Homemade Grapefruit Slices - Recipe Diaries (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Jenna · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

If you’re a fan of grapefruit stop throwing out the peels! They can be used to make candied grapefruit slices. It’s quite a simple and easy process to do and just requires some boiling. Actually a lot of boiling… You can eat them as is or use them for co*cktail garnishes. People will think you slaved hours to make them.

This post was recently updated on 10/9/2020 with new pictures and info to help you get the perfect grapefruit slices.

Homemade Grapefruit Slices - Recipe Diaries (1)
Jump to:
  • Ingredients Needed
  • How to make Candied Grapefruit
  • How do I store leftovers?
  • Recommended Tools to Make This Recipe
  • Recipe Tips and Tricks
  • Other Recipes to Try
  • Homemade Grapefruit Slices

Ingredients Needed

Large grapefruits - are a type of citrus fruit known for their tangy and slightly bitter taste. They are a great source of vitamins C and A, as well as fiber and antioxidants.
Sugar - Or regular granulated sugar, I do not use sugar substitutes in any of my recipes but if you know the conversions feel free to do so
Water - this comes straight from the faucet!
Sugar for covering the slices

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

How to make Candied Grapefruit

Step 1: To make candied grapefruit peels, you'll need two large grapefruits to start. Cut the grapefruits into 4 wedges. Then remove the peel from each wedge. You'll have 8 grapefruit peels. Cut them into chunks or long strands.

Homemade Grapefruit Slices - Recipe Diaries (2)

Step 2: Place them over a stove top in a boiling pot with about 1 inch of water covering them. When the water starts to boil, remove the pot from the heat, strain the grapefruit peels and then place them back into the pot with fresh water and boil again. Repeat this step 4 times. This is because grapefruit peels are very bitter and you want to get rid of the bitter water as soon as possible.

Homemade Grapefruit Slices - Recipe Diaries (3)

Step 3: After you've boiled them in fresh water for the 4th time. Strain and set aside. In the pot, add in 4 cups water and 4 cups sugar. Stir until sugar and water are combined, then add the grapefruit peels back in. Boil the mixture over high heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until there are large opaque bubbles and the grapefruit zest is completely translucent.

Step 4: Strain the mixture over a heat proof bowl so you can keep the simple syrup for a co*cktail if you want!

Step 5: Place 1 cup sugar in a bowl and add in the hot grapefruit peels. Mix them in the sugar so they're completely covered. Then set on a plate to cool.

How do I store leftovers?

Always store leftovers in clean, food-grade containers. The type of container doesn’t really matter. Use zip lock, glass, plastic, whatever! Make sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container.

Stainless steel pots - for boiling the grapefruit slices in water

Sharp Knife - for slicing the grapefruit slices.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

At first, the grapefruit slices were kind of bitter. The next day, however, they transformed into the grapefruit slices that the candy store has. I let my friends try them and they loved them.

The sugar will absorb into the grapefruit overnight.

Take the grapefruit slices one step farther and dip them in chocolate!

Store the candy in airtight containers.

Other Recipes to Try

Fresh Blueberry Pie

No Stir Easy Parmesan Risotto

Roasted Shrimp Salad

Perfect Pie Crust

Garlic Roasted Potatoes

Homemade Grapefruit Slices - Recipe Diaries (4)

If you’ve tried this Candied Grapefruit Slices or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out. Snap a picture and upload it to share on Pinterest or Instagram! Make sure to tag me in the photo.

Recipe fromTablespoon!

Print

Homemade Grapefruit Slices - Recipe Diaries (5)

Homemade Grapefruit Slices

★★★★4 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Jenna
  • Prep Time: 30min
  • Cook Time: 30min
  • Total Time: 1hr
  • Yield: 24 1x
Print Recipe

Description

If you’re a fan of grapefruit stop throwing out the peels! They can be used to make candied grapefruit slices.

Scale

Ingredients

  • 2 large grapefruits
    4 cups of sugar
    4 cups of water
    1 cup of sugar for covering the slices

Instructions

  1. To make candied grapefruit peels, you'll need two large grapefruits to start. Cut the grapefruits into 4 wedges. Then remove the peel from each wedge. You'll have 8 grapefruit peels. Cut them into chunks or long strands.
  2. Place them over a stove top in a boiling pot with about 1 inch of water covering them. When the water starts to boil, remove the pot from the heat, strain the grapefruit peels and then place them back into the pot with fresh water and boil again. Repeat this step 4 times. This is because grapefruit peels are very bitter and you want to get rid of the bitter water as soon as possible.
  3. After you've boiled them in fresh water for the 4th time. Strain and set aside. In the pot, add in 4 cups water and 4 cups sugar. Stir until sugar and water are combined, then add the grapefruit peels back in.Boil the mixture over high heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until there are large opaque bubbles and the grapefruit zest is completely translucent.
  4. Strain the mixture over a heat proof bowl so you can keep the simple syrup for a co*cktail if you want!
  5. Place 1 cup sugar in a bowl and add in the hot grapefruit peels. Mix them in the sugar so they're completely covered. Then set on a plate to cool.
  • Category: Medium
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: homemade grapefruit slices

More Dessert Recipes

  • Cookie Butter Rice Krispie Treats
  • No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
  • Oreo Icebox Cake
  • Alton Brown's Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lezlie says

    I made these and they’re great! That makes a lot. What is the best way to store them and how long will they keep?

  2. Jenna says

    The recipe is correct. You're just peeling off the edges of each fruit. Boiling it that many times helps the sugar to stick.

  3. Melinda Onwiler says

    Why are the instructions for grapefruit “peel”, not slices? If you boil fruit sections 4 times, there will be nothing left! Please reply if recipe is correct as shown

  4. Rachel says

    Just received a dozen grapefruits from our neighbor’s tree and was looking for an easy and quick recipe to try out new ideas and came across yours. This recipe is great. I’ve already passed along the recipe link with family and friends. Thanks for sharing it.

Leave a Reply

Homemade Grapefruit Slices - Recipe Diaries (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a nice grapefruit? ›

Drizzle honey or agave syrup over the fruit.

According to Lindsey Chastain, founder and CEO of The Waddle and Cluck, these natural sweeteners are the liquid gold that bitter grapefruit craves. "The sweet syrup interacts with the fruit's juices to form a balanced, pleasant sweet-tart combo," she says.

What do you sprinkle on grapefruit? ›

Salt Is the Secret to Sweeter-Tasting Grapefruit

While it may seem counterintuitive, salt — not sugar — can make grapefruit taste less bitter and more sweet. Sure, sugar can drown out the bitterness and sour flavor if you sprinkle it on thick enough, but salt actually balances these tastes rather than covering them up.

What to do with grapefruit when you don t like it? ›

It may seem counter-intuitive, but a pinch of salt may be your ticket to grapefruit enjoyment. Sweetening your grapefruit with salt is a trick that people have been using for over a hundred years. In 1946, Morton Salt even featured the unlikely pairing in advertisem*nts.

What can you do with grapefruits? ›

Grapefruit shines in dishes both sweet and savory. Enjoy its bright complexity raw in salads, smoothies, and sorbet, or try broiling or baking grapefruit with fish or meat.

What makes a good red grapefruit? ›

A ripe grapefruit will be slightly red in color. The deeper the color, the more intense the flavor. Look for grapefruits that feel plump with fairly smooth and thin skin. it should also feel heavy for its size.

What does grapefruit do on an empty stomach? ›

There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that grapefruit should be eaten on an empty stomach for optimal health benefits. However, some people may prefer to eat grapefruit before a meal because it can help stimulate digestion and reduce appetite, potentially leading to weight loss.

What tastes good on grapefruit? ›

Below you can find some of the many different sweet flavors that pair well with grapefruit:
  • Ginger.
  • Mint.
  • Honey.
  • Cinnamon.
  • Mulling spices.
  • Chia seeds.
  • Other citrus (lemons, limes, oranges)
  • Berries (strawberries, blueberries, cranberries)

What flavor mixes well with grapefruit? ›

Grapefruit: Pairs well with banana, basil, black pepper, caramel, coconut, ginger, lemon, lime, melon, mint, papaya, pineapple, pomegranate, raspberry, rosemary, strawberry, thyme, tropical fruits, and vanilla.

When should you not eat grapefruit? ›

Do not drink grapefruit juice if you're taking the antiplatelet medicine clopidogrel, as it may mean your medicine works less effectively. If you're taking ticagrelor, grapefruit may increase the effects of your medicine and make you bleed more easily.

Why can't you eat grapefruit with anxiety? ›

One of the medications that interact with grapefruit is Zoloft (sertraline). The medication is used to treat anxiety, and according to older research, it is known to interact with grapefruit juice. This leads to blocking the enzyme metabolizing the sertraline, increasing the levels in the blood.

Why does grapefruit make me happy? ›

Benefits for the Mind

The refreshing, uplifting aroma of grapefruit alone helps to reduce these feelings of stress and depression3. Feeling anxious? The smell of grapefruit can help reduce this feeling as well. Adding grapefruit scent to a bath ensures a lighter spirit and a happier mind!

What does grapefruit do for women's body? ›

Grapefruit is rich in vitamins and nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Research shows that the fruit's health benefits range from faster wound healing to supporting heart health and reducing inflammation.

How do you use old grapefruit? ›

Save your used grapefruit leftovers to make a multi-purpose cleaner with just some peels, vinegar, and patience. Put the peels and vinegar in a tightly sealed jar and leave in a dark place for about a month.

Are grapefruit peels good for anything? ›

Even though grapefruit peel may never be a major part of your diet, it is edible, and when you discard the peel, you also lose valuable nutrients. The peel has a lot more fiber than the pulp does. Additionally, it has vitamin C, polyphenols, and essential oils, all of which defend against free radicals.

What is the most delicious grapefruit? ›

Red grapefruit is the sweetest of them all

U.S. Citrus shares that it's the Rio Red grapefruit that is the sweetest, and they say the more red the fruit is, the sweeter it will be. The Grove says that the tart grapefruit varieties include the white and pink fruits, and the mild, sweet ones are red.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mr. See Jast

Last Updated:

Views: 6586

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mr. See Jast

Birthday: 1999-07-30

Address: 8409 Megan Mountain, New Mathew, MT 44997-8193

Phone: +5023589614038

Job: Chief Executive

Hobby: Leather crafting, Flag Football, Candle making, Flying, Poi, Gunsmithing, Swimming

Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.