Stop Throwing Out the Best Part of the Watermelon

Juicy, sweet watermelon is one of summer’s best gifts. And while buying it pre-cut in cubes is the fastest way to go from grocery store to snack time, it’s also significantly more expensive than buying a whole watermelon and cutting it yourself. But then there’s the issue of the rind. 

If you have a kitchen composter or an outdoor compost bin, composting the rind is a great eco-friendly option. But tossing fresh watermelon rinds into the trash—especially during the sweltering summer months—can quickly create a smelly, critter-attracting mess. 

Luckily, there is a smarter waste-free alternative: eat them! Yes, watermelon rinds are completely edible—and surprisingly nutritious. They’re full of fiber. Some people even argue the rind is the best part of the fruit, thanks to its crunch and versatility.

Can You Eat Raw Watermelon Rind?

Chowing down on the green rind won’t hurt you, but it’s not very palatable. Usually, the rind—which includes the green outer thick skin and the connected white part—is prepared in some way to soften it up and add additional flavor. 

Pickling Watermelon Rinds

One of the most popular (and easiest) ways to use up watermelon rind is by pickling it. In Japan, a common method involves soaking sliced rind in a brine of apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, salt, and sugar. Just place it all in a Mason jar, refrigerate overnight, and enjoy the next day. The result is a crisp, tangy pickle that’s delicious on its own or served alongside rice, grilled meats, or a veggie stir-fry.

If you’re craving something sweet instead, you can also turn watermelon rind into candy. Recipes like Watermelon Rind Candy involve simmering the white part of the rind with sugar, cinnamon, and cloves, then letting it cure for 10 days. The result is a chewy, old-fashioned candy that tastes like summertime nostalgia. Prefer a quicker fix? Grandma’s Pickled Watermelon Rind is a sweet, refrigerator-friendly version that’s ready in just over 8 hours—no canning required.

Other Ways to Eat Watermelon Rinds

The uses don’t stop at pickles and candy. Watermelon rind is surprisingly adaptable and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes:

• Smoothies: Blend peeled rind pieces with your favorite fruits and greens for added fiber and hydration.
• Gazpacho: Swap out cucumbers for watermelon rind for a refreshing twist on the chilled Spanish soup.
• Slaw: Shred rind and toss it into coleslaw for extra crunch.
• Baking: Grate rind and use it in place of carrots in carrot cake—yes, that means you can make watermelon rind cake.
• Stir-fries: Slice thinly and sauté with vegetables like bell peppers and snap peas.

These ideas come straight from the Watermelon Board, which encourages home cooks to think beyond the fruit’s sweet red flesh. Once you know how to prep the rind, it becomes a sustainable, budget-friendly ingredient worth celebrating—not discarding.