Food and Recipes Dish Soup Chilled Summer Soups to Make When It's Hot Outside By Patricia S York Patricia S York Assistant Food Editor Pat is an Assistant Editor at Southern Living and has been a part of the team since 2006. She works with the Senior Food Editor to plan monthly print food features and stories that will highlight Southerners making a difference through food, share delicious recipes that utilize seasonal produce, and offer exceptional reader service. Pat also writes digital content on a variety of topics including cooking, gardening, and pets.One of the reasons Pat enjoys living in Birmingham is because it is centrally located between the mountains and the Gulf coast. She spends her free time gardening, hiking with her dogs, and pursuing her goal of becoming a better horsewoman. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on July 21, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis While you may generally think of soup as a dish to serve during cooler months of the year, 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. 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, watermelon, cucumbers, radishes, corn, bell peppers, and a bevy of fresh herbs to serve up these refreshing summertime dishes. If you're looking to really up the ante, serve these cold summer soups in chilled bowls by placing the bowls in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving. It'll keep the soup cold for longer. 01 of 07 Cucumber-Buttermilk Soup Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry 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. 02 of 07 Green Tomato Gazpacho Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely Recipe: Green Tomato Gazpacho Bright, fresh green tomatoes combine with English cucumber, bell pepper, onion, and loads of tender herbs for a truly refreshing summer soup. 03 of 07 Sweet Corn-Bell Pepper Soup Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry 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. 04 of 07 Chilled Radish-and-Avocado Soup Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox 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. 05 of 07 Watermelon Gazpacho Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele Recipe: Watermelon Gazpacho This light refreshing soup captures summer in a bowl. Chill for at least 30 minutes to ensure that it's chilled thoroughly. 06 of 07 Sweet Pea-Avocado Soup Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry 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. 07 of 07 Chilled Cucumber Soup Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis 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. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit