Chilled Cucumber-Mint Soup with Greek Yogurt Swirl
A refreshing chilled soup blending cool cucumber and bright mint, enriched with creamy Greek yogurt for a light starter perfect for spring celebrations. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 10 minutes pairs large (about 16 oz) English cucumber, plain Greek yogurt, packed fresh mint leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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
- 2 large (about 16 oz) English cucumber
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup cold water
Instructions
- Step 1: Peel and roughly chop 2 large English cucumbers into 1-inch pieces. In a blender, combine cucumber pieces with 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 small peeled garlic clove, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 cup cold water.
- Step 2: Blend on high speed for 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Step 3: Transfer soup to a bowl or pitcher, cover, and chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours to let flavors meld and soup become cold.
- Step 4: Before serving, swirl extra Greek yogurt on top and garnish with a few mint leaves for a bright, cooling appetizer that refreshes the palate.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chilled Cucumber-Mint Soup with Greek Yogurt Swirl take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 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 Chilled Cucumber-Mint Soup with Greek Yogurt Swirl?
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 plain greek yogurt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chilled Cucumber-Mint Soup with Greek Yogurt Swirl?
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 Chilled Cucumber-Mint Soup with Greek Yogurt Swirl 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 Chilled Cucumber-Mint Soup with Greek Yogurt Swirl vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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