Vegan Watermelon Mint Gazpacho (Printable)

Refreshing chilled soup blending watermelon, cucumber, and mint for a vibrant summer dish ready in 20 minutes.

# Components:

→ Fresh Produce

01 - 5 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
02 - 1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped (approximately 1.5 cups)
03 - 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
04 - 0.5 small red onion, chopped
05 - 0.25 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 - 0.5 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
10 - 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

11 - Diced cucumber for topping
12 - Diced watermelon for topping
13 - Fresh mint leaves for topping

# 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 completely smooth.
02 - Add olive oil, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Blend again until fully combined and silky in texture.
03 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. For a thinner consistency, add a few tablespoons of cold water and blend once more.
04 - Transfer to a bowl or pitcher, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and develop.
05 - Stir well before serving. Pour into chilled bowls and garnish with diced cucumber, watermelon, and fresh mint leaves.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like summer distilled into a bowl without any cooking required.
  • Your guests will be shocked it's vegan and naturally sweet without any added sugar.
  • The whole thing comes together in twenty minutes, leaving you time to actually enjoy your company.
02 -
  • Don't skip the chilling step thinking you can serve it right away—cold soup needs time for flavors to settle and sharpen, and everything tastes better when it's actually cold rather than room temperature.
  • A pinch of cayenne or a slice of seeded jalapeño transforms this from refreshing into sophisticated, adding complexity that makes people lean in for another spoonful.
03 -
  • If your watermelon tastes bland, your soup will too—taste it before committing to the recipe, and don't hesitate to add an extra lime or pinch of salt if your melon needed help.
  • Invest thirty seconds in zesting the limes before juicing them; that zest adds complexity that bottled lime juice simply cannot match.
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