What's the best way to cool down this summer? A bowl of chilled soup. Not only are cold soups wonderfully refreshing and delicious, they're also perfect for using up leftover seasonal produce.
Many cold soup recipes call for little to no cooking. And, as they need time to chill, they're all make-ahead. Another plus? Chilled soups can be made in big batches and frozen for later, just like their hot counterparts. Simply divide the soup into freezer-safe containers, then pop them in the freezzer for meals at a later date. When you know you'd like to enjoy them within the next day or two, transfer the frozen soup in the refrigerator until thawed.
Add a chilled soup recipe (or three) to your repertoire and make these fresh, flavorful dishes that taste like summer.
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Spring-Pea-and-Spinach Vichyssoise
This vibrant chilled soup gets it's smooth texture from puréed potatoes and leeks, along with the peas and spinach that give it the brilliant color. It's vegan if you skip the swirl of crème fraîche for serving.
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Chilled Corn Soup with Corn Custard
Martha's take on chilled soup features individual corn custards in each bowl. The soup is delicious without the savory custard too. The recipe uses just a few ingredients and gets maximum flavor from the corn, using the corn cobs for a simple stock and pureeing the corn kernels and "milk" along with sautéed onion for a silky-textured soup.
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Zucchini Coconut Soup
Make the most of summer's bounty of squash with this cold zucchini soup. Featuring a base of canned coconut milk and potatoes, it's pleasantly rich and creamy. Plus, the soup takes just 30 minutes to prepare, making it an excellent make-ahead meal.
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Chilled Melon, Cucumber, and Mint Soup
Made with three of the most cooling ingredients, this melon, cucumber, and mint soup will be your new summer staple. The recipe also calls for strained yogurt, but you can make it dairy-free by using unflavored soy, coconut, or almond yogurt.
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Spanish Gazpacho
Blend tomatoes, bell pepper, and orange juice for a soup that tastes like summer in a bowl. The recipe also calls for chunks of white bread, which gives this gazpacho its delicious texture. If you'd like, finish off the dish with chopped hard-boiled egg and cured ham (like jamón Ibérico) for a more authentic touch.
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Corn Soup with Tomato-Bacon Toasts
For a new way to enjoy corn, blend fresh kernels with sour cream and spices. Serve it cold with tomato bacon toasts for a seasonal riff on the traditional grilled cheese and soup.
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Chilled Sour Cherry Soup
Take a break from the usual smoothies and try this chilled soup instead. Sour cherries are blended with cucumber, garlic, and herbs for a surprising savory twist.
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Chilled Buttermilk Tomatillo Soup
Equal parts tangy and smooth, this cold cream soup pairs beautifully with crusty homemade bread. Top it off with fresh cilantro from the garden or a combo of your favorite herbs.
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Chilled Spanish-Style Tomato Soup
If you have 20 minutes to spare, you can make light and savory soup. It doubles as the perfect canvas for scrumptious toppings, from Spanish olives to Manchego cheese.
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Beet Gazpacho with Shrimp
If you're looking for an elegant no-cook dish, you've found it in this bright beet gazpacho. Make it in a pinch by using vacuum-packed cooked beets and pre-cooked shrimp.
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Chilled Avocado Cucumber Soup
Creamy avocado and cooling cucumber come together in this nutritious green soup. Serve it with crostini, your favorite crackers, or your go-to summer sandwich.
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Yellow Tomato and Peach Gazpacho
Transform summer produce into a sunny, flavor-packed chilled soup. It calls for orange or yellow tomatoes, peaches, and bell peppers blended with fresh basil and sherry vinegar.
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Creamless Creamy Corn Soup
Enjoy a creamy soup sans cream with this summery recipe. The secret lies within corn milk, or the liquid scraped from the cob. Cook it with flour to make a roux, then blend with corn kernels and onion for an enticing dish.
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Watermelon, Jalapeño, and Lemon Soup
With just five ingredients, this refreshing soup proves that tasty dishes don't have to be complicated. Top it off with thinly sliced jalapeño—or don't if you prefer less heat.
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Mango Gazpacho
For a tropical twist on the classic gazpacho, replace the tomatoes with mangoes. The combo of onion, garlic, and rice vinegar complements the sweetness of mango and will make your taste buds sing.
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Tomato Gazpacho with Chicken
When your garden is overflowing with tomatoes, try this easy 40-minute gazpacho. Garnish the soup with cooked chicken (or your go-to protein) for a filling yet light meal.
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