Clear Lemon-Cucumber Gazpacho
A chilled, refreshing soup capturing the clarity of sunlight, featuring a blend of fresh lemon and cucumber. This mediterranean-inspired soups ready in about 20 minutes pairs medium, peeled and diced cucumber, lemon juice, chopped dill for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 50 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 medium, peeled and diced cucumber
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp, chopped dill
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 2 cups chilled water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a blender, combine 2 medium cucumbers, peeled and diced, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp chopped dill, 1 clove garlic, minced, 2 cups chilled water, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Blend on low speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
- Step 2: Add 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, blending to combine.
- Step 3: Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing gently with a spoon to extract liquid. Discard pulp.
- Step 4: Chill gazpacho in refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.
- Step 5: Serve cold, garnished with a small dill sprig if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Clear Lemon-Cucumber Gazpacho take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (20 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 Clear Lemon-Cucumber Gazpacho?
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 lemon juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Clear Lemon-Cucumber Gazpacho?
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 Lemon-Cucumber Gazpacho 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 Lemon-Cucumber Gazpacho?
Mediterranean 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
- ★★★★★
I've tried many soups recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
