It’s the summer essential you didn’t know you needed: Nutritious, delicious, and super-hydrating watermelon gazpacho. Beat the heat and supercharge your workout days with this refreshing treat, which helps you cool down while delivering essential vitamins and minerals to recover after activity.
A zesty twist on the classic gazpacho—a beloved cold soup originating from the Andalusia region of southern Spain—this recipe doesn’t require any cooking time and is the definition of low maintenance.
Plus, it’s one of Kat B.’s favorite go-to recipes, and for good reason. Especially when temperatures are high (and you’re sweating extra hard during your obé classes), eating your water in addition to drinking H2O is essential to feeling good and balanced.
That’s because your body absorbs the water from solids more slowly as it has to be broken down from the structure of those foods. Translation: The water stays in your body longer! Watermelon (~92% water), tomatoes (~95% water), and cucumbers (~96% water) are all great examples of nutrient-rich and water-rich foods that also benefit your cellular health. (Need some more hydration tips? Read this!)
Did we mention this recipe only takes 20 minutes of active work—and requires no cooking? Whether you want to have something delicious in the fridge when the cravings hit, need to sneak in a few more servings of fruits and veggies, or are hosting a summer BBQ, this one is a must-try.
Watermelon Gazpacho Recipe
THE MASTER INGREDIENT LIST
3 ripe Roma tomatoes
3 cups cubed watermelon
2 sprigs of mint leaves
2 each Persian cucumber, stemmed and roughly chopped
1/2 medium shallot
1/4 cup loosely packed basil leaves
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 roasted red pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
THE STEP-BY-STEP RECIPE
Follow these instructions, or watch the video below for guidance!
- In the carafe of a high-powered blender, combine the tomatoes, watermelon, mint leaves, cucumber, shallot, basil, white wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, honey garlic, lemon, roasted red pepper, and salt and pepper. Blend on medium-high speed until everything is thoroughly combined and blended.
- Pour the mixture through a strainer and into a bowl to remove the solids. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, about 1 hour. Keep cold until serving.
- To serve, drizzle with olive oil. For flare, you can serve this gazpacho inside a hollowed-out baby watermelon!
*Notes: Break off as much of the mint leaf stems as possible. Your blender time will vary depending on how large you cut your produce. The bigger the pieces, the longer you’ll want to blend.
Yield: About 3 cups
Active: 20 minutes
Total: 1 hour 20 minutes
SPOTLIGHT MOMENT
Sweet and savory with a little kick, this watermelon gazpacho recipe is the definition of delicious. It’s also packed with tons of goodness. Let us count the ways:
- Tomatoes: They’re not just a kitchen staple. Rich in lycopene, a potent antioxidant, tomatoes are also a nutritional powerhouse. Research suggests a diet rich in lycopene may help reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases and promote heart health. Tomatoes also pack a healthy amount of vitamin C to support the immune system and aid collagen production (hello, glowy skin).
- Watermelon: Ah, the quintessential taste of summer. Packed with vitamins A, C, and the same lycopene found in tomatoes, watermelons multiply all the health benefits mentioned above. This fruit is also packed with electrolytes, making it a perfect snack to replenish hydration post-workout.
- Cucumbers: Yet another hydration booster, cucumbers contain vitamins C, K, plus minerals like magnesium and potassium, which supports your heart health by regulating your blood sugar levels.
- Roasted red peppers: Looking for vitamin B6, potassium, antioxidants, vitamin C, and high vitamin A content? Look no further. All these nutrients work together to support your vision, heart, and skin health.
- Mint leaves and basil: They’re both a digestion aid! Mint leaves have long been a remedy for indigestion, bloating, and gas, helping settle your stomach and alleviate discomfort. Basil can be specifically good for stomach cramps or indigestion. These herbs are also packed with antioxidants (aka anti-inflammatory compounds that protect against cellular damage) and minerals like calcium, iron, and potassium to support your body.
- Dress it up: Everything tastes better served in a watermelon. Impress your guests (or yourself!) by serving this gazpacho in half a carved watermelon shell. Make sure to drizzle some olive oil and basil on top to really level it up. Ciao!
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