The BEST Traditional Gazpacho | foodiecrush.com (2024)

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This traditional gazpacho recipe is a refreshing no-cook cold soup, featuring a mix of fresh veggies and tomato-based vegetable juice for a perfect blend of smooth and chunky textures.

This easy gazpacho recipe is a classic, no-cook Spanish soup with a tomato and fresh vegetable base. Some food historians say gazpacho dates back between the 8th and 13th centuries. But the gazpacho most of us are familiar with today is different from the original. Back then it was made with garlic, salt, bread, olive oil, and vinegar (no tomatoes!). It wasn’t until the 16th century when peppers and tomatoes arrived in Europe that the soup evolved with ingredients added. Now it’s a soup synonymous with summer where these no-cook bowls of soup keep us out of the kitchen’s heat. I have recipes for Bloody Mary Gazpacho and a Mango Gazpacho, but there’s something in the simplicity of plain old tomato that always works for me.

In This Post

Why You’ll Love This Gazpacho

It’s a no-cook soup that’s perfectly refreshing during summer’s heat.
It’s blended but with just enough chunkiness to make me feel like I’m eating something instead of sipping.
What makes this soup extra simple is a mix of fresh tomatoes with vegetable juice like V-8. I’ve tried it with spicy V-8, but I prefer the regular so I can adjust the heat to my liking.

What’s Gazpacho Made Of?

Here’s the ingredients in this traditional gazpacho:

Tomatoes (co*cktail or Campari tomatoes)
Tomato juice—Plain or spicy tomato-based vegetable juice like V-8 (or both, in this case!)
Celery
Cucumber—You can use run-of-the-mill cucumbers but I prefer the Armenian or hot house seedless cucumbers. If you do use regular cucumbers, be sure to cut them in half and use a spoon to remove all of the seeds before chopping.
Red onion
Garlic is usually an ingredient I apply the old “the more, the merrier” treatment to, but less is more here. Stick to the 2 cloves and trust me, you’ll be much happier with the more balanced result.
Olive oil—a good quality extra virgin olive oil is important here
Vinegar—I use red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar

Tip: If you want a little heat, add some jalapeño or a couple of dashes of hot sauce.

What is the Health Benefit of Gazpacho

Chock-full of healthy fruit and veggies (that maintain all of their nutrients since this soup is raw), gazpacho is teeming with fiber, minerals, and vitamins A, C, and E, as well as plenty of carotenoids (antioxidants that can help prevent cancer), like beta-carotene and lycopene. There’s no question this summery soup is an excellent (and delicious) way to get those veggies in. Not to mention it’s a stellar way to put peak summer produce to good use!

What’s the Difference Between Salsa and Gazpacho

While salsa and gazpacho may share some ingredients, they’re quite different. Salsas typically aren’t puréed like gazpacho is, and they also don’t contain celery.

How to Make Gazpacho From Scratch

The best thing about this traditional gazpacho recipe is it’s super easy to make at home. You can whip it up in your blender or food processor in a matter of minutes, and it’s no-cook!

Blend half of the ingredients Using a blender or food processor, blend half of your veggies with the tomato juice, olive oil, and seasonings until smooth.
Pulse once or twice.Add the other half of your veggies, only pulsing once or twice for the perfect amount of chunk to your gazpacho and extra satisfying texture.
Chill. Refrigerate the gazpacho for at least an hour (while your gazpacho chills, you should chill too). Letting your soup hang out in the fridge for a while allows the flavors to meld. Your soup will be ultra-satisfying and refreshing once cool.
Garnish and serve.Thin some sour cream with a bit of water then drizzle it over your gazpacho for the perfect amount of creaminess. Top with freshly chopped chives.

The BEST Traditional Gazpacho | foodiecrush.com (5)

What to Serve with Gazpacho

Eat this gazpacho cold or at room temperature, or chill it in the fridge for at least an hour, for super refreshing results. A chilled bowl (or glass) of gazpacho on a hot summer day always hits the spot. Here are some ideas for what to serve with:

Garnish with a bit of sour cream thinned down with a little water for a bit of tang.
Top it with grilled shrimp, chunks of avocado, and fresh snipped chives
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Grilled Flatbread with Peaches and Arugula Pesto
Top with homemade croutons for a crunchy bite.

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave astar rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo andtag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.

4.98 from 35 votes

Traditional Gazpacho Recipe

This traditional no-cook gazpacho is a mix of fresh vegetables and store-bought tomato based vegetable juice for a perfect blend of smooth and chunky vegetable textures.

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Ingredients

3 stalks celery , diced
1 seedless hot-house cucumber with skin on , diced
1 zucchini , diced
¾ whole medium red onion , diced
4 cups tomato juice such as V-8
2 cloves garlic , pressed or minced
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil or grapeseed oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons Chohula hot sauce or other hot sauce to taste
1 tablespoon celery salt
1 tablespoon garlic salt
6 co*cktail or campari tomatoes , diced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup sour cream
Fresh chives for garnish

Instructions

In the bowl of a food processor or in a blender, combine half of the celery, cucumber, zucchini, red onion and 2 cups of the tomato juice with the pressed or minced garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, hot sauce, celery salt, and garlic salt.
Pulse all of ingredients until well blended. Add the rest of the tomato juice and pulse to mix.
Add the celery, cucumber, zucchini, and the diced tomatoes and pulse once or twice. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper and adjust the hot sauce to taste.
Chill the soup for at least 1 hour before serving.
Serve the soup with a drizzle of the sour cream that has been thinned with a bit of water. Top with fresh chopped chives.

Nutrition

More No-Cook Summer Eats

Cucumber Salad with Dill
How to Make THE BEST Chimichurri Sauce
Greek Chickpea Salad
THE BEST Caprese Sandwich
Dreamy Creamy Mango Pops
How to Make THE BEST Creamy Coleslaw

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