Make this easy watermelon sorbet using just three ingredients and without an ice cream maker! Plus get tips on how to pick the sweetest watermelons this summer!

Watermelon Sorbet | Make this easy watermelon sorbet recipe using just three ingredients and without an ice cream maker! | A Sweet Pea Chef

Can I just say how much I love summer?

I mean, really. Isn't it just the best time of year?

Even at almost 39 weeks pregnant, I gotta say there's something about summer that is so free, kicked back, and peaceful for me that I don't mind that heat...that much.

Thankfully, this watermelon sorbet has my back right now, too.

I mean, c'mon now... Vibrant flavor. Beautiful color. Easy to make. Simple and delicious. It's perfect for summer!

Hand holding a single slice of watermelon, ready to be frozen and turned into watermelon sorbet.

Diced watermelon without the rind laying on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ready to freeze to be turned into watermelon sorbet.

How To Make Watermelon Sorbet Without An Ice Cream Maker

A lot of people think they need an ice cream maker in order to make ice cream or homemade watermelon sorbet, when it's actually not the case. All you need is some sort of heavy duty blender, like this food processor or a kitchen blender and you're good to go. Personally, I prefer using my food processor to make a sorbet recipe because it's easier to process the frozen fruit evenly.

How to Freeze Watermelon for Sorbet

Watermelon is a great fruit to make into a sorbet without an ice cream maker because it freezes so well - all you have to do it remove the rind and dice it into chunks. Then, lay the chunks out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and freeze. I usually place mine in my freezer overnight, but it'll be good to use within 4-5 hours for sure. You want the frozen watermelon to be fully frozen so it doesn't turn to a slushy as you blend it for the sorbet.

The three stages of making watermelon sorbet using a food processor, from the frozen chunks to the crumbly watermelon to smooth sorbet.

Overhead image of two glass cups filled with watermelon sorbet, along with fresh watermelon slices and lime wedges, ready to eat.

Is Watermelon Sorbet Healthy?

This watermelon sorbet is free from processed ingredients and refined sugar, which instantly makes it healthier than any other sorbet or ice cream you’ll find in the stores. It's what I love so much about making any easy fruit sorbet this way. It's the perfect frozen dessert!

The great thing about this sorbet is that it uses the naturally sweet and hydrating flavors of watermelon, optionally enhanced with a bit of raw honey, and the squeeze of fresh lime juice or even lemon juice gives it that tart and tangy flavor and makes the watermelon pop. Super delicious and screams (a healthy!) summer. Also: a big bonus is that this easy watermelon sorbet recipe is paleo, dairy free, and clean eating since it only contains a few simple, natural ingredients!

How To Pick The Sweetest Watermelon for Watermelon Sorbet

The easiest way to make the best watermelon sorbet is to pick the sweetest watermelon available. When you freeze watermelon, it will taste slightly less sweet than it does when it's fresh, so the sweeter the better. Here are some of my best tips for how to pick the sweetest watermelon at the store:

When you pick up the watermelon, whether it's small, medium, or large, it should feel heavy for it's size.
Check to see if the yellow spot is a creamy yellow color. Watermelons develop a yellow-ish spot on the bottom where they rest on the ground while they grow. If this spot is creamy yellow, it's nice and ripe.
Gently tap the bottom of the watermelon. If you hear a deep, hollow sound, the watermelon is ripe. If you hear a dull sound, the watermelon is likely either under- or over-ripe.

Follow these steps and you'll be certain to pick the very best watermelon of the bunch, making your sorbet all the better.

If you happen to not have a very sweet watermelon, you can always add a little raw honey into the mixture to sweeten things up.

Close-up image of watermelon sorbet, ready to eat, with fresh watermelon and lime wedges sitting next to it

More Fruit Sorbet & Ice Cream Recipes

One of my favorite things to make during the summer is sorbet and healthy ice creams using fresh fruit. Now that you've made this homemade watermelon sorbet, here are some of my absolute favorite frozen fresh fruit recipes that I hope you try:

Plus, all of these recipes are made without using an ice cream maker, so once you learn how to make watermelon sorbet, you'll know how easy it is to make all of these frozen sweet treats.

Watermelon Sorbet

Lacey Baier

Make this easy watermelon sorbet using just three ingredients and without an ice cream maker!

4.67 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Freezing 4

Total Time 4 10

Course Dessert

Cuisine French

Servings

Calories 30 kcal

Equipment

*This post may contain affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.

Ingredients

▢ 3 ½ cups fresh seedless watermelon chunks, (about ½ medium watermelon)
▢ 2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice
▢ ¼ cup warm water, as needed
▢ raw honey (optional), to taste (if watermelon isn't very sweet)

Instructions

Freeze watermelon chunks overnight. I lay mine out on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Place the frozen watermelon chunks in food processor or heavy duty blender, along with lime juice, and allow to sit for 5 minutes to slightly thaw.
Blend until smooth. You may need to add some of the warm water and press down with a spatula to help the process along.
Eat immediately for a softer texture, or transfer into a freezer-safe container and freeze for 3-4 hours or until firm.

Video

Notes

This recipe has been updated to be a clean-eating approved recipe. If you're looking for the previous recipe, it called for 6-7 cups fresh watermelon, 3 tbsp. lime juice, 1 ¼ cups water and 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar. To see how to make this recipe, you can click here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cupCalories: 30 kcalCarbohydrates: 10.3 gProtein: 0.6 gFat: 0.1 gSodium: 1.9 mgFiber: 0.7 gSugar: 6.5 g

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