Vegan Watermelon Mint Gazpacho (Printable)

A refreshing blend of watermelon, cucumber, lime, and mint for cooling summer enjoyment.

# What You Need:

→ Fresh Produce

01 - 5 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
02 - 1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped (about 1½ cups)
03 - 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
04 - ½ small red onion, chopped
05 - ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves (optional)

→ Citrus

07 - Zest and juice of 2 limes

→ Pantry

08 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
09 - ½ teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
10 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

11 - Diced cucumber, watermelon, and mint leaves

# Directions:

01 - In a blender, combine the watermelon, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, mint leaves, cilantro (if using), lime zest, and lime juice. Blend until smooth.
02 - Add olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Blend again until fully combined and silky.
03 - Taste and adjust seasoning. For a thinner consistency, add a few tablespoons of cold water and blend again.
04 - Transfer to a bowl or pitcher, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to let flavors meld.
05 - Stir well before serving. Pour into bowls, and garnish with diced cucumber, watermelon, and fresh mint leaves.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in 20 minutes flat, which means you can go from hot kitchen to cool relief before your ice cream even melts.
  • The combination of sweet watermelon and sharp lime creates this almost electric brightness that makes your taste buds wake up.
  • It's naturally vegan and gluten-free, so you're not sacrificing anything—just gaining a dish everyone at the table can actually enjoy together.
02 -
  • Don't skip the chilling time—a rushed, room-temperature version tastes flat and one-dimensional, but those 2 hours transform it into something elegant and cohesive.
  • Use a good quality blender if you have one; a weak blender will leave you with chunks instead of silk, and texture matters more than you'd think in a soup.
03 -
  • If you prefer a thinner, more broth-like consistency, blend in cold water slowly until you hit the texture you want—there's no single right answer here.
  • Substitute cilantro with basil if you prefer a lighter herbal note, or add both mint and basil for an almost pesto-like depth that surprises people.
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