Watermelon Gazpacho

About This Recipe

Watermelon gazpacho is a cool, refreshing soup made with fresh watermelon, tomatoes, and herbs for an easy no-cook summer meal.

Ingredients

• 4 cups diced seedless watermelon (about 1½ pounds)
• 1 small English hothouse cucumber ((about ½ pound))
• 1½ pounds ripe tomatoes (about 3 large or 6 small)
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• ¼ cup roughly chopped red onion
• 1 small garlic clove (very roughly chopped)
• ¼ cup fresh basil or mint leaves (plus additional for garnish)
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar (or red wine vinegar or lime juice)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus additional to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• Crumbled feta (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Reserve the garnish: Set out a large bowl and a small bowl. Finely chop ½ cup of the watermelon and place it in the small bowl for garnish. Add half of the remaining watermelon to the large bowl and half to the blender.
2. Prep the cucumber: Cut off about a quarter of the cucumber, finely chop it, and add it to the small bowl with the watermelon. Cut the rest into 1-inch chunks, adding half to the blender and half to the large bowl.
3. Prep the tomatoes: Core the tomatoes and cut into 1-inch chunks. Add half to the blender and half to the large bowl.
4. Prep the bell pepper: Cut the bell pepper into 1-inch chunks. Add half to the blender and half to the large bowl.
5. Blend the base: To the blender, add the onion, garlic, basil or mint, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Starting on low speed and increasing to high, blend until smooth, about 2 minutes.
6. Add texture: Add the watermelon, cucumber, tomatoes, and bell pepper from the large bowl. Pulse a few times to break them into small pieces, leaving some texture.
7. Chill the soup: Cover the soup and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until very cold, to give the flavors time to develop. Add a small pinch of salt to the reserved garnishes and refrigerate alongside the soup.
8. Garnish and serve: Taste the chilled soup and adjust with more salt or vinegar as needed, since watermelon varies in sweetness. Ladle into bowls and top with the reserved watermelon and cucumber, feta (if using), and a few small basil or mint leaves. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.