Orange and Almond Cold Soup (Ajo Blanco)
A refreshing Andalusian cold soup blending blanched almonds, garlic, and citrus, perfect for a light summer starter. This spanish-inspired soups ready in about 15 minutes pairs blanched almonds, crust removed stale white bread, peeled garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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
- 1 cup blanched almonds
- 2 slices, crust removed stale white bread
- 2, peeled garlic cloves
- 3 cups cold water
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 large orange, peeled and sliced fresh orange segments
- 1/2 cup sliced green grapes
- 2 tbsp, for garnish toasted sliced almonds
Instructions
- Step 1: In a food processor, combine 1 cup blanched almonds, 2 slices crustless stale white bread, and 2 peeled garlic cloves. Pulse until finely ground.
- Step 2: With the processor running, slowly add 3 cups cold water, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp white wine vinegar, and 1 tsp salt. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Step 3: Transfer the soup to a bowl, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to meld flavors and thicken slightly.
- Step 4: Before serving, stir the soup gently. Ladle into bowls and garnish each with fresh orange segments from 1 large peeled orange, 1/2 cup sliced green grapes, and 2 tbsp toasted sliced almonds.
- Step 5: Serve immediately as a refreshing cold starter on a warm day.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Orange and Almond Cold Soup (Ajo Blanco) take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 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 Orange and Almond Cold Soup (Ajo Blanco)?
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 blanched almonds from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Orange and Almond Cold Soup (Ajo Blanco)?
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 Orange and Almond Cold Soup (Ajo Blanco) 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 Orange and Almond Cold Soup (Ajo Blanco)?
Spanish 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.
