“Waiter, my soup is cold!”
This is an excellent gazpacho recipe for anyone who loves fresh summer flavors!
Classic gazpacho is one of the most refreshing dishes you can serve on a warm day. Originating in the Andalusian region of southern Spain, this chilled tomato-based soup celebrates the flavors of ripe summer vegetables. No cooking is required; you can prepare it quickly and let the refrigerator do the rest.
The beauty of gazpacho lies in its simplicity and freshness. You’ll blend juicy tomatoes with crisp cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, onions, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and a touch of seasoning. The result is a smooth, vibrant soup that bursts with flavor and cools you down with every spoonful.
To make the best gazpacho, use the freshest produce you can find—especially ripe, in-season tomatoes. Let the soup chill for a couple of hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld. You can enjoy gazpacho on its own as a light lunch or pair it with crusty bread, grilled seafood, or tapas for a full summer meal.
In this post, I’ll guide you step-by-step through making authentic classic gazpacho at home. Once you try it, this easy, healthy soup will become a staple in your summer kitchen!
Gazpacho Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups tomato juice cold, I use V8 juice
- 1 small onion minced
- 2 cups tomatoes freshly diced
- 1 cup green pepper minced
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 cucumber diced
- 2 scallions chopped
- juice of ½ lemon
- juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried tarragon and basil if you have fresh, use 1 tablespoon
- 1 teaspoon dried basil if you have fresh, use 1 tablespoon
- 1 dash ground cumin
- ¼ cup parsley freshly chopped
- 1 dash Tabasco sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 lemon for garnish
Instructions
- Process all the ingredients except for the tomato juice in a food processor. Don't over process the ingredients.
- Then combine that with the tomato juice in a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.
- If you don't have a food processor you can try processing the ingredients in a blender with a little tomato juice. You may have to prepare it in batches.
- I like to serve this with a fresh baguette that I also purchase at our Farmer's Market.
Tips for Incredible Gazpacho
Tip | Description |
| Use ripe, in-season tomatoes | Sweet, juicy tomatoes give gazpacho its signature flavor. Avoid pale or underripe tomatoes. |
| Balance acidity | Taste and adjust lemon juice and vinegar carefully so the soup stays bright but not overly tart. |
| Chill for best flavor | Let the gazpacho chill for at least 2 hours before serving; the flavors will meld and improve. |
| Season generously | Cold dishes often need more salt than warm ones. Taste after chilling and adjust the seasoning. |
| Choose quality olive oil | A good extra-virgin olive oil adds richness and rounds out the flavors. |
| Blend to your preference | For a silky soup, blend longer and strain through a fine sieve. For rustic texture, pulse briefly. |
| Don’t over-blend cucumbers | Blending cucumbers too long can make the soup bitter. Add them toward the end if needed. |
| Garnish for contrast | Add diced vegetables, croutons, herbs, or a drizzle of olive oil for visual appeal and texture. |
| Serve very cold | Chill your bowls or glasses in the fridge or freezer for an extra-refreshing serving. |
| Make ahead | Gazpacho keeps well for up to 3 days, so you can prepare it ahead of time for easy meals. |
Soup in the summer?
Gazpacho is a classic Spanish dish, also enjoyed throughout Portugal, that you serve chilled.
You prepare it in a blender or food processor, but don’t mistake it for a smoothie—this is a flavorful, refreshing soup. Its signature zesty taste comes from a tomato base brightened with lemon juice, wine vinegar, and a variety of fresh ingredients.
Packed with vegetables, gazpacho often earns the nickname “liquid salad.” It’s both delicious and incredibly easy to make, which is why we love it.
You can blend it until smooth or leave it slightly chunky, depending on your preference. The key is starting with the freshest vegetables you can find. This recipe calls for onions, tomatoes, and peppers, but feel free to use whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand.
In our kitchen, my wife makes a big batch of gazpacho several times each summer. We serve it as an appetizer or side dish—perfect for cooling down during a heat wave. Aside from a bit of chopping, this is one of the easiest and most refreshing dishes you can prepare.
Other Great Cold Soups for the Summer Heat
Cold Soup | Description |
| Watermelon Gazpacho | A sweet and savory twist on traditional gazpacho, combining ripe watermelon with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and a splash of vinegar for a cooling summer soup. |
| Vichyssoise | A creamy French-style cold soup made from pureed leeks, potatoes, onions, cream, and chicken broth. Smooth and velvety with a mild onion flavor. |
| Cucumber Soup | A light and refreshing soup made with blended cucumbers, yogurt or sour cream, garlic, and fresh herbs like dill or mint. Often served chilled as a summer starter. |
| Beetroot Soup (Cold Borscht) | A vibrant Eastern European cold soup featuring pureed beets, sometimes combined with sour cream and fresh herbs, offering an earthy and tangy taste. |
| Avocado Soup | A creamy and cool soup made from blended avocado, lime juice, and herbs, often served with a touch of spice or garnished with fresh vegetables. |
| Cold Pea Soup | Made from fresh or frozen peas pureed with mint, lemon juice, and broth or yogurt, this soup is sweet, bright, and very refreshing. |
| Fruit Soup | A sweet cold soup made from blended fruits such as berries, melons, or stone fruits, often combined with citrus juices and a hint of spice or herbs for complexity. |
One Response
I have never tried gazpacho before! I would love to try this and I really like the idea of mixing in the chopped veggies and letting everything sit. So no cooking involved! There will be a lot of gazpacho in my future this summer. I will have to keep an eye out for that cookbook when we start hitting garage sales. 🙂