Would you be surprised if we told you that there was a way to make watermelon even more refreshing just using your freezer? We know what you’re about to ask. Can you freeze watermelon, and how do you do it?
Freezing watermelon is fun because there are so many different snacks to make from them. Once you know how to freeze watermelon, your kids, friends, and family will be begging you to create thirst-quenching treats that they never thought of making.
People consider watermelon to be both a fruit and a veggie. The watermelon grows from flowers, contains seeds like fruit, and grows in our gardens like vegetables.
Most of us like eating the pink, fleshy center and spitting out the seeds, but the rind is edible and full of lots of health benefits.
Watermelons also have their name for a good reason. They are made up of over 90 percent water, making them like tasty ice cubes when popped in the freezer.
Benefits of Watermelon
Since watermelon is mostly water, it is extraordinarily hydrating. If you don’t feel like gulping down a glass of water, try biting into a slice of fresh watermelon instead.
Watermelons contain only 50 calories for every cup of fruit and are super low in sugar. It also has high percentages of vitamins A and C, magnesium, and potassium.
This fruit has compounds that prevent cancer, lowers inflammation in the body, and improves eye health and muscle soreness. The bottom line is that watermelon is one of the best fruits for you and should be utilized for as much of the year as possible.
How to Prep Watermelon for Freezing
When you’re at the grocery store, pick up each watermelon. A good melon feels heavy for its size. Yellow spots on watermelon are a good indicator of ripeness.
When the spot is creamy yellow, that means it’s ripe. Lastly, give it a few knocks. Fresh watermelon has a deep, hollow sound, while under or overripe melons have a dull sound.
You can store uncut watermelon on the counter for a few days until you are ready to cut into it.
Once you choose your perfect watermelon, rinse the outside under cold running water at home. Dry the outside with a paper towel to get rid of excess moisture. To cut watermelon, use a large, sharp knife and slice it into quarters.
Lay each quarter on a flat surface and remove the seeds from the fruit. Slide your knife between the rind and the flesh and then chop the fruit into chunks and save the rind for pickled watermelon rind or your compost bin.
Can You Freeze Watermelon?
We bet you’ve asked, “Can I freeze watermelon?” before. Some people probably haven’t tried it, but learning how to freeze watermelon or the best way to freeze strawberries is possible and a beneficial addition to our recipe books.
Try out each of our frozen watermelon recipes and decide which is your favorite summer watermelon hack.
Freezing is the ideal food preservation method for various popular foods. Freeze shredded mozzarella, milk, mushrooms, potatoes, and more, as long as you employ the proper sealing techniques.
How to Freeze Watermelon
The best way to freeze watermelon is similar to how you would freeze other fruits. Cut a whole watermelon into chunks with the rind removed.
Cover a baking sheet or cookie sheet with wax paper or parchment paper and place the melon chunks in a single layer on the sheet.
Freeze the watermelon until completely solid and transfer the pieces to freezer bags. Store the bags in the freezer for up to six months like you freeze tomatoes in freezer bags.
Once you have frozen watermelon chunks, as with the best way to freeze an apple, turn them into something tasty and hydrating like watermelon water and smoothies.
Place as many watermelon chunks as desired in a blender with two cups of water and blend until smooth. Pour the blended melon into a half-gallon pitcher.
Add the sugar to the pitcher and stir so the sugar dissolves. Fill the pitcher with water, stir again, and serve over ice.
Turn Your Watermelon into a Cocktail
Another fun way to utilize your frozen watermelon chunks is to turn them into an adult beverage.
This method is excellent for days you want to lounge by the pool and feel refreshed at the same time. As adults, we have to say that this is our favorite recipe with frozen watermelon.
Toss all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Pour the drink in a margarita glass and top with fresh watermelon and lime slices for a garnish.
Freezing Watermelon into Sorbet
Turning watermelon into a ready-to-eat food stored in the freezer makes it easy to grab and go.
Allow your diced watermelon to freeze overnight on a baking sheet. Once frozen, put the watermelon in a food processor with the lime juice.
Process the watermelon until you get a thick, sorbet-like texture. For a sweeter sorbet, add a few drops of honey while the food processor is on.
Making Watermelon Popsicles
Popsicles are an easy treat if you’re a parent with lots of kids running around. Your kids won’t stop asking for them, and you won’t feel guilty because they’re so much healthier than traditional, sugar-filled popsicles.
Cut the melon into small chunks and discard the rind. Add the pieces to a food processor or blender with the remaining ingredients.
Process the melon until smooth and add a few drops of water for a smoother consistency. Pour the blended liquid into popsicle molds and place them in the freezer.
Create a Syrup Pack
Syrup packs turn fruit into a sweet sauce. It tastes great when topped on ice cream and stays good in the freezer for up to one year.
Bring four cups of water and two cups of sugar to a boil in a large saucepan, stirring so that the sugar dissolves. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it come to room temperature.
Pour the syrup in a freezer-safe container and add as much watermelon that comfortably fits with a half-inch of headspace. Cover the watermelon in wax paper and then put on the container’s lid.
Store in the freezer for up to 12 months. Once you’re ready to use the syrup, thaw it in the refrigerator and add it on top of ice cream and waffles for up to four days.
How to Thaw Frozen Watermelon
Unfortunately, we don’t recommend thawing frozen watermelon. The texture changes significantly once frozen and turns to mush. If you really want to thaw it, though, we recommend throwing the chunks into a glass of ice water and letting them melt into your drink.
FAQs about Watermelon
If you’re looking up information on how to freeze watermelon, the chances are that you’re using watermelon in other ways, too. There are many questions about watermelon that help keep it fresh for as long as possible.
How Long does Watermelon Stay Fresh?
Fresh whole watermelon lasts on the kitchen counter for up to seven days before going bad. Placing the entire melon in the fridge helps it stay fresh for up to two weeks.
Our most significant piece of advice for prolonging watermelon’s life is to avoid cutting it for as long as possible. Once you cut into the fruit, try eating it within three days. If you can’t eat it all, refer back to our fun frozen watermelon recipes.
How Do I use the Entire Watermelon?
Tons of people throw out their watermelon rinds because they don’t think they’re edible. Don’t let this part of the fruit go to waste! You can make many things with the rinds – one of our favorites being pickled watermelon rinds.
Stir both kinds of vinegar, water, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, salt, peppercorns, and cloves together in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Add the watermelon rinds to the pan and simmer for five minutes.
Take the pan off the burner and allow it to cool for half an hour. Divide the jalapeño slices between two glass jars and pour the remnants of the pan into the jars. Place the top on the jars and set them in the fridge for two weeks.
Watermelon is the epitome of summer. This fruit is sweet and refreshing and what most of us grab for at a picnic.
People often take this fruit’s versatility for granted, but spreading the word is the best way to get others to try these tasty frozen watermelon dishes for summer. Stop asking, can you freeze watermelon, and share these refreshing snacks with all your loved ones.
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