
Barlow suggests using watermelon puree or juice that’s frozen in ice cube trays even more quickly. “I’ve experienced watermelon puree in an ice cube tray breaking down after a few weeks, much like regular ice cubes when they’re forgotten about, so the best practice is to use them within a week,” she says.
If you choose to freeze your watermelon longer, just use your eyes, nose (and common sense) to see if it seems ok to eat.
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How to Thaw Frozen Watermelon
Barlow would suggest skipping the thawed watermelon. “We don’t recommend trying to thaw it,” she says. “The watermelon taste, texture and color changes when it’s frozen and it’s rather unappealing when you thaw it. The texture and taste are off. Can you thaw it and use it? Yes, but I don’t recommend it. Taste at your own risk.”
If you do want to thaw frozen watermelon, you can thaw it in the fridge and then puree it. The soggy texture is definitely not something you’re going to want to use in something like a fruit salad.
Related: These Viral Watermelon ‘Fries’ Are Summer’s Hottest Snack
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How to Use Frozen Watermelon
Here are some delicious ideas for using your frozen stash.
Barlow likes to add watermelon juice ice cubes to her iced tea or sparkling water. “My favorite is our frozen watermelon margarita or a simple slushy,” she says. “It’s great to have on hand for a nutrient boost and cold texture for my morning smoothies to get a burst of lycopene, vitamin C, vitamin A and B6.”
Gabriel Urrutia, award-winning mixologist and author of Miami Cocktails: An Elegant Collection of over 100 Recipes inspired by the Magic City, loves using watermelon ice cubes in drinks. “It goes great into a Collins, an Aperol Spritz, or even a summer take on a Negroni,” he says.
For a simple frozen drink, Urrutia recommends blending watermelon ice cubes with 3 cups watermelon, 1 cup water, ¼ cup agave syrup and ¼ cup fresh lime juice to make an agua fresca. “Add some mezcal and you’re ready to rock,” he says.
Will Simpson, beverage director at Chicheria Mexican Kitchen in Atlanta likes to use watermelon ice cubes to make brunch a little more fun by adding them to mimosas.
If you want to turn your frozen watermelon into a fun and easy dessert, you can freeze larger pieces or wedges and shave the frozen fruit into bowl using a Microplane grater for an almost-instant shaved ice a la one of our favorite food creators, Frankie Gaw.
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