Chill Out with Ina Garten’s Refreshing Cucumber Soup Recipe
Cool summer days call for a refreshing cucumber soup that packs Ina Garten’s elegance into every spoonful.
Her delightful recipe blends crisp, garden-fresh ingredients with surprising depth of flavor.
Silky smooth and wonderfully light, this soup transforms simple vegetables into a sophisticated starter.
The cool cucumber base offers a delicate balance of herbs and creamy textures that dance across your palate.
Fresh dill and a hint of white wine elevate this dish from ordinary to extraordinary.
Chilled and elegant, this soup promises to be the star of your next summer gathering.
You’ll love how effortlessly this recipe comes together, making it perfect for both casual lunches and elegant dinner parties.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Calories: 211 kcal
Servings: 4
Ingredients That Go into Ina Garten Cucumber Soup
For Creamy Base:
Greek Yogurt: Provides a tangy, silky foundation that adds depth and richness to the soup's texture.
Half-And-Half: Delivers a luxurious, smooth consistency that elevates the soup's creamy profile.
For Fresh Vegetables:
Cucumbers: Bring crisp, cool summer essence with their hydrating and light flavor, perfect for a refreshing soup.
Red Onion: Offers a sharp, slightly pungent bite that adds complexity and aromatic depth to the dish.
Scallions: Contribute a mild, green onion zestiness that brightens the overall soup flavor.
For Seasoning and Finishing Touches:
Kosher Salt: Enhances and balances the natural flavors of all ingredients.
Black Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and gentle spiciness to complement the cool soup.
Fresh Dill: Introduces a delicate, herbaceous note that perfectly complements cucumber's freshness.
Lemon Juice: Provides a bright, citrusy tang that lifts and sharpens the soup's flavor profile.
Lemon Slices: Create an elegant garnish that signals the soup's refreshing nature.
Kitchen Tools for Cucumber Soup Success
Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining all ingredients smoothly and evenly.
Food Processor: Crucial for creating the perfect coarse and smooth cucumber puree texture.
Steel Blade: Specifically needed for processing the soup ingredients in the food processor.
Separate Mixing Bowl: Used for transferring and storing the pureed soup.
Plastic Wrap: Helps seal and chill the soup in the refrigerator.
Cutting Board: Needed for chopping cucumbers, red onion, and scallions.
Sharp Knife: Required for precise vegetable chopping and lemon slicing.
Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure salt and other seasonings.
How to Make Cucumber Soup with Ease
Cucumber Mixture A cool blend of creamy yogurt, fresh cucumbers, and zesty onions come together in a large mixing bowl, creating a foundation for a refreshing summer soup.
Smooth Transformation Using a food processor, transform the mixture into a silky, smooth puree, breaking down the vegetables into a delicate consistency that promises a luxurious texture.
Herbal Infusion Fresh dill adds a bright, aromatic touch to the soup, elevating the flavor profile with its delicate green notes and summery essence.
Chilling Time Let the soup rest in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify while becoming wonderfully cool and crisp – perfect for a hot day.
Final Flourish Just before serving, brighten the soup with a splash of lemon juice and garnish with delicate dill sprigs and whisper-thin lemon slices, creating a visually stunning and refreshing dish that captures the essence of summer.
Tweak Your Cucumber Soup with These Ideas
Stir in crumbled feta cheese or diced grilled chicken for an extra protein punch that transforms the soup into a more substantial meal.
Experiment with different fresh herbs like mint, basil, or chives to create unique flavor profiles that complement the cucumber's cool essence.
Add a crunchy topping of toasted pine nuts, sliced almonds, or crispy cucumber ribbons to introduce an exciting textural contrast to the smooth soup.
Drizzle a small amount of extra-virgin olive oil or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to give the soup a subtle warmth and depth of flavor that awakens the palate.
How to Plate and Serve Cucumber Soup
Serve as Starter Course: Begin your meal with this refreshing cucumber soup as a light and cool appetizer, perfect for summer dinner parties or elegant gatherings.
Create Elegant Presentation: Pour the chilled soup into small glass bowls or clear shot glasses for a sophisticated and visually appealing presentation that highlights the soup's smooth texture.
Pair with Complementary Sides: Accompany the soup with crisp, toasted baguette slices, herb-seasoned croutons, or a light Greek salad to enhance the fresh and tangy flavors of the cucumber soup.
Enhance with Wine Pairing: Complement the soup's delicate taste with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio, which will accentuate the soup's cool and refreshing profile.
Cucumber Soup Storage Advice
Refrigerate for Maximum Freshness: Store the cucumber soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring the flavors remain vibrant and crisp.
Freeze with Caution: Avoid freezing this delicate soup, as the yogurt and fresh herbs may separate and lose their smooth texture when thawed.
Prep Ahead for Effortless Entertaining: Whip up the soup a day in advance to allow the flavors to meld and intensify, making your meal preparation a breeze.
Serve Chilled for Ultimate Refreshment: Keep the soup cold until serving time, using extra ice cubes or chilled bowls to maintain its cool, refreshing quality during summer gatherings.
Light and refreshing cucumber soup from Ina Garten blends cool ingredients for a delightful summer starter. Creamy textures and herbal notes make this chilled dish perfect for warm afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
3 containers (7 oz/198 g) Greek yogurt
2 hothouse cucumbers, unpeeled, seeded, and chopped
1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) half-and-half
½ cup (75 g/2.6 oz) chopped red onion
6 scallions, white and green parts, chopped
3 tbsps (45 ml/1.5 fl oz) chopped fresh dill
½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4 lemons)
3 tsps kosher salt (adjust according to taste)
1 ½ tsps freshly ground black pepper
Thin slices of lemon, halved, for garnish
Fresh dill, for garnish
Instructions
Preparation: Combine yogurt, half-and-half, cucumbers, red onion, scallions, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl, creating a harmonious blend of fresh ingredients.
Processing: Transfer the mixture to a food processor, pulsing until achieving a smooth, velvety texture with no significant cucumber chunks remaining.
Herb Infusion: Gently fold chopped dill into the soup base, ensuring even distribution of the aromatic herb throughout the mixture.
Chilling: Cover the soup with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and the temperature to become refreshingly cool.
Finishing Touches: Just before serving, enhance the soup with a bright squeeze of lemon juice, adjusting seasoning to taste with additional salt and pepper.
Presentation: Elegantly plate the chilled soup in serving bowls, adorning with delicate dill sprigs and translucent lemon slices for a sophisticated and visually striking appearance.
Notes
Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate the soup for at least 2 hours to allow ingredients to meld and develop a deeper, more harmonious taste profile.
Texture Matters: Process in stages to achieve a perfect coarse-smooth consistency, avoiding over-blending that could turn the soup too watery.
Seasoning Secret: Taste and adjust salt and pepper just before serving to ensure the most vibrant and balanced flavor possible.
Garnish with Elegance: Use fresh dill sprigs and thin lemon slices to add visual appeal and a bright, fresh finish to the soup.
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Techniques in baking, pastry creation, and dessert presentation.
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Program: Diploma in Farm-to-Table Culinary Practices
Focus: Emphasis on utilizing locally sourced ingredients and understanding seasonal flavors.
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.
Sophia Rivera
Recipe Developer & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Education
Austin Community College
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.