Summer Sweet Corn Gazpacho (Printable)
Refreshing chilled corn soup with fresh vegetables and citrus, perfect for summer days.
# 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 for garnish.
02 - Combine the remaining corn, cucumber, yellow bell pepper, tomatoes, scallions, garlic, basil, vegetable broth, olive oil, lime juice, and vinegar in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
03 - Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, then taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.
04 - Pass the soup through a fine mesh sieve for an extra-smooth consistency, or leave unstrained for a rustic texture.
05 - Transfer the soup to a large bowl or pitcher, cover tightly, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill and allow the flavors to meld.
06 - Pour the chilled gazpacho into individual bowls and top with the reserved corn kernels, chopped basil or chives, and a drizzle of olive oil.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The natural sugars in raw sweet corn create a creaminess you will not believe came from no dairy at all.
- It comes together in under 30 minutes, then the fridge does all the real work while you sit in front of a fan.
02 -
- Underseasoning is the most common mistake because cold temperatures mute flavors, so always add a little more salt than you think you need before chilling.
- Letting the soup rest overnight transforms it entirely, the corn sweetness deepens and the vinegar softens into something far more complex than when it was first blended.
03 -
- Blend the soup in two batches if your blender is small, because overfilling leads to a messy countertop and an uneven texture that no amount of straining can fix.
- A tiny drizzle of honey added before blending can rescue corn that is less sweet than you hoped, though truly fresh summer corn should never need it.