“Ask the Experts” features questions submitted by readers via the Ask the Experts feature in the right hand sidebar. Feel free to ask our panelists anything you’d like about watermelon. All questions will get a personal response and some will be featured here on What About Watermelon!
DAVID S. ASKS: We recently hosted a large family picnic and we bought a little too much watermelon. Now I’ve got watermelon in my fridge, which isn’t a bad thing, but I’m wondering… how long will it last?
Great question, David. First of all, there’s no such thing as “too much watermelon.” Second, there are so many things you can do with those leftovers, but that’s a subject for another day.
To answer your question, if the watermelon has already been cut, it should be okay in the fridge for 3 or 4 days. While it’s in there, keep it in a container (if it’s cubed) or place plastic wrap over the exposed edge. If the watermelon is whole, you’ve got a bit more time to figure out what you’ll make with your leftovers – anywhere from 7 to 10 days.
Here’s the kicker: Researchers have found that whole watermelons stored outside the fridge in a cool, dark place (around 55 or 60 degrees) last much longer than watermelons stored in the fridge (around 41 degrees). So, if you’ve already got a whole watermelon in the fridge, you should keep it there. But if you’re storing it outside the fridge, put it in the fridge about three hours before you plan to eat it in order to cool it down to just the right temperature.
As for your leftovers, two of my favorite things to do with excess watermelon are cutting into chunks for use with other fruits in yogurt smoothies or pureeing the watermelon and freezing it in an ice cube tray to make watermelon ice cubes for drinks!
Enjoy!
Chef Harry
Dr. Penny Perkins-Veazie
Chef Harry Schwartz
Elizabeth Somer, M.A.
Josh Bailey
J-Slice
[...] To be safe, go ahead and pick up a few extra watermelons, just in case. After all, like I told David a little while ago, there’s no such thing as “too much [...]
You actually did not answer the question I had, How long outside the fridge can you keep watermelon? We never got around to it, and it’s been about three weeks.
“Researchers have found that whole watermelons stored outside the fridge in a cool, dark place (around 55 or 60 degrees) last much longer than watermelons stored in the fridge.”
GEEEZZ HE does not answer the question….. HOW LONG WILL A WAWMELLON LWST IN THE FRIDGE????? 1 WEEK? 10 WEEKS? HOW LONG????
Thought this guy was an expert…..
Sorry Jim and Rick, looks like these two comments fell off my radar and I forgot to forward them to Chef Harry for his input (it’s not his fault).
The answer to how long a watermelon lasts OUTSIDE the refrigerator is a little tricky. Most experts maintain that if the uncut watermelon is stored in a cool, dark place (i.e. basement), it should last two weeks or more. That said, sooner is always better in order to ensure freshness, however I’ve heard people who said they’ve been able to store whole watermelons for a month or two and it’s still okay. I’m not sure if I’d let a watermelon go that long though.
Well, I have one (uncut) that has been sitting on my countertop for more than 5 months, and it is still like the day I got it. It has the same color and the same size. I will cut it on his first aniversary. (Im sure it will last)
I bought a watermelon back in june of 2010 it has sat upon my desk now all this time no rotten or soft spots…no smell and still sounds ripe. I am planning on shooting it this year it should make a nice rifle target from 500 yards out. I was never a bif fan of watermelon anyway
We have had a watermelon in the fridge for 3 or 4 weeks.
I just cut it and it looks picture perfect.
However; The red meat seems a bit tuff.
Is this from staying in the fridge too long and is it eatable???
Thanks in advance…
Craving not garaging sorry.
We have a Watermelon it’s been in our Garage that’s heated and cooled for about a week. As soon as we cut the watermelon and ate half of it the fridge stopped working. We have a repair man coming but well, the watermelon is cut. Should I freeze it, wrap it and leave it on the counter? I want to finish it tomorrow. thanks Rachel Humphrey
i keep my thermostat around 70-72 and i cut a watermelon and ate half then covered the rest with a papertowel and left on kitchen counter before going to bed. i got up the next day and finished most of it throughout day and placed remaining portion in fridge that night. tasted fine each time:) wish i could have watermelon all the time!
i have a cut up water melon in our fride that we eat all thru the week!! but this week we have plaenty of left overs……. will it last another week???
I hear Whitney Conner, National Watermelon Queen 2011 rules with an iron fist.