Join 50,000+ subscribers for German recipes, stories, traditions, & more!
Join 50,000+ subscribers for German recipes, stories, traditions & more!
- Home
- German Soups Recipes
- Cucumber Soup Recipe
Easy Chilled Cucumber Soup (Oma's Kalte Gurkensuppe)
by: Gerhild Fulson / Oma Gerhild shares German recipes rooted in family tradition.
Updated: March 10, 2026
Find this recipe in this cookbook!
Enjoy the comforting flavors of Germany with hearty soups and stews made for simple, satisfying meals.
Get the cookbook >
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.
From Oma's heart to your table
Complete your set today - order now!
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.
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.
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?
Easy Chilled Cucumber Soup (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 (908 grams), see hints below
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil, preferably light
- 2 cups (490 grams) Greek yogurt
- 4 teaspoons (20 milliliters) lemon juice
- 1 teaspoons (4 sugar) sugar
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- chopped fresh or dried dill weed, to taste
Instructions:
- If your cucumbers are young, leave the skins on. If the skins are thick, then peel the cucumbers.
- Cut off about ¼ of one of the cucumbers and set it aside to use for garnishing.
- Coarsely chop the remaining cucumbers and put them into a blender. Add the 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.
- Season with salt, pepper, and dill.
- Slice the reserved cucumber and use as a garnish.
- 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.
* * * * *
Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com
Updated: March 10, 2026
Comments? Questions?
You can leave a comment about this recipe or ask a question...
Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods.
Meet with us around Oma's virtual table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.
Recent Articles
-
Dill Pickle Coleslaw (Dillgurken-Krautsalat)
Sep 14, 26 01:12 AM
Dill Pickle Coleslaw boasts cabbage, carrots, and pickles, topped with a creamy, Northern-inspired mayonnaise dressing. It's refreshingly perfect for all summer ventures! -
Authentic German Bratwurst and Sauerkraut Recipe
Sep 11, 26 10:24 AM
Oma’s German bratwurst and sauerkraut recipe with authentic flavors in this dish of hearty bratwurst, tangy sauerkraut, and apples, that popular throughout Germany. -
Traditional German Red Cabbage Recipe – Oma's Rotkohl Rezept
Sep 08, 26 08:53 PM
The red cabbage recipe (rotkohl) is sweet, tangy, and easy to make. A German classic with big flavor and little fuss—just how Oma likes it!
Words to the Wise
"Don't do as the wicked do, and don't follow the path of evildoers. Don't even think about it; don't go that way. Turn away and keep moving."
Proverbs 4:14-15 (NLT)
Let's connect...
From Oma's heart
to your table
Complete your set today - order now!
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.
What others are saying about Oma's cookbooks
As a German-American that is a bit culinarily challenged, this book is a true blessing...
This classic cookbook (German Meals at Oma's) has not only a variety of different recipes, but also key notes to help even those with little experience in the kitchen learn to make excellent German cuisine.
Erika Neumayer Ehrat, Owner & designer of Rare Dirndl
Discover our Just Like Oma family of websites:
Across media platforms, the Just Like Oma family of websites are celebrated for making German cooking, travel, and heritage fun & simple to understand, and easily accessible for everyone!
%20is%20so%20quick%20to%20throw%20together%2C%20literally%20...%20throw%20everything%20into%20a%20blender%20...%20a%20few%20moments%20later%2C%20it's%20ready%20to%20serve.%20%0AFor%20the%20full%20recipe%2C%20see%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quick-german-recipes.com%2Fcucumber-soup-recipe.html){kind=link}
Copyright © | Quick German Recipes (Just like Oma) | A Fulson Media Group Inc. Brand | All Rights Reserved
Powered by: Make Your Knowledge Sell!
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Quick German Recipes is a brand of Fulson Media Group Inc., which participates in various affiliate advertising to provide a means to earn advertising fees by linking to retail websites. Additionally this website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites. We do not promote products we do not own or would not buy ourselves. Our goal is to provide you with product information and our own personal opinions or ideas. At times, we will showcase services, programs, and products. We aim to highlight ones that you might find interesting, and if you buy future items from those companies, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Throughout this site, you'll find mostly photos that we've taken in our kitchen(s). We also feature some reader-contributed images and curated stock IMAGES BY Deposit Photos and others, offering further perspectives on recipes and all things German.
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS PERFORM DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE BUYING GOODS OR SERVICES ONLINE.
Quick-German-recipes.com does not sell any personal information
