Easy tomato gazpacho soup is a summer must! This refreshing, cold summer soup recipe is loaded with fresh veggies and there are lots of topping and serving ideas!
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Additional TimeAdditional Time2 hourshrs
Total Time2 hourshrs15 minutesmins
Yield: 6-8 servings
Ingredients
2large tomatoes, peeled
1large cucumber, peeled, halved
1onion, peeled and halved
1bell pepper, seeded and quartered (I use green)
24oz.tomato juice, divided
¼cupextra-virgin olive oil
⅓cupred wine vinegar
1 ½teaspoonskosher salt
¼teaspoonblack pepper
a few dashes of hot sauce
1clovegarlic, minced
¼cupchives, finely chopped
Instructions
Blend 1 tomato, ½ of the cucumber, ½ of the onion, ¼ of the bell pepper and ½ cup of the tomato juice in a blender until smooth.
Transfer to a bowl and add remaining tomato juice and the olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and hot sauce.
Cover and chill for 2 or more hours in the refrigerator.
Dice the remaining veggies and refrigerate separate from the soup.
Stir in garlic and chopped veggies before serving. Sprinkle with chives and serve cold.
Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
Texture: I like the texture and taste of having some of the fresh chopped veggies reserved and mixed into the soup before serving. If you want it completely pureed, feel free to blend everything.Chopping: Similarly, chop the vegetables to your desired consistency. You can do a rough chop for a more chunky, rustic soup or a fine chop for a more elegant feel.Peeled tomatoes really help with the texture and consistency of the gazpacho. I just cut the tomatoes in quarters and use a pairing knife to peel back the outer skin from one end to the other.Tomato type: Local summer heirloom tomatoes of course are wonderful in this soup, but it's delicious with regular vine-ripe red tomatoes as well.Cucumber: I prefer to take out some of the inner seeds of the cucumber for the half of the cucumber that’s chopped and mixed into the soup.Spicy: Want it spicy? Add a jalapeño to the blender for some heat.Creamy: Want it a little creamy? Serve with a dollop of marscapone cheese or creme fraiche.Other toppings include grilled or steamed shrimp, croutons or toasted bread slices. This soup also pairs great with grilled cheese or a panini sandwich for a complete meal.Leftovers: Leftovers can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator. It's best enjoyed within 4-5 days.