How Long Can Cut Watermelon Last?

The taste of sweet, juicy watermelon is the true flavor of summer. While watermelon is one of our favorite seasonal fruits, finishing an entire watermelon before it over-ripens can feel like a daunting task.

A typical watermelon weighs about 20 pounds. Whether seeded or seedless, red or yellow, about 70% of the watermelon is flesh, and the remaining 30% is rind (yes, the rind is also edible!). Every pound of watermelon equals roughly 1.5 cups of cubed fruit. So, a 20-pound watermelon with 14 pounds of flesh will yield about 21 cups of fresh watermelon.

According to the National Watermelon Promotion Board, once watermelon is harvested, it doesn’t continue to ripen, and its shelf life is about 3 to 4 weeks. But this refers to a whole watermelon. So, how long can a cut watermelon last? We have the answer, so you’ll know when to enjoy it before it spoils.

How to Select and Store Watermelon

When choosing the best watermelon, look for the following characteristics:

• A natural, shiny skin

• Vibrant color

• A patch of creamy yellow on one side (indicating it has ripened on the ground)

• A hollow sound when tapped

• Feels relatively heavy for its size

• No cracks or bruises

The ideal storage temperature for an entire watermelon is about 55°F (13°C), which is warmer than your typical fridge or cellar temperature, making it a bit tricky to store. Most people don’t have a temperature-controlled space like this, so we recommend finding a cool, dry spot, such as a basement or shaded garage, if you’re not planning to eat the melon right away.

A whole watermelon can be stored at room temperature for 7 to 10 days, but to enjoy the freshest, sweetest taste, it’s best to eat it sooner rather than later.

Since it’s hard to know how long pre-cut watermelon has been sitting on store shelves, it’s best to consume it within a few days of purchase if possible.

How to Store Cut Watermelon

When you’re ready to enjoy your first juicy bite, rinse the rind with cold water, then cut the watermelon into chunks, strips, cubes, or balls. Store the cut pieces in an airtight food storage container, and place the container in the low-humidity crisper drawer of your fridge (or, if your fridge doesn’t have a drawer, simply store it on a shelf).

How Long Does Cut Watermelon Last?

Once exposed to oxygen, watermelon starts to break down more quickly, so the clock starts ticking once it’s cut. Cut watermelon will last about 3 to 5 days in the fridge.

But why this range? The shelf life of cut watermelon depends on several factors:

• How the watermelon was stored before being cut

• The size of the watermelon pieces

Larger pieces of watermelon (like quarters or wedges) tend to last longer than smaller chunks since the larger portions have less surface area exposed to oxygen and moisture, which can cause them to spoil faster.

If you don’t think you can finish all 21 cups of fresh watermelon within 5 days, you might want to consider making a batch of watermelon juice instead.