Homemade Grapefruit Slices - Recipe Diaries (2024)

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

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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 cocktail 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 cocktail 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!

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Homemade Grapefruit Slices - Recipe Diaries (5)

Homemade Grapefruit Slices

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star4 from 1 review

  • Author: Jenna
  • Prep Time: 30min
  • Cook Time: 30min
  • Total Time: 1hr
  • Yield: 24 1x
  • Category: Medium
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

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

Ingredients

Scale

  • 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 cocktail 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.

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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.

How do you make grapefruit juice taste better? ›

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 advertisements.

What causes the bitterness in grapefruit? ›

Naringin, the principal bitter ingredient of grapefruit juice, has been implicated in the regulation of cytochrome P-450 enzymes. Increased taste acuity for both Prop and naringin was associated with greater dislike for each bitter compound.

What does grapefruit juice do to your stomach? ›

People with digestive or stomach conditions may be sensitive to the acid in grapefruit and other acidic items, such as vinegar or tomato sauce. In general, if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, eating highly acidic foods may increase your symptoms,, but this rule isn't hard and fast.

When should you not drink grapefruit juice? ›

Often-prescribed medicines that can interact with grapefruit include medicines that:
  • Fight infection.
  • Lower cholesterol.
  • Treat high blood pressure.
  • Treat heart problems.
  • Prevent the body from rejecting a donated organ.
  • Treat anxiety.
  • Treat seasonal allergies.
  • Control seizures.

What juice mixes well with grapefruit? ›

Lime juice – Along with the grapefruit juice, it makes this drink deliciously tart. Agave nectar or simple syrup – Because I don't use soda in this recipe, I balance the sour/tart flavor of the grapefruit and lime with something sweet.

Why should you not eat grapefruit everyday? ›

It particularly affects certain anti-cholesterol statin drugs, as well as some medicines used to treat high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats and even allergies. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can cause too much or too little of a drug to stay in the body.

What happens to your body when you eat grapefruit everyday? ›

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.

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.

How do you make red grapefruit sweeter? ›

To cut the bitterness in grapefruit, you can add something sweet or salty to it.
  1. add cane sugar or brown sugar to it.
  2. drizzle honey on it.
  3. sprinkle salt on it.
  4. mix it with other sweet fruits like bananas, strawberries, kiwi, or mango.

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.

What tastes good on grapefruit? ›

Here are just a few of the many different savory flavors that pair well with grapefruit:
  • Rosemary.
  • Basil.
  • Tarragon.
  • Thyme.
  • Avocado.
  • Cilantro.
  • Red pepper flakes.
  • Chili peppers.

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