When the weather gets hot and you’re looking for a refreshing, light, yet satisfying dish, there’s nothing better than a chilled, creamy gazpacho soup. This dish, a star of Spanish cuisine, has been embraced worldwide for its ability to pack vibrant flavors while offering a cooling respite on a hot day. Gazpacho is typically a raw vegetable-based soup, blending fresh ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and garlic, creating a wonderfully balanced combination of sweet, savory, and slightly tangy notes.
But what sets this particular version apart is its creamy texture. This variation adds a velvety smoothness that turns an already delicious dish into something a little extra special-like the gourmet cousin of your standard gazpacho. It’s not just about serving a soup; it’s about serving a comforting, refreshing experience in a bowl. Ready to dive in? Let’s go through the details of this creamy gazpacho recipe that will surely elevate your summer meals.
Creamy Gazpacho Soup Recipe
This creamy gazpacho is perfect for a light lunch or as a starter for a dinner party. It brings together a medley of fresh vegetables, blended with the richness of cream, olive oil, and just the right amount of seasoning. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. No cooking is involved, and the ingredients do most of the work for you.
Ingredients Needed
For this creamy gazpacho, you’ll want to gather the following ingredients. These will help you achieve the perfect balance of creaminess, freshness, and depth of flavor:
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Tomatoes (about 6 large, ripe ones)
- Rich in flavor and the base of this soup. The juiciness of fresh tomatoes adds that refreshing taste to the soup.
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Cucumbers (1 medium-sized)
- They provide that crispness and freshness, with a subtle, cooling flavor that pairs wonderfully with tomatoes.
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Red Bell Pepper (1 large)
- Adds sweetness and a little depth, bringing an earthy note that complements the tangy acidity of the tomatoes.
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Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
- A small amount of garlic adds just the right touch of sharpness, enhancing the soup’s complexity.
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Red Onion (1 small, finely chopped)
- A mild onion adds sweetness and depth, rounding out the flavors without overpowering the soup.
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Olive Oil (¼ cup)
- For that silky finish, high-quality extra virgin olive oil is key to enriching the soup with healthy fats and flavor.
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Sherry Vinegar (1 tablespoon)
- Adds the necessary acidity to balance the natural sweetness of the vegetables and provide a little tangy kick.
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Heavy Cream (¾ cup)
- This is the key ingredient that takes this gazpacho from standard to creamy. It smooths out the texture and lends richness to the soup.
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Salt & Pepper (to taste)
- Essential for balancing all the flavors and bringing out the freshness of the vegetables.
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Ice Cubes (optional, for chilling)
- If you want the soup to be super chilled, adding a few ice cubes when blending can help bring it to the perfect cool temperature quickly.
Cooking Instructions
As with most gazpacho recipes, the beauty lies in the simplicity of the preparation. Follow these steps for a perfectly creamy, refreshing dish:
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Prep Your Vegetables
- Wash all your vegetables thoroughly. Core and chop your tomatoes into chunks. Peel the cucumber, remove the seeds if desired, and chop it into similar-sized pieces. Slice the red bell pepper, remove the seeds, and chop it up as well.
- Mince the garlic and finely chop the red onion for easy blending later.
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Blend The Ingredients
- Add your chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, red bell pepper, garlic, red onion, and olive oil into a blender or food processor.
- Add the sherry vinegar and a pinch of salt and pepper. Blend until everything is completely smooth. At this point, the soup will likely have a slightly chunky texture.
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Add The Cream
- Once the soup has reached a smooth consistency, add the heavy cream. Continue blending until everything is well combined, giving the soup a rich, velvety texture. You’ll notice the color shifting to a soft pink or coral hue-so inviting!
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Adjust For Seasoning
- Taste your gazpacho. Add more salt, pepper, or vinegar as needed. If the soup is too thick, you can add a little water or more olive oil to thin it out to your preferred consistency.
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Chill
- Transfer the soup to a container or bowl, cover it, and place it in the fridge for at least 2 hours. This allows the flavors to meld together and the soup to chill to the perfect temperature.
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Serve
- Before serving, you can optionally add a few ice cubes to the soup for an extra chill. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with finely chopped herbs, such as basil or parsley, for an added touch of freshness.
Ingredient Insights
Each ingredient in this creamy gazpacho serves a distinct purpose, not just for flavor but for texture and balance:
- Tomatoes: High in vitamins A and C, tomatoes are the backbone of gazpacho. Their natural juiciness creates the soup’s base while providing essential antioxidants, including lycopene.
- Cucumbers: Low in calories and packed with water, cucumbers help keep the soup light and hydrating, making them a perfect addition for hot summer days.
- Red Bell Pepper: Rich in vitamin C, red bell peppers add both sweetness and depth, which complements the acidity of the tomatoes beautifully.
- Garlic & Onion: Both garlic and onion add aromatic depth to the soup. Garlic provides that subtle bite that lingers, while onion adds a gentle sweetness, creating layers of flavor.
- Sherry Vinegar: This vinegar adds just enough acidity to balance out the rich creaminess, which is crucial for a well-rounded flavor profile.
- Heavy Cream: The secret to a creamy gazpacho, heavy cream turns the soup from light and watery to a decadent, smooth, and velvety treat.
Expert Tips
- Use ripe tomatoes: The key to any great gazpacho is using tomatoes that are in-season and ripe. They will provide the best flavor and juiciness, making a huge difference in the final result.
- Chill thoroughly: The soup needs to be very cold when served. The flavors deepen and meld together as it chills, and the coldness makes it incredibly refreshing on a hot day.
- Experiment with garnishes: While this soup is delicious on its own, you can elevate the presentation and flavor with toppings. Try garnishing with diced avocado, fresh herbs like cilantro or basil, or a drizzle of more olive oil for extra richness.
- Blending tips: For an extra-smooth texture, you can strain the soup through a fine sieve after blending, though this is optional. This will remove any remaining pulp for an ultra-creamy finish.
- Make ahead: Gazpacho can be made a day in advance, which gives it even more time to chill and allow the flavors to develop.
Recipe Variations
While this creamy gazpacho is already delicious, there’s plenty of room for creative twists:
- Add Fruit: For a sweet contrast, add a little fruit. Watermelon or cantaloupe can pair wonderfully with the vegetables, adding a hint of sweetness and a gorgeous color.
- Spicy Gazpacho: Add a small chili or some cayenne pepper for a little heat. This will create a wonderful contrast to the coolness of the soup.
- Herb Infusion: Try adding different herbs like mint, dill, or tarragon for a different herbal twist. Mint especially pairs beautifully with the cucumbers.
- Vegan Version: To make this recipe vegan, swap the heavy cream for coconut cream or a plant-based cream alternative. You can also leave out the olive oil or use a nut butter as an alternative.
Final Words
Creamy gazpacho is the perfect way to embrace the flavors of summer while keeping your meals light and refreshing. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. Whether you’re making it for a family gathering, a casual lunch, or an elegant dinner party starter, this dish is sure to impress with its vibrant color, fresh taste, and silky texture. And because it’s served cold, it’s an ideal meal when the temperatures soar, offering both comfort and a burst of freshness in every spoonful.