Can You Freeze Watermelon? Exploring Storage and Preservation Tips
By Dr. Aastha Manchanda +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Aastha Manchanda
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Aastha Manchanda +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Aastha Manchanda
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Table of Contents
Watermelon is a tasty fruit enjoyed worldwide during the summer. With its high vitamin content and water, it’s great for keeping hydrated when it’s hot. Still, watermelon season doesn’t last long, and to reap its benefits throughout the year, you can store and preserve it when its available. In this blog, we’ll talk about whether or not it is a good idea to freeze watermelon, how to free it without losing flavor or texture, and even offer some creative recipe ideas to use your frozen fruit.
Throughout this post, you’ll learn about the good and bad of freezing watermelon, as well as some tips on how to best store it. We’re also sharing some healthy recipes that use frozen watermelon. Finally, we’ll answer some of the most common questions about freezing watermelon.
Watermelons have lots of water, around 92% of their total weight. So, before we talk about how to freeze watermelon, let’s understand how this water content may impact the result. Now, the good news: even with all that water, you can still freeze watermelon. However, there are several key points to keep in mind for the best results with frozen watermelon.
Watermelon is mostly water, so when you freeze it, ice crystals form. This can harm the fruit’s cell structure, changing its texture once you thaw it. If you’d like to freeze watermelon then you must be ready for some changes in texture when you serve it.
Many things affect how well watermelon freezes. For example, how fresh and ripe the melon is when it’s frozen can decide the final taste and texture. Overripe or rotting melon won’t freeze well. The way you freeze it matters too: doing it right can help keep damage to the fruit’s cells to a minimum.
Did you know?
Before you go ahead and freeze your watermelon, make sure you’re aware of both the good and not-so-good sides of storing watermelon this way.
The correct way of freezing watermelons in my opinion is to cut them into pieces while removing all the waste material. Then put them into a freezer bag and store them in the freezing section. Cutting watermelon into pieces is beneficial as you can consume it later in any amount you want.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Freezing watermelon is quite easy, and there are a few different ways to do it based on how you want to use it later. So, let’s talk about how to freeze watermelon slices, cubes, puree, and even rind.
Before you freeze your watermelon, remember to:
Because freezing makes watermelon texture change, it’s crucial to thaw it properly to get the best taste and feel. Here are some thawing tips:
Watermelon is an excellent fruit with higher water content. To take the maximum benefits, I will recommend freezing watermelon correctly. You can freeze them either whole or in puree form.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
Having some frozen watermelon in your freezer means you have many tasty recipes to try. Here are a few exciting ones to get you started:
Knowing how long watermelon lasts is important when deciding how to store it. Fresh and frozen watermelons have different shelf lives:
A short overview of shelf life for different types of storage:
| Storage Way | Shelf Life |
| Fresh (entire) | 7-10 days (room temp), 2 weeks (fridge) |
| Fresh (cut) | 3 days (fridge) |
| Frozen | Up to 8 months (stored well in container or bag) |
When using frozen watermelon, remember these quick tips:
Freezing watermelon is a smart and diverse option for people wanting to keep this loved summer fruit for longer. While there are downsides like texture change, proper method and use can help you make many tasty recipes and dishes. With frozen watermelon, you can make a wide range of yummy foods all the way through the year.
With the know-how of how to freeze it, store it, and use it creatively, you’re now all set to make the most out of your watermelon during summer and even after.
You can freeze watermelon with seeds, but we don’t suggest it. The seeds can get hard during freezing and become tough to remove. It’s best to take the seeds out before freezing.
Yes, you can freeze watermelon in a Ziploc bag. Make sure that the melon pieces are first frozen apart from each other on a lined baking tray. Then you can put them in the Ziploc bag. This stops the pieces from bunching up together.
Sadly, freezing watermelon makes the water inside it swell and burst cell walls, making it less crunchy once you thaw it. This is why frozen watermelon is better for smoothies, sherbets, and purees rather than salads.
You can keep watermelon in the freezer for up to 8 months. If you freeze it for longer than this, the taste and nutrition may not be as good. But, it should still be safe to eat as long as it has been kept in a closed airtight container or bag.
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