How to Quickly Ripen a Watermelon: Tips and Tricks That Work

Have you ever sliced into a watermelon, only to realize it’s just not ready for its big debut? I’ve been there—knife in hand, expectations high, only to be greeted by a pale, tasteless disappointment. Don’t worry if you’ve ever found yourself in this situation. 

While watermelons don’t technically ripen once they’re picked, there are a few tricks to help enhance their flavor and bring out their best qualities.

Understanding Watermelon Ripening: Can It Really Ripen Off the Vine?

Let’s clear one thing up: watermelons stop ripening once they’re harvested. Unlike bananas or avocados, they don’t continue to sweeten after being picked. However, certain methods can help soften the flesh, boost the juiciness, or bring out latent sweetness. Before diving into these tips, let’s understand what makes a watermelon ripe.

Signs of a Ripe Watermelon	What to Look For
Field Spot	Creamy yellow patch where it rested
Sound	A deep, hollow thump when tapped
Weight	Feels heavy for its size
Skin Texture	Dull, not shiny

If your watermelon doesn’t meet these criteria, don’t worry—you can still improve its flavor and texture with a few simple hacks.

Tricks to Enhance Watermelon Sweetness

Here’s what I’ve found works best to “ripen” an unripe watermelon—or at least make watermelon taste sweeter or better.

1. Let It Sit at Room Temperature
   If your watermelon is too firm or lacks flavor, leave it on the counter for a few days. Warm temperatures can soften the flesh slightly, which might help enhance its juiciness. Avoid refrigerating an unripe melon; the cold can halt any improvement in flavor.
2. Pair It with Ethylene-Producing Fruits
   Place your watermelon in a paper bag with bananas, apples, or pears. These fruits release ethylene gas, which can help trigger changes in texture and sweetness. While watermelons don’t ripen like other fruits, this trick might give it a boost.
3. Flip It Daily
   Rotate your watermelon every day if you’re letting it sit out. This ensures even exposure to warmth and prevents one side from softening too much.
4. Try a Sprinkle of Sugar or Salt
   If all else fails, a light sprinkle of sugar or a pinch of salt can enhance the natural sweetness of an underwhelming watermelon. It’s like giving the fruit a helping hand.

Check out: Are Seedless Watermelons Self Pollinating?

My Personal Experiment with Ripening Watermelon

I decided to test a couple of watermelon ripening tricks a few weeks ago. I bought two watermelons, both of which were a bit disappointing in flavor when I first cut into them. 

I wanted to see if I could bring out their sweetness and juiciness using some quick fixes. Therefore, I experimented with two widely used methods: the ethylene gas trick and the room temperature method.

1. The Paper Bag Trick with a Banana

I took one watermelon and placed it inside a paper bag with a ripe banana. The idea was to let the banana’s ethylene gas help ripen the melon faster. After two days, I was pleasantly surprised.

• What Happened: The watermelon felt juicier, and the flavor was slightly sweeter than when I first cut it.
• Why It Worked: Ethylene gas encourages ripening by speeding up the natural processes in the watermelon, making the watermelon a little sweeter and more flavorful.

2. The Room Temperature Method

For the second watermelon, I simply let it sit on the kitchen counter at room temperature for three days. I didn’t add anything extra, just gave it time to soften up naturally.

• What Happened: The texture of the watermelon improved significantly, becoming a bit softer and more pleasant to eat. However, the sweetness didn’t change much.
• Why It Worked: Allowing the watermelon to sit at room temperature helps the fruit soften and release more juice, but it doesn’t actually increase sweetness or sugar content.

3. Add Sugar or Salt

If you’ve ever tried to boost the flavor of a less-than-sweet watermelon, you might know the trick of adding sugar or salt. I gave it a go with both watermelons to see how this could improve their taste.

• What Happened: A sprinkle of sugar helped to enhance the sweetness, especially when the watermelon was slightly under-ripe. Salt, on the other hand, brought out the natural flavors and made the watermelon feel more refreshing.
• Why It Worked: Sugar can help highlight the sweetness in the watermelon, while salt emphasizes its natural, savory flavors.

4. Store It with Other Fruits

Another method I tried was storing the watermelon alongside other fruits, like apples or pears, which release ethylene gas. I left the watermelon next to a few ripe apples for a couple of days.

• What Happened: The watermelon seemed to develop a better texture, but the flavor didn’t dramatically improve.
• Why It Worked: The ethylene gas from the apples helped the melon ripen slightly, improving the texture but not significantly boosting the flavor.

5. Chill It for Better Flavor

While chilling a watermelon doesn’t ripen it, it does improve its taste. After trying all these ripening tricks, I chilled the watermelon before serving. The colder temperature made it feel more refreshing and brought out the sweetness that was already there.

• What Happened: Chilled watermelon tasted much more refreshing and had a slightly sweeter flavor.
• Why It Worked: Cold temperatures help to enhance the sweetness, making each bite feel crisp and juicy.

Can I Ripen a Watermelon Once It Has Been Cut?

How To Know When Watermelons Are Ripe - Garden Quickie Episode 168

Once a watermelon has been cut, it won’t ripen further like other fruits. This is because ripening happens when the fruit is still on the vine, and once harvested and cut, the sugars and water content inside are already set. However, there are a few things you can do to improve the flavor and texture of the watermelon, even after cutting.

What Happens After Cutting?

When you cut into a watermelon, its sweetness is already locked in. If it’s under-ripe, there’s no magic trick to make it sweeter. However, you can still store it properly to maintain its freshness.

How to Store Cut Watermelon

1. Refrigerate: Store cut watermelon in an airtight container to preserve moisture and prevent it from drying out.
2. Add Sugar or Salt: For a sweeter or enhanced flavor, lightly sprinkle sugar or salt over the cut pieces.

While you can’t truly ripen cut watermelon, these tips will help make the best of what you have.

Read: Should I Soak Watermelon Seeds Before Planting?

Bonus Tips for Picking a Sweet Watermelon

If you’d rather avoid the hassle of improving your watermelon after the fact, here’s how to pick a great one in the first place:

1. Check the Field Spot: A deep yellow or creamy patch indicates it ripened in the sun.
2. Knock on It: Listen for a deep, hollow sound.
3. Look at the Rind: A dull rind often signals ripeness.
4. Examine the Stem: If it’s brown and shriveled, the watermelon was picked ripe.

Final Thoughts: Can You Really Ripen a Watermelon?

While you can’t truly ripen a watermelon off the vine, you can take steps to enhance its flavor and texture. With a little patience and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can make the most of even an underwhelming watermelon. Whether you’re enjoying it fresh or using it in a recipe, these tips will ensure every bite feels like a summer celebration.

So next time you pick up a less-than-perfect watermelon, don’t toss it out. Give it some TLC, and you might just turn it into the star of your next picnic or backyard barbecue.