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Golden candied grapefruit peel glistening with sugar crystals, a sweet treat.

Best Candied Grapefruit Peel Recipe (Less Bitter!)

Make perfectly candied grapefruit peel with our easy recipe! Our secret salt trick reduces bitterness for a sweet & tangy treat. Enjoy it as a snack, use it in baking, or add a special touch to your favorite cocktails!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Servings: 3 grapefruits
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients Needed
  • 3 grapefruits (organic or unsprayed)
  • 2 1/2 cups (500g) sugar (plus additional sugar for tossing the finished candied peel)
  • 2 1/2 cups (625ml) water
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup

Method
 

Prepare the Grapefruit Peels
  1. Cut each grapefruit and half and juice them. (Reserve the juice for another purpose.) I usually enjoy the fresh juice for breakfast. Use a soup spoon to scrape out the pulp and membranes.
Blanch the Peels
  1. Use a chef's knife to cut the grapefruit peels into strips just shy of 1/2-inch (1,25cm) wide. Uniform strips will cook evenly. Place the peels in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes.
  2. Drain the peels and repeat the simmering and draining process with the grapefruit peels one more time.
Unique Twist: Reduce Bitterness with Salt
  1. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water in this blanching stage. This will help to remove additional bitter compounds.
Cook the Peels in Syrup
  1. After you've blanched the peels three times, place them back in the pot fitted with a candy thermometer, if using. Add the sugar, water, and corn syrup and bring the mixture to a boil.
  2. Reduce the heat to a low boil and cook the peels until they're translucent and glossy. The temperature should read about 218ºF (103ºC) and should take about 45 minutes. If you're not using a thermometer, it should look like the 7th photo in the post.
Dry and Sugar the Peels
  1. Drain the peels in a colander then spread them on a wire cooling and let sit 12 hours at room temperature to dry out a bit. Overnight drying is important.
  2. Sprinkle some sugar on a baking sheet (about 1/3 cup, 65g) and use your hands to toss the candied peel in the sugar, adding more sugar as needed, and shaking off any excess, until the peels are well-coated and no longer feel sticky.

Notes

Making your own candied grapefruit peel is easier than you think, and this recipe, with its simple salt trick, makes it less bitter and more enjoyable! The result is a versatile treat that you can enjoy in so many ways. Don't be afraid to experiment with different grapefruit varieties or even dip your finished peels in chocolate.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.