Don’t toss the watermelon rind when you are done enjoying summer’s best fruit. Save it and make watermelon rind pickles instead to make a treat you can enjoy all year long.
Everyone knows the benefits of eating watermelon. But, instead of googling can dogs eat watermelon rind and try to give it to them. Save it and make pickled watermelon rind instead. You’ll fall in love with this southern treat and will always want to save watermelon rind to make more.
I remember the first time my mom made these watermelon rind pickles. All I could think was “can you eat watermelon rind?” The answer is yes and pickled watermelon rind is a super delicious way to enjoy it.
One thing to look for when selecting a watermelon to make pickled watermelon rind is a really thick watermelon rind. It makes the entire pickling process so much easier. The one below was way too thin and we had to start over!
There are tons of benefits of eating watermelon, including the rind, such as:
- good amount of fiber in watermelon
- good amount of potassium in watermelon
- helps you hydrate
- contains compounds that may help reduce the risk of cancer
- contains several heart healthy components
- contains anti-inflammatory antioxidant such as lycopene and vitamin C
In addition to the health benefits of eating watermelon, pickled watermelon rind just tastes great. Plus, it is usually a great conversation starter too. My family typically gives some as small gifts too.
Since you need a watermelon to make these watermelon rind pickles, be sure to try some of these other recipes to use up the watermelon before you use the watermelon rind:
- Cucumber Watermelon Salad
- Watermelon Brie Bites
- Watermelon Crush
- Watermelon Shrimp Kabobs
- Blueberry Glazed Watermelon
If you make this pickled watermelon rind or any other recipe from the blog, I’d love to hear about your experience. Let me know in the comments or snap a photo and tag it #MySuburbanKitchen on Instagram or Twitter.
Pickled watermelon rind is a way to enjoy all of summer's best fruit!
- 1 quart water
- 1/4 cup salt
- 4 lbs watermelon rind peeled
- 4 cups sugar
- 2 cups vinegar
- 1 tsp whole cloves
- 4 cinnamon sticks
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Cut watermelon rind into 1-2 inch pieces.
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In a large pot, combine 1 quart water and 1/4 cup salt. Bring to a boil and add watermelon rind pieces. Cook for 5-8 minutes. Drain.
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In a separate pot, mix together sugar, vinegar, cloves and cinnamon sticks. Add rind and bring to a boil. Turn off heat and cover. Let sit over night.
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Bring mixture to a boil again. Remove from heat and pack in hot sterilized pint jars. Cover with syrup and seal.
- The original recipe used 1/2 tsp oil of cloves and 1 tsp oil of cinnamon but I had difficulty locating those so I replaced them with whole cloves and cinnamon sticks.
This is the perfect end of summer recipe!
These look delicious! Can’t wait to try them.
Great idea Shannah! I’m excited to make these for the fam. Thanks for sharing!
When you cover it and let it sit overnight, does it need to be put in the fridge or does it stay out at room temperature ?
I let it sit out at room temperature.