Grapefruit Pie

Create the perfect summer dessert with this simple grapefruit pie recipe. The buttery pie crust filled with a creamy, tart grapefruit filling and grapefruit slices on top will have you swooning. The pie is full of flavor and a refreshing treat for a hot day!

The best grapefruit pie recipe

Get ready to impress everyone with this deliciously sweet and tart grapefruit pie! Made with grapefruit juice, zest, and wedges, the pie is tangy with a rich citrus flavor that will leave your taste buds wanting more.

I’m head over heels in love with this easy grapefruit pie recipe. The recipe is not hard to make, and it’s one of the most enjoyable treats to bake with grapefruit. It’s a great dessert for summer celebrations, get-togethers, or to take to a party.

And if you love creamy, citrusy desserts, be sure to check out our lemon meringue pie, key lime pie, and creamy lemon bars next!

Ingredients

My grapefruit pie features simple ingredients that come together to create a perfectly balanced dessert. As long as you have fresh grapefruits and a few pantry staples, you are good to go. Please scroll down to the recipe card below for exact measurements.

• Pie crust: You need an unbaked deep-dish pie crust. I used my homemade all-butter crust, but a store-bought refrigerated pie crust is fine, too, and will save you some time.
• Sweetened condensed milk provides sweetness and makes the filling lush and creamy. Condensed milk reacts to the acid from the grapefruit juice to thicken. You’ll need full-fat condensed milk, fat-reduced will not firm up properly.
• Egg yolks help the filling set after baking. Use the egg whites for sawdust pie, meringue cookies, or macaroons.
• Grapefruit juice: Fresh grapefruit juice will deliver the best flavor. You can use any grapefruit, but red grapefruits have a sweeter taste and will create a prettier color than pink or white grapefruit.
• Grapefruit zest: Again, freshly grated grapefruit zest is best.
• Whole grapefruits: We also use whole grapefruits to garnish the top of the pie. I’ll explain how to supreme grapefruits later, so don’t worry if you have never done it before.

How to make grapefruit pie

Creating this delicious grapefruit pie is so simple except for the hardest step… waiting while it cools and sets up in the fridge. Be patient – I promise, it is so worth it! Let’s chat about the process step-by-step:

#1: Prep pie crust

• Adjust a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F / 180°C / gas mark 4.
• Roll out the crust and place it on your pie plate. Trim and crimp the edges as desired. Skip this step if using a pre-made crust in a disposable pie tin.
• Line the pie crust with a piece of parchment paper and a piece of tin foil. Fill with pie weights or dried beans, evenly distributing them around the pie dish. You need 2 standard sets of pie weights. Pre-bake the crust for 10 minutes. Then carefully remove the pie weights, tin foil, and parchment (baking) paper and bake for another 10 minutes.

#2: Mix filling

• Pour the sweetened condensed milk into a large mixing bowl and add the egg yolks and grapefruit zest. Whisk to combine.
• Add the grapefruit juice and whisk vigorously until well combined and you no longer see any liquid. The citrus juice will thicken the condensed milk.

#3: Bake

• Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
• The grapefruit pie is done when the edges are set and only slightly jiggly in the center.

#4: Cool & refrigerate

• Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
• Once cool, cover the pan and refrigerate until firm for at least 3 hours before serving. 5 to 6 hours or overnight is ideal, and you can chill the pie for up to 3 days.

#5: Supreme grapefruits

• Use a chef’s knife to cut off the top and bottom of the whole grapefruits
• Stand the fruit upright. Starting at the top, move the blade down to the base, following the curve of the fruit as you go. Continue all the way around the grapefruit until the rind and pith are completely removed.
• Using a paring knife, slice along the inside of the white membranes to release the grapefruit wedges.
• Arrange the grapefruit wedges onto the chilled pie. You can arrange them in a pattern or put them on randomly.

Tips for success

If you want the perfect slice of homemade grapefruit pie with a clean cut, smooth filling, and a strong grapefruit flavor, there are a few tips and tricks you need to know:

How to juice grapefruit

• Zest the grapefruit first: Be sure to grate the zest first. It’s almost impossible to do this step after juicing the grapefruits. You can use a citrus zester, microplane, or even the small holes of a cheese grater.
• Soften the fruit: Roll the grapefruit over and back a couple of times on your kitchen counter before squeezing. The pressure helps break down the cell walls, releasing more juice.
• Heat grapefruits: Cold fruit release less juice, so pop your grapefruit for a few seconds in the microwave or heat it briefly in a bowl of hot water.
• Don’t have a citrus squeezer? Cut each grapefruit into 8 pieces and squeeze each piece firmly in your palm to release the juice into a bowl.

Making the pie

• Pan size: The recipe makes a lot of filling, and you need a deep-dish 9-in / 23 cm pie pan. A 10-in / 25 cm pie dish is fine as well.
• Pre-bake the pie crust: To avoid a soggy crust, blind-bake the pie crust. You can also apply egg wash (1 egg mixed with 1 tbsp cream) to seal the pie and give it a golden-brown appearance.
• Room temperature ingredients: To ensure the grapefruit filling mixes up well, have your egg yolks at room temperature. Take them out of the fridge 30 minutes to an hour before making the pie.
• Mix the filling slowly: Combine the ingredients for the filling thoroughly, but work slowly and avoid overmixing. If you mix too vigorously, you risk introducing air into the filling, which will bubble up during baking and result in cracks.
• Chill well: Chill the pie for at least 5 to 6 hours or overnight – this is essential for setting the filling and cutting clean slices. You want to refrigerate the pie until you’re ready to enjoy it. The pie contains dairy and isn’t meant to sit out at room temperature for long periods of time.

Variations

• Bottled grapefruit juice: You can buy bottled grapefruit juice if you rather not bother with juicing fresh fruit. Make sure it’s 100% pure, unsweetened grapefruit juice, not a sweetened product or juice blend. Since bottled grapefruit juice is thinner than freshly squeezed juice, use only 3/4 cup of juice.
• Crust: Feel free to prepare the grapefruit pie recipe with a graham cracker crust instead of a pie crust. You can use the crust from my condensed milk lemon pie recipe. You can also try Nilla wafers, shortbread cookies, or golden Oreos.
• Citrus flavor: The recipe is an excellent opportunity to play with the citrus flavor. Swap grapefruit for lemons, limes, or a blend of different citrus fruits.
• Topping: Instead of the grapefruit segments, pipe tuffs of whipped cream around the perimeter of the pie. Add a grapefruit wedge to each slice of your grapefruit pie as the perfect garnish.

Serving suggestions

Consider adding a dollop of sweetened whipped cream to each slice. The fluffy cream complements the tart filling perfectly.

And to take this grapefruit dessert to the next level, drizzle it with homemade blackberry syrup. This flavor combo is incredible!

Storage instructions

Make grapefruit pie ahead of time

The recipe is easy to prepare in advance so that it’s ready to eat when you need it. You can bake the pie 1 to 2 days in advance. Let it cool completely, then cover it loosely and keep it in the refrigerator.

I recommend storing the grapefruit slices separately, as they can seep into the filling and soften the texture. Simply put them in an airtight container and keep in the fridge.

Then, when you’re ready to serve, just assemble your pie and enjoy. Easy!

How to store grapefruit pie

The pie can last 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator as long as it’s covered with plastic wrap or foil – not that I’m promising it will actually last that long.

Can you freeze grapefruit custard pie?

Yes! You’re in luck because grapefruit pie freezes well. To freeze, wrap the pie plate in heavy-duty plastic wrap or tin foil and store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months in the freezer.

Do not top it with fresh grapefruit or whipped cream before freezing.

To defrost, thaw the pie in the fridge overnight, then top with your garnishes and serve.

FAQ

What does grapefruit taste like?

Grapefruit features a complex citrus flavor and tastes tangy, tart, and sweet. The fruit has a reputation of just tasting bitter, but that is not true. Grapefruits are sourer than oranges and limes, but less acidic than lemons.

The flavors also differ between grapefruit varieties. While white and pink grapefruits have an intense, tart aroma, red grapefruits are more balanced and are typically mild and sweet tasting.

What is the best grapefruit variety for grapefruit pie?

It all comes down to personal preference. Opt for red grapefruits such as Ruby Red, Rio Red, or Flame if you prefer a sweeter, less sour pie filling.

But if you love tart grapefruit with a hint of bitterness, definitely purchase pink or white grapefruits.

How do I get that pink grapefruit pie filling?

Red grapefruits will tint the filling in a subtle reddish/pinkish shade. White or pink grapefruit will result in a yellow or cream-colored filling.

Of course, you can add a few drops of pink and yellow food coloring to color the filling pink. Start with a tiny amount and work your way up from there. You can always add more color, but it’s impossible to remove color after it’s been added.

What type of crust goes well with grapefruit pie?

You can make the grapefruit pie with a traditional buttery pie crust or a crispy graham cracker crust. You could also use vanilla wafers or chocolate cookies if you’re down to try something new.

Does grapefruit pie need to be baked?

Yes, this grapefruit pie needs to be baked. First, you’ll need to bake the crust for 20 minutes, and then bake the filling for another 20 minutes. Please leave a comment if you’re interested in a no-bake grapefruit pie!

Reasons to love grapefruit pie

• Easy ingredients: You won’t need to purchase too many ingredients to make pink grapefruit pie! Most of them are staple ingredients that are probably already sitting in your fridge and pantry.
• Simple preparation: Making this pie is straightforward and won’t take long at all. Once you’ve whipped it up, you’ll only need to wait a few hours for the pie to chill in the fridge before serving.
• Amazing taste: The recipe is bursting with refreshing grapefruit flavor. The taste is zesty and sweet, with a strong citrus note and a touch of tartness.
• Dreamy texture: The pie filling is perfectly creamy and so smooth. It goes perfectly with the flaky pie crust and the fresh citrus wedges on top.
• Make ahead: Grapefruit curd pie is wonderful to make ahead of time since the pie needs to chill for a couple of hours anyway. It’s a great treat to eat with the family on holidays and special celebrations.
• It’s something different: Grapefruit pie is a fun flavor and the perfect pie to enjoy when you desire something different from traditional pies, such as lemon and key lime pie.

More easy pie recipes

Homemade pies are my love language. I think it’s the best dessert, and we have many more delicious recipes to share. I have all of the classics assembled for you here. Try them all, and let me know which one is your favorite!

• Condensed Milk Lemon Pie
• Key Lime Meringue Pie
• Canned Peach Pie
• Chocolate Cream Pie
• Butterscotch Pie
• Coconut Cream Pie
• Chocolate Satin Pie
• Sawdust Pie