How to Freeze Watermelon

This has been a strange growing season here in Pennsylvania in 2022. We had a lot of hot humid days and we also experienced drought. The deer and other critters were relentless this year, even being so bold as to eat my hot pepper plants (something I erroneously thought would be safe from animals).

In the spring, I planted several watermelon plants and some watermelon seeds and imagined having a large crop. I didn’t get the results I was hoping for, but I did get enough watermelon to preserve some in my freezer.

This was my first year freezing watermelon and it’s so easy I want to share a little tutorial with you. Hopefully, your garden produced plenty of watermelons and you have a lot to freeze. Or maybe you found some watermelons on sale at the farmers market or grocery store and you want to save that juicy goodness for a mid-winter snack.

Whatever your reason, I am here to teach you how to freeze watermelon.

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What You Need to Freeze Watermelon

• A watermelon (haha)
• A sharp knife
• A cookie sheet
• Wax paper or parchment paper
• Freezer bags I like reusable freezer bags and you can also use freezer-safe containers

Step 1: Cut Your Watermelon in Half

Take your watermelon and cut it in half lengthwise.

Step 2: Cut Watermelon into Quarters

Cut your watermelon halves in half to get watermelon quarters.

Step 3: Cut Watermelon Horizontally

Make horizontal cuts in your watermelon quarters (you’re going to be making watermelon cubes!)

Step 4: Cut Watermelon Vertically

Cut the watermelon the other way to make watermelon cubes. Cut along the bottom edge of the watermelon to release the watermelon cubes.

Step 5: Place Watermelon Cubes on Cookie Trays

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or wax paper and line up your watermelon cubes on it (you don’t want them to touch). I only chose the pieces that didn’t have seeds but you can do whatever makes you happy (or use seedless watermelon).

Pop it in the freezer for a few hours until it is hard (full disclosure: I accidentally left them in the freezer overnight and it was fine… but most places recommended only a few hours).

Freezing the watermelon on a cookie sheet first keeps it from clumping together when you put them in the freezer.

Step 6: Put the Watermelon Cubes in Freezer Bags

The next and final step is to put your watermelon cubes in a freezer-safe container. I like to use reusable freezer bags but you can use regular freezer bags or other containers that are safe to store in the freezer.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Freeze Watermelon

Here are some commonly asked questions and answers about how to freeze watermelon.

1. How long does watermelon last in the freezer?

Most sources say watermelon can last 8-12 months in the freezer if left frozen.

2. Can watermelon be frozen successfully?

Yes!

3. Can you freeze fresh-cut watermelon?

Yes!

4. What can you do with frozen watermelon?

• Use the frozen watermelon for smoothies or homemade popsicles (learn how to make smoothies and popsicles here)
• The frozen watermelon tastes delicious right out of the freezer and has a better texture than allowing it to thaw first
• You can make watermelon sorbet
• Use them as replacement ice cubes in your drink
• They can be used in slushies

5. Is frozen watermelon good after it’s thawed?

Once the watermelon is frozen the texture is different. It has a good texture as long as it stays frozen, but if it is allowed to thaw it will become mushy. It probably wouldn’t be a good addition to a fruit salad once it has been frozen.

6. Can you freeze a watermelon whole?

In theory you can, but it’s not ideal for a number of reasons. First, it will take up unnecessary freezer space. Second, the seeds of the watermelon get very hard when frozen and are much easier to remove before you freeze the watermelon.

Now You Know How to Freeze Watermelon

Your watermelon awaits! In a short amount of time you can have extra watermelon in your freezer to pull out for a tasty treat or a fun drink. Interested in learning how to freeze other foods? Try our guide on freezing blueberries and our guide on freezing strawberries.

Like the idea of preserving foods? You can also learn more about it in our guide 7 Food Preservation Methods.

How do you plan on using your frozen watermelon? We’d love to hear more about it in the comments!