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 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!

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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

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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? ›

Broil (or Torch) It. This is the time to bust out that blowtorch you got over the holidays. Or never get one at all and shove a half of a grapefruit under your broiler for five to six minutes. It'll heat the grapefruit just enough to caramelize some of its natural sugars and take the bitter edge off.

How can you make grapefruit juice sweeter? ›

There are several ways to sweeten unsweetened grapefruit juice:
  1. Add sugar, honey, or any other natural sweetener of your choice to taste.
  2. Mix in a sweeter fruit juice, such as orange or pineapple juice.
  3. Stir in a sugar substitute, such as stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
Jan 30, 2023

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

Sprinkle the fruit with salt.

Adding a light sprinkle of salt to grapefruit may sound odd, but it actually works. Paul Breslin, PhD, professor of Nutritional Sciences at Rutgers University, explains that sprinkling salt on the fruit reduces the tongue's ability to detect bitter compounds like naringin.

What do you dip grapefruit in? ›

How to Cut the Bitter Taste of Grapefruit
  • add cane sugar or brown sugar to it.
  • drizzle honey on it.
  • sprinkle salt on it.
  • mix it with other sweet fruits like bananas, strawberries, kiwi, or mango.

What not to mix with grapefruit? ›

Medicines affected by grapefruit
  • Statins. Statins are medicines that lower your cholesterol. ...
  • Calcium channel blockers. ...
  • Anticoagulants. ...
  • Antiplatelet medicines. ...
  • Ciclosporin and immunosuppressants. ...
  • Entocort. ...
  • Cytotoxic medicines. ...
  • Other medicines.

Does sugar make grapefruit taste better? ›

Not so fast. Not only does sugar add significant and non-nutritive calories, it can also overpower the naturally sweet grapefruit flavor. It may seem counter-intuitive, but a pinch of salt may be your ticket to grapefruit enjoyment.

What mixes well with grapefruit juice? ›

Grapefruit also matches beautifully with Aperol, Campari, and some bitter Italian amari, as well as almost all spirits, proving that it might actually be the most versatile citrus fruit out there. These dozen drinks will prove it.

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.

Why does my grapefruit taste bitter? ›

That sharply bitter flavor in grapefruit comes from a flavonoid compound called naringin. While there is some naringin in the flesh of the fruit, most of it lives in the membrane, spongy pith, and outer zest.

Why should you not eat grapefruit everyday? ›

An abnormal heart rhythm: Research has found that consuming excess grapefruit may cause changes to your heart's rhythm. 30 Eating moderate amounts of grapefruit may be safe if you have an abnormal heart rhythm. Still, talk to a healthcare provider if you take medication to control an irregular heartbeat.

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.

What spices go well with grapefruit? ›

Ginger. The spicy heat of ginger adds another dimension to the sweet, tart, and bitter grapefruit flavor. In baked goods, ginger will have a subtle profile, whereas it will be bold and beautiful used raw in co*cktails and salads.

Can you eat eggs with grapefruit? ›

Generally, people following the grapefruit diet can prepare their foods however they like, including with spices, salad dressings, or butter. Examples of meals include: Breakfast: two boiled eggs, two slices of bacon, and 1/2 grapefruit or 8 ounces of grapefruit juice.

What to eat with grapefruit for weight loss? ›

A sample meal on the grapefruit diet might include:
  1. Half a grapefruit or 8 ounces 100% grapefruit juice without adding sugar.
  2. Salad or a red or green vegetable cooked in butter or spices.
  3. Meat or fish cooked in any manner.
  4. One cup of coffee or tea without cream or sugar.
Jul 25, 2021

What is the most delicious grapefruit? ›

Melogold. These are the sweetest grapefruits, so my favorite for snacking or desserts.

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 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 makes grapefruit good? ›

Grapefruits, like oranges and other citrus fruits, are high in vitamin C. In fact, one whole, medium grapefruit provides you with 100% of your daily requirement for vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that is great for your immune system and can help you fight off viruses and bacteria that can cause disease.

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