Making grapefruit peel jam is quite simple, but without the right tips, your jam may turn out bitter and less appealing. Let’s explore how to make this special jam with Khô bò CALI!
Creating grapefruit peel jam with a delicious flavor while avoiding bitterness is something not everyone knows how to do. Below are some easy-to-follow recipes that not only make a healthy treat but also preserve the wonderful taste—perfect for enjoying during Tet.
What are the Health Benefits of Grapefruit Peel Jam?

Grapefruit is a familiar fruit that often appears during important holidays and celebrations. Beyond its symbolic meaning of togetherness, grapefruit is also a powerhouse of nutrients—even its grapefruit peel offers numerous health benefits. Grapefruit peel jam is not only a delicious and unique treat but also provides various advantages for the body:
Weight Loss Support
Grapefruit peel jam is an incredibly effective snack for weight loss. It helps the body store energy while burning excess fat, especially around the abdominal area. Additionally, this jam aids in reducing cholesterol, lowering fat levels, and burning calories.
Boosting Immunity
Rich in vitamin C, grapefruit peel strengthens the immune system, allowing you to enjoy Tet worry-free without the threat of unwelcome “guests” like colds and the flu. Eating grapefruit peel jam can significantly enhance your immunity, ensuring you stay healthy in the early days of the new year.
Improving Digestion
During Tet, you’ll likely indulge in high-energy foods such as pork sausages, braised pork with eggs, and alcoholic beverages. This can lead to toxin buildup and digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and indigestion. Fortunately, grapefruit peel jam is packed with fiber, which helps alleviate these problems, allowing you to fully enjoy the festive flavors without discomfort.
Making grapefruit peel jam isn’t difficult, but if not prepared correctly, the natural grapefruit oil can leave a bitter taste. With the following methods, you won’t have to worry about bitterness anymore!
Easy Homemade Dried Grapefruit Peel Jam Recipe
Ingredients Preparation
To make delicious dried grapefruit peel jam without bitterness, gather the following ingredients:
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Grapefruit peel: Peel from 2 fresh grapefruits. Choose ones with thick peels and a slightly ripe color for a softer, more fragrant jam.
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Salt: Used for soaking and cleaning the grapefruit peel, helping to remove excess essential oils that cause bitterness.
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White sugar: About 140g, providing the perfect level of sweetness for the jam. You can adjust the amount according to your taste.
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Fresh lemon: 1 lemon, used to balance the bitterness and help keep the grapefruit peel bright and appealing after soaking.
With these simple ingredients, you’re ready to create crispy, flavorful dried grapefruit peel jam—perfect for snacking during Tet or as a thoughtful homemade gift!
How to Make Dried Grapefruit Peel Jam

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Prepare the Grapefruit Peel
Peel the grapefruit peel, remove the white pith to prevent bitterness, and cut it into bite-sized pieces. -
Soak the Peel
Soak the grapefruit peel in warm water mixed with a little salt. Gently squeeze the peels for about 30 minutes to reduce bitterness. -
Blanch the Peel
Bring a pot of water to a boil, then blanch the grapefruit peel for about 5 minutes. You can taste a piece to check if it has a mild, pleasant bitterness. Once done, drain the peels and rinse them under cold water, then let them dry. -
Soak in Sugar Syrup
Prepare a sugar syrup with a 1:1 ratio of sugar to grapefruit peel. Squeeze 2–3 slices of lemon into the syrup, then soak the peels in it for 3–4 hours to absorb the sweetness. -
Dry the Grapefruit Peel Jam
Remove the peels from the syrup and let them dry. Sun-dry them for about 3 hours, depending on the weather and the desired level of crispness. Once the grapefruit peel jam reaches the perfect dryness, store it in an airtight container and enjoy this delightful treat throughout Tet!
How to Make Chewy and Fragrant Grapefruit Peel Jam for Tet
Ingredients:
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Grapefruit peel: From 2 fresh grapefruits
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White sugar: 150g
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Salt: 2 teaspoons
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Alum powder: 1 teaspoon
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Vanilla extract
Instructions to Make Chewy Grapefruit Peel Jam

Step 1: Prepare and Clean the Grapefruit Peel
For the best results, choose fresh grapefruits with yellowish peels. While the recipe calls for peels from two grapefruits, you can adjust the sugar amount accordingly if using more or less.
Wash the grapefruit peel thoroughly and remove the white pith to avoid bitterness. If you prefer to keep some pith, only retain a thin layer of about 2–3mm. Then, cut the peels into thin strips according to your preference.
Step 2: Remove Bitterness from the Grapefruit Peel
After slicing, soak the grapefruit peel in 1.5 liters of water mixed with 2 teaspoons of salt for about 4–6 hours. The peels tend to float, so use a heavy object to keep them submerged for even soaking. Once done, drain and rinse the peels under cold water multiple times, squeezing them gently to release any remaining bitterness. Continue this process until the peels taste mildly bitter but are edible.
To further remove bitterness, boil the grapefruit peel in 1.5 liters of water with 1 teaspoon of alum powder for about 5 minutes. Drain and rinse thoroughly with fresh water multiple times. While rinsing, squeeze the peels to eliminate any alum taste and to ensure they lose their sharp, pungent aroma.
Step 3: Simmer the Grapefruit Peel with Sugar
Once the peels are well-drained, place them in a pot and coat them with sugar at a ratio of 1kg grapefruit peel to 600g sugar. Stir well and let the sugar dissolve naturally.
Once the sugar has completely melted, place the pot on the stove and cook the jam. Start with high heat to allow excess moisture to evaporate quickly. As the syrup thickens, reduce the heat and continuously stir to prevent burning. Keep cooking over low heat until the grapefruit peel turns translucent, then gradually dries out and crystallizes with a sugar coating on the outside. Turn off the heat, let the jam cool, and store it in an airtight jar for preservation.
Final Product Requirements
After completing the process, your grapefruit peel jam should have a delightful aroma with a hint of citrusy spiciness. The taste should be mildly sweet and pleasant. The jam pieces should have a moderate thickness—not too thin or too thick—be dry to the touch, and have a slight translucency.
How to Make Sweet and Fragrant Honey Grapefruit Peel Jam for Tet
Honey has natural antibacterial properties and is soothing for the throat, making grapefruit peel jam with honey not only a delicious Tet treat but also a traditional remedy for colds and sore throats during the early days of the new year.
Ingredients:
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Grapefruit peel: From 1 green grapefruit
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Rock sugar: 250g
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Honey: 50g
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Salt
Instructions to Make Honey Grapefruit Peel Jam

Step 1: Prepare the Grapefruit Peel
Peel the grapefruit, keeping only the green outer layer and discarding the white pith. Slice the grapefruit peel into thin, bite-sized strips. Peel the grapefruit segments, removing the membranes and seeds.
Step 2: Remove Bitterness
Massage the grapefruit peel with a bit of salt, then rinse thoroughly multiple times with water to eliminate any bitterness.
Step 3: Simmer with Rock Sugar
Place a pot on the stove and add rock sugar, grapefruit peel, and peeled grapefruit segments. Cook over low heat, stirring continuously to ensure the mixture is evenly coated.
When the liquid reduces by half, add honey and continue simmering for another 20 minutes.
Step 4: Finishing and Storing
Cook until the grapefruit peel turns golden and translucent, then turn off the heat. Let the jam cool completely before transferring it to an airtight jar. Store in the refrigerator for preservation.
With these simple steps, you now know how to make grapefruit peel jam with honey. This jam offers a unique blend of crispy, sweet, and citrusy flavors, making it a must-have in Vietnamese cuisine. Unlike the mild sweetness of coconut jam or the tanginess of orange jam, grapefruit peel jam provides a refreshing, slightly bitter, yet sweet taste—perfect for enjoying during Tet!
Discover the Unique Sweet and Sour Grapefruit Peel Jam at Khô Bò CALI
If you’re looking for a snack that’s both delicious and healthy, the sweet and sour grapefruit peel jam from Khô Bò CALI is sure to satisfy your taste buds! With its mild sourness, subtle sweetness, and natural fragrance from fresh grapefruit peel, this jam is not only perfect for snacking during Tet but also helps with digestion and body detoxification.
At Khô Bò CALI, we carefully select the finest grapefruit peels and process them using a special recipe to maintain their chewy, crispy texture without bitterness. Combined with rock sugar and honey, our jam offers a naturally sweet and well-balanced flavor, making every bite an irresistible delight!
👉 Are you ready to experience the exquisite taste of sweet and sour grapefruit peel jam?
📍 Order now from Khô Bò CALI to enjoy and share this meaningful Tet gift with your loved ones!


