Summer Sweet Corn Gazpacho (Printable)
Refreshing chilled corn soup with fresh vegetables and citrus, ready in under 30 minutes on a hot summer day.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 3 cups fresh sweet corn kernels (about 4 ears), divided
02 - 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
03 - 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
04 - 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
05 - 2 scallions, trimmed and sliced
→ Aromatics & Herbs
06 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
07 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
→ Liquids & Seasonings
08 - 1 1/2 cups cold vegetable broth
09 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 - Juice of 1 lime
11 - 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar or white wine vinegar
12 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnishes
14 - Reserved corn kernels
15 - Chopped fresh basil or chives
16 - Drizzle of olive oil
# How-To Steps:
01 - Measure and set aside 1/2 cup of corn kernels to use as a garnish later.
02 - Combine the remaining corn kernels, cucumber, yellow bell pepper, tomatoes, scallions, garlic, basil, vegetable broth, olive oil, lime juice, and vinegar in a blender. Blend on high until smooth and creamy.
03 - Add sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.
04 - Pass the soup through a fine mesh sieve for an extra-smooth consistency, or skip this step for a more rustic, textured finish.
05 - Transfer the soup to a large bowl or pitcher, cover tightly, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill thoroughly and allow the flavors to meld.
06 - Pour the chilled gazpacho into individual bowls. Top with the reserved corn kernels, a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil or chives, and a light drizzle of olive oil.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The natural sugars in raw corn create a sweetness that feels indulgent without a drop of cream.
- It requires zero cooking and barely any cleanup, which is a lifesaver when your kitchen feels like a sauna.
- The lime and sherry vinegar combination creates a brightness that makes every spoonful feel like a splash of cold water on a hot day.
02 -
- Underripe corn will taste starchy and dull, so push your thumbnail into a kernel at the market and only buy if it bursts with milky liquid.
- Skipping the chill time means the flavors stay separate and sharp, but those two hours in the cold let everything marry into something cohesive and round.
03 -
- A pinch of cayenne pepper blended in at the end wakes up every flavor without making it spicy.
- Making this a day ahead actually improves it, as the overnight rest deepens the sweetness and rounds out the acidity beautifully.