5 Refreshing Chilled Soups for Summer

By Dana Shultz for Diets In Review | Photo by Dana Shultz

It’s no secret that it’s hot out there right now. Even as I sit and type this article there’s a rim of sweat crowning my hairline, hard earned from a quick trip back home to make lunch. Stuffed shells were a bad idea. What I should’ve had instead? Chilled soup: The quintessential summer food.

Chilled soups have always been such an elusive concept to me. “Soup’s supposed to be hot so why would it be cold? Is there any cheese on top? Can I still use crackers?” It wasn’t until just recently that I tried my first chilled fruit-based soup that I fell in love with the idea.

And what exactly is the idea? To take fresh fruit or vegetables and puree or chop them down into a spoonable or drinkable dish that’s refreshing, delicious and all-around healthy. Perhaps the most popular chilled soup is gazpacho - a traditional tomato-based soup that features other fresh veggies like onion, cucumber and green pepper.

One of the first chilled soup recipes I came across was a strawberry flavor. Fresh strawberries pureed with a little almond milk and one orange. “Delicious!” I thought, so I gave it a whirl. And therein began my crush on this simple summertime classic.

We’ve compiled a list of our favorite chilled soup recipes below, including a 2-ingredient melon ball soup featuring both watermelon and cantaloupe for an irresistible flavor combination; as well as an asparagus flavor that sends us longing to be poolside with a bowl and spoon in hand every time. Try these dishes out for yourself – you might be as pleasantly surprised as I was about this adventurous concept.

2-Ingredient Melon Ball Soup

Chilled Asparagus Soup with Lemon Pesto

White Grape Gazpacho

Traditional Gazpacho

Chilled Green Soybean Soup

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