Can You Freeze Watermelon?
Yes, but frozen watermelon becomes mushy when thawed and won't have the same texture as fresh. It's excellent frozen for smoothies, slushies, and frozen treats. Cut into cubes or balls, freeze on a tray first, then store in bags for up to 6 months.
Key Takeaways
- Watermelon is over 90% water, so freezing causes significant texture changes.
- Seedless watermelon is easier to prepare for freezing.
- Pureed watermelon freezes in ice cube trays for quick smoothie additions.
Explanation
Watermelon is over 90% water, so freezing causes significant texture changes. Ice crystals rupture the fruit's cells, making it soft when thawed. However, this high water content makes it perfect for blending into frozen drinks.
To freeze effectively, cut watermelon into cubes, remove any seeds, and spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 2-4 hours until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. Flash freezing prevents pieces from clumping.
Frozen watermelon cubes make natural popsicles—just insert a stick before freezing. They also chill drinks without diluting them like ice would, since the fruit absorbs some liquid.
Watermelon contains about 92% water and 6% natural sugars, primarily fructose and glucose. This sugar content means frozen watermelon cubes do not freeze as hard as plain ice, reaching a semi-firm state at around 28°F (-2°C). The lycopene that gives watermelon its red color (also found in tomatoes) is a powerful antioxidant that remains stable through freezing, so frozen watermelon retains the same nutritional benefits as fresh. A 1-cup serving contains approximately 46 calories and 12mg of vitamin C.
Frozen watermelon puree makes an excellent base for granita, a Sicilian ice dessert. Blend fresh watermelon, strain out seeds, add 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of lime juice per 4 cups of puree, then pour into a shallow pan and freeze. Scrape with a fork every 30-45 minutes for about 3 hours to create light, fluffy ice crystals. The high water content that makes watermelon poor for fresh eating after freezing is actually ideal for this frozen dessert.
Freezing watermelon at peak ripeness captures maximum flavor since watermelon does not continue to ripen after being cut from the vine. A ripe watermelon sounds hollow when tapped, has a creamy yellow field spot where it rested on the ground, and feels heavy for its size. Cut and freeze within 2 days of purchase for best sweetness. One medium watermelon yields approximately 12 cups of cubed fruit, which fits into about three gallon-sized freezer bags.
Things to Know
- Seedless watermelon is easier to prepare for freezing.
- Pureed watermelon freezes in ice cube trays for quick smoothie additions.
- Frozen watermelon can replace ice in cocktails and mocktails. Note that dogs can eat watermelon too, but remove seeds first.
- Dehydrating watermelon creates chewy fruit leather as an alternative preservation method.