Light, zesty, and slightly acidic, gazpacho is a traditional Spanish chilled soup that has gained worldwide acclaim for its refreshing and vibrant flavors. Originating from the southern region of Andalusia in Spain, this delicious soup blends together the natural savoriness of ripe tomatoes with the crispness of cucumber and the subtle sweetness of red bell pepper. The flavors are then further enhanced by the addition of fresh garlic, rich olive oil, and vinegar, to create a uniquely satisfying soup that is invigorating and incredibly flavorful. And aside from being delicious, one of this soup’s greatest appeals is its simplicity! With just a handful of fresh ingredients and a trusty blender, you can whip this gazpacho recipe together in minutes. Then pour it into your favorite glasses or bowls, garnish it with crunchy croutons, and serve! Whether enjoyed as an easy appetizer or a light main course, gazpacho is the perfect choice to stay cool on hot summer days.
Tomatoes – For the best flavor, choose tomatoes that are ripe and ready to eat. English Cucumber – Adds a lovely refreshing element to the soup. You can also use regular cucumbers if you remove the seeds. Red Bell Pepper – Gives the gazpacho a touch of sweetness. If red bell pepper is not available, you can use a yellow or orange bell pepper. Shallot – Adds a mild and slightly sweet onion flavor that complements the other ingredients. If needed, you can substitute the shallot with red onion. Garlic – Enhances the overall flavor profile and provides a subtle kick. Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Used to add a touch of richness and give the soup a velvety texture. Red Wine Vinegar – Provides the perfect amount of acidity to give the soup some zesty flavor. If you don’t have red wine vinegar, you can substitute it with sherry vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Salt – Used to season the gazpacho and enhance the overall flavor. Black Pepper – Gives the soup just a hint of spice. Croutons – Used for serving, croutons give the soup a little contrast in texture with a nice crunchy finish. You can use store-bought or make your own like I do in my Caesar salad recipe. Fresh Basil – Adds a final touch of freshness and aromatic flavor. Fresh parsley is another option.
You can effortlessly prepare this no-cook soup in a matter of minutes! The most important thing is to use the freshest ingredients for the best flavor. All you need to make this soup is a blender, a food processor, or an immersion blender! No cooking is involved! In my case, I’m using a blender. To begin, put the tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, shallot, minced garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper into your blender. Then tightly secure the lid and puree all the ingredients together until smooth. Depending on the size of your blender you may need to work in batches. Next, cover the pureed soup and put it in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld together and enhances the refreshing taste of the soup. Once the gazpacho has chilled, pour it into individual bowls or glasses. Now, garnish each serving with croutons and a sprinkle of freshly chopped basil. For an extra touch, you can also drizzle the soup with a bit more extra virgin olive. Then serve it immediately and enjoy.
Storage
Leftover gazpacho will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Just give it a quick stir to recombine any separated ingredients before serving. It’s also possible to freeze the soup for up to 3 months. Then when ready, just let it thaw out overnight in the fridge.
Other Soups You’ll Enjoy
French Onion Soup Albondigas Soup Mulligatawny Soup Philly Cheesesteak Soup Italian Wedding Soup Summer Chicken Vegetable Soup Zucchini Soup
