Whether you’re a watermelon rind lover (like me!) or you’ve never tried it, these delicious watermelon rind recipes are all must-try meals and snacks.
From cozy watermelon rind tofu curry to watermelon rind pickles, there’s something tasty here for everyone. Plus, no waste recipes like these are good for the environment, so it’s a win-win!
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What is watermelon rind?
Watermelon rind is the white area of the watermelon between the watermelon’s pink flesh and green skin. It has a lightly sweet, mild watermelon flavor, and a crunchy texture that’s similar to cucumber.
It’s a great addition to lots of recipes, because not only is it crunchy and refreshing, but it also takes on whatever flavors are in the dish.
Watermelon rind is super nutritious, too! It’s packed with vitamins, potassium, and zinc, in addition to amino acids.
Healthy Recipes with Watermelon Rind
A lot of these dishes are summer-inspired, but watermelon is available year round in many places. All of these recipes – especially the curry and the watermelon rind pickles – are delicious any time of year.
And now, on to the list!
Watermelon Salad with Feta & Arugula
This summery salad is flavor-packed, with red onion and pistachios for extra crunch! It features both watermelon flesh and watermelon rind, plus arugula, fresh mint, and salty feta.
All of that deliciousness gets tossed in an ultra-fresh dressing: olive oil and lime juice!
This will be your new favorite lunchtime or easy dinner go-to.
Tofu Curry with Watermelon Rind (Vegan)
I like to switch things up during the colder months with this super cozy tofu and watermelon rind curry!
The watermelon rind really soaks up the flavor of the curry broth, making this dish somehow comforting and refreshing at the same time.
Serve with brown rice or another grain, plus fresh cilantro!
Watermelon Rind Smoothie
Even if you aren’t ready to use your watermelon rind right away, sliced it up and freeze it for later, because here’s a hot tip: frozen watermelon rind makes a fantastic replacement for ice in smoothies!
It adds a refreshing mild watermelon flavor, which pairs well with the watermelon flesh, strawberries, peaches, and bananas – plus fresh mint – in this recipe.
This creamy smoothie is perfect for cooling you down on a hot day, and the blog post also includes tips for using frozen watermelon rind in place of ice in other smoothie recipes, too!
Pickled Watermelon Rind (Two Ways)
Feast your eyes on the ultimate condiment: pickled watermelon rind! These pickles are easy to make and so fun to have on hand for snacking. They add great flavor to other dishes, too, like tacos and sandwiches.
This recipe includes two flavor options: sweet and spicy jalapeno pickles, and savory masala/Indian-spiced pickles.
Both are fabulous, and easier to make than you’d think, I promise!
Chicken Gyros with Watermelon Rind Tzatziki
Since watermelon rind is so similar to cucumber, it makes sense that you can make tzatziki from it!
It’s a super refreshing, creamy sauce with a lightly sweet flavor. The perfect spread for these easy chicken gyro wraps on pita bread!
Watermelon Gazpacho
Gazpacho is a chilled soup that’s perfect for summertime, and the fact that this variation is made with watermelon and watermelon rind makes it even better!
It’s super flavorful, with a lovely balance of sweet and savory flavors, and it comes together really quickly. I love it topped with diced avocado and fresh basil.
Fermented Watermelon Rind Pickles
These watermelon rind “pickles” are similar to the ones mentioned above, but they’re made using a different method: fermentation! They’re easier to make than you might think, and they come out deliciously tangy.
(The main difference between pickling and fermenting, besides the process being different, is the presence of probiotics (“good” bacteria) with fermentation – so fermented products are extra healthy for your gut!)
This recipe includes two different flavor/spice variations to try: a sweeter version with cinnamon, anise, and ginger, and a savory version with mustard seeds, bay leaves, and garlic.
Watermelon Rind Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a summer side staple, and this watermelon rind coleslaw is even more perfect for the season! It’s refreshing, crunchy, and packed with veggies like bell peppers and shredded carrots.
Not only does it make a great coleslaw/salad on its own, but it’s also a delicious condiment on tacos, wraps, burgers, and more! Plus, there’s no mayo: it’s dressed with a tasty vinaigrette made with apple cider vinegar.
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However you choose to enjoy it, don’t forget to save your watermelon rind! There are tons of watermelon rind recipes to enjoy – plus a whole host of nutrients to benefit from. And you’ll reduce food waste while you’re at it. 🙂
What’s your favorite way to enjoy watermelon and/or watermelon rind? Let me know in the comments!
