Watermelon may be the taste of summer, but with a little planning, prep and help from your freezer, you can enjoy its juicy sweetness all year long. Yes, that’s right, watermelon is freezer-friendly. Freezing won’t allow you to bite into a crisp and tender wedge of watermelon in the middle of winter, but it will allow you to make aCreamy Watermelon SmoothieorWatermelon Gazpacho. And it’s a super-simple process.To begin, it’s good to know how to choose the best watermelon, and it is easy with these three steps: 1. Pick it up—it should feel heavier than it looks. 2. Look for a yellow spot on the green skin as a sign of ripeness. 3. Knock on the watermelon—it should sound hollow.Read on for everything you need to know about freezing watermelon.Getty Images / Westend61How to Freeze WatermelonAs with all food, freezing watermelon when it’s ripe and fresh is essential. There’s simply no point wasting precious freezer space on fruit that belongs in the compost heap. And just in case you are wondering, freezing a whole watermelon is best avoided—think of the freezer space it would require!Before you freeze watermelon, remove the rind and the seeds. Watermelon seeds get rock hard in the freezer and are much easier to remove from fresh rather than frozen fruit. Seedless watermelon, of course, eliminates this step.Next, think about how you want to use the fruit, keeping in mind that freezing changes the texture of watermelon, giving it a more pureed consistency. Cutting watermelon into chunks or scooping it with a melon baller will give you nice, evenly sized pieces, but if you plan to make smoothies or sorbets, randomly sized chunks are just fine.How to Cut WatermelonAfter cutting the fruit, arrange it in a single layer on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet and freeze for several hours until solid. Once frozen, the watermelon should be moved to freezer bags for longer-term storage. Taking this extra step will allow you to grab exactly what you need from the freezer rather than a massive chunk of melon. As always, label and date your freezer bags. Watermelon can be frozen for about eight months, which will just about take you to summer when it’s in season again.How to Thaw and Enjoy WatermelonThe best way to thaw watermelon is in the refrigerator, but depending on how you plan to use it, you may want to only defrost it partially or maybe not at all.As watermelon thaws, it will have a more pureed consistency, which is why previously frozen watermelon doesn’t make good fruit salads. If you want to snack on chunks, only thaw watermelon partially so it stays firm. Partially frozen watermelon is also ideal for frozen blender drinks, as well as frozen desserts and treats.More Ways to Use Frozen WatermelonYou can also use frozen cubes and balls of watermelon as fruity ice in drinks, but you’ll want to use those straight from the freezer. Chunks of watermelon can be frozen with other fruit if you plan to blend them to make smoothies, or combined with other fruit and fruit juices to make ice pops.Another option is to freezewatermelon juice. Simply blend chunks of watermelon (no seeds, of course) in a blender and place in an airtight container, leaving an inch or so of space at the top for expansion. The juice should keep for about two months and can be flavored or enjoyed on its own.Recipes with Frozen Watermelon01of 03Watermelon SherbetThe only difference between sorbet and sherbet is that the latter has a bit of dairy. In the case of this easy summer dessert, sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness plus a touch of creaminess.View Recipe02of 03Creamy Watermelon SmoothieVictor ProtasioThis creamy vegan watermelon smoothie has a subtle coconut flavor thanks to coconut-milk yogurt. Strawberries add color and banana adds a smooth texture while letting the watermelon flavor shine through.View Recipe03of 03Watermelon GazpachoThe delicate flavors of cucumber and watermelon go hand in hand to create a sweet-and-savory chilled soup, perfect as a first course on a hot night.View RecipeWas this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Watermelon may be the taste of summer, but with a little planning, prep and help from your freezer, you can enjoy its juicy sweetness all year long. Yes, that’s right, watermelon is freezer-friendly. Freezing won’t allow you to bite into a crisp and tender wedge of watermelon in the middle of winter, but it will allow you to make aCreamy Watermelon SmoothieorWatermelon Gazpacho. And it’s a super-simple process.To begin, it’s good to know how to choose the best watermelon, and it is easy with these three steps: 1. Pick it up—it should feel heavier than it looks. 2. Look for a yellow spot on the green skin as a sign of ripeness. 3. Knock on the watermelon—it should sound hollow.Read on for everything you need to know about freezing watermelon.Getty Images / Westend61How to Freeze WatermelonAs with all food, freezing watermelon when it’s ripe and fresh is essential. There’s simply no point wasting precious freezer space on fruit that belongs in the compost heap. And just in case you are wondering, freezing a whole watermelon is best avoided—think of the freezer space it would require!Before you freeze watermelon, remove the rind and the seeds. Watermelon seeds get rock hard in the freezer and are much easier to remove from fresh rather than frozen fruit. Seedless watermelon, of course, eliminates this step.Next, think about how you want to use the fruit, keeping in mind that freezing changes the texture of watermelon, giving it a more pureed consistency. Cutting watermelon into chunks or scooping it with a melon baller will give you nice, evenly sized pieces, but if you plan to make smoothies or sorbets, randomly sized chunks are just fine.How to Cut WatermelonAfter cutting the fruit, arrange it in a single layer on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet and freeze for several hours until solid. Once frozen, the watermelon should be moved to freezer bags for longer-term storage. Taking this extra step will allow you to grab exactly what you need from the freezer rather than a massive chunk of melon. As always, label and date your freezer bags. Watermelon can be frozen for about eight months, which will just about take you to summer when it’s in season again.How to Thaw and Enjoy WatermelonThe best way to thaw watermelon is in the refrigerator, but depending on how you plan to use it, you may want to only defrost it partially or maybe not at all.As watermelon thaws, it will have a more pureed consistency, which is why previously frozen watermelon doesn’t make good fruit salads. If you want to snack on chunks, only thaw watermelon partially so it stays firm. Partially frozen watermelon is also ideal for frozen blender drinks, as well as frozen desserts and treats.More Ways to Use Frozen WatermelonYou can also use frozen cubes and balls of watermelon as fruity ice in drinks, but you’ll want to use those straight from the freezer. Chunks of watermelon can be frozen with other fruit if you plan to blend them to make smoothies, or combined with other fruit and fruit juices to make ice pops.Another option is to freezewatermelon juice. Simply blend chunks of watermelon (no seeds, of course) in a blender and place in an airtight container, leaving an inch or so of space at the top for expansion. The juice should keep for about two months and can be flavored or enjoyed on its own.Recipes with Frozen Watermelon
Watermelon may be the taste of summer, but with a little planning, prep and help from your freezer, you can enjoy its juicy sweetness all year long. Yes, that’s right, watermelon is freezer-friendly. Freezing won’t allow you to bite into a crisp and tender wedge of watermelon in the middle of winter, but it will allow you to make aCreamy Watermelon SmoothieorWatermelon Gazpacho. And it’s a super-simple process.
To begin, it’s good to know how to choose the best watermelon, and it is easy with these three steps: 1. Pick it up—it should feel heavier than it looks. 2. Look for a yellow spot on the green skin as a sign of ripeness. 3. Knock on the watermelon—it should sound hollow.
Read on for everything you need to know about freezing watermelon.
Getty Images / Westend61
How to Freeze Watermelon
As with all food, freezing watermelon when it’s ripe and fresh is essential. There’s simply no point wasting precious freezer space on fruit that belongs in the compost heap. And just in case you are wondering, freezing a whole watermelon is best avoided—think of the freezer space it would require!
Before you freeze watermelon, remove the rind and the seeds. Watermelon seeds get rock hard in the freezer and are much easier to remove from fresh rather than frozen fruit. Seedless watermelon, of course, eliminates this step.
Next, think about how you want to use the fruit, keeping in mind that freezing changes the texture of watermelon, giving it a more pureed consistency. Cutting watermelon into chunks or scooping it with a melon baller will give you nice, evenly sized pieces, but if you plan to make smoothies or sorbets, randomly sized chunks are just fine.
How to Cut Watermelon
After cutting the fruit, arrange it in a single layer on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet and freeze for several hours until solid. Once frozen, the watermelon should be moved to freezer bags for longer-term storage. Taking this extra step will allow you to grab exactly what you need from the freezer rather than a massive chunk of melon. As always, label and date your freezer bags. Watermelon can be frozen for about eight months, which will just about take you to summer when it’s in season again.
How to Thaw and Enjoy Watermelon
The best way to thaw watermelon is in the refrigerator, but depending on how you plan to use it, you may want to only defrost it partially or maybe not at all.
As watermelon thaws, it will have a more pureed consistency, which is why previously frozen watermelon doesn’t make good fruit salads. If you want to snack on chunks, only thaw watermelon partially so it stays firm. Partially frozen watermelon is also ideal for frozen blender drinks, as well as frozen desserts and treats.
More Ways to Use Frozen Watermelon
You can also use frozen cubes and balls of watermelon as fruity ice in drinks, but you’ll want to use those straight from the freezer. Chunks of watermelon can be frozen with other fruit if you plan to blend them to make smoothies, or combined with other fruit and fruit juices to make ice pops.
Another option is to freezewatermelon juice. Simply blend chunks of watermelon (no seeds, of course) in a blender and place in an airtight container, leaving an inch or so of space at the top for expansion. The juice should keep for about two months and can be flavored or enjoyed on its own.
Recipes with Frozen Watermelon
01of 03Watermelon SherbetThe only difference between sorbet and sherbet is that the latter has a bit of dairy. In the case of this easy summer dessert, sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness plus a touch of creaminess.View Recipe02of 03Creamy Watermelon SmoothieVictor ProtasioThis creamy vegan watermelon smoothie has a subtle coconut flavor thanks to coconut-milk yogurt. Strawberries add color and banana adds a smooth texture while letting the watermelon flavor shine through.View Recipe03of 03Watermelon GazpachoThe delicate flavors of cucumber and watermelon go hand in hand to create a sweet-and-savory chilled soup, perfect as a first course on a hot night.View Recipe
01of 03Watermelon SherbetThe only difference between sorbet and sherbet is that the latter has a bit of dairy. In the case of this easy summer dessert, sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness plus a touch of creaminess.View Recipe
01of 03
Watermelon Sherbet
The only difference between sorbet and sherbet is that the latter has a bit of dairy. In the case of this easy summer dessert, sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness plus a touch of creaminess.
View Recipe
02of 03Creamy Watermelon SmoothieVictor ProtasioThis creamy vegan watermelon smoothie has a subtle coconut flavor thanks to coconut-milk yogurt. Strawberries add color and banana adds a smooth texture while letting the watermelon flavor shine through.View Recipe
02of 03
Creamy Watermelon Smoothie
Victor Protasio
This creamy vegan watermelon smoothie has a subtle coconut flavor thanks to coconut-milk yogurt. Strawberries add color and banana adds a smooth texture while letting the watermelon flavor shine through.
03of 03Watermelon GazpachoThe delicate flavors of cucumber and watermelon go hand in hand to create a sweet-and-savory chilled soup, perfect as a first course on a hot night.View Recipe
03of 03
Watermelon Gazpacho
The delicate flavors of cucumber and watermelon go hand in hand to create a sweet-and-savory chilled soup, perfect as a first course on a hot night.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
