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Salted watermelon ice is a simple, refreshing, 4-ingredient treat that features watermelon and salt. While it may sound like an odd combo, trust me- they are a match made in heaven!
There comes a time when you just have to put your foot down and embrace your inner crazy …er, genius. I denied myself (and consequentially, the world) this recipe for salted watermelon ice for far too long.
Salt is to watermelon as lime juice is to tequila …as basil is to whiskey …as mint is to gin …as (apparently) Cassy is to a cocktail right about now.
They’re a perfect match. I’m not sure if it started with one brave brilliant soul who brought their salt shaker out to the backyard watermelon chow-down -or- if brave brilliant souls around the world gave a collective “what the heck” and embraced the strange culinary/sensory breakthrough. Either way, I’m grateful to you. I’m also grateful to my Mother for passing this tradition down to her hungry daughters.
The salt really helps to balance out the sweetness of the watermelon. If you’re looking for a health excuse, the Nutrition Consultant in me is obligated to tell you that the addition of salt (a vital electrolyte) to the lemon juice in this recipe and the sugars in the watermelon could make it an almost-suitable recovery refreshment for post-workout sweaty athletes.
Also, salted watermelon ice is delicious and tastes like summer.
The watermelon puree comes together in about 5 minutes and then your ice cream maker and/or freezer do the rest of the work.
As my directions say below, I recommend freezing the whole batch for 3 hours THEN spooning into individual bowls and freezing again until hard. These disposable paper bowls are just perfect. I’ve found that the mid-freeze step makes portioning much easier and also makes your job as a summer BBQ host/hostess much more streamlined.
At the end of the day, if you just can’t wait for the freezer to do its magic, just pour the puree over ice, add a glug of vodka, and call me because I’ll be right over.
Happy weekend!
Ingredients
- 8 cups seedless watermelon
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Puree all ingredients together until smooth in either a food processor or blender.
- Pour the puree into an ice cream maker and follow the manufacture's instructions.
- If you do not have an ice cream maker, pour the puree into a freezer-safe bowl. Freeze for about 3 hours, or until it is firm but still loose, and spoon the ice into individual serving bowls. Freeze the bowls until firm and then serve!
sadowdell says
Watermelon is paleo-approved?
Kelly says
Hi! Yes, watermelon is approved if you are following a paleo lifestyle. Since it is just a natural fruit it is a go!
Emily says
This turned out wonderful!!! Consistency was perfect.
Kelly says
So glad you enjoyed it Emily, thank you for trying it!
Thalia says
Love love love this recipe! I could LIVE off watermelon.. so I totally am craving a bowlful of this salted watermelon ice right now. The perfect Summer cooler definitely.
Kelly says
Hi Thalia! I completely agree, summer = watermelon 🙂
Kate says
This looks delicious but I’m also drooling over your little brown cups! Did you cover the white ones you linked to, or are these available somewhere (my excited google search was fruitless).
Kelly says
Hi Kate! Cassy linked the closest ones she could find, but found the original at Hobby Lobby. The paper idea is a good idea though if you can only find white.
Angela says
Could honey be used in place of the maple syrup?
Kelly says
Hi Angela, honey should work instead of the maple syrup. Hope you try it!
kathy says
This is right up my alley. I have always salted my melon
.have you tried pepper on cantaloupe..it is also delicious.
Kelly says
Hi Kathy! I haven’t tried that, but it sounds good. Thanks for the tip and hope you enjoyed this recipe!
Alita says
will this work as a Popsicle?
Kelly says
Hi Alita, it hasn’t been tested as a popsicle, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. If you try it, please let us know how it goes. Thanks!
Tavis says
Saw this on IG, really wanted to check it out. Unfortunately google ads had other plans and keeps posting ads over the instructions/ingredients
Thanks for your hard work and creative genius tho! You’re great Lady!
Heather says
Hi there!
I’m trying to access the recipe but the ads block me from seeing it!? 🙁 Just thought I’d give you a heads up in case I’m not the only one running into this.
Looks delicious!
-Heather
Angelica says
Hi! Is there any place to access this recipie or is the link still down? Dying to try. Thanks for all your hard work and fabulous recipes