Cold Cucumber Soup

This cold cucumber soup is called “Tarator” in Bulgaria. You may also know it as “Cacik” (pronounced JAH-jek) in Turkey, or “Tzatziki” in Greece. The only difference between Tzatziki and Tarator is that we make ours with grated cucumber, yogurt, garlic, olive oil, dill, salt, and add cold water to thin it out. Tarator is a staple in Bulgaria that can be found on the menu in every restaurant, especially during the summer. This soup pairs perfectly with grilled meat, fish, veggies, cevapi (similar to kebabs), or it’s delicious on its own on a hot summer day. You will love this refreshing, healthy, and easy soup.

Cold Cucumber Soup

The Modern Nonna

Tarator is a staple in Bulgaria that can be found on the menu in every restaurant, especially during the summer. It pairs perfectly with grilled meat, fish, veggies, cevapi (similar to kebabs), or it’s delicious on its own on a hot summer day.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 1 English cucumber, peeled and diced or finely grated (diced is traditional)
• 1 container of plain yogurt 750 grams
• 2 pinches salt
• 4 tablespoons finely chopped dill
• 1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
• drizzle of olive oil
• 2 ½ cups cold filtered water
• chopped or crushed walnuts (optional)

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, add the cucumber, yogurt, salt, dill, and garlic and mix. Add in the cold water and mix until smooth. You can add more or less water, depending on the desired consistency. (You can also omit the water for a delicious dip.) Taste and season with more salt, as needed. Add a small drizzle of olive oil over the top of the soup.
• Store the soup in the refrigerator to chill overnight. Some Bulgarians will add ice cubes before serving to make it EXTRA cold. Enjoy!

Video

https://youtube.com/shorts/p0CzU6l9fAs

Notes

Use your favorite brand and style of plain yogurt. We like Balkan-style yogurt, Bulgarian yogurt, or Greek Yogurt. 

All the ingredient measurements in this recipe are a starting point; please add the quantities you desire, as everything is to taste. 

If you like your cold cucumber soup thicker, add less water and if you like it thinner, add more water. This dish is supposed to be enjoyed really cold, so some people like to add ice cubes and serve it right away. 

Fresh dill is key and should not be replaced.

Garlic should be minced so that you don’t get that pungent taste from large pieces. Add as much or as little garlic as you like. 

You can grate the cucumber on the smaller hole setting of a cheese grater or dice it finely. 

I added one 750g tub of yogurt to a bowl, and used that same container for the filtered water. I filled the yogurt container three quarters of the way with water. You can make it as thick or as thin as you like. 

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