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How To Freeze Watermelon

June 8, 2022 by Michelle | 2 Comments

Pin Recipe Jump to Recipe
frozen watermelon cubes in a freezer bag with text overlays that say now cook this and how to freeze watermelon

Learn how to freeze watermelon so you’ll never have to throw away those leftovers again…and you can have a little taste of summer all year long!

freeze bag filled with cubes of frozen watermelon this recipe

Watermelons are more than 90% water (hence the name!), and so they freeze well. And the process is actually very simple!

Dribble-down-your-chin juicy, sweet, crisp, and oh so refreshing, watermelon is the official fruit of summer (well, at least in my house, it is).

But the thing about watermelon is that it’s so good, but just so darn big. Even the small ones are big compared to other fruits, and there’s often too much, especially for a two-person household like ours.

And as much as we love watermelon, it’s just like any other leftover. We get tired of eating it for days on end in an effort to keep it out of the trash or compost pile…because perfectly good food should never be wasted!

Sure, I could buy a small quantity of already-cut-up watermelon from the grocery store for a ridiculously high price. But that seems silly to me when you can get a whole watermelon for just about the same price.

So since I learned you can freeze watermelon and how easy it is, I no longer worry about having extra.

And even though the texture and sweetness aren’t quite the same after thawing (it will be softer and a little less sweet), the frozen or thawed cubes are perfect for using in smoothies, drinks, ice pops, sorbet, and other recipes!

frozen watermelon cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Ingredients you need:

  • Watermelon

Here’s a look at How To Freeze Watermelon:

Note: This is just a quick overview of the steps. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the full recipe with detailed instructions.

2 images; one of cubed watermelon on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper with text that says cut watermelon into cubes and remove any seeds; place on a parchment lined baking sheet; the other a graphic of a refrigerator with text that says freeze until firm, about 2 hours
2 images; one of frozen watermelon cubes in a freezer bag with text that says place frozen watermelon in a freezer bag; the other a graphic of a refrigerator with text that says store in freezer

Tips & Tidbits:

  • Make sure you start with watermelon that’s fresh, ripe, and sweet so that your frozen watermelon is delicious too. If it doesn’t taste good going into the freezer, it won’t taste good coming out!
  • Watermelon doesn’t continue to ripen or sweeten after it’s picked, so you’ve got to try and pick a good one. Although you’ll never really know until you cut it open and taste it, here are a few quick tips:
    • The melon should be heavy for its size (lost of water = juicy!).
    • Give it a thump. It should sound deep and hollow.
    • A melon with spots of brownish webbing is usually sweeter (fun fact: this is from bees pollinating the fruit).
    • If there’s a stem attached, it should be dry and brown. Green = not ripe.
    • A melon with dull skin is more ripe than one that is shiny.
    • Check the field spot (the lighter spot on the melon where it rested on the ground as it grew). The larger and more yellow this spot is (or even a little orange), the longer the melon spent ripening on the vine and the sweeter it should be. If it’s white, keep looking.
  • Always remove any seeds (especially the large brown ones) before freezing since they would be very difficult to remove once the watermelon is frozen. If using a seedless watermelon, it’s okay to leave the tiny white seeds.
  • Flash-freezing the watermelon before putting it in a freezer bag helps the pieces stay separated instead of forming one large clump, so you will be able to take out just as many pieces as you need. Don’t skip this step!
  • Frozen watermelon cubes can last for up to 8 to 12 months in the freezer when stored properly (but I say the sooner you use them, the better). Freezer burn is the enemy, so remove as much air as possible before you seal the bag.
frozen watermelon cubes in a labeled freezer bag

Frozen watermelon isn’t just for using in recipes. For a super refreshing and delicious cold snack on a hot summer day – or any day of the year – just slightly thaw the watermelon so that it’s not super hard and enjoy!

Up next is a recipe for a super yummy Creamy Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie that uses frozen watermelon. Stay tuned!

I hope you liked this post on How To Freeze Watermelon and found it helpful. Thanks for visiting today!

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More Fruit Recipes You Might Like…

  • How To Freeze Grapes
  • Fruit Salad With Creamy Vanilla Yogurt Dressing
  • Ambrosia Salad
  • Homemade Fresh Strawberry Sauce
  • Strawberry Refrigerator Jam

If you make this recipe, I’d love to know how it went! Please leave a star rating and comment below. Thanks!

frozen watermelon cubes in an open freezer bag

How To Freeze Watermelon

Learn how to freeze watermelon so you'll never have to throw away those leftovers again…and you can have a little taste of summer all year long!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Rate/Comment Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Flash-Freezing Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 (about ½ cup each)
Calories: 23
Author: Michelle / Now Cook This!

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cubed watermelon, 1" pieces (remove the rind and any large seeds)

Instructions

  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.
    This will keep the frozen watermelon from sticking. If you don't have any parchment or wax paper, you might get a little sticking. Use a nonstick baking sheet if you have one.
  • Place the cubed and seeded watermelon on the baking sheet with space in between each piece so they don't touch.
  • Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze just until the watermelon cubes are firm (about 2 hours).
    This step is important because it keeps the watermelon from sticking to each other in one large clump, so you can pull out just as many pieces as you need later on.
  • Transfer the frozen watermelon cubes into a freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible, seal the bag, and place it in the freezer.

Notes

  • Make sure you start with watermelon that’s fresh, ripe, and sweet so that your frozen watermelon is delicious too. If it doesn’t taste good going into the freezer, it won’t taste good coming out!
  • Always remove any seeds (especially the large brown ones) before freezing since they would be very difficult to remove once the watermelon is frozen. If using a seedless watermelon, it’s okay to leave the tiny white seeds.
  • Frozen watermelon cubes can last for up to 8 to 12 months in the freezer when stored properly (but I say the sooner you use them, the better). Freezer burn is the enemy, so remove as much air as possible before you seal the bag.
  • Although this recipe uses 4 cups of watermelon cubes, you can freeze as much or as little watermelon using this method as you’d like. 
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it!Mention @nowcookthis or tag #nowcookthisrecipes!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michelle James

    June 8, 2022 at 8:53 pm

    I’ve had really good luck with this, I was surprised it was something that could be done. I love making watermelon slushies with it!

    Reply
    • Michelle

      June 9, 2022 at 9:50 am

      Thanks, Michelle! I’d love to try that slushie recipe!

      Reply

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