15+ Watermelon Rind Recipes – Sweet & Savory

Reduce your food waste and turn watermelon rinds into easy, tasty and healthy recipes. More than 15 sweet and savory watermelon rind recipes for you to choose your favorite!

15+ Watermelon Rind Recipes - Sweet & Savory

Stop! Don’t toss that watermelon rind! Yes, watermelon rind is edible – it’s also delicious and healthy (more about the benefits of watermelon rind here). You can juice watermelon rind and use the juice instead of water for lemonade, popsicles or pancakes. You can turn the boring rind into delicious watermelon rind candy, fry it like french fries or use the diced watermelon rind as vegetable in stir-fries.

And my blog name doesn’t have the word ‘historically’ in it for nothing! 😉 Most of the watermelon rind recipes are historical recipes – dating back to the Victorian and Edwardian era! Victorians and Edwardians were great at using every part of the fruit. They turned watermelon rind into watermelon rind pie, watermelon rind jam, pickled watermelon rind and watermelon rind preserves, chocolate-covered watermelon rind and made homemade vinegar from scratch with kitchen scraps!

 

 

Watermelon Rind Recipes - How To Prepare Watermelon Rind For Cooking
Peeling watermelon rind with a potato peeler

 

 

How To Prepare Watermelon Rind For Cooking

The whole watermelon is edible, even the hard green outer peel. But the peel is still hard after cooking so it’s best to remove it. After you’ve removed the pink flesh of the watermelon, peel the watermelon rind slices with a potato peeler. Then, depending on the recipe, cut the watermelon rind into 1/2 inch cubes or french-fry like pieces.

If you don’t want to use the watermelon rind immediately, put it in cold or salted water and let it soak at room temperature or in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. Watermelon rind freezes well too!

1 medium-sized watermelon gives about 6 cups watermelon rind

1 cup diced watermelon rind weighs about 140g/ 5 oz

 

 

 

Sweet Watermelon Rind Recipes

Watermelon Rind Pudding (Kheer)

Grate the watermelon rind or puree the diced rind in a food processor or with an immersion blender. Pour milk, grated watermelon rind and sugar into a saucepan and while stirring occasionally simmer over medium heat for about 30 minutes until the watermelon rind pudding has thickened and the rind is tender. Don’t worry the pudding looks curdled because of the fruit acid but it’s still delicious.

 

Watermelon Rind Pudding - Watermelon Rind Kheer Recipe
Watermelon rind pudding

 

Mille Fruit Cream With Watermelon Rind Preserves

‘A beautiful dish for a company supper table.’

  • watermelon rind preserves (recipe below)
  • 3/4 oz gelatin
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup cream
  • 1/2 cup sugar

‘Put the gelatine to soak in enough cold water to cover it. Leave it in a warm place. In the meantime butter slightly the inside of a mould, and select handsome pieces of preserved fruit of several kinds wherewith to garnish it. Use ginger, watermelon rind, cherries, plums, and anything else that is firm and of a rich color and pretty shape. Lay these around the edges of the mould.

Mix the milk, cream and sugar together, and whip to a froth. When light and thick, beat in the syrup of the different fruits (a little of each), and mix in gently more of the fruit such as you used in garnishing.

Then dissolve the gelatine, adding a very little boiling water to it if necessary. Strain it into the whipped cream, stirring all the time quickly, but lightly, with your whisk. Let it stand a few moments until it settles. Put it into the mould carefully, a little at a time, so as not to displace the fruit in the mould. Put in a cold place for three or four hours, when it will be stiff enough to turn out.’ (How To Cook Well, 1886)

 

Watermelon Rind Preserves

  • 20 lbs. watermelon rind, cut into small pieces
  • 1 pint of salt
  • 10 lbs. sugar
  • 6 qt water
  • 8 lemons
  • 2 oz ginger

Put watermelon rind ‘into a tub, sprinkle it well with a pint of salt, just cover it with cold water and allow it to marinade for five hours, then drain, and again cover it with cold water and soak for two hours, changing the water three times, then drain, put on the fire in a preserving pan, cover with boiling water, bring to boiling point, then drain again;

make a syrup of ten pounds of sugar and six quarts of boiling water, boil and skim, then add the melon rind, and slowly simmer till tender; skim out the rind, place it on draining sieves for two hours in a warm place to set; when hardened place into cold crocks; boil up the syrup again with the sliced peel and juice of eight lemons and two ounces of sliced ginger, boil ten minutes, then strain over the fruit in the crocks.’ (The Culinary Handbook, 1904)

 

How To Can Watermelon Rind

  • watermelon rind
  • 1 – 1 1/2 parts sugar
  • 1 part water
  • optional: lemon juice, raisins, rose petals, orange flower or rose water

‘Pare off the thin green rind, cut into pieces 1 in. square, or into strips, stand in cold water for two or three hours, changing the water occasionally; drain thoroughly, make syrup of 1 pt. water to 1 or 1 1/2 pt. sugar, according to the richness desired. (3 or 4 tablespns. of lemon juice may be used with the larger quantity of sugar). When syrup is boiling, add rind, simmer until pieces can be pierced easily with a broom straw, or until they are clear, put into jars and seal.

One part raisins to five or six of the rind gives a nice flavor. Or, orange flowers, rose leaves or rose water may be used, but the fruit is nice without any flavoring.

Green melons which did not have time to ripen before the frost, are excellent prepared in this way. The rind may be steamed before putting it into the syrup, and less water used for the syrup.’ (The Laurel Health Cookery, 1911)

 

Homemade Candied Watermelon Rind
Candied watermelon rind

 

Candied Watermelon Rind

  • 2 cups watermelon rind
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 tbsp salt

Cut the watermelon rind into french fry like strips. In a large glass bowl, stir together water and salt. Add the watermelon rind. Let the watermelon rind soak overnight in the fridge. Then drain and rinse the watermelon rinds. In a saucepan, bring watermelon rinds and enough water to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour. Then drain the watermelon rinds again.

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 lemon slices

In a saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil. When the sugar is dissolved, add the watermelon rind and lemon slices. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the candied watermelon rinds from the syrup and let them dry overnight on oiled plates or baking paper. The leftover lemon-watermelon syrup is delicious too: Use it for lemonade, iced tea or ice cream.

 

Crystallized Or Chocolate Covered Watermelon Rind

  • watermelon rind preserves
  • sugar
  • optional: bitter chocolate

‘Use your own preserves. Peach, pear, apple, quince or watermelon rind will do. Drain from the fruit all syrup possible. Cut any size desired, sprinkle with sugar, and dry in the warmer or a very slow oven. It may be necessary to sprinkle the fruit again with sugar during the drying. When dry enough not to be at all sticky, sprinkle with sugar and pack in layers with wax papers between. This fruit, as well as dates and citron, may be used for dipping in bitter chocolate for bitter-sweets.’ (The Institute Cook Book, 1913)

 

 

diy chocolate dipped candied citrus peel recipe tutorial
Chocolate dipped candied lemon and orange peel

 

Watermelon Rind Jam

  • 2 pounds watermelon rind
  • 1/6 pound ginger
  • 1 1/2 pound sugar
  • 1 lemon

‘Pare the rind and lay it in cold water for an hour or two, then put it in fresh cold water, and let it come to a boil. Put it in cold ginger tea and let it remain all night. Then put it in fresh ginger tea, made with the same ginger, and boil it till you can pass a straw through it. Drain it through a cullender; weigh the rind and chop it fine. Allow three-quarters pound sugar to a pound of the rind, and boil it clear. One lemon will season two pounds of rind, half pound ginger will season six pounds rind. Divide the ginger and make fresh tea, instead of using the other.’ (Mrs. Charles H. Gibson’s Maryland And Virginia Cook Book, 1894)

 

Watermelon Rind Pancakes (Dosa) – Gluten-Free & Vegan

Watermelon rind pancakes don’t taste of watermelon rind, they taste more like yogurt pancakes.

  • 1 cup watermelon rind
  • 1/2 cup rice
  • 1/2 cup water
  • pinch of salt

Soak the rice and watermelon rind for at least an hour, then drain. Blend the rice, watermelon rind and water in a food processor or with an immersion blender. Let the batter stand overnight at room temperature.

Stir the salt into the watermelon rind pancake batter. Heat oil or butter in a pan, pour a ladle full of the pancake mixture into the pan and bake on both sides until golden brown.

 

Watermelon Rind Rice Pancakes Vegan Gluten Free - Watermelon Rind Dosa Recipe
Gluten-free and vegan watermelon rind rice pancakes

 

Watermelon Rind Pie

  • rind from 1 watermelon
  • 1 lemon
  • sugar to taste
  • a little vanilla
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • pie crust

‘Cut the watermelon in two parts, remove the central or red part, then after removing the outside skin, and all the red part of the melon, cut in very small pieces, and cook in plenty of water until very tender; add the juice and a little of the grated rind of a lemon, sugar to taste, and a little vanilla. If desired, use 1 teaspoonful of corn-starch for each pie. Rub the starch smooth in a little cold water before adding. Cook until the starch has time to thicken, then place in a pie-tin lined with a nut paste. Bake with two crusts.’ (Guide For Nut Cookery, 1898)

 

 

 

Savory Watermelon Rind Recipes

Deep Fried Watermelon Rind
Deep-fried watermelon rind

 

Deep-Fried Watermelon Rind

  • 2 cups watermelon rind, cut into french-fry like pieces
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup (roasted) chickpea flour
  • 3/4 – 1 cup water
  • pinch of salt
  • breadcrumbs

Stir together flour, chickpea flour, water and salt. Let the mixture stand for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, salt and pepper the watermelon rind. Dip the watermelon rind pieces in the flour mixture, then roll in the breadcrumbs and deep-fry in hot oil until golden and crisp.

 

Watermelon Rind Soup

  • 2 cups watermelon rind, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup (soy) milk
  • salt to taste

Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat, add the onions and saute until translucent. Add the diced watermelon rind and saute for 1 minute. Add the bay leaf, water, (soy) milk and salt and simmer until the watermelon rind is tender. Remove the bay leaf and blend the watermelon rind soup with an immersion blender.

 

Tomato Watermelon Rind Curry - 15 Recipes With Watermelon Rind
Watermelon rind tomato curry

 

Watermelon Rind Tomato Curry

  • 2 cups watermelon rind, diced
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 tsp ginger, finely diced
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/4 tsp chilli powder
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • salt to taste

Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat, add the onions and saute until translucent. Add the watermelon rind, tomatoes, ginger, garam masala, chilli and salt. Put a lid on the saucepan and simmer for about 30 minutes until the watermelon rind is tender. Serve the watermelon rind tomato curry with rice.

 

Pickled Watermelon Rind

  • 10 lbs. watermelon rind
  • 1/2 oz whole cloves
  • 1 qt vinegar
  • 1/2 oz cinnamon stick
  • 2 lbs. (4 cups) sugar

‘Cut the rind in small pieces, peel, and remove all the red parts, cover with cold water, and let stand for several hours. Boil in water till clear. Now lift out, drain well, and place in a large basin.

Put the vinegar into a saucepan, add the sugar and spices, boil for ten minutes, then pour at once over the watermelon rind. For three days in succession pour this mixture boiling hot over the rind. Seal in sterilized jars.’ (Canning, Preserving And Pickling, 1914)

 

Pickled Watermelon Rind - 15 Recipes With Watermelon Rind
Pickled watermelon rind

 

Pickled Watermelon Rind With Cherries

  • watermelon rind
  • ginger root
  • 1 quart vinegar
  • cinnamon sticks
  • 6 cups sugar
  • 1 bottle maraschino cherries

‘Cut some watermelon rind into pieces about two inches square. Soak them in a weak brine over night, then rinse and drop into a strong alum water. Put the sugar, vinegar, ginger root, and cinnamon sticks to taste into an enameled saucepan and cook to a syrup.

Drain the watermelon rinds and pour the syrup over them. Scald the syrup for three mornings, always pour it boiling hot over the rinds, then add the cherries and divide into sterilized jars. Seal tight.’ (Canning, Preserving And Pickling, 1914)

 

Mixed Pickles With Watermelon Rind

  • 150 small cucumbers
  • 1 medium cauliflower
  • rind of 1/2 watermelon
  • 1 qt small martinoes (Brazilian devil’s claw or Martynia pods)
  • 1 qt small button onions
  • 3 pints green string beans
  • 3 cups salt
  • 4 qts cold water
  • 1/4 lb. horseradish root
  • 1 tbsp each of mustard seeds, stick cinnamon (broken into half-inch pieces) and whole cloves
  • 1/2 tbsp each of peppercorns, allspice and whole mace
  • 1 tsp celery seed
  • 2 qts white wine vinegar
  • 1 oz alum
  • 2 qts boiling water
  • 1 gill alcohol

‘Wipe the cucumbers and martinoes with a damp cloth. Cut the cucumbers lengthwise into quarters, and the martinoes into halves. Scald and peel the onions; wash the cauliflower, watermelon rind, and beans; break the cauliflower into small pieces, and cut the melon rind about the size of the pieces of cucumber. Dissolve the salt in the cold water. Put the pickles in a large earthen or tight wooden vessel, and pour the brine over them; if they are not covered, add more cold water. Put a large earthen plate over them, with a clean brick or stone to keep them under the brine. Let them stand two days, remove them from the brine, and wash in cold water.

Wash and scrape the horseradish root. Pack the pickles in a stone jar or firkin. Put all the spices into a bag made of strainer cloth. Boil the vinegar, spices, and alum in a porcelain kettle ten minutes, skim carefully, add the boiling water, and pour immediately over the pickles. If a stronger spice be desired, leave the bag on the top of the pickles. Set them in a cold place, with the plate and weight over them to keep them under the vinegar. In about two weeks add the alcohol, and in four weeks they will be ready to use.’ (Mrs. Lincoln’s Boston Cook Book, 1903)

 

Homemade apple cider vinegar recipe
Homemade vinegar with kitchen scraps

 

Watermelon Rind Vinegar

  • watermelon rind
  • water
  • sugar

-> How To Make Vinegar From Scratch With Kitchen Scraps

 

 

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15+ Watermelon Rind Recipes - Sweet & Savory

22 thoughts on “15+ Watermelon Rind Recipes – Sweet & Savory

  1. All this time and I never knew that you could do all of these things with watermelon rind. I’ll definitely be giving some of them a go. I like the look of candied watermelon rind, and the chocolate one.
    #mmbc

  2. Wow, Lina! You have written the definitive book on watermelon rinds!! I had no idea that we could do so many wonderful things with what is commonly thrown into the green waste in most homes! This is a great post and one that I will bookmark for the next time we eat watermelon. Thanks so much for this very informative post. I am sure that everyone at Fiesta Friday will find it as fascinating as I have! 😀

  3. What a wonderful collection of recipes for watermelon rind. Your post are always so informative with beautiful presentations! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday.
    Miz Helen

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