“Do you think it’s hot enough?” I can hear my grandmother-in-law asking everyone around, while dishing out cups of steaming broth.
Most of the time, a proper soup has to be served hot. But that is not always the case, and it is certainly not a hard and fast rule.
Especially in the summer.
Slurping down near-boiling-hot soup or stew is probably not the most appetizing meal when you’re trying to beat the heat.
One refreshing way to have your soup (and eat it too!) is by preparing cold versions during the hottest months.
Does that sound strange to you?
Indeed, some folks find it quite unusual. And cold meals sometimes have the air of… being leftovers. However, the three varieties I have chosen for you are supposed to be enjoyed that way.
Some vegetables are less suitable than others as ingredients in chilled soups. Most of the products that can be eaten raw, like tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, or avocado, are suited to these kinds of recipes.
By adding yogurt, sour cream, or coconut milk and some fresh herbs, the meal will become aromatic and filling, yet not too heavy.
The three versions below all have different bases. While the first one includes yogurt and provides a mild taste, the second one has a spicier flavor due to the addition of chicken stock and coconut, and the third one is infused with tomato goodness.
If these three ideas inspire you, don’t let it stop you there! Check out our larger post that includes these three chilled soup recipes and 18 more to keep you cool and eating light in the summer heat.
Chilled Cucumber Soup
This refreshing cucumber soup will help you to keep your cool on a hot day. It’s low in calories, too.
Creamy Avocado Coconut Soup
Try this delicious coconut-based soup at any time of day this summer.
Not only is it refreshing, it’s heart healthy as well, thanks to the oils found in the coconut milk and the avocado.
Traditional Gazpacho
This last dish is an Andalusian summer classic.
It is really famous, and it’s one of my favorites because you have a simple tomato soup that can be topped with diced vegetables and croutons, just the way you like it.
So the next time you find yourself with beads of sweat dripping down your forehead over a cup of soup, remember these ideas, and surprise your guests or your family with a summer-proof recipe to cool everyone down.
Photos by Kendall Vanderslice, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock.
About Nina-Kristin Isensee
Nina lives in Iserlohn, Germany and holds an MA in Art History (Medieval and Renaissance Studies). She is currently working as a freelance writer in various fields. She enjoys travel, photography, cooking, and baking. Nina tries to cook from scratch every day when she has the time and enjoys trying out new spices and ingredients, as well as surprising her family with new cake creations.
I’ve never really been a big fan of cold soups, I’ve always preferred them piping hot. But, some of these look delicious! I’m going to try the coconut variation sometime soon. I’ve never had it before but all the ingredients look good! I can’t wait to try it! Thanks!
My least favorite part about the summer months is how limiting it makes food options. There’s no worse feeling than coming in on a hot day and having to eat a hot meal. I’ve always only made gazpacho as my chilled soup option, I wasn’t aware that there were any other options. I’ll have to give that cucumber one a shot.
I know what you mean. This summer has been incredibly hot in my country and that makes our dish choice very limited. No one wants to stand next to a stow for an hour on a burning hot summer day. Luckily I love soups, always have. If anything this is a great opportunity to finally try some new (cold) dishes to ease us, even a little.
To be honest, I was aware of only gazpacho. These dishes look great for the summer time. I wonder if this all started because someone wanted some soup but it was too hot because of the weather.It is also best to have something not too heavy when dealing with the heat of the weather. That coconut one kind of makes this dish a bit tropical.
I’ve never like gazpacho, and the other two soups include some of my least favorite flavors (coconut & cucumber). I consider cucumber to be a totally overrated ingredient. It’s not that I don’t think many people would find these appetizing, but you ain’t gonna see me makin’ ’em. I’d rather wait until it gets cold to start eating soup.
Too bad that none of these soups cater your taste. I think cucumber is quite a versatile ingredient and I like its freshness and crispness. But, of course, that’s a matter of taste. I’m sure you will find something else on Foodal to enjoy 🙂
I’ve never actually tried a cold soup before- the concept has always seemed rather strange to me. I’m not even keen on drinks like Bloody Mary or any type of vegetable smoothie so I think I’ll skip these and check Foodal for some delicious salad inspiration instead! Kudos for giving those who do enjoy these dishes some fresh and interesting ideas though!
Never thought of having my soup cold but I guess I will after this. I will definitely try the Traditional Gazpacho as it looks soo yummy! I love my soup hot and it will be interesting to have it otherwise. Thanks for the delightful share!
These flavors seem really interesting to me overall. I really haven’t been a fan of cold soups in the past, but it wouldn’t hurt to try some of these delicious recipes!
Cucumber soup is a classic. Dill makes it a perfect summer soup. I’m definitely going to make this.
The only cold or chilled soup I’ve had to date is Gazpacho, which was quite tasty. I enjoy pretty much anything with avocado or coconut, so I think I will have to try the other two recipes, as well. The summers are long here, and making these will beef up the number of recipes I can make, since I don’t use the oven much during the hot season.
I’ve only had gazpacho once a long while ago, and since then cold soups never really crossed my mind. There’s no way that I could’ve thought of a coconut or cucumber soup, and yet they look delicious. I’ve always been a fan of soup, but in the summer time, I’ll crave it and do one of two things. 1. I’ll fix myself some and sweat or 2. I wait until it’s late at night and I’m not in the mood anymore. This is what I’ve been needing and I’m blown away that I didn’t look this up by now. Great article.
Thank you, my situation has been quite similar until I developed a taste for chilled soups. It’s a pity that soups have such a hard time during summer because they can be really refreshing, stuffing and healthy with the proper ingredients. I hope you have found a new version among my suggestions that you like.
I didn’t know there were any other cold soup options than Gazpacho – these sound delicious!
I suffer terribly in not weather, and I really hate the summer season. Having something ready and waiting in the fridge would solve a number of problems – not least keeping me well away from the hot stove.
Thank you for sharing these great recipes.
I honestly have never been able to get with this concept. You do make it look so appealing though, and it is nice to have access to recipes to prepare it correctly. The only one that seems like I could give it a chance, is the coconut soup. I think my hesitation is due to the texture, but I can try it out.
I’m happy that you would consider trying out one of the three recipes. I thought that some totally different ideas of chilled soups improve the chances that there might be at least one to cater everyone’s taste 😉
Just make sure the soup is really ice-cold, a temperature in between warm and cool doesn’t taste that good.
I love Gazpacho but it’s the only cold soup I’ve ever tried. It’s actually the first time I find recipes for cold soups and I’m always looking for new and original recipes. The coconut soup looks delicious, and lately I’m always in the mood for coconut so I’ll try this one first. Good thing you specified we should prepare the same day, I always cook a day ahead. I’m guessing the avocados are the ones to blame for this?
You’re right, the avocados are responsible. Although you add some lemon juice to prevent a fast coloring, it won’t stay that nice and bright for long. I think the Gazpacho would be the best version to prepare a day ahead. I hope you’ll enjoy the coconut soup just the same!
I’ve never actually had a cold soup before, not even gazpacho. Like some of the previous commenters, it’s a concept I had some difficulty wrapping my mind around, but these all sound delicious. The weather is cooling off a bit around here, but apparently hot drought weather is expected near the end of the year. So I think I’ll still have the opportunity to try these out. That coconut soup in particular looks like it’ll be a big hit.
Living in a tropical country is like living in summer season all year round. I have never thought of making cold soups to ease the heat. Soup for us here is always served hot. I have heard of cold noodle soup before but I never really got into the idea of eating it. Probably because I’m used to soups as warm for the belly.
I am surely going to try the Creamy Coconut Soup. I’m pretty certain my son will love it as he eats avocado like a boss lol. He also loves Pumpkin Soup which I make as hot. I’ll try making one that is cold. Just for fun! I could just heat it if he doesn’t like it cold anyway.
Fantastic idea actually! Why not prepare another variety and just try it cold? Heating up is always possible then. I think I might try that with some other soup recipes I have – although I have to say that the time for hot soups has come faster than I thought. It’s already kind of chilly here in Germany where I live so the cool soups now have to wait for next season I suppose 😉
Interesting ideas, but I don’t know if I could do it. Temperature is a big part of how I like certain foods and I just don’t know if I can wrap my head around eating cold soup. I’m the same way about iced coffee. Maybe I’m just weird.
I think that is totally normal, lots of meals that are served cold instead of warm make the impression of being remains and don’t appear attractive. I like these soups once in a while during summer but when it gets colder I’ll put these recipes back to my folders for the next months and definitely prefer the hot versions. 🙂
I must admit that I don’t like cold soups. For me, soup is something that you eat hot and I have never liked gazpacho. Although the coconut soup does appeal to me, maybe because it isn’t made with the traditional soup vegetables.
I know what you mean, cold soups often have this touch of being like leftovers for me, like a cold slice of pizza in the morning 😉
I think you’re right that – what the coconut soup makes more appealing – is the fact, that it doesn’t consist of the typical soup ingredients. Maybe you give it a shot – or you just try to make it a regular version and enjoy it hot?! I suppose it would taste great, too.
I have to confess that when I first read the cold soup sentence I wasn’t that excited about it, but come on, the idea of adding yogurt and coconut milk to it sounds too good for me. And they all look so good and refreshing, especially now that it’s starting to get kind of hot.
My favorite one is probably the chilled cucumber soup, as a fan of cucumbers and yogurt, that soup sounded just perfect.
It’s definitely something one is not used to, right? I really love the coconut-variety, but, as you note, the refreshing and reviving flavor of the cucumber-soup is just heavenly 🙂