If you have been following me for a while, you know that I am passionate about soups. They are an easy way to sneak in nutrients, especially the gut-healthy fiber lost in juicing. There are endless healthy and delicious soup recipes available, and soup can be perfectly satisfying. In fact, I created an entire delivered S.O.U.P. Cleanse with soup top of mind (though it does contain salads, supplements, and tonics, too!).
With summer fast approaching, you may be thinking it is time to retire soups for the season until the chillier months are upon us once again. But not so fast! I enjoy soup all year round. Yes, even on the hottest Los Angeles days. There are so many mouth-watering cold soup recipes to choose from! They are just as nutrient-rich as hot soups and help cool you off on those mid-summer days.
Here are three cold soup recipes to kick off summer:
Summer Beet Gazpacho
In addition to being hydrating, this Summer Beet Gazpacho is full of antioxidants and phytonutrients. It also contains a high concentration of nitrates, which have a blood pressure-lowering effect. It is super simple to make and tastes delicious!
Serves 2
Ingredients:
2 large beets, chopped and cooked until fork tender (dice, wrap in foil, and season with salt, then cook on 400 for 25 minutes)
1/2 avocado
1 cup peeled and diced cucumber
1/2 cup water
2 T. olive oil
1 garlic clove
1/4 cup red onion or shallot
1 T. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. sea salt or Herbamare
Garnish with: fresh mint, hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds, diced avocado, shallot, or additional cucumber
Directions: Add all ingredients to the blender. Blend until completely smooth with a velvety texture. Top with your choice of garnishes. Enjoy chilled.
Chilled Cucumber & Avocado Summer Soup
This easy Chilled Cucumber & Avocado Summer Soup is perfect for entertaining guests or a quick homemade meal for your family. You can refrigerate leftovers as an excellent weekday lunch option – and you won’t even need to heat them (a plus for those of us who constantly have full schedules)! I love to add fresh herbs, additional avocado, and even a sprinkle of hemp seeds for an extra serving of protein.
Serves 2
Ingredients:
1 large English cucumber, peeled and deseeded
1/2 avocado
1/4 cup water
2 T. olive oil
1/4 bunch of fresh herbs (cilantro or basil work great!)
2 scallions, white and green parts chopped
1 clove garlic
1 T. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. sea salt or Herbamare
Garnish with: shallot, additional cucumber, fresh herbs, a sprinkle of pumpkin or hemp seeds, and sea salt or pepper if desired
Directions: Add all ingredients to the blender. Blend until completely smooth with a velvety texture. Top with your choice of garnishes. Enjoy chilled.
Sweet Corn & Yellow Pepper Gazpacho
Sweet corn is one of my favorite summertime foods. This may come as a surprise since corn has gotten a bad rep over the last few years. While field corn is often used to make ultra-processed foods, sweet corn has numerous health benefits. It contains a significant amount of vitamin B12, iron, and folic acid, can help to lower cholesterol, it’s high in fiber, and is a good source of antioxidants. In the warmer months, I love adding it to chilled soups like this Sweet Corn & Yellow Pepper Gazpacho. My ideal sweet corn is non-GMO and purchased shortly after harvest from a local farmer or other trusted source, so be sure to frequent your local farmer’s market!
Serves 2
Ingredients:
2 yellow bell peppers, seeded and chopped
5 ears fresh corn kernels and juice; reserve 1/2 cup corn kernels for garnish
1 garlic clove
1 1/2 cups cucumber, peeled and chopped plus more for garnish
2 T extra virgin olive oil
2 T apple cider vinegar
1/2 – 1 tsp sea salt
Freshly ground black peppercorn to taste
1 cup cooked white beans, rinsed
Chopped fresh basil and/or chives for garnish
Directions:
Place the pepper, corn, garlic, cucumber, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pink pepper in the blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Season to taste.
Divide into bowls and garnish with white beans, fresh corn kernels, cucumber, basil and chives.
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If you want to try new soup recipes but cooking isn’t your thing, don’t worry – I’ve got your back! If you live in the Los Angeles area, you can order my delivered S.O.U.P. Cleanse, and I will do all the hard work for you. I will deliver a week’s worth of flavorful soups, salads, tonics, supplements, and more right to your door.
