Refreshing (and easy) chilled cucumber soup recipe

Perfect for hot summer days, this chilled cucumber soup is a cinch to throw in the blender.

Photo byVinzenz Lorenz M / Pixabay

This is the perfect meal for those hot summer days when you don't even want to turn on your oven. Whip up a tasty cold soup in the blender in a matter of minutes, and dinner is ready.

You can make it as a side dish, or it can be the meal itself. When I make cucumber soup, I like to make up a big batch and serve it with some crusty bread and olive oil for dipping.

Avocado toast also pairs well with the crispness of the cucumbers.

Although this soup blends up in a few minutes, give yourself time to chill it before serving. It's best when kept in the refrigerator for at least four hours, or overnight.

Photo byDenise SpijkeronUnsplash

What's the recipe?

There are several different variations, but most include cucumbers, Greek yogurt, dill, and lemon juice. You can also throw a ripe avocado in for added texture and flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 English cucumbers (peeled, seeded, and roughly chopped)
• 1.5 cups plain Greek yogurt
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 small shallot (roughly chopped)
• 1/3 cup loosely packed fresh dill
• juice from 1/2 a squeezed lemon
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Kosher salt and cracked pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Gather and prepare the ingredients.
2. Throw everything but the salt and pepper into a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Chill for 4+ hours in the refrigerator.

What are English Cucumbers?

Photo byKelly NeilonUnsplash

Also called European or seedless cucumbers, English cucumbers are slimmer and longer than regular cucumbers.

Although you can substitute regular, American cucumbers, English cucumbers are less bitter and have fewer seeds, bringing a better flavor for this simple soup.

Can I substitute dried dill for fresh?

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Fresh dill, also known as dill weed, comes from the dill plant with its feathery green leaves. Using fresh dill truly makes a difference in this recipe.

Fresh dill has a brighter taste than dried, and when you're only using a few ingredients, the quality of each can make a big impact on the dish.

Fresh dill should be easy to find in most grocery stores, however, in a pinch you can substitute one teaspoon of dried dill for every tablespoon of fresh.

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