Does Watermelon Go Bad
Watermelon can go bad in a short period of time, like all other fruits. If you cut the watermelon into pieces and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, should also be eaten within 5 days. A whole watermelon can last for about a week in your kitchen though if it’s too warm that may be too long.
The amount of time watermelons need to deteriorate depends on the condition of the fruit and its storage conditions. How long watermelon goes bad depends on a number of factors, particularly how ripe they are when you pick them and purchase them, but you can still make it last by using a few tips below. You should plan on using your watermelon in just a couple days, and pick a ripe watermelon to allow yourself to eat your best watermelon and make sure it does not go bad.
By the way, if you’re interested in Can Jam Go Bad, check out my article on that.
You want to ensure you are eating the watermelon that is cut up within 3-4 days, and if you have not yet cut it, then it will last for about one week left outside before starting to turn sour. Whether or not you keep cut up watermelon in the refrigerator, if you leave cut up watermelon out overnight beyond two days, it is not going to be great for you to eat.
| Benefits | Shelf life |
| Helps you stay hydrated | In fridge 2-3 weeks |
| May reduce inflammation and oxidative stress | If cut in slices 3-4 days |
| May aid skin health | Cut water melon 3-5 days in fridge |
If you bought your sliced watermelon in a bag at the supermarket, you need to refrigerate it ASAP, because it will not last longer than a few hours at room temperature. Like any other fruit, watermelon does not last very long, you can store whole fruits in room temperature for around one week, or in some cases, as long as 10 days, with no worries. An uncut watermelon should last for seven to 10 days at room temperature before it goes bad, and refrigerated, uncut fruit should keep you two to three weeks. Uncut watermelon keeps for up to 2 weeks, whereas cut watermelon only keeps 3 to 5 days in the fridge.
Since cut watermelon is edible only one day after being stored at room temperature, keeping pieces in the refrigerator for several days is the best choice. Watermelon that you cut up and keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator also needs to be eaten within five days. A good rule of thumb is to consume watermelon that is been cut before its expiration date, or at the very least, within five days after purchasing the fruit. If you are unable to consume your fruit in one week, freezing your watermelon is an option you should consider.
If you purchase more watermelon than you or your family will eat within a week, freezing leftovers is another option. Watermelon can be pricey, so be sure to avoid losing any of your fruit to waste by throwing it away too early. Watermelon will keep in the fridge for up to five days without spoiling, and it needs to be stored either in an airtight container or wrapped entirely in plastic wrap. With whole watermelon, you can keep its freshness up to 2 weeks in the fridge with no wrapping, whereas slices or pieces of watermelon can remain fresh within 3-4 days with some care.
To learn about Can Hummus Go Bad, check out my article where I cover everything you need to know.
It may take a week or two for your fruit to reach the grocery store, and may have been sitting there for a couple days before you bought it. It takes watermelon at least two weeks before it makes it to your local grocery store, and then it will be sitting for several days before you shop. When buying watermelon from our local grocery store, the last thing on our minds is how long watermelon will be good. Unfortunately, after cutting a watermelon, you either have to consume it in one day, or store it in your fridge for 3-5 days, depending on how fresh it was initially, when it was picked, how it was stored prior to being purchased, and extra handling.
To extend the life of a ripe watermelon, you are encouraged to leave the fruit whole and cut it when you are ready to eat. To ensure your watermelon can last as long as possible once cut, make sure you wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or put it inside a sealed container. Wrap your chopped watermelon tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prolong its shelf life, or store it in a sealed container or a resealable plastic bag and refrigerate.
Bacteria can easily get into your chopped watermelon; so, keeping it refrigerated in a sealed container is best. If the watermelon is received cold, do not interrupt the cold chain by keeping in a cooler. This will decrease how long your watermelon will spoil as it is not touching its frozen cooler side.
Whole watermelons in the refrigerator will decrease their nutritional value, so they are best stored at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, just because that will encourage the process of breaking down. The short shelf life may be due to watermelons being composed of significant amounts of water and sugar. Like many other fruits or vegetables, they get worse regardless of how you keep them, for many other objective and subjective reasons, ranging from storage time, temperature, bacteria, and preserving techniques.
Frozen watermelons, when they are allowed to thaw, lose their crunch and may turn to gooey, so you may not want to consume them as is. While you would not want to eat frozen watermelon right from the freezer, it works great in smoothies, drinks, ice cream, and a variety of other recipes. You can make a few fruit salads out of watermelon, pair it with meals, and enjoy when thirsty, and anytime else that you feel like it.
You can also make blended watermelon ice cubes and store them in cube tray or fill a popsicle mould. Start by mashing the frozen watermelon together in the food processor–this is replacing the process of the ice cream machine.
Freezing the watermelon prolongs its shelf life, so you can use smaller pieces to create smoothies and fresh drinks, even when it is not in season. If you purchase a half or quarter watermelon in a supermarkets freezer section, place it directly back into the refrigerator when you get home.
If you are eating a watermelon that tastes acidic, fizzy, or sour, even though it has not reached its expiration date, throw the acidic watermelon out and toss the rest. Taste–A sour flavor, rather than a fresh, sweet, and juicy flavor, tells you watermelon is spoiled, so you should not eat it. Unfortunately, it does not last forever, and you need to identify whether watermelon goes bad and how long does watermelon last before deciding to eat it.
When should you not eat watermelon?
It is advised against eating watermelons shortly before bedtime. After 7 o’clock, we do not advise eating any fruit, including watermelon. Because it has a mild acidity, watermelon may cause digestion to take longer at night when the body is resting.
What does a bad watermelon look like?
The simplest method to tell is to look for any damp areas and areas of greenish-blue, black, or white mold on the skin. The fruit can have gone sour even if the outside appears to be in good condition. You should throw away any flesh that has glaring dark stains or is covered with anything slimy.
What happens if you eat spoiled watermelon?
Food illness can develop quickly after eating rotten watermelon. Fatigue and a headache will be the first indications that anything is amiss within a few hours—vomiting and nauseous. Your watermelon should be thrown away if the flesh is sticky, discolored, smells unpleasant, or has started to grow something fuzzy.