Easy Chilled Cucumber Soup Recipe – Oma's kalte Gurkensuppe

by: Gerhild Fulson  / Oma Gerhild shares easy, authentic German recipes you can trust, rooted in family tradition and featured in her cookbooks.

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Oma's easy chilled cucumber soup recipe, aka kalte Gurkensuppe, is so quick to throw together, literally ... throw everything into a blender ... a few moments later, it's ready to serve. 

Really! 

Use thin-skinned English cucumbers for extra healthy and extra quick. If you use regular cucumbers, peel them first. Their skins can be a bit tough, unless you have a fantastic blender that will smooch everything to bits! 

Among summer soup recipes, this chilled cucumber soup that I learned from my Mutti, is really very traditional. I recall Mutti making this with the abundance of cucumbers from our garden.

These weren't English cucumbers, since I don't recall even seeing those at the markets back in the day, but they were the typical type. Thick and thick skinned.

These needed to always be peeled first. But my, but wonders Mutti could make with them!

This soup is refreshing, especially on a really hot day ... so do serve it cold. Make sure the cucumbers are cold when you start. That way, it's icy cold which makes this so refreshing.

What can you add to cucumber soup?

• Instead of the Greek yogurt, you can use sour cream or Crème Fraîche. The fat level? You choose. You can use full fat if you're looking for a low carb soup, which the below is. Or, reduce the fat level (and caloric value) by decreasing the fat content of the yogurt or sour cream.
• Like garlic? Add 1 - 2 cloves, minced.
• Use either fresh dill weed, finely chopped, or dried dill. Adjust the amount according to your taste.

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What to do with extra cucumbers?

If you have extra cucumbers lying around or your garden is in full production providing you with an over-abundance of veggies, you are totally blessed.

One of the most sought after recipes is for the German cucumber salad. In the northern parts of Germany (where I'm from), this salad is made with either sour cream or yogurt. For me, it's the quintessential German salad. 

Whenever I make it, I never make enough. I try. I make lots. I make more than normal. And still, it disappears. The dressing is so creamy. So so good.

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However, if you're like most from southern Germany, you wouldn't think of adding sour cream to any salad. Instead, your cucumber salad has a vinaigrette-type of dressing that is really refreshing in the hot summer. 

Because there's no dairy in this one, it's a great one to use if you're vegan or have vegan guests coming over. It's also perfect for summer picnics, since refrigeration is not a must.

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Of course, cucumbers aren't just for salads. 

Below is a fantastic quick and easy recipe for Oma's cucumber soup. A favorite in the hot summer days ... and sometimes even finding its way to a winter brunch!

Oma says,

This cucumber soup is great if you're looking for summer soup recipes that are also great German vegetarian menu ideas. 

When I eat this soup, I can almost see myself sitting by the water, in the shade of a palm tree, enjoying the coolness of the ocean breezes.

Hmmmmm .... or .... I see myself sitting on the patio with my Mutti, enjoying some quiet times :)

Are cucumbers healthy?

• Cucumbers are so healthy for you. Low in calories and high in nutrients, such as Vitamin K, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. 
• Leaving the skin on, as in the recipe below, you will increase your fibre intake as well.

All in all, a very healthy vegetable to include in your diet. AND, delicious as well!

Ready for this easy cucumber soup?

Print Recipe

Easy Chilled Cucumber Soup Recipe – Oma's Kalte Gurkensuppe

Oma's chilled cucumber soup recipe, aka Kalte Gurkensuppe, is so quick to throw together ... everything into the blender ... and ... a few moments later, it's ready to serve. Really! 

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time none

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings:

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 English cucumbers (about 2 pounds), see hints below
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (preferably light)
• 2 cups Greek yogurt
• 4 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoons sugar
• salt, freshly ground pepper, dill weed

Instructions:

1. Cut off about ¼ of one of the cucumbers and set it aside to use for garnishing. 
2. Coarse chop the remaining cucumbers and put into blender. Add olive oil, yogurt, lemon juice, and sugar. Blend on high until smooth. You may need to add a bit of water to get the proper consistency.
3. Season with salt, freshly ground pepper, and dill.
4. Slice reserved cucumber and use as a garnish.
5. Serve immediately or chill first.

Hints/Tips

• If you cucumbers are young, then leave the skins on, if you wish
• If the skins are thick, then peel the cucumbers first.
• For a rich tasting soup, use a full-fat Greek yogurt.
• For a 'diet' soup, use a low-fat or no-fat Greek yogurt.

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Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

08.09.2021 revision update

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Hi, I'm Oma Gerhild! As a food writer and cookbook author, I'm always looking to find ways to pass on my German heritage using local ingredients. Quick and easy. That's my goal. Wunderbar food. That's the result.