Watermelon may be the taste of summer, but with a little planning, prep and help from your freezer, you can enjoy its juicy sweetness all year long. Yes, that’s right, watermelon is freezer-friendly. Freezing won’t allow you to bite into a crisp and tender wedge of watermelon in the middle of winter, but it will allow you to make a Creamy Watermelon Smoothie or Watermelon Gazpacho. And it’s a super-simple process. Read on for everything you need to know.
Frozen watermelon wedges on a designed background Credit: Getty Images / Westend61
How to Freeze Watermelon
As with all food, freezing watermelon when it’s ripe and fresh is essential. There’s simply no point wasting precious freezer space on fruit that belongs in the compost heap. And, just in case you are wondering, freezing a whole watermelon is best avoided—think of the freezer space it would require!
Before you freeze watermelon, remove the rind and the seeds. Watermelon seeds get rock hard in the freezer and are much easier to remove from fresh rather than frozen fruit. Seedless watermelon, of course, eliminates this step.
Next, think about how you want to use the fruit, keeping in mind that freezing changes the texture of watermelon, giving it a more pureed consistency. Cutting watermelon into chunks or scooping it with a melon baller will give you nice, evenly sized pieces, but if you plan to make smoothies or sorbets, randomly sized chunks are just fine.
After cutting the fruit, arrange it in a single layer on a parchment paper–lined baking sheet and freeze for several hours until solid. Once frozen, watermelon should be moved to freezer bags for longer-term storage. Taking this extra step will allow you to grab exactly what you need from the freezer rather than a massive chunk of melon. As always, label and date your freezer bags. Watermelon can be frozen for about eight months, which will just about take you to summer when it’s in season again.
How to Thaw and Enjoy Watermelon
The best way to thaw watermelon is in the refrigerator, but depending on how you plan to use it, you may want to only defrost it partially or maybe not at all.
As watermelon thaws, it will have a more pureed consistency, which is why previously frozen watermelon doesn’t make good fruit salads. If you want to snack on chunks, only thaw watermelon partially so it stays firm. Partially frozen watermelon is also ideal for frozen blender drinks, as well as frozen desserts and treats.
More Ways to Use Frozen Watermelon
You can also use frozen cubes and balls of watermelon as fruity ice in drinks, but you’ll want to use those straight from the freezer. Chunks of watermelon can be frozen with other fruit if you plan to blend them together to make smoothies, or combined with other fruit and fruit juices to make popsicles.
Another option is to freeze watermelon juice. Simply blend chunks of watermelon (no seeds, of course) in a blender and place in an airtight container, leaving an inch or so of space at the top for expansion. The juice should keep for about two months and can be flavored or enjoyed on its own.
Recipes with Frozen Watermelon
Frozen Watermelon Cocktail (Watermelon Mojito) Frozen Watermelon Cocktail View Recipe Watermelon is the dominant flavor in this frozen rum and watermelon cocktail, with a subtle hint of mint shining through. Making simple syrup is easy, plus, having leftover mint syrup on hand is nice for whipping up extra cocktails. 7798569.jpg Watermelon Sorbet View Recipe This incredibly refreshing icy dessert is made without using an ice cream maker. 6725376.jpg Watermelon Sherbet View Recipe The only difference between sorbet and sherbet is that the latter has a bit of dairy. In the case of this easy summer dessert, sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness plus a touch of creaminess. frozen watermelon margarita Frozen Watermelon Margarita View Recipe This frozen watermelon margarita is refreshingly balanced with sweet watermelon and tart lime juice. Seasoning around the rim offers a little heat. Feel free to swap out the watermelon for cantaloupe or honeydew for a different take. Watermelon Pie Watermelon Pie View Recipe Tapioca thickens the filling in this vibrant and festive watermelon pie. A sweet watermelon flavor shines in this cooling pie with whipped cream and orange zest that elevates the fruitiness. This pie is perfect for a hot summer day. 3756559.jpg Watermelon Gin Fizz View Recipe This pretty pink cocktail would be perfect for a bridal shower luncheon. Any leftover pureed juice is refreshing on its own. Watermelon Lemonade Watermelon Lemonade View Recipe This summer-fresh lemonade with a DIY watermelon base is sure to cool you down on a hot day. 3759444.jpg Watermelon-Mango Smoothie View Recipe This satisfying fruit smoothie recipe has only four ingredients for a quick and easy healthy breakfast on the go. Creamy Watermelon Smoothie Creamy Watermelon Smoothie View Recipe This creamy vegan watermelon smoothie has a subtle coconut flavor thanks to coconut-milk yogurt. Strawberries add color and banana adds a smooth texture while letting the watermelon flavor shine through. 3755956.jpg Watermelon Gazpacho View Recipe The delicate flavors of cucumber and watermelon go hand in hand to create a sweet-and-savory chilled soup, perfect as a first course on a hot night.
Frozen watermelon wedges on a designed background Credit: Getty Images / Westend61
Frozen watermelon wedges on a designed background
Credit: Getty Images / Westend61
Frozen Watermelon Cocktail (Watermelon Mojito) Frozen Watermelon Cocktail View Recipe Watermelon is the dominant flavor in this frozen rum and watermelon cocktail, with a subtle hint of mint shining through. Making simple syrup is easy, plus, having leftover mint syrup on hand is nice for whipping up extra cocktails.
7798569.jpg Watermelon Sorbet View Recipe This incredibly refreshing icy dessert is made without using an ice cream maker.
6725376.jpg Watermelon Sherbet View Recipe The only difference between sorbet and sherbet is that the latter has a bit of dairy. In the case of this easy summer dessert, sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness plus a touch of creaminess.
frozen watermelon margarita Frozen Watermelon Margarita View Recipe This frozen watermelon margarita is refreshingly balanced with sweet watermelon and tart lime juice. Seasoning around the rim offers a little heat. Feel free to swap out the watermelon for cantaloupe or honeydew for a different take.
Watermelon Pie Watermelon Pie View Recipe Tapioca thickens the filling in this vibrant and festive watermelon pie. A sweet watermelon flavor shines in this cooling pie with whipped cream and orange zest that elevates the fruitiness. This pie is perfect for a hot summer day.
3756559.jpg Watermelon Gin Fizz View Recipe This pretty pink cocktail would be perfect for a bridal shower luncheon. Any leftover pureed juice is refreshing on its own.
Watermelon Lemonade Watermelon Lemonade View Recipe This summer-fresh lemonade with a DIY watermelon base is sure to cool you down on a hot day.
3759444.jpg Watermelon-Mango Smoothie View Recipe This satisfying fruit smoothie recipe has only four ingredients for a quick and easy healthy breakfast on the go.
Creamy Watermelon Smoothie Creamy Watermelon Smoothie View Recipe This creamy vegan watermelon smoothie has a subtle coconut flavor thanks to coconut-milk yogurt. Strawberries add color and banana adds a smooth texture while letting the watermelon flavor shine through.
3755956.jpg Watermelon Gazpacho View Recipe The delicate flavors of cucumber and watermelon go hand in hand to create a sweet-and-savory chilled soup, perfect as a first course on a hot night.
Frozen Watermelon Cocktail (Watermelon Mojito) Frozen Watermelon Cocktail View Recipe Watermelon is the dominant flavor in this frozen rum and watermelon cocktail, with a subtle hint of mint shining through. Making simple syrup is easy, plus, having leftover mint syrup on hand is nice for whipping up extra cocktails.
Frozen Watermelon Cocktail (Watermelon Mojito)
Frozen Watermelon Cocktail
View Recipe
Watermelon is the dominant flavor in this frozen rum and watermelon cocktail, with a subtle hint of mint shining through. Making simple syrup is easy, plus, having leftover mint syrup on hand is nice for whipping up extra cocktails.
Frozen Watermelon Cocktail (Watermelon Mojito)
Frozen Watermelon Cocktail (Watermelon Mojito)
Frozen Watermelon Cocktail (Watermelon Mojito)
Frozen Watermelon Cocktail (Watermelon Mojito)
Frozen Watermelon Cocktail
7798569.jpg Watermelon Sorbet View Recipe This incredibly refreshing icy dessert is made without using an ice cream maker.
7798569.jpg
Watermelon Sorbet
This incredibly refreshing icy dessert is made without using an ice cream maker.
7798569.jpg
7798569.jpg
7798569.jpg
7798569.jpg
Watermelon Sorbet
6725376.jpg Watermelon Sherbet View Recipe The only difference between sorbet and sherbet is that the latter has a bit of dairy. In the case of this easy summer dessert, sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness plus a touch of creaminess.
6725376.jpg
Watermelon Sherbet
The only difference between sorbet and sherbet is that the latter has a bit of dairy. In the case of this easy summer dessert, sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness plus a touch of creaminess.
6725376.jpg
6725376.jpg
6725376.jpg
6725376.jpg
Watermelon Sherbet
frozen watermelon margarita Frozen Watermelon Margarita View Recipe This frozen watermelon margarita is refreshingly balanced with sweet watermelon and tart lime juice. Seasoning around the rim offers a little heat. Feel free to swap out the watermelon for cantaloupe or honeydew for a different take.
frozen watermelon margarita
Frozen Watermelon Margarita
This frozen watermelon margarita is refreshingly balanced with sweet watermelon and tart lime juice. Seasoning around the rim offers a little heat. Feel free to swap out the watermelon for cantaloupe or honeydew for a different take.
frozen watermelon margarita
frozen watermelon margarita
frozen watermelon margarita
frozen watermelon margarita
Frozen Watermelon Margarita
Watermelon Pie Watermelon Pie View Recipe Tapioca thickens the filling in this vibrant and festive watermelon pie. A sweet watermelon flavor shines in this cooling pie with whipped cream and orange zest that elevates the fruitiness. This pie is perfect for a hot summer day.
Watermelon Pie
Watermelon Pie
Tapioca thickens the filling in this vibrant and festive watermelon pie. A sweet watermelon flavor shines in this cooling pie with whipped cream and orange zest that elevates the fruitiness. This pie is perfect for a hot summer day.
Watermelon Pie
Watermelon Pie
Watermelon Pie
Watermelon Pie
Watermelon Pie
3756559.jpg Watermelon Gin Fizz View Recipe This pretty pink cocktail would be perfect for a bridal shower luncheon. Any leftover pureed juice is refreshing on its own.
3756559.jpg
Watermelon Gin Fizz
This pretty pink cocktail would be perfect for a bridal shower luncheon. Any leftover pureed juice is refreshing on its own.
3756559.jpg
3756559.jpg
3756559.jpg
3756559.jpg
Watermelon Gin Fizz
Watermelon Lemonade Watermelon Lemonade View Recipe This summer-fresh lemonade with a DIY watermelon base is sure to cool you down on a hot day.
Watermelon Lemonade
Watermelon Lemonade
This summer-fresh lemonade with a DIY watermelon base is sure to cool you down on a hot day.
Watermelon Lemonade
Watermelon Lemonade
Watermelon Lemonade
Watermelon Lemonade
Watermelon Lemonade
3759444.jpg Watermelon-Mango Smoothie View Recipe This satisfying fruit smoothie recipe has only four ingredients for a quick and easy healthy breakfast on the go.
3759444.jpg
Watermelon-Mango Smoothie
This satisfying fruit smoothie recipe has only four ingredients for a quick and easy healthy breakfast on the go.
3759444.jpg
3759444.jpg
3759444.jpg
3759444.jpg
Watermelon-Mango Smoothie
Creamy Watermelon Smoothie Creamy Watermelon Smoothie View Recipe This creamy vegan watermelon smoothie has a subtle coconut flavor thanks to coconut-milk yogurt. Strawberries add color and banana adds a smooth texture while letting the watermelon flavor shine through.
Creamy Watermelon Smoothie
Creamy Watermelon Smoothie
This creamy vegan watermelon smoothie has a subtle coconut flavor thanks to coconut-milk yogurt. Strawberries add color and banana adds a smooth texture while letting the watermelon flavor shine through.
Creamy Watermelon Smoothie
Creamy Watermelon Smoothie
Creamy Watermelon Smoothie
Creamy Watermelon Smoothie
Creamy Watermelon Smoothie
3755956.jpg Watermelon Gazpacho View Recipe The delicate flavors of cucumber and watermelon go hand in hand to create a sweet-and-savory chilled soup, perfect as a first course on a hot night.
3755956.jpg
Watermelon Gazpacho
The delicate flavors of cucumber and watermelon go hand in hand to create a sweet-and-savory chilled soup, perfect as a first course on a hot night.
3755956.jpg
3755956.jpg
3755956.jpg
3755956.jpg
