How To Make Sweet Watermelon Rind Pickles

You can make sweet watermelon rind pickles by turning the usually discarded white part of the rind into a tangy, syrupy treat.
 
It sounds a little strange if you’ve never tried it, but people have been making sweet watermelon rind pickles for generations.
 
The process is simple, the ingredients are cheap, and the result is a jar of sweet, spiced pickles that taste amazing on biscuits, sandwiches, or straight from the fork.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to make sweet watermelon rind pickles, you’re in the right place.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make sweet watermelon rind pickles step by step, including how to prep the rind, the syrup that gives them their signature sweetness, and the little tricks that make your sweet watermelon rind pickles turn out perfect every time.
 
Let’s get to it.
 

How to Make Sweet Watermelon Rind Pickles

Learning how to make sweet watermelon rind pickles starts with understanding what you’re actually working with.
 
The part of the watermelon you use for sweet watermelon rind pickles is the firm white layer between the pink flesh and the green skin.
 
That white rind is mild, crunchy, and sturdy enough to hold up in a hot syrup, which is exactly why it makes such good pickles.
 

1. Choose and Prep the Right Watermelon

To make sweet watermelon rind pickles, start with a watermelon that has a thick, sturdy rind.
 
Cut away the pink flesh and save it for eating, then use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife to remove the dark green outer skin.
 
What’s left is the pale white rind, which is the star of your sweet watermelon rind pickles.
 
Cut it into one-inch cubes or half-inch strips, whichever shape you prefer in your sweet watermelon rind pickles.
 

2. Soak the Rind in a Salt Water Bath

Before you make sweet watermelon rind pickles, the rind needs a salt water soak.
 
Dissolve about a quarter cup of pickling salt in a gallon of cold water, then submerge the rind and let it sit overnight in the fridge.
 
This soak firms up the rind, pulls out excess water, and helps your sweet watermelon rind pickles stay crisp instead of turning to mush.
 
In the morning, drain the rind and rinse it well under cold running water.
 

3. Simmer the Rind Until Tender

Cover the drained rind with fresh water in a large pot and bring it to a boil.
 
Simmer for about ten to fifteen minutes, just until the rind is fork-tender but not falling apart.
 
This step softens the rind so it can absorb the sweet syrup you’ll use to make sweet watermelon rind pickles.
 
Drain it again and set it aside while you build the syrup.
 

The Sweet Syrup That Makes Watermelon Rind Pickles

The syrup is where sweet watermelon rind pickles get their magic.
 
Get this part right and your sweet watermelon rind pickles will taste like something from an old-fashioned general store.
 

1. Combine Sugar, Vinegar, and Spices

In a large pot, mix two cups of white sugar, one cup of apple cider vinegar, and one cup of water.
 
Add a cinnamon stick, a few whole cloves, a slice or two of fresh ginger, and a pinch of allspice.
 
Some folks add a little lemon zest for brightness, and it works beautifully in sweet watermelon rind pickles too.
 

2. Bring the Syrup to a Boil

Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely, then let it boil for about five minutes.
 
The kitchen will smell incredible, and this is the moment your sweet watermelon rind pickles start coming together.
 

3. Add the Rind and Simmer

Slide the prepared rind into the boiling syrup and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
 
Cook for about twenty to thirty minutes until the rind turns translucent and the syrup thickens slightly.
 
That glossy, jewel-like look is the sign your sweet watermelon rind pickles are almost done.
 

Canning and Storing Watermelon Rind Pickles

Once your sweet watermelon rind pickles are tender and syrupy, it’s time to jar them.
 

1. Pack the Jars While Hot

Ladle the hot rind and syrup into sterilized jars, leaving about half an inch of headspace.
 
Run a knife around the inside of each jar to release air bubbles, then wipe the rims clean.
 

2. Process in a Water Bath

Seal the jars with lids and rings, then process them in a boiling water bath for ten minutes.
 
This gives your sweet watermelon rind pickles a long shelf life so you can enjoy them all year.
 

3. Let Them Mellow Before Eating

Here’s the hardest part of making sweet watermelon rind pickles: waiting.
 
Let the jars sit for at least a week so the flavors deepen and the syrup soaks all the way through.
 
After that, your sweet watermelon rind pickles are ready for the fridge and ready for the table.
 

So, How Do You Make Sweet Watermelon Rind Pickles?

You make sweet watermelon rind pickles by prepping the white rind, soaking it in salt water, simmering it until tender, and cooking it in a sweet spiced syrup until translucent.
 
Then you pack it in jars, process it, and wait patiently for the flavors to mellow.
 
That’s really all there is to knowing how to make sweet watermelon rind pickles at home.
 
So next time you cut up a watermelon, don’t toss the rind.
 
Turn it into a batch of sweet watermelon rind pickles instead, and you’ll never look at watermelon the same way again.