Clear Cucumber and Dill Soup with Lemon Zest
A refreshing, translucent soup featuring crisp cucumbers, fresh dill, and a bright lemon finish for a light, hydrating meal. This eastern european-inspired soups ready in about 40 minutes pairs peeled and diced cucumber, chopped dill, chilled vegetable broth 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 cups, peeled and diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup, chopped dill
- 3 cups chilled vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a blender, combine 2 cups diced cucumber, 1/4 cup chopped dill, 3 cups chilled vegetable broth, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1/4 tsp salt. Blend on high until completely smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Step 2: Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing with a spoon to extract all liquid. Discard solids.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup Greek yogurt and 1 tsp lemon zest. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Clear Cucumber and Dill Soup with Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 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 Clear Cucumber and Dill Soup with Lemon Zest?
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 peeled and diced cucumber from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Clear Cucumber and Dill Soup with Lemon Zest?
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 Clear Cucumber and Dill Soup with Lemon Zest 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.
What goes well with Clear Cucumber and Dill Soup with Lemon Zest?
Eastern European soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
Perfect soups recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
