techniques

How to Make Candied Grapefruit Peel

A two-part process transforms grapefruit’s characteristically bitter skin and pith into meltingly tender, sweet strips. Here’s how it’s done
Image may contain Plant Confectionery Food Sweets Peel Fruit Hot Dog and Produce

A two-part process transforms grapefruit’s characteristically bitter skin and pith into meltingly tender, sweet strips. Here’s how it’s done.

Get the recipe: Candied Grapefruit Peel
  • Image may contain Human Person Plant Food Confectionery Sweets Peel and Produce
    1/7

    Cut the peel away, leaving about ¼" of white pith attached to the peel.

  • Image may contain Human Person Plant Peel and Food
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    Cut peel lengthwise into 3/8"-wide strips.

  • Image may contain Plant Peel Fruit Food and Citrus Fruit
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    Place strips in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, drain, and repeat two more times to reduce bitterness.

  • Image may contain Plant Food Vegetable and Carrot
    4/7

    After blanching, the pith will appear slightly translucent.

  • Image may contain Plant and Food
    5/7

    Simmer peel in sugar syrup until the pith is completely translucent and the strips are very soft, about 15 minutes.

  • Drain and let strips dry completely on a wire rack—theyll firm up as they sit. Toss in granulated sugar.
    6/7

    Drain and let strips dry completely on a wire rack—they’ll firm up as they sit. Toss in granulated sugar.

A former senior food editor at Bon Appétit, Claire Saffitz was the host of the popular series Gourmet Makes before leaving the company in 2020. She is the bestselling author of Dessert Person and What's for Dessert and currently hosts a companion series to her books on YouTube, also called ... Read More
Contributing Editor
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