Not Just Gazpacho: Queue Up These Chilled Soups All Summer Long

Soup may be a cold-weather staple, but it doesn’t have to disappear when the temperature rises. While hot, hearty bowls are perfect for winter, chilled soups offer a refreshing, nourishing alternative for summer. They’re still packed with wholesome ingredients like vegetables and legumes—just served cool to keep you feeling light and energized.

Gazpacho is arguably the most iconic cold soup. Originating from Andalusia in southern Spain, it’s traditionally made with ripe tomatoes, red onion, garlic, cucumber, and olive oil.

But gazpacho is just the beginning. From creamy cucumber and bright asparagus to sweet melon topped with crispy vegan bacon, there’s a whole world of chilled soups to explore. Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite recipes to help you stay cool and well-fed all summer long.

Are chilled soups healthy?

Chilled soups are a nutritious and refreshing choice, especially in the warmer months. They’re typically made with fresh vegetables—and sometimes fruits—which means they’re naturally rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Plus, since these soups are often uncooked, they retain heat-sensitive nutrients like vitamin C and certain antioxidants more effectively than their hot counterparts.

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Another bonus? Their high water content makes them great for staying hydrated, which is especially important during summer.

As with any prepackaged product, store-bought versions can sometimes be high in sodium, sugar, or preservatives—so be sure to check the label. Or better yet, skip the guesswork and try one of our simple, delicious vegan recipes below to make your own from scratch.

Vegan chilled soup recipes

You’ll want to make these chilled soups all summer long. 

Holly V. Gray

1 Easy Chilled Asparagus Soup

This simple, five-ingredient soup is light, creamy, and refreshing, making it an ideal option for spring and summer lunches. Plus, it makes the most of the entire asparagus by using the vegetable from tip to end, so nothing goes to waste.
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Veggie Inspired

2 Cold Cucumber Soup

This cold cucumber soup is refreshing, light, and slightly tangy, thanks to the mix of lime juice, fresh cucumbers, sweet apples, basil, and almond milk. It’s exactly what your body needs when the heat is rising outside, and it’s easy to make. Just whip it all up in a blender and serve. Enjoy it as your main dish, but it also makes “an excellent starter for a heartier meal, too” advises recipe developer Jenn Sebestyen.
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The Vegan 8

3 Chilled Tomato Summer Soup

Similar to gazpacho, this chilled, oil-free summer soup is packed with nutritious, flavorful tomatoes, red peppers, and crisp cucumbers. If you like a little spice in the mix, you can add chipotle, too. Plus, to repurpose any leftovers, you can also heat and use “over pasta as a ‘spaghetti sauce,” says Brandi Doming of The Vegan 8 recipe blog.
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This Healthy Kitchen

4Cold Pear Soup

You might think of pears as more of a dessert ingredient, but this recipe proves they can be a delicious soup addition, too. They’re broiled to caramelized perfection, before they’re blended with sautéed onions, garlic, warming cinnamon, and a splash of plant-based milk for a silky, subtly spiced finish. For added flavor, “stir in some chopped shallots or leek when sautéing the onion and garlic” or spice it up even further with “a dash of nutmeg, turmeric, thyme, ground ginger, or red pepper flakes for heat,” writes This Healthy Kitchen.
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The Vegan Atlas

5 Cold Green Pea and Cucumber Soup

This cold soup comes together with very little prep, meaning it’s a quick, easy, and light summer lunchtime choice. Hydrating cucumbers, sweet green peas, and fragrant herbs like dill and mint are combined with coconut milk and curry powder for a refreshing yet flavorful dish. “Serve it as a first course for a pasta dinner, vegan burgers, wraps, or main-dish grain or noodle salads,” says recipe developer Nava Atlas. “This cool soup goes with just about any kind of warm-weather meal.”
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Spoonful of Plants

6Chilled Melon Soup With Crispy Vegan Bacon

This cold soup recipe offers the perfect balance of sweet and savory, thanks to the mix of juicy ripe cantaloupe melon and crispy, smoky, salty vegan bacon. Finished with a little fresh mint or basil, it’s a simple yet elegant dish that’s ideal for hot days and light lunches.
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Simply Plant-Based Kitchen

7 Cool & Creamy Chilled Zucchini Soup

The secret to this tasty zucchini soup is the prep. The zucchini is roasted with onion and garlic to bring out its natural sweetness, before being served cool with a blend of creamy cashews, white miso, and fresh basil. For even more “green goodness,” add a “handful of baby kale, spinach, or arugula,” notes recipe developer Hannah Kaminsky. 
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