How Long Does Cut Watermelon Last?

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Now that summers are in full swing, you might also crave watermelon like me. Believe me, when I say this, the only thing I like about summers is watermelons, but sadly they last for just a month or two. 

However, the limited duration for which they last isn’t the only concern of people like me who crave watermelon all the time. Another thing that might be on top of your mind regarding watermelons is their storage life, especially that of cut watermelons.  

Coming towards the shelf life or storage life of cut watermelon, if properly stored and refrigerated, cut watermelon can stay good for around 3 to 5 days.

Similarly, if appropriately frozen, you can expect the cut watermelon pieces to stay fresh for up to 10 to 12 months, which is much more than what most watermelon lovers expect from their favorite fruit. 

I have compiled an extensive guide for you, throwing light on the storage life of cut watermelon and some things that affect this storage time. I will also provide you with some effective storage methods to store the cut watermelon pieces efficiently and explore some factors that will let you know if your watermelon has gone bad or not.  

Lastly, I will provide you with some easy and delicious recipes you can try suing the leftover watermelons so you don’t have to keep cut watermelons in the refrigerator anymore. To know this and many other things about watermelons, keep reading this write-up. 

 

For How Long Does Cut Watermelon Last? 

The storage life of a cut watermelon greatly differs from that of a whole watermelon that you put in the fridge right after you get it from the market. As far as a whole watermelon is concerned, it can last for around two weeks in the refrigerator. Moreover, you can expect a whole watermelon to stay good for about a week in the pantry. 

Coming towards the primary concern you have that made you read this write-up, i.e., how long does cut watermelon last? Well, it can last for around 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. But frankly, the storage life of a cut watermelon greatly depends on the storage conditions. 

Though the whole watermelon has a greater shelf life, once you cut it up, its life starts falling short. This life span of the cut watermelon also depends on how fresh the fruit is. For instance, if you have bought a watermelon from an organic store and it has just been brought to the market, even on cutting it, it will last for 5 days easily. 

Now coming towards the storage method that is known for keeping the fruits good for several months and is generally preferred by people who love making juices and shakes. On freezing and plastic wrapping the cut watermelon pieces, you can expect them to stay good for around 10 to 12 months. 

However, once you freeze the watermelon, you can’t avoid its spongy feel and texture. Obviously, it won’t taste as good as fresh, or out-of-the-refrigerator one does. 

 

Methods To Store Cut Watermelon 

Now that you have gotten yourself well versed in the storage life of a cut watermelon and how it differs from the storage life of a whole watermelon, it’s time to provide you with some effective methods you can use to store your cut watermelon pieces so that they don’t get bad too quickly. 

Here are the 2 methods you can use to store your cut watermelon pieces so they don’t catch germs and other harmful bacteria too easily and can last as long as possible. 

Method #1: Refrigerating the Watermelon 

The first method is the usual method you generally go for when storing fruits to be consumed later. However, when it comes to keeping cut fruits like cut watermelons, in this case, you need to be mindful of many things. 

Here is what you need to do to refrigerate a cut watermelon the right way: 

1. Use a sharp knife to cut your watermelon into equal pieces. 
2. Ensure to keep the size of all the pieces is the same. 
3. It’s best to cut medium-sized pieces that are neither too small nor too large, as they won’t take up all the space in your refrigerator. 
4. Once you are satisfied with the size of the cut pieces, place them on a large plate. 
5. Now take a plastic cling wrap and wrap it around all the pieces individually. 
6. Cover the table with a plastic cling wrap before moving towards the final wrapping part. This will save up your cleaning time later on. 
7. Make some space in your refrigerator and keep the cut watermelon pieces there. 
8. It’s best to store them on the top shelf of the vegetable tray at the bottom. 

Your cut watermelon pieces are all set to stay good for the next 3 to 5 days. 

Method #2: Freezing the Watermelon 

Next up on the list is the method that’s usually loved by people who want to store large quantities of watermelon for making juices and shakes in the off-season. For a true watermelon lover, nothing is better than this storage method. 

Here are the steps you need to follow to freeze the cut watermelon pieces: 

1. Start off by slicing the watermelon into equal-sized cubes. 
2. When you finish the slicing part, convert the cubes to a large-sized plate. 
3. Now keep the plate in the freezer for several hours. It usually takes overnight for the cubes to freeze properly. 
4. Once you are sure the cubes are completely frozen, take a plastic zip-lock bag. 
5. Add as many cubes as possible into the zip-lock bag and place them in the freezer. 
6. Ensure to keep the bag in a place in the freezer where it can remain protected from outside warmth. 
7. Your cut watermelon pieces can now stay good for around 10 to 12 months. You can easily open the zip-log bag, scoop out as many cubes as needed, and seal the bag again to prolong the storage time. 

 

How To Tell If Watermelon Has Gone Bad? 

Although the 2 simple storage methods I have explained above would surely help you increase the storage life of your cut watermelon pieces, to save yourself from consuming watermelon when it’s already bad, you need to know about the symptoms that actually signify that watermelon has gone bad. 

Here I have listed some things that clearly indicate your cut watermelon pieces have gone bad. 

• Texture 

The first thing that will tell you that the cut watermelon pieces you previously stored in the refrigerator are no longer good to be consumed is their texture. Although refrigeration affects watermelon’s texture, it doesn’t get as soft and spongy as it does when it has gone bad. 

Watermelon, as you might already know, is pretty rich in water content, which is why it’s recommended to be consumed during summertime for extra hydration. However, if, on touching the cut watermelon pieces, you fail to feel the firmness a fresh watermelon has, it’s best to toss them off in the basket. 

• Discoloration

This is another thing that clearly indicates that your cut watermelon pieces aren’t good enough to be consumed now. Generally, a good and sweet watermelon is dark red in color, which is one thing most people check out for before buying a watermelon. 

However, if, over time, you could notice that your cut watermelon pieces have lost their redness and are now discolored, it’s a sign that the watermelon has gone bad. 

• Smell 

Unlike what most people say about watermelon, I always feel that you can judge the freshness of watermelon just by its smell. A watermelon that’s rich in flavor generally gives off a slightly sweet aroma which is missing when the watermelon isn’t too good. 

However, if you can smell a sour or foul aroma from the watermelon pieces you have stored in the fridge, it’s high time you get rid of them. 

• Storage Time Has Passed 

The last thing that is a sure indication of the fact that your cut watermelon pieces aren’t healthy to be consumed now is their storage time. If it has already been more than 5 days since you kept the pieces in the fridge, rest assured that they aren’t healthy to be consumed now. 

Even if you don’t notice any of the symptoms I have listed above, if 5 days have passed since you kept the watermelon pieces in the refrigerator, don’t think twice before discarding them. 

 

What To Do With Leftover Watermelon? 

If you don’t like storing the fruits in your refrigerator and want to eat them fresh, this is one part of the guide you will enjoy the most. 

Instead of going through the hassle of slicing the whole watermelon into pieces and then wrapping them separately before putting them in the fridge or freezing, you can also try some of the recipes I have brought here for you. 

Recipe #1: Watermelon Lemonade 

The first recipe you can easily make using the leftover watermelon chunks is a watermelon lemonade. It doesn’t only taste superb but is extremely quick to make. 

Ingredients 

Here is a breakdown of all the ingredients you are going to need to make the perfect watermelon lemonade at home. 

• Cut Watermelon Pieces 

As we are concerned with making the watermelon lemonade, this is obviously going to be the star of the recipe. Ensure to cut small, equal-sized watermelon chunks using a sharp knife. Now place 2 cups of watermelon pieces on the counter where you will supposedly make the lemonade. 

• Water 

Although there was no need to mention water as an ingredient, I am just listing it here for the record. Take at least 2 cups of cold water. Also, ensure to keep 4 to 5 ice cubes with you. 

• Sweet Syrup 

You can take any sweet syrup you have at your home. Though I prefer adding a cube or two of stevia, considering it’s a healthier sugar alternative, you can add any sugar syrup you want. 

• Lemon Juice 

The last ingredient that will bring a bit of tanginess into the recipe is lemon juice. 

Procedure 

Now that you have all the ingredients with you, here are the steps you need to follow to make the watermelon lemonade: 

1. Take out a blender jug and add all the cut watermelon pieces into it. 
2. Blend the chunks until they form a smooth paste. 
3. For hassle-free blending, add some water to the jug. 
4. Using a mesh strainer, strain the paste into a small jug. This will eliminate all the pulp leaving you with watermelon juice. 
5. Add a cup of water, one tablespoon of lemon juice, a cube of stevia, or one tbsp of any other sugar syrup you like into the watermelon juice. 
6. Pour all the ingredients into the blender jug again and mix them well. 
7. Add ice cubes into the blender jug now and give it another grinding round.
8. Pour the lemonade into another smaller jug and place it in the refrigerator. 
9. Once chilled, serve the lemonade to your guests. 

How Can You Store Watermelon Lemonade? 

If you have too many watermelon pieces lying around in your fridge and want to get rid of them, you can use the above method to make lemonade and store it in the refrigerator. 

Once you have made the watermelon lemonade, pour it into a jug that has a lid. Keep the jug in the fridge; it will stay fresh for 3 days. Thanks to the stored lemonade in your refrigerator, you can instantly serve drinks to your guests and save time. 

Note: Here is a YouTube guide you can check out to learn how to make watermelon lemonade at home easily.

Recipe #2: Watermelon & Cucumber Salad 

Another recipe you can quickly try using the leftover cut watermelon pieces and save yourself from storing them is watermelon and cucumber salad. This recipe is pretty rich in nutrients and usually turns out too appetizing. 

Ingredients 

The ingredients need to make watermelon and cucumber salad are as follows: 

• Cut Watermelon Pieces – 4 cups 
• Sliced Cucumber – 1 (Medium-Sized) \
• Lemon Juice – 1 tsp 
• Basil Leaves – ¼ cup (Finely Chopped) 
• Black Salt – ¼ tsp 

Procedure 

Here is what you need to do to make fresh watermelon and cucumber salad: 

1. Add all the cut watermelon pieces, sliced cucumber, and chopped basil leaves into a large bowl. 
2. Sprinkle some black salt over these ingredients. 
3. Add 1 tsp lemon juice to the bowl and toss all the ingredients well. 
4. Place the salad bowl in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes and enjoy the salad bowl while it’s still cold. 

 

Conclusion – How Long Does Cut Watermelon Last?

In this guide, I have answered one of the questions that concern numerous watermelon lovers out there, i.e., how long does cut watermelon last? I have also provided you with some easy and efficient methods you can use to store the cut watermelon pieces efficiently so their storage life is increased. 

Additionally, I took you through some factors that indicate whether your watermelon has gone bad or not, along with some recipes you can make and enjoy using the leftover cut watermelon pieces. 

Hopefully, this guide will help you get the most out of watermelons this summer season. Happy Summers!