18 Refreshing Watermelon Recipes You Need to Try This Summer! – One Green Planet

We have a serious summertime obsession with watermelons. The vine-like, flowering plants were reportedly first harvested about 5,000 years ago, and remain popular today for their refreshing properties and their nutritional benefits. Watermelons boast high levels of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, fiber, protein, and potassium.

We want to make sure to incorporate the pink, fleshy fruit in as many dishes as we can before summertime concludes. Don’t worry — you can eat as much as you want without having to worry about a watermelon seed sprouting in your belly.

Below we compiled a comprehensive list of 19 different ways you can use up the watermelon you have laying around your house. You’ll be surprised by how many different, equally appetizing forms watermelons can take on! Check it out below.

1. Sweet and Spicy Watermelon Curry

This gluten-free Sweet and Spicy Watermelon Curry is easy, quick, beautiful and delicious. Plus, this is a low-waste dish because it uses almost all of the watermelon. Hop in the kitchen and whip up a batch of this subtle, light, summery curry the next time you have company – it will be a hit.

2. Chilled Sweet Corn Soup 

This gluten-free Chilled Sweet Corn Soup is light, refreshing, and the perfect palate cleanser, just in time for summer. Its versatile flavor allows it to be served as an intermezzo or as a small dessert. The soup will taste good if you overindulged on BBQ or potato salad-what-have-you at your next cook out.

3. Watermelon Salad With Fried Tofu and Basil-Lime Dressing

This Watermelon Salad With Fried Tofu and Basil-Lime Dressing is the most flavorful summer salad ever. The secret is incorporating warm ingredients into an otherwise cold dish to add dimension. This salad has a base of fresh greens, tangy kalamata olives and red onions, crunchy sprouts, and juicy watermelon. Then, you add the fried tofu and padrón peppers and toss everything in a refreshing basil-lime dressing.

4. Boozy Watermelon Hibiscus Refresher 

This gluten-free Boozy Watermelon Hibiscus Refresher is designed for sipping on the front porch or under a tree with a group of friends. It’s incredibly easy to make, miraculously refreshing, and watermelon and hibiscus make for perfect bedfellows. You’ll want to drink this all summer long.

5. Watermelon Doughnuts

These Watermelon Doughnuts are light, fluffy, and pack an amazing flavor profile. The doughnuts themselves are watermelon-flavored and their vibrant pink glaze uses a combination of watermelon and dragon fruit flavors to give these a delicious and summery flavor.

6. Watermelon Tartare

This Watermelon Tartare is perfect for hot summer days, especially as a snack or party appetizer. The combination of flavors completely transforms the watermelon. The citrus juice combined with sesame seeds and soy sauce or tamari gives it a delicious umami flavor that’s unforgettable.

7. Watermelon Pudding

This unique Watermelon Pudding is super easy-to-make, very refreshing, and delicious. It only takes four ingredients to make and once everything is mixed together and heated, it simply needs to be chilled. Garnish with some chocolate for added flavor.

8. Watermelon Banana Ice Cream

They say that if you want to cool your body you should drink something hot, but if you ask us, the only way to beat the heat is by slurping on an ice cold smoothie (aka ‘nana cream)! This Watermelon Banana Ice Cream is absolutely worth whipping up to cool down.

9. Watermelon Cherry Cooler

Apart from just plain cold water, we sometimes desire special drinks to stay hydrated. This Watermelon Cherry Cooler is a healthy beverage with no added sugar and lots of health benefits, while still being beautiful and tempting.

10. Watermelon Gazpacho With Beet Noodles

This Watermelon Gazpacho With Beet Noodles is so refreshing. The jalapeno gives it a kick, which goes with the sweetness of the watermelon fantastically. The texture is incredible – if you like a thicker gazpacho, keep it as is, but if you like something more soupy, just pulse in the blender or food processor for longer.

11. Summer Watermelon Salad

This Summer Watermelon Salad is light and paired with a similarly light, easy-to-assemble vinaigrette that packs lots of nutrients from the hemp seeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. This recipe comes together in just minutes and provides lots of leftovers for you to enjoy after your first feasting.

12. Watermelon Gazpacho 

This Watermelon Gazpacho can be whipped up in a flash, so it’s perfect for serving at your last summer barbecue, which is quickly approaching. It also presents beautifully, whether you decide to serve it in bowls or in shot glasses for a unique appetizer. The sweetness of the watermelon balances perfectly with the little kick from the serrano pepper and the flavourful boost of fresh herbs.

13. Watermelon ‘Sashimi’

This Watermelon “Sashimi” is so unique and colorful, and makes a fun appetizer. Drizzled with a bit of agave and little black sesame seeds, these are fancy enough for your next dinner party, fun enough to bring to a barbecue, and freezable for an ice cold, heat of the afternoon snack. A vibrant and refreshing twist on sushi.

14. Watermelon Kiwi Popsicles

These Watermelon Kiwi Popsicles are a cinch to make! Simply purée the watermelon, cut up the kiwi slices, freeze them in molds, and voila! Some seriously refreshing and fruity pops.

15. Green Monster Margarita Smoothie

This Green Monster Margarita Smoothie has that tangy sweetness that makes you beg for more. Just cut up some watermelons and stick them in the freezer, and you’re well on your way to crafting your own Green Monster smoothie. You don’t really need it to be frozen, but we love that we can drink this out of season too with a little extra preparation.

16. Roasted Strawberry and Watermelon Sorbet 

This Roasted Strawberry and Watermelon Sorbet is perfection! All it takes is seven ingredients to make this delicious treat.

17. Watermelon Rind Jam 

This Watermelon Rind Jam is so ooey and gooey! It’s so much better for you than store-bought candy gummies! Plus, you’re upcycling watermelon rind.

18. Watermelon Frosé

This Watermelon Frosé is such a dream! Chunks of watermelon are added for extra frosty goodness!

Are all of these watermelon recipes getting you excited to close out summer in a refreshing way? Which recipe inspires you the most? Remember, if none of these suit your fancy, you can always check out our collection of vegan watermelon recipes to continue on your hunt for the perfect summery, watermelon-centric dish.