Secrets to Great Gazpacho (2024)

Secrets to Great Gazpacho (1)

We’re entering tomato season across the country, and whether you’re planning a summery Spanish feast or simply want to take advantage of peak-season produce, the Andalusian specialty known as gazpacho is a must-make dish.

Spanish-born chef José Andrés has a theory forwhy the chilled tomato soup is so ideal for summer. “The summers in most of Spain are scorching hot. There is nothing like getting home from school or work, opening your refrigerator, and finding a pitcher of gazpacho! It cannot be easier to make,” he says.

We couldn’t agree more. At its best, gazpacho is light and refreshing yet intensely saturated in flavor at the same time—but make it incorrectly, and you could wind up with a soupy version of salsa. Here are a few of our secrets to making fantastic gazpacho this season.

Don’t Add Water!

Many gazpacho recipes call for adding water, tomato juice or broth. But we don’t suggest adding water to traditional tomato gazpacho, as it will only dilute the tomato flavor.

To Make the Soup Extra Creamy, Use a Powerful Blender

Usehigh-powered blender like a Vitamix or KitchenAid Pro Line Series Blender to integrateall of the ingredients of your gazpacho in the silkiest way possible. Using a powerful machine helpsachieve sucha level of creaminess that you’ll swear your soupincludes cream!

Don’t Skimp on the Olive Oil

The other secret to an ultra-velvety gazpacho isa very generous amount of olive oil; it adds weight and body to what is otherwise essentially puréed vegetables. For best results, use a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil (we like to use peppery olive oils to accentuate the flavor).

Make It Ahead (But Not Too Far in Advance)

Making the chilled soupat least an hour before serving allows all of its flavors to meld together. Don’t make it too far in advance than overnight, however, or the soup willstart to sour.

One Word: Sherry!

Traditional gazpacho boasts layers of flavor. In our experience, sherry vinegar and a generous splash of sherry (we like Oloroso) addsanother component of acidity as well as complexity. Seek out the best sherry vinegar you can find; it’ll pay off in spades.

Choose Your Tomato Wisely

Want to make that gazpacho yours? Put your own spin on any version of the chilled soup by switching up the variety of tomatoes you use. Yellow tomatoes give the soup a sunny touch; green zebras or kumatos would be lovely, too. For a zippier version, try tomatillo gazpacho.

And one final note: gazpacho is an excellent vehicle for using up less-than-perfect tomatoes. Simply cut out splits, soft spots or cracks before throwing them in the blender. As Chef Andrés points out: “You just have to use really ripe tomatoes—maybe even the ones that don’t look so perfect.”

Craving gazpacho now? See all of our recipes here.

Secrets to Great Gazpacho (2024)

FAQs

How long can gazpacho stay in the fridge? ›

Because it lacks the preserving benefits of cooking, the freshness of the ingredients directly impacts its longevity. Typically, homemade gazpacho can last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator if stored properly in an airtight container to prevent oxidation and contamination from other foods.

Is gazpacho better the next day? ›

Does gazpacho taste better the next day? Yes, it does! Gazpacho should be chilled for at least 30 minutes before serving, but letting it chill overnight is best, to allow all of the flavors to meld together.

Should you peel tomatoes for gazpacho? ›

Although it's often okay to leave on tomato skins when cooking them, they are too fibrous to slurp in soup form. To remove the skins, mark a small "X" on the bottom, gently lower them into boiling water for 30 seconds, then shock in ice water. The skins will slip right off, and you can proceed with the gazpacho recipe.

How to make gazpacho in Dreamlight Valley? ›

Head to the nearest cooking station with the four ingredients and one piece of Coal. Place the Onion, Tomato, Cucumber, Herb, and Coal into a pot to cook Gazpacho. You can either sell the Gazpacho for 556 Star Coins or eat it to restore 821 Energy.

Is it okay to freeze gazpacho? ›

Absolutely! You can make batches of gazpacho, place in airtight containers, freezer bags or even ice cube trays and freeze for 3 to 6 months. To thaw, place in the refrigerator the night before and let thaw slowly (do not try to speed up the process in any other way).

What is a substitute for sherry vinegar in gazpacho? ›

Substitute with white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar or champagne vinegar. Apple cider vinegar will also work but a wee bit sharper. Extra virgin olive oil – As with the sherry vinegar, the more you pay, the better the quality.

How do you get the bitterness out of gazpacho? ›

Too bitter? Add some fresh fruit, more tomatoes, or even a pinch of sugar.

Does gazpacho lower blood pressure? ›

The team found that in addition to cutting overall blood pressure by up to 27%, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were inversely associated with gazpacho consumption.

Is gazpacho really healthy for you? ›

But the benefits of gazpacho go beyond the temperature. Made from tomatoes and vegetables, it carries numerous health benefits, too. It's a source of Vitamin vitamin A, Vitamin vitamin C, and Vitamin vitamin E, along with several other minerals and nutrients.

What is used as a thickening agent in gazpacho? ›

The quick answer is raw tomatoes — along with uncooked peppers, onions, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and stale bread used as thickener — although the relatively newfangled addition didn't come about until the 19th century, after the discovery of the Americas.

What to serve with gazpacho? ›

Roasted chickpeas, croutons, chopped hard boiled eggs, and avocado would be delicious toppings too. Round out the meal with good crusty bread, socca, or avocado toast. For a heartier meal, serve this easy gazpacho with grilled vegetables and romesco sauce, your favorite protein, or a summer veggie frittata.

What is a substitute for tomato juice in gazpacho? ›

If you're making gazpacho and don't have tomato juice, you can use a combination of blended fresh tomatoes, red bell peppers, cucumber, and a splash of vinegar as a substitute. This mixture will still give your gazpacho the desired tomato-like base and refreshing flavor.

Is Gazpacho hydrating? ›

It's hydration you can eat

Cucumber, another main ingredient in gazpacho, is perfect for hydration as it's full of water content. Essentially, it's hydration you can eat! Gazpacho is a soup bursting with flavor and exploding with nutrients that will improve your weight, skin, and energy.

Where is Gazpacho made? ›

Originating from the Andalusia region of southern Spain, gazpacho is traditionally made from a mixture of puréed tomatoes and other ingredients such as cucumber, sweet bell peppers, onions, garlic, and olive oil.

How to make a ghostly fish steak? ›

Put your Asparagus, Bell Pepper, Here and There Fish, Lemon, and Oregano into the cooking pot to produce one Ghostly Fish Steak. You will be able to make the recipe quickly after producing it once by selecting it from the sidebar while cooking. This five-star recipe will fetch you 349 coins if sold.

Can soup last 7 days in fridge? ›

For best safety and quality, plan to eat refrigerated soup within 3 to 4 days or freeze it. And avoid letting soup set at room temperature for more than TWO hours. Don't put a large pot of hot soup directly into your refrigerator.

Can tomato soup last a week in the fridge? ›

High-acid canned goods such as tomato products, juice, fruit, pickles, sauerkraut and foods in vinegar-based sauces can be stored five to seven days. Low-acid canned goods, such as meat, poultry, fish, gravy, stew, soups, beans, carrots, corn, pasta, peas, potatoes and spinach) can be stored three to four days.

How long does Spanish soup last in the fridge? ›

Cold Food Storage Chart
FoodTypeRefrigerator [40°F (4°C) or below]
Soups and stewsVegetable or meat added3 to 4 days
LeftoversCooked meat or poultry3 to 4 days
Chicken nuggets or patties3 to 4 days
Pizza3 to 4 days
49 more rows
Sep 19, 2023

How do you store soup for a week? ›

Refrigerating is a great option if you plan on enjoying your leftovers within the week. The key to safe refrigeration is cooling down your soup to 70 °F (21 °C) within the first 2 hours of preparation, then refrigerating and storing the soup at less than 40 °F (4 °C), which prevents any bacteria from forming.

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