Watermelon is a favorite among summer treats, but can it be frozen and used all year long?
Read more to find out how to freeze watermelon with the best results.
Can You Freeze Watermelon?
Yes, you can freeze watermelon. However, it will change the texture of the fruit so make sure to use it in smoothies, drinks or desserts to keep the flavor without worrying about the texture.
Effects of Freezing Watermelon
Before you freeze your watermelon, you’ll need to know what effects might take place.
That way, you can best use the watermelon after it’s been frozen.
Taste
As long as the watermelon you selected is ripe and delicious when you freeze it, the flavor won’t be affected too much by freezing it.
If you’re planning to use it in a drink, you can also think about adding some sugar for plenty of sweetness.
Texture
It’s worth keeping in mind that watermelons can become mushy after they’ve been frozen.
They are still usable, but they may not be quite as enjoyable to eat as is in this state.
Because of that, it’s a good idea to freeze watermelons for things like sorbets, smoothies, and drinks.
Consistency
As previously mentioned with regard to the texture, the consistency of the watermelon will change upon freezing.
As a result, you may want to plan to use the watermelon in other recipes rather than eating it as is.
Color
Upon freezing, the color of the watermelon should remain essentially the same.
If you notice any large color changes, then it could be a sign the watermelon is going bad.
Generally speaking, watermelon should be a healthy pink or red in color.
Benefits of Freezing Watermelon
The most obvious benefit of freezing watermelon is that it enables the fruit to be enjoyed for much longer.
Additionally, you can save money over having to purchase fresh watermelon when it isn’t in season.
How To Freeze Watermelon
Freezing watermelon is a simple process: Simply wash, cut and contain the watermelon.
It’s often a good idea to first freeze the watermelon completely on a baking sheet, to avoid the pieces freezing together.
You can also use wax paper or parchment paper if you want to keep the pieces from freezing to the baking sheet.
Then, you can place them into a different container that takes up less space.
You can even mix the frozen watermelon with some other fruit juices or granulated sugar for a more delicious outcome.
If you’re a fan of pineapple, then some pineapple juice can be delicious when combined with watermelon.
Whole
While you can technically freeze watermelon whole, it’s not the recommended option.
Watermelon is heavy as it is, and will only become more difficult to move and use if frozen whole.
It’s generally considered a better option to cut the watermelon down into smaller sizes.
Sliced
Slicing watermelon up can be one of the easiest ways to prepare it for freezing.
The sections can be stored more easily and you can grab just what you need to use later on.
Just make sure that you keep the slices separated enough that they won’t freeze together.
Otherwise, they could become quite a mess to deal with.
Pureed
If you’re planning to use your frozen watermelon for drinks or similar kinds of recipes, pureeing the watermelon can be a great way to store it.
After you have pureed the watermelon, just place it in freezer bags and remove all the air you can. This will be very helpful in the freezing process.
Related Content: Can you freeze Bananas? How to prolong its shelf-life?
Other Ways to Store Watermelon
When you don’t want to freeze it, watermelon can also be stored in the fridge or in cool temperatures.
Fridge
Most commonly, people often keep watermelon in the fridge. The coolness helps to keep the watermelon from ripening too quickly.
If you don’t see yourself needing the watermelon to last for several months, then the fridge is a perfectly fine place to keep it.
Room Temperature
Whole watermelons can be kept outside of the fridge, but they will need to be kept at a cooler temperature.
Look for places that are cool, dry and away from any direct sources of heat.
Keep in mind that too much heat can cause the watermelon to go bad more quickly.
However, it can last up to two weeks if the area is pleasantly cool.
Related Questions
How long does watermelon last in the freezer?
Watermelon that has been frozen can last quite a long time.
In the ideal circumstances, you can keep watermelon for an entire year before it goes bad.
Because of that, watermelon fans can pick up some watermelon when it is in season and easily store it through the winter months.
Can old watermelon make you sick?
It is possible to get sick from watermelon that is no longer good.
However, in most cases, it’s quite easy to tell if a watermelon is no longer worth eating.
Take a look at the color of the watermelon. The outside should be bright, striped green and the inside should be a healthy red or pink.
Furthermore, it shouldn’t smell sour or moldy. If you notice these scents, the watermelon is no longer good.
How do you keep watermelon from getting soggy?
Soggy watermelon is something most of us want to avoid. The good news is it’s quite easy to do so.
Once you have cut up your watermelon, make sure that all of the inside segments are covered with plastic wrap.
This wrapping will not only help to keep the watermelon fresh but also avoid it absorbing flavors from foods that may be nearby.
Can you freeze leftover watermelon?
Freezing leftover watermelon is a great way to keep it from going bad.
Just remember that the watermelon will get mushy in the process, so plan out some recipes to use it in that won’t be affected by the texture change.
Conclusion
If you’re a big fan of watermelon, it’s nice to know you can freeze it to use all year.
With all that frozen watermelon, you can try out a number of recipes for watermelon drinks, sorbet and so much more.
