Yogurt and watermelon are two popular and refreshing foods that are often enjoyed separately as snacks or as part of a meal. But what happens when you combine yogurt and watermelon together? Let’s take a closer look at whether or not yogurt and watermelon can be successfully mixed together.
The Texture of Yogurt and Watermelon
One of the first things to consider when mixing any two foods together is how their textures will combine. Yogurt tends to have a thick, creamy, smooth texture while watermelon is made up of watery, juicy flesh. This difference in textures means that simply mixing yogurt and watermelon together won’t quite work.
The watery juice of the watermelon will end up thinning out the yogurt too much. You’ll just end up with a runny mess rather than a nice, thick, smooth treat. So if you want to enjoy yogurt and watermelon together, some extra steps need to be taken to make their textures more compatible.
Turning Watermelon into a Puree
One way to better mix yogurt and watermelon is to turn the watermelon into a puree first. This can be done by blending up watermelon cubes or balls in a food processor or blender.
Once the watermelon has been pureed, it will have a thicker, smoother texture much more similar to yogurt. The puree will still contain all the sweet, refreshing watermelon flavor, just in a thicker form that won’t negatively impact the yogurt texture.
Here are some tips for making watermelon puree:
- Make sure watermelon is ripe for maximum sweetness.
- Remove rind and seeds first.
- Cut watermelon into 1-2 inch cubes or balls.
- Blend in blender or food processor until smooth.
- Add a splash of water if needed to blend properly.
The watermelon puree can then be swirled or layered into the yogurt for a smooth, creamy treat with juicy watermelon flavor.
Turning Yogurt into a Dip
Another option is to turn the yogurt into more of a dip or sauce consistency to better mix with watermelon chunks.
To turn yogurt into a dip, you’ll need to strain it first. This removes some of the whey, making it thicker. Then you can incorporate some extra ingredients to enhance the flavor and texture.
Here is a simple yogurt dip recipe to serve with watermelon slices:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- Pinch of salt
- Line a strainer with cheesecloth and strain yogurt for 2-3 hours.
- Mix strained yogurt with lemon juice, honey, lemon zest and salt.
- Refrigerate dip for 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to blend.
- Serve chilled yogurt dip with fresh watermelon slices for dipping.
The thicker, tangy yogurt dip will stick nicely to the juicy watermelon slices for a refreshing, flavorful snack or dessert.
Mixing Yogurt and Watermelon in Drinks
Using yogurt and watermelon together in drink form is another way to evenly mix these two ingredients. The liquid state makes it easy to distribute both components throughout smoothly.
Some delicious yogurt and watermelon drink ideas include:
- Watermelon Yogurt Smoothie – Blend watermelon, yogurt, honey, mint, ice.
- Watermelon Lassi – Mix watermelon puree with yogurt, ice, sugar and cardamom.
- Watermelon Yogurt Milkshake – Blend yogurt, milk, watermelon, honey, vanilla.
In drink form, the creamy yogurt and refreshing watermelon combine perfectly to create a soothing, energizing beverage.
Yogurt and Watermelon Dessert Ideas
In addition to drinks, yogurt and watermelon pair deliciously together in a variety of sweet dessert recipes.
Here are a few yogurt and watermelon dessert ideas:
- Watermelon Yogurt Pops – Puree watermelon and swirl into yogurt, then freeze in molds.
- Watermelon Yogurt Cake – Fold watermelon puree into cake batter with yogurt for moisture.
- Watermelon Yogurt Bark – Layer yogurt, watermelon puree and nuts or seeds in a pan and freeze.
- Watermelon Cups with Yogurt Whip – Pipe sweetened yogurt whip into hollowed watermelon halves.
The options are endless for combining these two summer favorites into crowd-pleasing sweets.
Nutritional Benefits
In addition to their great flavors, both yogurt and watermelon offer stellar nutritional benefits. Here is how they can nutritionally complement each other:
Yogurt Nutrition
- High in protein – Yogurt provides an excellent source of dietary protein which helps build muscle, bone and skin health.
- Probiotics – The live cultures in yogurt promote gut and immune health.
- Calcium – Yogurt is high in calcium which aids bone strength and nerve functioning.
- Vitamin B12 – Contains vitamin B12 important for cell metabolism and energy levels.
Watermelon Nutrition
- Hydration – Watermelon is over 90% water, providing great hydration.
- Vitamin C – Rich in this antioxidant vitamin that supports immunity and skin health.
- Lycopene – Watermelon contains this antioxidant linked to heart health benefits.
- Vitamin A – Important for eye health, watermelon has this nutrient.
By combining yogurt and watermelon, you integrate the protein, probiotics and vitamins found in yogurt with the hydration, antioxidants and vitamins provided by watermelon for a nutritious snack or meal addition.
Potential Downsides
While yogurt and watermelon pair well nutritionally and can make for delicious combos, there are a couple potential downsides to be aware of:
- Sugar content – If adding juices or sugars to recipes, be mindful of total sugar intake.
- Allergies – Those with milk or melon allergies should avoid.
- Storage – Mixtures don’t keep long and need prompt refrigeration.
As long as consumed in moderate amounts and stored properly, yogurt and watermelon can be safely enjoyed together by most people.
Conclusion
Yogurt and watermelon may seem like unlikely partners at first glance. By turning the watermelon into a puree or the yogurt into a dip or dressing, their textures can be better aligned for mixing together. Drinks are another great way to smoothly combine yogurt and watermelon. This duo also unites nutritiously to provide protein, probiotics, antioxidants and vitamins. Feel free to get creative with these two summer favorites by whipping up your own yogurt and watermelon recipes. Just be mindful of added sugars and enjoy yogurt-watermelon creations promptly before their textures start to separate.