How to Dehydrate Watermelon

There's no comparison to the flavor that a fresh, late-summer watermelon provides. If you've ever wanted to enjoy that flavor all year long, this watermelon jerky recipe is for you! When you dehydrate it, the flavor and sweetness get so concentrated, you'll think you're eating watermelon candy but it's really a healthy snack. Give it a try today!

[{"selector":"#anim-6014ae6e-efdd-466f-87b9-15f6b71c8520","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dfddf187-cde8-4fad-98fa-d727efc27b8c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.18056%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Get the Recipe

I choose my watermelon by turning it over to see if it has a flat, yellow spot on the bottom. If it has a yellow spot, this means it was ripened in the field and is ready to eat. If it doesn't, I keep looking!

[{"selector":"#anim-b52c9b1b-762b-4237-8b3e-045cc6dceb2e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-229009c6-433b-490b-bcd3-81f17dfa519c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-109.79827%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Get the Recipe

Wash the outside of the watermelon thoroughly. Melons are notorious for harboring listeria. Even though you won't be eating the watermelon rind, the bacteria can be transferred from your knife to the edible part of the fruit when you cut it.

[{"selector":"#anim-3170b3d9-89ec-4fbe-89a5-c4a94a3ecbf7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1ec6c313-e2ac-4207-89b9-7e8a9f9a844b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-117.70492%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Get the Recipe

Cut the ends off of the watermelon to make a flat surface.

[{"selector":"#anim-e7d9ea99-3bf2-45ab-aee7-b02fb6bbc85e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4c1f0eac-27c8-4225-abf5-a28499920722","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-103.3419%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Get the Recipe

Set the watermelon on one of the cut ends. Cut strips of rind off the watermelon by starting from the top cut end.

[{"selector":"#anim-45970934-3fc6-4d6e-8f0c-7f0e33291600","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-43cc63e8-f5ad-4d6b-b175-349ad17c7d31","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-105.08021%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Jicama Mango Salsa

Keep going until all the rind has been removed.

[{"selector":"#anim-512d9ac4-b920-4af7-bd75-450b6757b3cc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bb98eb72-9f91-41aa-b56d-eb1163715072","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-107.88733%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Get the Recipe

Cut the watermelon in half lengthwise.

[{"selector":"#anim-3aa66c74-d85c-4603-aed0-2b5838bba78b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-16b7029f-67ba-4959-b99a-f5187008f220","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-110.58823%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Get the Recipe

Cut watermelon into thin strips ⅛"-¼" thick.

[{"selector":"#anim-d5880e21-397f-4b9d-89ef-dce3b48ac954","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3789dd02-353a-4b39-8182-d3aa9609bc53","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-110.58823%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Get the Recipe

Then cut slices into rectangles about 1 ½" wide and 4" long. The shape and size are less important than the thickness. Thick pieces will take longer to dehydrate. Remove any black seeds.

[{"selector":"#anim-af120fef-bcf7-42a2-888e-e56f0a6087fe","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-41ab8a55-079c-43d3-ab6e-ee21f08bdda1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-110.58823%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Get the Recipe

Arrange watermelon slices in a single layer with a little space in between slices to help speed up the dehydration process. Set the dehydrator to the "fruit" setting, usually 135-145 degrees F. Dehydrate for 24-30 hours.

[{"selector":"#anim-5bf8a64a-582b-4bde-a893-124e9994e2db","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-64db0b23-1a0a-428a-87c8-ecdbe2864bc9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-110.58823%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Get the Recipe

Store dried watermelon in zippered bags in the freezer to keep it fresh and enjoy that fresh watermelon taste all winter long.

[{"selector":"#anim-2602a77f-0492-4fc0-b5c3-d28ba6a18630","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-50115b89-3745-455f-bc4c-013ff5129574","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-111.17647%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Get the Recipe