How to Freeze Watermelon

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Last Updated: May 6, 2021 References Tested

Freezing is a way to keep watermelon on hand year round. The easiest way to do this is by dry freezing watermelon on a baking sheet. You can also coat the watermelon in sugar to preserve some of the sweetness lost during freezing. To keep watermelon as fresh and sweet as possible, store it in a syrup or fruit juice. While watermelon does lose some of its natural texture after freezing, the pieces can still be eaten or incorporated into smoothies and other recipes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Washing and Cutting Watermelon

1
Wash the watermelon under running water and dry it. Rinse the fruit off to eliminate dirt and debris before you cut into it. If necessary, you can use a clean vegetable brush to scrub away stubborn dirt. Afterwards, pat it dry with paper towels.^{[1]
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- Wash your hands with soap and hot water as well to avoid contaminating the fruit.
2
Slice the watermelon into quarters with a sharp knife. Lay the watermelon on a flat, stable surface such as a cutting board or countertop. Cut the watermelon from side to side to split it in half first. Then, lay the halves flat and cut them vertically in half.
- Another way to divide the watermelon is by cutting it into thin slices. Split it in half first, then continue cutting it horizontally into slices about 1 in (2.5 cm) thick.
- You can also remove the rind before cutting into the fruit. Cut 1 end off so you can stand the watermelon up. Then, gradually slice off the rind on all sides.^{[2]
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3
Remove the rind and seeds from the watermelon pieces. Lay the pieces flat on your cutting surface again. Slide your knife between the pink flesh and the layer of white and green skin to separate the rind from the fruit. Before cutting up the remaining fruit, pick out any black seeds and throw them away.^{[3]
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- Although you can dispose of the rind if you don’t want it, it does have many nutrients and applications. For example, try frying it, pickling it, juicing it, or incorporating it into a dish like stir fry.
4
Divide the fruit into 1 in (2.5 cm) cubes. Once the rind is gone, you won’t have much of a problem slicing the remaining fruit into whatever size you need. Cubes and balls are the easiest to make and freeze. Try to keep all of the pieces roughly the same size so they freeze at the same rate.^{[4]
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- To make melon balls, use a melon baller. It is kind of like an ice cream scoop. You can use it after slicing the whole watermelon in half.
- Watermelon slices and wedges can be frozen, but they tend to take up a lot of space. They will also lose their texture in the freezer, so they aren’t good when eaten raw.
- Watermelon juice or puree can also be frozen in a container or as ice cubes. Blend and strain the fruit before freezing it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Packing Watermelon Dry and Unsweetened

1
Spread the watermelon pieces over a baking sheet. Place a piece of parchment paper on the baking sheet to prevent the watermelon from sticking to it. Keep the pieces in a single layer, making sure that none of them are touching.^{[5]
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- While you can place the watermelon pieces directly on the baking sheet, using parchment paper or a baking mat will reduce some of the mess.
- If any of the watermelon pieces touch, they may freeze together, making them harder to pack now and defrost later.
2
Freeze the watermelon for 2 hours until the pieces are firm to the touch. Move the baking tray to the freezer and set a timer. When they’re ready, the watermelon pieces will feel frozen solid. If you are able to press into them with your fingers, give them more time to freeze through.^{[6]
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- If you have trouble removing the frozen watermelon from the baking sheet, use a sturdy spatula. Usually the heat from your hands is enough, but letting them sit outside the freezer for a minute can help loosen them.
3
Transfer the pieces to labeled, freezer-safe containers. Move all of the pieces into a plastic bag or resealable container. Leave about ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) of empty headspace at the top in case the watermelon expands. Then, label the bag with today’s date so you know how long it has been in storage.^{[7]
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- Leaving headspace is important. Without that additional space, the container may burst open as the watermelon expands.
- You can write the date directly on bags with a black marker. For containers, try using stickers as labels.
4
Freeze the watermelon pieces for up to 12 months. Watermelon pieces can usually be kept frozen indefinitely at 0 °F (−18 °C). However, the fruit will degrade in quality as early as 10 months into storage.^{[8]
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- Watermelon frozen this way softens and loses a little sweetness during storage. It is best used as a liquid ingredient in smoothies and other recipes.
5
Defrost the watermelon pieces in the refrigerator before using them. When you’re ready to use the watermelon, move the container into the refrigerator. Let the pieces soften again, then add them to your dish. You can often use them before they unfreeze completely, especially if you plan on turning them into a liquid such as for a smoothie.
- Defrosted watermelon will last about 4 days in the refrigerator. Throw it out if it gets too soft, has green spots from mold, or begins smelling rancid.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Freezing Watermelon in Sugar

1
Add sugar to the cut-up watermelon pieces. Wash and cut the watermelon as you normally would, then transfer it to a mixing bowl. Sprinkle about 1 lb (0.45 kg) of white granulated sugar per 5 lb (2.3 kg) of fruit. Stir the bowl’s contents together with your hands or a sturdy mixing spoon.^{[9]
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- This method works well with watermelon cubes and balls. The sugar preserves some of the sweetness lost during normal freezing.
2
Pack the watermelon in freezer-safe containers. Once the watermelon pieces are well-coated in sugar, move them all into plastic bags or resealable containers. Leave ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) of space at the top of the container so the watermelon has space to expand. Label containers with the current date before sticking them in the freezer.^{[10]
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- You do not need to freeze the watermelon fully before storing it this way.
3
Freeze the watermelon for up to 12 months. Store the pieces in a freezer kept at 0 °F (−18 °C) or below. The watermelon will last indefinitely but lose quality between 10 to 12 months.^{[11]
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4
Thaw the watermelon pieces in the refrigerator before using them. Transfer the containers to the refrigerator and wait about 30 minutes for the pieces to soften. The pieces will be softer than fresh watermelon when they thaw. You can eat them as is, but they are best used in smoothies and other drinks.
- You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Creating a Syrup Pack

1
Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan. Combine 4 cups (950 mL) of water with 1 3/4 cups (150 g) of white sugar in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat on the stove. Stir it occasionally until the sugar fully dissolves.^{[12]
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- You can also substitute about ⅖ of the sugar with equal parts corn syrup or honey.
- Another option is to use fruit juice. Try replacing the water with pineapple juice, orange juice, or ginger ale. You can also skip making the syrup and pour the juice directly into a container with the watermelon.^{[13]
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2
Chill the syrup in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Transfer the syrup to a plastic container you can leave in the refrigerator. Leave it there until it becomes cool to the touch. Avoid rushing it. If the syrup feels hot, let it rest until it cools at least to room temperature.^{[14]
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- Hot syrup can cook the fruit, so give it plenty of time to cool. If it feels warm on your fingers, it is too warm for the watermelon.
3
Combine the watermelon and syrup gradually in a freezer-safe container. Choose a quality plastic bag or container you plan on using to keep the watermelon in the freezer. Pour ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of syrup in first, followed by the watermelon. Then, add the remaining syrup to submerge the watermelon completely.^{[15]
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Go to source}
- Make sure you leave at least ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) of empty space at the top of the container. This gives the container’s contents room to expand as they freeze, preventing the container from popping open.
- If you don’t want to make syrup, you can submerge the watermelon in fruit juice to create a juice pack. It will maintain the watermelon at a similar quality to a syrup pack.
4
Cover the watermelon with a piece of wax paper. Keep the watermelon submerged in the syrup! To store it properly, use only water-resistant paper. Wrap the paper tightly over the top of the container before sealing it with a lid. It will hold the watermelon down in the syrup so it doesn’t dry out.^{[16]
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- Label the container with the current date so you always know when you packed it.
5
Freeze the fruit for up to 12 months. Keep the watermelon stored at or below 0 °F (−18 °C). When you’re ready to use it, you can let it thaw in the refrigerator or add it almost immediately to your dish. You can leave it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days before it spoils.^{[17]
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- Fruit packed this way is best for desserts and fruit cocktails. It preserves the quality and sweetness of the watermelon, similar to canned fruit.

Community Q&A
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Question

Can you freeze a whole watermelon?

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Freezing a whole watermelon should work fine, but consider what you are going to do with the watermelon after it's frozen. Once out of the freezer it will be very hard and difficult to cut, so you will have to let it defrost, however, if you let it defrost too much, since watermelon becomes mushy after being thawed, cutting it could become a very messy proposition. Cutting up your watermelon before freezing is usually much easier.
Question

How long does it take for watermelon to go bad?

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Watermelon will stay fresh for 7-10 days when left out at room temperature and for 2-3 weeks when refrigerated. As always, before eating a fruit you are unsure of, look for signs of mold, rot and unusual or bad odors.
Question

Can frozen watermelon be used to make homemade jelly?

Community Answer

Yes, but you should defrost it completely before using it to make jelly.

Warnings

Sharp knives are dangerous, so there is a risk of cutting open your fingers when slicing the watermelon. Move the blade away from your body and keep your fingers out of the way as much as possible.

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