Authentic Cold Gazpacho with Heirloom Tomatoes
A refreshing Spanish soup made with ripe heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, and garlic, blended to a silky texture with no added cream. This spanish-inspired salads (vegan) ready in about 25 minutes pairs chopped heirloom tomatoes, medium, peeled and chopped cucumber, chopped red bell pepper into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 cups, chopped heirloom tomatoes
- 1 medium, peeled and chopped cucumber
- 1, chopped red bell pepper
- 3, peeled garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup, chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup cubed day-old bread
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Place bread cubes in a bowl, cover with cold water, and soak for 5 minutes until softened. Squeeze out excess water and set aside.
- Step 2: In a blender, combine tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, garlic, red onion, olive oil, vinegar, cilantro, and soaked bread. Blend on low speed for 1 minute, then increase to high and blend for 2 more minutes until completely smooth.
- Step 3: Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing with a spoon to extract all liquid and leaving behind any fibrous bits. Discard solids.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup cold water, salt, and black pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and the soup to chill completely.
- Step 5: Before serving, stir in 1 tbsp olive oil for a glossy finish. Serve chilled in chilled bowls, garnished with a few tomato slices and cilantro sprigs.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Cold Gazpacho with Heirloom Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (25 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Cold Gazpacho with Heirloom Tomatoes?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chopped heirloom tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Cold Gazpacho with Heirloom Tomatoes?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Cold Gazpacho with Heirloom Tomatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Authentic Cold Gazpacho with Heirloom Tomatoes vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to salads dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order spanish delivery again.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.