Vegan Watermelon Mint Gazpacho (Print-Friendly)

Vibrant cold soup with watermelon, cucumber, lime, and fresh mint for a refreshing taste.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fresh Produce

01 - 5 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
02 - 1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped (about 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

# How To Make It:

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 in texture.
03 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. 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 allow flavors to meld.
05 - Stir well before serving. Pour into bowls and garnish with diced cucumber, watermelon, and fresh mint leaves.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's deceptively simple—five minutes of chopping and blending transforms raw ingredients into something that tastes like you spent hours perfecting it.
  • You'll genuinely feel better after eating it, the kind of nourished that comes from whole fruits and vegetables rather than guilt.
  • It impresses people without requiring you to turn on the oven or stand over a hot stove on the day you're already wilting.
02 -
  • Don't skip the chilling time—this soup absolutely requires it, as cold temperatures both enhance flavor perception and create that truly refreshing mouthfeel that makes it summer in a bowl.
  • The watermelon quality matters more than you'd think; an under-ripe or mealy melon will taste flat and mealy, so really commit to choosing a good one.
  • Blend in stages and taste constantly, because every watermelon and every lime is different, and what works one time might need adjustment the next.
03 -
  • Make it ahead without guilt—this soup actually improves over a day or two as flavors continue to develop and deepen, making it perfect for meal prep.
  • If you want theatrical presentation, serve it in shot glasses as an amuse-bouche at a dinner party, and watch people's faces shift from skepticism to delight in one spoonful.
Return