What Can You Cook with Watermelon Rind? Four Delicious Recipes and Unexpected Benefits

Watermelon rind which many people often throw away after eating is actually rich in nutrients and offers many benefits. Thairath Online will guide you to discover the benefits of watermelon rind and share easy, delicious recipe ideas you can make at home.

What can you cook with watermelon rind? Check out the benefits and tasty recipe ideas.

Nowadays, the trend of sustainable food consumption and reducing food waste is gaining significant global attention. One ingredient often overlooked and regularly discarded is "watermelon rind" (the white flesh just beneath the green skin), which can actually be transformed into delicious dishes full of nutritional value.

What are the health benefits of watermelon rind?

Nutritional information shows that the white flesh of watermelon rind contains several beneficial nutrients for the body, including

• high levels of the amino acid citrulline. This helps dilate blood vessels, improving blood circulation and potentially reducing muscle soreness after exercise.
• High dietary fiber content which promotes efficient digestion and reduces constipation problems.
• Vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, vitamin B6, and potassium, which help strengthen the immune system and support nervous system health.
• Low in calories and mainly composed of water, making it suitable for those aiming to control weight.

What can you cook with watermelon rind? Here are 3 easy recipe ideas.

When using watermelon rind in cooking, remove the tough dark green outer skin completely, leaving only the pale greenish-white flesh, which has a texture similar to winter melon or unripe papaya. It can be used in both savory and sweet dishes as follows.

1. Stir-fried Watermelon Rind with Eggs

A basic, quick dish where the watermelon rind’s texture is crisp with a natural sweetness.

How to make it: Cut the white part of the watermelon rind into bite-sized pieces. Heat oil in a pan, add chopped garlic and the watermelon rind, stir-fry until translucent. Crack in eggs and scramble together. Season with light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a little pepper.

2. Clear Soup with Watermelon Rind and Pork Ribs

Using watermelon rind instead of winter melon yields a sweet, mellow broth that’s easy to sip.

How to make it:Boil pork bone broth with coriander roots, garlic, and pepper. When boiling and pork is tender, add chopped watermelon rind and cook until it turns translucent. Season with salt or light soy sauce. Garnish with coriander and spring onions.

3. Sweet and Crunchy Pickled Watermelon Rind

A preserved dish that can be kept as a side dish to balance and refresh the palate with other foods.

How to make it:Cut watermelon rind into sticks or thin slices. Toss with salt and let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse to remove the greenish odor. Then pickle in syrup mixed with vinegar (ratio to taste). Refrigerate overnight to get a tangy-sweet, crunchy, and refreshing pickled watermelon rind.

4. Watermelon Rind Salad

A spicy dish that uses the crisp watermelon rind instead of unripe papaya, giving a refreshing taste that pairs well with the salad dressing.

How to make it:Slice or chop the white part of the watermelon rind into long strips. Prepare the dressing by mixing chopped bird’s eye chili, garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar. Toss everything together, then add boiled shrimp and stir-fried minced pork. Mix gently and garnish with celery or coriander.

Watermelon rind is no longer worthless food waste. Using the white part of watermelon rind in cooking not only provides beneficial nutrients like citrulline and dietary fiber but also supports sustainable consumption by reducing household food waste. Try these recipe ideas and discover new delicious flavors from a familiar ingredient.