When summer is at its hottest, the last thing we want to do is spend time over a range or in front of a hot oven, cooking. Some days we don't even want to eat anything hot, much less crank up the oven or the stove to cook it. So what to do when we're craving something filling, but it's simply too hot to do any cooking? Well, we bust out one of these refreshingly cool summer soup recipes, get out our immersion blender, and go to town! These chilled soups are perfect for even the most scorching days of the summer.
Full discloser: Some do call for heating up veggies—just enough to soften them—before blending. But others lean on fruits and veggies you're more likely to eat raw. And all are filled with the season's freshest produce. These healthy soup recipes are easy to make, keep well (some taste even better after they've had time to let the flavors marry), and all of them are sure to keep your family satisfied. You could serve these nutritious dishes as a summer side dish at your backyard barbecue, or make them the main course at any weeknight summer dinner. They're also a great pairing with summer salads. Bonus: Little ones won't even realize these recipes are packed with veggies thanks to their bright colors and sweet and savory flavors. Not only are these soups delicious, but they also come together in mere minutes. It doesn't get much better than that!
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1
Golden Gazpacho with Minted Cream
Fresh, mint-flecked cream is an elegant final touch to this summery soup of yellow tomatoes, peppers, and squash.
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2
Sweet Pea and Avocado Soup
This minty chilled soup is perfect for picnics, or as an easy, fast, lunch staple.
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3
Cold Avocado Soup
Cool and velvety smooth, this delicious soup is the perfect way to start a leisurely summer dinner. For an extra fillip of taste (and panache), top the dish with a colorful sprinkle of watermelon-radish and mint sprigs. Or stir in fresh lump crabmeat or strips of toasted tortillas with a dollop of sour cream.
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4
Chilled Cucumber Soup
Cool and refreshing, this soup gets its creaminess from healthy Greek yogurt.
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5
Cucumber Gazpacho with Watermelon and Mint
Refreshingly light and just a little bit sweet and spicy, this cool, colorful soup is a novel twist classic gazpacho.
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6
Tomato Gazpacho
A splash of red-pepper sauce adds a little zing to this classic tomato gazpacho recipe.
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7
Cold Cucumber Soup
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8
Cool Cantaloupe Soup with Basil Cream
Our refreshing cantaloupe soup, inspired by chef Shawn Lawson, is a cool menu change. Instead of using traditional soup plates, try a mix of pilsner glasses and champagne flutes.
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9
Chilled Asparagus Bisque
This combo of asparagus, leeks, and spinach is packed with veggies, but judicious use of heavy cream and savory chicken broth keep it creamy and delicious.
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10
Chilled Beet Carrot Soup
Two root veggies that are incredibly sweet—beets and carrots— blend into a refreshing version of borscht in this easy-to-make recipe.
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11
White Gazpacho with Tomato Toasts
This simple soup gets plenty of body from bread, and plenty of flavor from the combo of cucumber, grapes, almonds, and garlic. But the best part: There's no cooking.
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12
Mango Raspberry Chilled Soup
You can whip up this fruity soup in a blender in just five minutes, it's that easy!
Get the recipe at It's Yummi.
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13
Watermelon Gazpacho
Sweet and spicy, this recipe features both delicious, fresh watermelon and a dash of hot sauce.
Get the recipe at A Couple Cooks.
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14
Strawberry Coconut Soup
Berry season is here, and this soup is the perfect way to celebrate the seasonal fruit.
Get the recipe at Carlsbad Cravings.
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15
Ginger Turmeric Spiced Spring Carrot Soup
This veggie soup has serious punch and flavor thanks to some ginger and turmeric spices.
Get the recipe at Gourmande in the Kitchen.
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16
Cold Yogurt Cucumber Soup
Light and refreshing, this is the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day.
Get the recipe at CookingLSL.
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17
Sweet Corn Gazpacho
We love a simple corn on the cob, but there are so many other innovative ways to use sweet corn now that it's in season. This recipe features the produce combined with tomatoes, peppers, and cucumber.
Get the recipe at Love and Lemons.
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18
Cold Avocado Soup
Believe it or not, this creamy concoction only takes three minutes to make. It might take you even less time to enjoy the whole bowl!
Get the recipe at Maria Ushakova.
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19
Chilled Strawberry Yogurt Soup
Although this dish is sweet, this blogger swears by a sprinkle of black pepper. She notes it actually "enhances the strawberry flavor and brings out its sweetness."
Get the recipe at Just a Little Bit of Bacon.
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20
Green Goddess Gazpacho
Jalapeño gives this gorgeous green soup a nice kick. If you're worried about the dish being too spicy, don't worry. Greek yogurt adds enough cool creaminess.
Get the recipe at Spices in My DNA.
