1mediumgreen bell pepperseeded and roughly chopped
2clovesgarlicpeeled
1smalljalapeñooptional, seeded for mild heat
3tbspextra virgin olive oilplus more for serving
2tbspfresh lemon juiceabout 1 lemon, or sherry vinegar
1/2cupcold wateror cold vegetable broth for more flavor
1/4cupfresh parsley or cilantro leavespacked
3/4tspfine sea saltplus more to taste
1/4tspground cuminoptional
1/4tspfreshly ground black pepper
Optional Toppings
thin cucumber slicesfor garnish
drizzle of extra virgin olive oilfor serving
fresh herbsparsley, cilantro, or chives
flaky sea saltfor finishing
crushed toasted almonds or pine nutsoptional, for crunch
Greek yogurt or sour creamoptional dollop for serving
Instructions
Prepare and Blend
Chill your ingredients first if time allows — place the cucumber, green pepper, and even your blender jar in the refrigerator for 30–60 minutes before starting for the coldest, most refreshing result.
Add the chopped cucumber, green bell pepper, garlic cloves, and jalapeño (if using) to a high-powered blender. Blend on high for 30–45 seconds until the vegetables are fully broken down and smooth.
Add the ripe avocado, fresh parsley or cilantro, olive oil, lemon juice, cold water (or vegetable broth), salt, black pepper, and cumin (if using) to the blender.
Blend on high for 60–90 seconds until completely smooth and creamy. Stop and scrape down the sides as needed. The soup should be vibrantly green and velvety in texture.
Taste the soup and adjust seasoning — add more salt, lemon juice, or olive oil as needed. If the soup is too thick, blend in additional cold water one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
Chill and Serve
Transfer the gazpacho to a large bowl or pitcher and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. For the best flavor, chill for 2–4 hours or overnight. The flavors will deepen and meld beautifully.
Before serving, taste once more and re-season if needed — cold dulls flavors slightly, so a pinch more salt and a squeeze of lemon often helps after chilling.
Ladle into chilled bowls and garnish with thin cucumber slices, a drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, and any optional toppings of your choice. Serve immediately.
Notes
Make-Ahead: This soup keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Some separation is normal — simply stir or re-blend before serving and add a fresh squeeze of lemon to brighten the color. It is not recommended to freeze this soup as the avocado texture will deteriorate significantly upon thawing. | For maximum smoothness: Use a high-powered blender. If using a standard blender, you may want to peel the cucumber before blending and strain the soup through a fine mesh sieve. | Adjust consistency: Add cold water or vegetable broth to thin, or an extra chunk of avocado to thicken. | For extra protein: Stir in a dollop of Greek yogurt per serving.