Refreshing Watermelon Smoothie Recipe

This watermelon smoothie is blended from frozen watermelon, banana, and strawberries to create a refreshingly creamy drink. It’s perfect for a hot morning, a quick breakfast, or a cooling snack any time of day.

A watermelon smoothie in a glass that is garnished with a fresh chunk of watermelon.

The BEST Watermelon Smoothie

There’s nothing quite like a cold watermelon smoothie on a warm day. This version is naturally sweetened by the fruit itself and thickened with frozen banana and vanilla Greek yogurt, producing a creamy, satisfying texture without needing ice. The ingredients are simple, straightforward, and easy to swap to match what you have on hand.

Ingredients You Need

All of the ingredients for this watermelon smoothie are simple and easy to find. Use frozen fruit for the best texture and cold, slushy result.

  • 1 1/2 cups frozen watermelon chunks
  • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1/4 cup vanilla Greek yogurt (or any vanilla yogurt)
  • 1/2 large banana (frozen or fresh)
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any milk or orange juice)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Smoothie Ingredient Swaps

If you don’t have an ingredient on hand, these easy swaps work well while keeping great flavor and texture:

  • Greek yogurt → any plain or flavored yogurt for a similar creamy texture.
  • Almond milk → any plant or dairy milk, or even orange juice for a fruitier variation.
  • Frozen strawberries → frozen raspberries or other berries for a different berry note.
All the ingredients for the watermelon smoothie in small bowls.

How to Make a Watermelon Smoothie

  1. Freeze the watermelon first so it blends to a thick, icy texture (see freezing instructions below).
  2. Place the frozen watermelon, frozen strawberries, yogurt, banana, almond milk, and vanilla extract into a high-speed blender.
  3. Blend on high for 1–2 minutes, stopping to scrape the sides as needed until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  4. Add more almond milk a little at a time if you prefer a thinner consistency.
  5. Pour into glasses and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Watermelon smoothie ingredients in a blender.

Our favorite blender: If you’re looking to upgrade your blender for smoothies, soups, and nut butters, a high-speed blender such as a Vitamix is ideal for achieving a super-smooth result.

A watermelon smoothie in a blender.

How to Freeze Watermelon for Smoothies

Using frozen watermelon is key to a thick, chilled smoothie. Watermelon freezes quickly—usually within 20–30 minutes—when cut into small chunks. Follow these simple steps:

  1. Line a plate or small baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cut the watermelon into 1–1.5 inch chunks so they freeze quickly and evenly.
  3. Arrange the chunks on the parchment-lined sheet, making sure pieces are not overlapping too much.
  4. Freeze for 20–30 minutes until solid. Remove the amount you need for the recipe and return any extra to a freezer-safe bag for later use.

Use Frozen Fruit, Not Ice

For the creamiest, most flavor-forward smoothies, use frozen fruit instead of fresh fruit or ice. Fresh fruit releases more liquid and ice dilutes flavor and can make the smoothie watery. Frozen fruit creates both the chill and thickness you want while keeping nutrients intact.

If you don’t keep frozen fruit on hand, freeze extra berries or sliced fruit when you buy them so you always have smoothie-ready ingredients. Freezing for 30–60 minutes is often enough to get the right texture for blending.

A watermelon smoothie in a glass.

Tips for Watermelon Smoothies

Add protein powder

If you want a more filling smoothie for after workouts or as a small meal replacement, add a scoop of your favorite protein powder. This boosts protein content and keeps you satisfied longer.

Frozen bananas create unbeatable creaminess

Frozen bananas are inexpensive and nutrient-dense, and they make smoothies incredibly creamy when blended. If you have extra bananas, slice and freeze them for future smoothies.

A little liquid at a time

Always add the recommended amount of liquid gradually. Start with less and add more until you reach your preferred consistency. You can always add more liquid, but you can’t remove it if the smoothie becomes too thin.

A watermelon smoothie in a glass.
A watermelon smoothie in a glass.

More Smoothie Ideas

Smoothie Recipes

Use the same basic principles—frozen fruit, frozen banana for creaminess, and minimal added liquid—to make a wide range of smoothies such as pineapple, tropical green, peanut butter green, blueberry banana, and many more variations.

Recipe Summary

Yield: 2 servings

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 0 minutes

Total time: 10 minutes

Watermelon Smoothie

Blend all of these refreshing ingredients together for a creamy, bright smoothie that highlights the natural sweetness of watermelon and berries.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups frozen watermelon chunks
  • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1/4 cup vanilla Greek yogurt (or any vanilla yogurt)
  • 1/2 large banana, frozen or fresh
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Freeze the watermelon on a parchment-lined baking sheet for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Reserve 1 1/2 cups frozen watermelon for the recipe and store any extra in a freezer bag for later.
  3. Combine the frozen watermelon, frozen strawberries, yogurt, banana, almond milk, and vanilla extract in a high-speed blender.
  4. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Add more milk a tablespoon at a time if a thinner texture is desired.
  5. Pour into glasses and enjoy right away.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 124 kcal, Carbohydrates: 24 g, Protein: 4 g, Fat: 2 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 17 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.

Enjoyed this recipe?

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