Cucumber soup
Instructions
Selecting the best cucumbers
Look for cucumbers that are firm with smooth, bright green skin. Avoid any that have soft spots or yellowing, as these signs indicate over-ripeness, which can affect the flavour. English cucumbers are ideal due to their thinner skins and fewer seeds, providing a smoother texture for blending.
Chill for more flavour
Chilling your cucumber soup is essential for allowing the flavours to develop fully. For the best results, let the soup chill for at least 2 hours or even overnight for a more pronounced flavour. However, a quick 30 minutes also chills it enough. Stir occasionally to keep the consistency smooth if you store it for a long time.
FAQ: Questions about cucumber soup
If you have never tried a cold cucumber soup before, here is your chance. Our questions and answers below give you everything you need to know to make a perfect chilled cucumber soup.
Ingredients
Soup
|
Cucumbers (about 900 g)
|
3 |
|---|---|
|
Avocado, without peel and stone (about 75 g)
|
½ |
|
Water
|
500 ml |
|
Dried vegetable stock
|
1 tbsp |
|
Ice cubes
|
10 |
|
Mint leaves, chopped
|
4 tbsp |
|
Coarse salt
|
¾ tsp |
|
Freshly ground pepper
|
Onions
|
Boiling water
|
500 ml |
|---|---|
|
Shallots (about 200 g), coarsely chopped
|
5 |
Toppings
|
Hot-smoked salmon, in bite-size pieces
|
200 g |
|---|---|
| 100 g | |
|
Thawed edamame beans
|
100 g |
To serve
|
Toasted coarse baguettes
|
350 g |
|---|
Other recipes
Cold cucumber soup with mint and avocado
Enjoy our delicious cold cucumber soup with some delightfully flavourful toppings. The combination of cool cucumber, creamy avocado, and fresh mint gives the soup a wonderful, refreshing taste. The cucumber provides a crisp, refreshing base, the avocado adds a smooth richness that rounds out the dish, and the fresh mint introduces a nice cooling sensation. Blended, these ingredients form a soup that feels light yet indulgent, offering both soothing comfort and invigorating freshness. It is a simple dish that can be enjoyed year-round, ideal as an easy lunch or an elegant starter.
Explore our recipes for other colourfully green, vibrant soups such as cold pea soup, parsley soup, potato and parsley soup, broccoli soup, or cream of broccoli soup.
Served with salmon, white cheese, and edamame beans
The toppings bring a wonderful variety of tastes and textures. They also make for a beautiful, colourful contrast to the bright green soup. The salmon, with its rich, smoky flavour and tender, flaky texture, provides a bold contrast to the cool, delicate soup. The white cheese adds a slightly tangy taste and creates a creamy balance without overpowering the freshness of the cucumber and mint. It gives the soup a richer, creamier bite. For a bit of textural contrast, the delightful crunch of edamame beans stands out.
A cool and refreshing soup for hot summer days
On hot summer days, few things are more refreshing than a chilled cucumber soup. The crisp cucumber, paired with creamy avocado and the brightness of mint, makes it feel both light and satisfying, offering a welcome reprieve from the heat. The delicate cucumber flavour fits perfectly with the warm summer weather. When served both blended and in fine cubes, you get to enjoy the subtle vegetable in more delicious ways. However, this soup is not just for summer; it is a great option all year round.
Feel free to tweak the recipe
This cucumber soup recipe is easy to tweak, so you can give it your favourite flavours. If you prefer a tangier version, replace the avocado with Greek yoghurt to give the soup a slightly tart edge while maintaining its creamy texture.
Get a richer flavour by swapping out mint for fresh basil or tarragon. Basil provides a sweet, peppery finish, while tarragon adds an anise-like complexity. You can also add fresh dill for a distinctive brightness that complements the coolness of cucumber or chives to add a subtle onion-like sharpness.
If you are in the mood for a bolder twist, try a splash of lemon juice or a hint of garlic for more punch. You might also want to explore garnishes, for example, adding a drizzle of high-quality olive oil to impart a fruity richness or a sprinkle of toasted walnuts or pine nuts to add a satisfying crunch and a nutty taste.
