Here’s my go-to watermelon smoothie recipe that’s refreshing, naturally sweet, and takes just minutes to make. The secret is using perfectly ripe watermelon and adding a squeeze of lime to make all the flavors pop.
This smoothie has become my summer morning ritual, and I often make extra for the kids to enjoy after school. There’s something so satisfying about turning simple fruit into a cool, creamy drink that hits the spot on hot days.
Why You’ll Love This Watermelon Smoothie
- Quick and easy – This refreshing smoothie takes just 5 minutes to throw together – perfect for busy mornings or afternoon pick-me-ups.
- Naturally sweet – The combination of watermelon, strawberries, and banana provides natural sweetness without relying on added sugars.
- Dairy-free friendly – Using vegan yogurt makes this smoothie perfect for those avoiding dairy, while still maintaining a creamy texture.
- Simple ingredients – You only need 6 basic ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store, and you can keep most of them in your freezer.
- Perfect summer drink – This smoothie is incredibly refreshing and hydrating, making it ideal for hot summer days or post-workout recovery.
What Kind of Watermelon Should I Use?
For a smoothie, you’ll want to use a ripe, sweet watermelon that’s in season – typically during summer months. The best way to tell if your watermelon is ready is to look for one that feels heavy for its size and has a yellow spot where it sat on the ground. When you tap it, it should have a hollow sound. Personal-sized watermelons work great for smoothies since you won’t have tons of leftovers, but any type of watermelon will do as long as it’s sweet and juicy. Just make sure to remove any black seeds before blending, though the small white seeds are totally fine to leave in.
Options for Substitutions
This refreshing smoothie recipe is pretty flexible and you can try these easy swaps:
- Watermelon: Fresh watermelon gives this smoothie its signature taste, but if you’re in a pinch, you can use frozen watermelon chunks. Just reduce the amount of frozen strawberries so your smoothie isn’t too thick.
- Frozen strawberries: You can swap these for other frozen berries like raspberries or mixed berries. Fresh strawberries work too, but you’ll want to add some ice to keep the smoothie cold and thick.
- Frozen banana: Bananas add natural sweetness and creaminess. You could use frozen mango chunks instead, or for a less sweet version, try frozen cauliflower rice (yes, really!) for the same creamy texture.
- Vegan yogurt: Any type of yogurt works here – regular, Greek, or coconut yogurt. You can also use coconut milk or a splash of almond milk if you don’t have yogurt on hand.
- Maple syrup: Feel free to use honey (if not vegan), agave nectar, or skip it entirely if your fruit is sweet enough. A pitted date works great too!
- Lime: Lemon works just as well, or you can try a splash of orange juice for a different citrus kick.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Blending
The biggest challenge when making watermelon smoothies is dealing with excess liquid, since watermelon has such high water content – using frozen fruit helps create the perfect thick texture without watering down your drink. A common mistake is adding ice cubes, which will only dilute the natural sweetness of your smoothie, so stick to frozen strawberries and bananas instead. For the smoothest results, cut your watermelon into small, even chunks before blending, and always remove any black seeds which can add unwanted bitterness. To prevent separation (which happens quickly with watermelon), drink your smoothie right away or give it a quick stir before serving if it sits for a few minutes.
What to Serve With Watermelon Smoothie?
This refreshing watermelon smoothie makes a perfect breakfast or snack on its own, but there are some tasty ways to round out your meal. I love pairing it with a slice of whole grain toast topped with almond butter and banana slices for a filling breakfast combo. For a light afternoon pick-me-up, serve your smoothie with a handful of granola or a small bowl of mixed nuts for some protein and crunch. You could also turn this into a complete breakfast by adding a couple of oatmeal cookies or a warm banana muffin on the side.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: This watermelon smoothie is best enjoyed right after blending when it’s perfectly cold and creamy. If you need to store it, pour it into an airtight container or mason jar, filling it almost to the top to minimize air exposure. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Prep Ahead: Want to save time in the morning? Cut up your watermelon into chunks and freeze them alongside your banana pieces in a freezer bag. This way, you’ll have ready-to-blend frozen fruit that’ll make your smoothie extra thick and frosty. These prepped ingredients will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serve Later: If you’ve stored your smoothie in the fridge, give it a good shake or stir before drinking, as the ingredients might separate a bit. Add a few ice cubes if you want it extra cold, or blend it again for a few seconds to bring back that perfect consistency.
Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
Cooking Time | 0-0 minutes |
Total Time | 5-10 minutes |
Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 320-360
- Protein: 5-7 g
- Fat: 2-4 g
- Carbohydrates: 80-85 g
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups diced fresh watermelon
- 2 cups frozen whole strawberries
- 2 frozen bananas
- Juice and grated zest from 1/2 lime
- 2 tbsp plant-based yogurt
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
Step 1: Add Ingredients to Blender
- 1 1/2 cups diced fresh watermelon
- 2 cups frozen whole strawberries
- 2 frozen bananas
- juice and grated zest from 1/2 lime
- 2 tbsp plant-based yogurt
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
Place all the ingredients into a high-speed blender in the order listed, starting with the diced fresh watermelon.
This will help the blending process since the watermelon has a higher water content and will break down more easily at the bottom.
Step 2: Blend the Smoothie
- all ingredients from Step 1
Cover the blender with a lid and blend on high speed.
Use a tamper to push the fruit down towards the blades as needed, ensuring the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
I like to stop and scrape down the sides once or twice to make sure everything blends evenly.
Step 3: Pour and Serve
Pour your finished smoothie into a glass, or for a fun presentation, serve it in a hollowed-out watermelon rind.
Enjoy immediately while cold and refreshing.