Watermelon Ice Cream

This homemade watermelon ice cream only requires four simple ingredients: watermelon, sweetened condensed milk, fresh lime juice, and salt.

Southern Living Watermelon Ice Cream scooped into bowls to serve
Photo:

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Buffy Hargett

Active Time:
10 mins
Freeze Time:
8 hrs
Total Time:
8 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
12

Homemade watermelon ice cream only requires four simple ingredients: watermelon, sweetened condensed milk, fresh lime juice, and salt. The watermelon is frozen until firm, processed until smooth with the remaining ingredients, then frozen again. The hardest part about this recipe is the wait time, because everything else is a cinch to pull together.

This watermelon ice cream is the perfect shade of pink, and makes a fun treat for celebratory events with a sweet theme, like bridal parties, weddings, or baby showers. If watermelon is not your top choice, our Test Kitchen suggested trying the mixture with other fruit, like cantaloupe, honeydew, or peaches.

Learn how to make watermelon ice cream. When you're ready to start scooping, serve it in a bowl or waffle cone.

What Does Watermelon Ice Cream Taste Like?

With a refreshing and sweet flavor, watermelon ice cream takes everything you love about fresh watermelon, and elevates it with the richness of condensed milk, tart flavor of fresh lime, and a touch of salt for balance.

The high water content of watermelon creates a light, fluffy texture when the frozen fruit is pulverized in the food processor, and a creamy texture with the other ingredients in the mix. If you wondered if it was possible to find watermelon more refreshing on a hot summer day, we may have just figured out a way.

Ingredients for Watermelon Ice Cream

Just four ingredients are needed to create watermelon ice cream, and two of them are probably already in your pantry. To make watermelon ice cream, you'll need:

  • Seedless watermelon: Gives the ice cream its pink color and refreshing flavor.
  • Sweetened condensed milk: Sweetens and thickens the ice cream.
  • Fresh lime juice: Brightens and enhances the watermelon flavor.
  • Kosher salt: Enhances and balances the sweet flavor of the ice cream.
Southern Living Watermelon Ice Cream ingredients

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Buffy Hargett

How To Make Watermelon Ice Cream

With the freezing time needed to get the texture of this ice cream right, it may be best to make it the day before serving, so you're ready to scoop when the heat of the day kicks in. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

  • Step 1. Freeze watermelon: Freeze watermelon cubes on a parchment-lined baking sheet 4 to 24 hours.
  • Step 2. Process ice cream: Process frozen watermelon, condensed milk, lime juice, and salt in a food processor (in batches, if needed) until smooth.
  • Step 3. Freeze: Transfer to a sealable container; cover and freeze until firm.

How To Choose the Best Watermelon for Ice Cream

For the dreamiest, most refreshing watermelon ice cream, make sure to choose a ripe, sweet watermelon. You'll know your watermelon is ready to cut open if it has a dark color, a dull rind, and feels heavy for it's size. Lift two similar watermelons and compare their weights to know for sure. A ripe watermelon should also echo back a "thump" when tapped, and have some sugar spots, or webbing, on its surface.

Ways To Serve Watermelon Ice Cream

This watermelon ice cream is refreshing and delicious all on its own, but feel free to get creative when serving for a summery dessert everyone will love. Some toppings that pair well with watermelon ice cream include whipped cream, whipped coconut cream, tropical fruits like mango and pineapple, fresh berries, toasted coconut shavings, chopped nuts, caramel sauce, mint or basil leaves, or an old favorite—rainbow sprinkles.

If you really want to think outside the box, save a ring of fresh watermelon rind and fill with ice cream for DIY watermelon ice cream slices, or portion the ice cream into popsicle molds for a handheld treat. You can also scoop it into ice cream tacos or ice cream sandwiches, or make a boozy, adults-only float with vodka or tequila, and lemon-lime soda.

How To Store Watermelon Ice Cream

Tightly wrapped or sealed, watermelon ice cream can last in the freezer for up to two weeks. Using an airtight container will help reduce the likelihood of freezer burn or the addition of any freezer odors. Avoid letting the ice cream sit on the counter too long while serving—this can cause it to melt and re-freeze, causing an icy texture.

Southern Living Watermelon Ice Cream in the loaf pan to serve

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Buffy Hargett

More Homemade Ice Cream Recipes You'll Love

Whether you have an ice cream maker or prefer no-churn ice cream, these homemade varieties are every bit as good (if not better) than store-bought:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Ingredients

  • 7 cups cubed seedless watermelon (from 1 small watermelon)

  • 1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

  • 1/3 cup fresh lime juice (from about 3 limes)

  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Directions

  1. Freeze watermelon:

    Arrange watermelon cubes evenly on a large rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until frozen, at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.

    Southern Living Watermelon Ice Cream freezing the watermelon pieces

    Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Buffy Hargett

  2. Make ice cream mixture:

    Working in batches, if needed, process frozen watermelon, condensed milk, lime juice, and salt in a food processor until completely smooth, 3 to 4 minutes.

    Southern Living Watermelon Ice Cream processing the ice cream ingredients together

    Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Buffy Hargett

  3. Freeze ice cream:

    Transfer mixture to a large sealable container. Cover and freeze until firm, about 4 hours.

    Southern Living Watermelon Ice Cream in the loaf pan ready to serve

    Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Buffy Hargett

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is my watermelon ice cream icy or hard?

    The high water content of fresh watermelon can make for a slightly icy result. To keep it creamy, process as directed, then seal and freeze just until firm before serving, keeping the texture smooth and scoopable. You can also experiment with adding a tablespoon of vodka, tequila, or rum to the mix—alcohol will lower the freezing point of the ice cream, keeping it scoopable and creamy.

  • Can I add other fruits to watermelon ice cream?

    Feel free to substitute part of the quantity of watermelon for other types of fruits as desired.

  • How long does homemade ice cream last in the freezer?

    This ice cream should last about two weeks if stored tightly in the freezer, and possibly even longer.

Additional reporting by
Katie Rosenhouse
Katie Rosenhouse
Katie Rosenhouse is a pastry chef and food writer with over 15 years of experience in the culinary arts. She's worked as a pastry chef in some of the finest restaurants in New York City, as a culinary instructor, and as a recipe developer.

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