Description
Vibrant green Spanish-inspired cold soup that’s refreshing, nutritious, and perfect for beating the summer heat
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Chill Time: 1+ hours | Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes | Servings: 4-6 as starter, 3-4 as light meal
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium English cucumbers, peeled and diced (about 4 cups)
- 1 large ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach, packed
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2–3 limes)
- 2 green onions, roughly chopped (white and green parts)
- 2 cups high-quality vegetable broth, chilled
- 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and roughly chopped (adjust to taste)
- 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Peel cucumbers completely and dice, removing any large seed pockets that might add bitterness.
- Cut the avocado in half, remove pit, and scoop flesh into your blender—make sure it’s ripe but not mushy.
- Add baby spinach, cilantro, roughly chopped green onions, seeded jalapeño, and garlic to the blender.
- Pour in the chilled vegetable broth and fresh lime juice.
- Blend on high speed for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth and creamy with no visible vegetable pieces.
- Season with salt and pepper, then taste and adjust—add more lime juice for brightness, salt for flavor enhancement.
- The consistency should be like a thin smoothie—add more broth if too thick, or more cucumber/avocado if too thin.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, though 3-4 hours allows flavors to develop fully.
- Stir well before serving and taste again—chilling can mute flavors, so you might need to adjust seasoning.
- Serve ice-cold in chilled bowls with your favorite garnishes.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving, based on 4 servings):
- Calories: 95
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 5g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sodium: 485mg
- Vitamin K: 85% DV (from spinach)
- Vitamin C: 25% DV (from lime and vegetables)
- Folate: 20% DV (from spinach and avocado)
This gazpacho provides hydration, healthy fats, and essential vitamins while being naturally cooling
Notes:
- Seriously, peel those cucumbers completely—the skins add bitterness to cold preparations
- Every jalapeño has different heat levels, so start with less and add more if needed
- If your blender isn’t powerful, work in batches for the smoothest result
- The soup will naturally separate—just stir well before serving
Storage Tips:
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days for best color and flavor
- Always stir well before serving as separation is natural
- Don’t freeze—the texture becomes grainy and unpleasant when thawed
- If it seems too thick after chilling, thin with a little cold water or broth
Serving Suggestions:
- Elegant starter: Serve in small chilled bowls with a drizzle of olive oil
- Light lunch: Serve larger portions with crusty bread and cheese
- Party food: Offer in shot glasses as a refreshing appetizer
- Garnish ideas: Diced cucumber, avocado, fresh herbs, or toasted seeds
Mix It Up (Recipe Variations):
- Coconut Version: Replace half the broth with canned coconut milk for tropical richness
- Protein-Packed: Garnish with cooked shrimp, crab, or white beans
- Frozen Gazpacho: Serve slightly slushy for extra cooling effect on hot days
- Herb Variations: Try fresh basil or mint instead of cilantro for different flavor profiles
What Makes This Recipe Special:
This gazpacho captures the essence of Spanish cold soup tradition while maximizing the cooling, hydrating properties of green vegetables. The creamy avocado creates luxury without dairy, while the bright lime and fresh herbs provide layers of flavor that refresh and energize rather than weighing you down—perfect for hot weather dining.
