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Watermelon Rind Pickles

Firm watermelon rind pickled in a sweet-spiced brine, an old-fashioned Southern preserving tradition.

⏱ 30 minPrep time
🔥 20 minCook time
🍽 10Servings
🏷 AppetizerCategory
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Watermelon rind pickles are the old Southern pantry treasure — the white rind of a watermelon preserved in a sweet-spiced syrup with cloves, cinnamon, and lemon. They’re a grandmother’s recipe, served at holiday tables and jarred for the pantry.

Chef Emily presents Watermelon Rind Pickles

The Southern pantry treasure

Watermelon rind preserved in a sweet, spiced syrup with cloves and cinnamon — the old-fashioned Southern pickle.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Toss the rind with the salt and water and soak overnight. Drain and rinse well.
  2. Simmer the rind in fresh water for 15 minutes until just tender. Drain.
  3. Combine the sugar, vinegar, lemon, cloves, cinnamon, and allspice in a pot. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  4. Add the rind and simmer 30 minutes until translucent.
  5. Pack the rind into sterilized jars and cover with the hot syrup. Seal and refrigerate; the pickles are best after a week.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Trim away the green skin and all but a thin layer of pink flesh. Let the pickles sit in the syrup for at least a week for the best flavor — they improve with time.

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Recipe details

Prep30 min
Cook20 min
Servings10
CategoryAppetizer
PublishedAugust 16, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →