Tarator – Bulgarian Cold Cucumber Soup

This cold soup is the perfect way to cool down this summer! Tarator is a Bulgarian cold cucumber soup that’s super quick and easy to make and so refreshing.

Have you tried tarator before? If you are a fan of chilled soups like gazpacho, you are going to adore this Bulgarian cucumber soup recipe! It’s made with only a handful of main ingredients and is ready in minutes.

If you love cucumbers too, be sure to check out my Cucumber Salad Recipe and Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites.

What Is Tarator Soup

Tarator is a refreshing cold soup made with cucumbers, yogurt, walnuts, and herbs, it only takes about 10 minutes to make this no-cook soup recipe and it’s a delicious way to enjoy your cucumbers!

The star of this soup is yogurt. Everyone knows how good yogurt is for you. But do you know about its origin? The secret lies in a small bacteria known by different names that causes the milk fermentation and gives the yogurt its unique taste. The bacteria is called Lactobacillus Bulgaricus named after the original bacteria found in Bulgarian yogurt. Bulgaria is known worldwide for the discovery of the yogurt bacteria which allowed Bulgarian yogurt to be manufactured worldwide.

Tarator Ingredients

• Cucumber: Use English cucumbers for this recipe. Simply cut them into small dice.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a real punch of flavor.
• Dill: Fresh dill works so well with cucumber and adds a wonderful herby flavor that is ever so slightly bitter.
• Oil: Use olive oil or extra virgin olive oil. optional but it adds a nice flavor.
• Salt and pepper: For seasoning.
• Yogurt: Yogurt is the star of this cold soup and makes it really rich and creamy
• Water: To dilute the yogurt
• Walnuts: For garnish. They add a great crunchy texture.

How to make tarator

1. In a large bowl combine diced cucumber, garlic, dill, oil, salt, and black pepper.
2. Stir in yogurt and mix everything.
3. Add cold water and mix well, making sure the soup is lump-free and creamy. Taste and add more salt if needed.
4. Top with chopped walnuts and more fresh dill for garnish.

TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN

Recipe Notes and Tips

• Dice the cumbers into small squares so that they are easier to eat.
• I prefer to use diced cucumbers rather than grated cucumbers because they give the soup a better texture and add a nice crunch.
• Mince the garlic as finely as possible so that it mixes in well with the other ingredients.
• I prefer to use a full-fat yogurt as it is much more nutritious and healthy, but you can use a reduced-fat one if you prefer.

Recipe FAQs

Do you have to peel the cucumber?

You can make this cold cucumber soup either with peeled or unpeeled cucumber. The skin does contain fiber and it will add texture and color to the soup. If you prefer it peeled, that’s fine too!

Can you make tarator ahead of time?

This tarator soup is best made at least 30 minutes before you plan to serve it so that it can cool in the fridge. You can make the cucumber yogurt soup a day ahead of time and keep it covered, and give it a good stir before serving.

How do you serve tarator?

Tarator is usually served as a starter soup, but I also like to enjoy it as a light lunch. This easy vegetable soup perfect by itself, but you can also serve it with some crusty bread if you like.

Serving Suggestions for True Bulgarian Feast

If you want the full Bulgarian feast experience, start things off with a chilled bowl of Tarator soup – it’s light, refreshing, and the perfect way to wake up your taste buds. Next, dive into a hearty serving of Bulgarian Moussaka with potatoes, baked to golden perfection. Of course, no Bulgarian meal is complete without a crisp and colorful Authentic Shopska salad on the side. And to wrap it all up? A sweet, sticky slice of Baklava that’ll leave you reaching for just one more bite.

More Easy Soup Recipes

• Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
• Butternut Squash Apple Soup
• Creamy Potato and Leek Soup
• Creamy Zucchini Soup

If you enjoyed this Tarator recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.

Tarator (Bulgarian Cold Cucumber Soup)

This cold soup is the perfect way to cool down this summer! Tarator is a Bulgarian cold cucumber soup that's super quick and easy to make and so refreshing. Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients  

• 1 long English cucumber, cut in small dice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 Tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 2 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Salt & ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 cups yogurt
• 1 ½ cups water
• ½ cup chopped walnuts

Instructions 

• In a large bowl combine diced cucumber, garlic, dill, oil, salt and black pepper.
• Stir in yogurt and mix everything.
• Add cold water and mix well, making sure the soup is lump-free and creamy. Taste and add more salt if needed.
• Top with chopped walnuts and more fresh dill for garnish.
• Serve immediately or refridgerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Dice the cumbers into small squares so that they are easier to eat.
• I prefer to use diced cucumbers rather than grated cucumbers because they give the soup a better texture and add a nice crunch.
• Mince the garlic as finely as possible so that it mixes in well with the other ingredients.
• I prefer to use a full-fat yogurt as it is much nutritious and healthy, but you can use a reduced-fat one if you prefer.

Nutrition

• Calories: 205 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 16 mg
• Sodium: 646 mg
• Potassium: 426 mg
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 8 g
• Vitamin A: 252 IU
• Vitamin C: 6 mg
• Calcium: 182 mg
• Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary with ingredients, brands, and portion sizes. For accuracy, use your preferred nutrition calculator.