Escape the heat and savor the revitalizing flavors of these cold soups! Whether you desire a refreshing and nutritious meal or a delightful snack to keep cool on scorching summer days, these recipes have you covered.
When it comes to summertime obsession, cold soup ranks on the top, alongside salads, cold brew, and everything sweet corn. On hot summer days, nothing quite matches the rejuvenating and thirst-quenching qualities of cold soup, bursting with the vibrant flavors of the season's finest produce. What's more, its taste tends to reach new heights after a day or two of chilling in the refrigerator, making it a convenient option for preparing in advance and having readily available for effortless, stove-free summer dining experiences.
Cold soups are not only delicious, but they also offer a lot of health benefits, including hydration and essential nutrient intake. In this blog, we'll explore a collection of cold soup recipes perfect for those sweltering summer days.
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1. Gazpacho
Gazpacho is a traditional Spanish cold soup that originated in the southern region of Andalusia. It is a refreshing and flavorful dish, popular during the hot summer. Gazpacho is made primarily from raw vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, and garlic.
Ingredients:
- 4 large ripe tomatoes
- 1 cucumber
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 small red onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar or 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Chop tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, onion, and garlic.
- Blend the chopped vegetables until smooth.
- Gradually add olive oil and red wine vinegar while blending.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper.
- Refrigerate the gazpacho for at least 2 hours.
- Serve chilled and garnish as desired.
2. Watermelon Gazpacho
Watermelon gazpacho is a refreshing and delicious variation of the traditional Spanish cold soup, gazpacho. It incorporates the sweet and juicy flavors of watermelon, along with other ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers, and various seasonings.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups seedless watermelon, diced
- 1 cup tomatoes, diced
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 red onion, diced
- 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced (optional)
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Blend watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and jalapeño (if using) until smooth or slightly chunky.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add lime juice, olive oil, or mint. Mix well.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Stir before serving and garnish with additional watermelon, cucumber, or herbs if desired.
Also Check Out: Watermelon Cucumber Salad
3. Cucumber and Avocado Soup
Cucumber and Avocado Soup is a refreshing and creamy cold soup that combines the flavors of cucumber, avocado, and various herbs and spices. It's a perfect dish for hot summer days or when you're looking for a light and healthy meal.
Ingredients:
- 2 large cucumbers, peeled and chopped
- 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup chilled water (adjust as needed)
Instructions:
- In a blender, combine cucumbers, avocados, yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, mint leaves, green onions, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Blend until smooth.
- Gradually add chilled water while blending to achieve desired consistency.
- Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Serve and enjoy!
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4. Borscht (Beetroot Cold Soup)
Borscht is a traditional Eastern European soup that is commonly associated with Ukrainian cuisine, although variations of it can be found in other countries as well. It is a hearty soup made primarily with beets, hence its vibrant red color.
Ingredients:
- 4 medium-sized beets, peeled and grated
- 2 spring onions, finely chopped
- 2 cups plain yogurt or sour cream
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine grated beets and chopped spring onion in a bowl.
- Whisk yogurt (or sour cream) and vegetable broth in a bowl.
- Pour the yogurt mixture into the bowl with the vegetables. Mix well.
- Add lemon juice, chopped dill, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until chilled.
- Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve in bowls and garnish as desired.
Also Try: Beetroot-Dill Yoghurt Salad
5. Potato Cold Soup (Vichyssoise)
Potato cold soup is a delicious, chilled soup that originated in French cuisine. It typically consists of pureed potatoes, leeks, cream, and chicken or vegetable broth.
Ingredients:
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 leeks, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
Sauté leeks in butter until soft.
- Add potatoes, broth, salt, and pepper. Simmer until potatoes are tender.
- Puree the mixture until smooth.
- Stir in heavy cream.
- Chill the soup for at least 2-3 hours.
- Garnish and serve.
(Note: If you can't get leeks, use spring onions instead.)
Conclusion:
Beat the heat this summer with these refreshing cold soup recipes that are bursting with flavor and nutrition. From the classic gazpacho to creative fruit-infused variations, these chilled delights are perfect for enjoying during hot summer days. Whether you're looking for a light lunch option or a refreshing appetizer, these cold soups will provide a much-needed respite from the scorching temperatures while keeping you hydrated and nourished.