Before you freeze this fantastic summer fruit, study up on the 1 way you definitely shouldnt freeze watermelon.

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Heres some sweet news: Fresh watermelon season is quite long, spanning fromApril through September.

(In case you missed it, here are our top4 tricks for picking a perfect watermelon.)

Close-up of frozen watermelon slices on a plastic freezer bag

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Whole watermelon lasts up to 10 days in the refrigerator.

Once the fruit has been sliced, the clock really starts ticking.

Unsure of how to freeze watermelonand if I shouldI called up my friends in the Test Kitchen.

Frozen watermelon

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Can You Freeze Watermelon?

This answer is true for both red andyellow watermelon; seeded or seedless.

(Both get rock hard once on ice.)

If you plan to thaw the watermelon before using, this is your best option.

Since either will allow you to skip the straining step, it will save you a bit of time.

The 1 Way You Should Never Freeze Watermelon

Dont attempt to freeze whole watermelon.

Stick to pieces, puree, or juice instead.

Do it’s crucial that you Thaw Frozen Watermelon?

Theyre like all-natural ice pops!

Beyond enjoying the pieces as-is, Brekke recommends the following frozen watermelon recipe ideas: