No-churn Watermelon Sorbet
This no-churn watermelon sorbet is icy, bright, lightly sweet, and exactly the kind of freezer dessert that feels like a small act of genius.
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I’m learning there are two kinds of watermelon people. The slice it up and chill it crowd, and the “this is basically water so let’s turn it into dessert” crowd. I am very much the latter.
This sorbet started as a way to save a massive watermelon that was slowly losing its prime in the back of my fridge. I chopped it up, froze it, and told myself I’d deal with it later. A week later, in a moment of sweaty desperation and snack panic, I threw the frozen chunks into the blender with a squeeze of lime and a tiny drizzle of honey.
What came out was not just good. It was wildly refreshing. Creamy-ish, sweet tart, and bright in that popsicle adjacent way that makes you forget how simple it is. This one tastes like summer with zero effort.
Why this watermelon sorbet works
Freezing the watermelon first gives the sorbet instant structure without needing an ice cream maker. The citrus balances the natural sweetness and keeps the flavor bright instead of flat. Hot tip: Blending in short bursts keeps the texture smooth and scoopable instead of icy!
"This is such an easy, refreshing treat!"
No-Churn Watermelon Sorbet
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen watermelon chunks seedless
- 1 to 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup optional
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice optional
Instructions
- Add the frozen watermelon chunks to a blender or food processor.
- Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Add a small splash of water only if necessary to help it blend.
- Taste and adjust. Add sweetener or citrus juice if desired, then blend again briefly to combine.
- Serve immediately for a soft serve style texture, or transfer to a container and freeze for 1 to 2 hours for a firmer, scoopable sorbet.
Notes
- This is best enjoyed right after blending, but firms up nicely with a short freeze.
- Mint, lime zest, or fresh fruit make great toppings if you want to dress it up.
- A pinch of chili salt or Tajin takes this in a fun, bold direction if that’s your thing.
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