What to Do with Overripe Grapefruit – 22 Recipe Ideas

Overripe grapefruit is a wonderful ingredient in a variety of recipes. It’s great for making juices, salads, cakes, and even savory dishes. The citrusy taste is delicious, and it pairs well with other ingredients.

Overripe grapefruit is so sweet, it’s the perfect snack food.

See Also: what to do with wonton wrappers

If you want to know how to use your overripe grapefruit for maximum tastiness, you need to know these delicious recipes.

Grapefruit is one of those fruits that has a lot of flavor, but it also has a lot of sugar. So, if you’re going to eat it, you need to be careful about what else you’re eating with it.

There are plenty of ways to turn your overripe grapefruit into something really delicious, so today I’m sharing with you 22 ideas.

So, what are you waiting for?

Grab a grapefruit and let’s get cooking!

What to Do with Overripe Grapefruit – 22 Recipe Ideas

If you’re looking for a quick and easy snack, you can turn your overripe grapefruit into a refreshing cocktail. Just add a bit of simple syrup and lemon juice to the grapefruit and enjoy the citrusy flavor.

1. Make grapefruit sorbet

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If you have an abundance of grapefruits left over from the season, you can use them to make sorbet. The flavors work well together, and the texture is light and refreshing. Try freezing this in ice cube trays to create a portable treat.

2. Make grapefruit juice

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When your grapefruit is too ripe to eat out of hand, you can turn it into juice. Add some simple syrup, a little lime juice, and maybe a splash of sparkling wine, and enjoy this juice on its own, or mix it up with sparkling water for a refreshing cocktail.

3. Make a grapefruit gin & tonic

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This simple recipe makes a fruity cocktail that pairs perfectly with summery outdoor meals. Use your favorite gin, and mix it with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, lemon juice, and a dash of Angostura bitters.

4. Make a refreshing grapefruit soda

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This is a simple recipe for grapefruit soda. You’ll need to use some of your overripe grapefruit for the base, but that juice is perfect for making a tart, citrusy soda that’s sweetened with honey.

5. Make a salad dressing with grapefruit

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Just peel and juice a whole grapefruit, then strain the juice through a fine-mesh sieve to make a flavorful vinaigrette. Toss in a pinch of salt and a few tablespoons of olive oil to give it a nice punch.

6. Add to a savory cobbler

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You can turn any fruit into a filling by adding it to a cobbler, like a peach and raspberry crumble. For this recipe, toss sliced overripe grapefruit into a classic cornmeal and sugar crumble.

7. Make a simple marinade

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This is the perfect marinade for grilled fish or chicken, or even pork chops. Just whisk together a few tablespoons of lemon juice, olive oil, a dash of salt, and a little fresh chopped rosemary.

8. Make grapefruit margaritas

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A few drops of lime juice in a tall glass of seltzer water will do the trick. If you’d prefer something a little stronger, go for the grapefruit twist on a margarita instead. Add some simple syrup or honey and a splash of grapefruit liqueur, or even try grapefruit simple syrup.

9. Make Grapefruit Mimosas

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Grab some fresh grapefruit juice and top it off with some freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and sparkling water. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a sprig of mint to add some pretty color to your morning cocktail.

10. Make an iced tea

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Overripe grapefruit is full of pectin, which gives it a cloudy texture. Pour the fruit through a strainer to remove the excess pectin. Then freeze the strained juice overnight and serve over ice the next day.

11. Make a tart

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If you’ve ever had an overripe grapefruit that was so ripe that you couldn’t eat it, it might be time for a new culinary adventure! Spread out your grapefruit on a cookie sheet, cut off the top and bottom, and bake until the skin begins to peel away from the fruit. Then take it off the oven and let the fruit sit in the oven for several hours.

When it comes out, it will have shrunken in size, but it will be ready to be used for desserts or cocktails. This recipe is for a grapefruit julep, which is a classic cocktail that uses only three ingredients: sugar, mint, and overripe grapefruit. You can find the recipe here.

12. Add zest to smoothies

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Instead of throwing away your overripe grapefruit, turn it into your next smoothie bowl. Use the pulp in your smoothie or blend it up with some coconut water and other fruits.

13. Make a batch of grapefruit curd

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A few of those overripe grapefruits, a little lemon juice, and sugar will turn into a rich, tangy curd that can be used on toast, pancakes, or waffles.

14. Make grapefruit butter

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Grapefruits are one of the best fruits for making butter. Just peel off the skin and remove any seeds and you’re ready to roll. Spread your butter on toast, use it in baked goods, or just eat it straight from the jar.

15. Make a fruit salad

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If you’re looking for a healthy, low-calorie breakfast or snack, you can make this simple salad. Toss overripe grapefruit with some strawberries and a sprinkling of blueberries, mint, and yogurt for a refreshing and light lunch or snack.

16. Make a citrus relish

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Overripe grapefruit is the perfect ingredient for a fresh, citrusy relish. Chop them up and toss them into a small bowl with a few drops of lemon juice and a little bit of salt. Mix in some diced red onion and maybe a pinch of cayenne pepper for spice. You can keep this relish in the fridge and use it as an accompaniment to grilled fish or chicken.

17. Make grapefruit cake

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This recipe for overripe grapefruit cake is the perfect treat to make when you need a little something sweet. You’ll never miss that pit when it comes out of the oven.

18. Make a tangy grapefruit marmalade

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For a more complex marmalade, mix together the pith and seeds of your grapefruit. Add a bit of citrus zest and orange juice and let the fruit simmer for an hour or two. The longer the fruit cooks, the more the flavor will develop. Pour the marmalade into sterilized jars and refrigerate for up to a month.

19. Toss them with pasta and olive oil

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Grab some overripe grapefruit and slice it in half. Toss it with hot pasta and a bit of olive oil, sprinkle it with salt and pepper, and serve it with some grated Parmesan cheese for an easy and delicious side dish.

20. Make a vinaigrette

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Peel and cut off the skin from the grapefruit halves. Slice the flesh away from the membrane, then chop the flesh. Add the grapefruit to a bowl and whisk together with some olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and minced garlic.

21. Use them in a salsa

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Dice up the grapefruit, add a few scallions, and some cilantro. Stir it together with lime juice, minced garlic, and diced tomatoes.

22. Make a pickle

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Peel and thinly slice your overripe grapefruit and toss it with a bit of salt, a little sugar, and a touch of your favorite pickling spice. Let it sit for an hour or two, then drain and rinse the grapefruit. They’ll keep for months in the fridge!

FAQ

Is it bad to eat overripe grapefruit?

Overripe fruit has a stronger flavor and can be a bit bitter. It’s fine to eat them, but try to pick fruit that is not too ripe. The best way to ripen citrus fruits is to place them in a paper bag for a few days.

Can you eat an old grapefruit?

If you’re looking for something sweet, you can certainly enjoy an old grapefruit. However, it’s best to eat the fruit when it’s still quite fresh since the flavor will be more intense.

How to preserve grapefruit?

Grapefruit can be preserved in several ways, including canning, freezing, or even drying it. Grapefruit is a perfect fruit to preserve because it has a very short shelf life and will last for up to 6 months when canned.

Grapefruit can be preserved in a variety of ways. The most common way to preserve grapefruit is by canning. It is best to can grapefruit in the summer months when the fruit is at its peak.

Preserve Grapefruit By Canning:

1. To can the fruit, wash and scrub the fruit with a brush and soak in a solution of 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 2 cups of water for 24 hours.
2. After the soaking time, place the grapefruit halves into a large pot and cover with boiling water. Boil the grapefruit for 20 minutes.
3. Remove the grapefruit from the boiling water and place on a rack to cool.
4. Pack the grapefruit into clean canning jars, leaving an inch of headspace.
5. Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 1/4 cup of sugar to each jar.
6. Place a clean, dry, unsoiled lid on each jar.
7. Seal the jars with lids and rings and process in a water bath for 10 minutes.

Preserve Grapefruit By Freezing:

Grapefruit can also be frozen. Grapefruit are easy to freeze because they contain very little water and are not prone to spoilage. The best way to freeze them is to cut them in half and remove the seeds and membranes before freezing.

Once frozen, the fruit can be stored in a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months.

Preserve Grapefruit By Drying:

Grapefruit is also very good dried. Grapefruit can be dehydrated in your oven or in a food dehydrator. Dehydration preserves the flavor and nutrients of the fruit, making it perfect to use in trail mixes and other snacks. Grapefruit can be dried by placing them on a rack over a cookie sheet and then drying at 135 degrees F for 6 hours.

Conclusion

So, what to do with overripe grapefruit?

Grapefruit is a delicious citrus fruit that is usually used in salad or cocktails. When it starts to ripen, it becomes bitter and hard to eat. If you are looking for something to use up the overripe grapefruit, try making grapefruit marmalade.

Don’t forget to check out our article on what to do with overripe pears!