Chilled Summer Soups To Make Now
Chilled soups can provide a cooling respite from summer's sultry heat. They can make a great start to a light meal or serve as a main course when paired with a fresh salad and warm bread. Gazpachos are uncooked soups usually made with a pureed mixture of fresh tomatoes, peppers, onions, cucumbers, and other fresh ingredients. Chilled soups and gazpachos are a delicious way to use the fresh produce that is spilling out of the farmers' market this season—and we're taking our list of the best chilled summer soups way beyond tomatoes. We're calling on avocados, cucumbers, radishes, corn, bell peppers, and a bevy of fresh herbs to serve up these refreshing summertime dishes. Really looking to up the ante? Serve these cold summer soups in chilled bowls to keep them cold for longer.
Sweet Corn-Bell Pepper Soup
Recipe: Sweet Corn-Bell Pepper Soup
This is summer's finest bounty, by the bowlful. It's best to seek out orange bell peppers rather than substituting for another variety.
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Chilled Radish-and-Avocado Soup
Recipe: Chilled Radish-and-Avocado Soup
Cold sparkling water is not a typo in the ingredient list. It brings just a hint of bubbly interest to the palate with each spoonful.
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Cucumber-Buttermilk Soup
Recipe: Cucumber-Buttermilk Soup
Our tangy and fresh Cucumber-Buttermilk Soup is going to be your summertime go-to. Fresh mint and tarragon give it wonderful flavor.
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Peach and Tomato Gazpacho with Cucumber Yogurt
Recipe: Peach and Tomato Gazpacho with Cucumber Yogurt
This light refreshing soup captures summer in a bowl. To up the refreshment factor, chill your serving bowls for 30 minutes in the fridge before serving.
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Summer Tomato Water Soup
Recipe: Summer Tomato Water Soup
This refreshing "salad in a soup" incorporates a lot of abundant summer produce, like tomatoes, cucumber, yellow squash and blueberries.
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Green Tomato Soup with Lump Crabmeat
Recipe: Green Tomato Soup with Lump Crabmeat
Make this peppery soup and easy crab salad up to a day ahead, and then stash them in the fridge to chill.
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Chilled Cucumber Soup
Recipe: Chilled Cucumber Soup
Cucumbers, avocado, basil leaves, and fresh flat-leaf parsley give this chilled soup its vibrant color and lively flavor. The whole dish comes together in your blender. Just process, chill, plate, and serve with a drizzle of olive oil and garnish of thinly sliced cucumber, basil leaves, and fresh cracked black pepper.
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Chilled Strawberry Soup
Recipe: Chilled Strawberry Soup
Quick, tangy and sweet, this soup thickens as it cools. Serve in pretty vintage china cups.
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Watercress-Buttermilk Soup
Recipe: Watercress-Buttermilk Soup
This beautiful and creamy soup serves as a lovely start to a brunch or ladies' luncheon. Look for watercress with small, bright green leaves and thin stems.
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Pepper Gazpacho
Recipe: Pepper Gazpacho
For a quick and easy light summer meal, pair this Pepper Gazpacho with a grilled cheese sandwich or your favorite panini.
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Creamy Cucumber Soup
Recipe: Creamy Cucumber Soup
English, or hothouse, cucumbers have thin skins, few seeds, and mild flavor. English cucumbers are sold wrapped in plastic, rather than coated in wax.
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Green Goddess Soup with Lump Crabmeat
Recipe: Green Goddess Soup with Lump Crabmeat
Serve this soup accompanied by thin slices of baguette brushed with melted butter, toasted and sprinkled with sea salt.
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Summer Gazpacho with Avocado West Indies Salad
Recipe: Summer Gazpacho with Avocado West Indies Salad
Serve this no-cook gazpacho immediately after it is prepared for a busy weeknight, or make it ahead and chill it. The flavors will brighten even more.
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Chilled Blueberry Soup
Recipe: Chilled Blueberry Soup
This sweet and creamy soup is a delicious way to use up the season's abundant blueberries. Stir in a dollop of plain yogurt for an even creamier creation.
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Chilled Zucchini Soup
Recipe: Chilled Zucchini Soup
Refreshing Chilled Zucchini Soup is full of fresh flavors and just the ticket for a summer lunch or light supper. Make this soup ahead and store up to 2 days.
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Chilled Carrot Soup
Recipe: Chilled Carrot Soup
Serve Chilled Carrot Soup as an elegant appetizer or let it be a part of your colorful brunch menu.
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Avocado Soup with Marinated Shrimp
Recipe: Avocado Soup with Marinated Shrimp
Instead of bowls, consider using martini glasses or other fun glassware to serve this soup.
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Chunky Tomato Fruit Gazpacho
Recipe: Chunky Tomato Fruit Gazpacho
The mango, melon, and peaches, along with the cucumbers, give the gazpacho a sweet spin. Don't seed the jalapeño if you like a soup with more zip.
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Avocado Soup
Recipe: Avocado Soup
The rich tropical flavor and buttery texture of avocadoes are unmistakable. Their abundance in the summertime makes them an ideal ingredient in the Southern kitchen.
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Sweet Pea-Avocado Soup
Recipe: Sweet Pea-Avocado Soup
Find a prettier summer soup—we dare you. Our Sweet Pea-Avocado Soup calls on stunning radishes, ripe avocados, scallions, honey, and a bit of green pepper hot sauce for the perfect bite.
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Cold Cucumber Soup
Recipe: Cold Cucumber Soup
Dried dill weed, Worcestershire sauce, and celery salt bring a unique flavor profile to this chilled cucumber soup. Garnish each serving with a few thinly sliced cucumber half moons.