Ina Garten’s Salmorejo Recipe for Summer Bliss in Every Spoon

Salmorejo, a luxurious Spanish cold soup, transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that dances across your palate.

Mediterranean kitchens have long celebrated this vibrant dish as a summer staple with remarkable depth.

Chilled tomato-based preparations rarely capture such intense flavor and silky smoothness.

Rich crimson hues hint at the robust taste waiting to unfold in each spoonful.

Regional Spanish traditions elevate this recipe beyond ordinary soup experiences, blending rustic charm with sophisticated techniques.

Ripe produce becomes a canvas for complex flavors that burst with bright, tangy notes.

Flavor Twists for This Spanish Classic

• Summer Fresh Gazpacho: Replace sherry vinegar with white wine vinegar and add cucumber for extra crispness, creating a lighter Mediterranean-style cold soup perfect for hot days.
• Smoky Roasted Version: Char tomatoes and bell peppers on a grill before blending to introduce deep, smoky flavor notes that enhance the traditional Spanish recipe's profile.
• Protein-Packed Edition: Incorporate diced cooked shrimp or crumbled feta cheese as a topping, transforming the classic salmorejo into a more substantial and protein-rich meal option.
• Spicy Andalusian Style: Mix in a small amount of smoked paprika and add finely chopped jalapeños for a zesty kick that brings additional warmth and complexity to the original recipe.

Salmorejo Send-Off

Salmorejo, Ina Garten’s Spanish culinary gem, whispers Mediterranean charm with each spoonful.

Mediterranean sunshine dances through ripe tomatoes blended into silky smoothness.

Bold flavors mingle effortlessly, creating liquid poetry that transports palates across coastal landscapes.

Sherry vinegar adds zesty complexity while olive oil rounds out nuanced textures.

Crisp croutons and fresh basil provide delightful contrasts against chilled soup’s velvety foundation.

Crowd-pleasing simplicity meets gourmet elegance – share this recipe, tag friends who adore Spanish cuisine, and let deliciousness spark conversation in comments below!

What Makes Ina Garten’s Salmorejo So Refreshing

• Unleash Vibrant Summer Flavors: This salmorejo bursts with fresh, ripe tomato essence that captures the heart of Spanish cuisine, delivering an explosion of seasonal goodness in every spoonful.
• Master Effortless Chilled Comfort: Requiring just a blender and minimal cooking, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a sophisticated cold soup that feels luxurious yet incredibly easy to prepare.
• Customize with Gourmet Toppings: The versatile base invites creative garnishing, allowing home cooks to elevate the dish with crispy croutons, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fragrant basil leaves for a personalized gourmet experience.
• Embrace Quick Meal Prep Magic: With only 10 minutes of active preparation and a simple two-hour chilling time, this recipe offers a stress-free, impressive dish perfect for hot summer days when cooking feels like a chore.

All the Essentials for Salmorejo Done Right

• Tomatoes: Ripe, deep red tomatoes provide the rich, sweet foundation for the soup.
• Bread: Day-old bread helps thicken and create a smooth, creamy texture.
• Bell Pepper: Adds a fresh, slightly sweet crunch and vibrant color to the soup.
• Onion: Brings a subtle sharp flavor and depth to the overall taste.
• Garlic: Delivers a pungent, aromatic kick to enhance the soup's complexity.

• Sherry Vinegar: Adds a tangy, slightly sweet acidic note to balance the soup.
• Olive Oil: High-quality extra virgin olive oil provides richness and smooth finish.
• Salt: Enhances and brings out the natural flavors of the ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Introduces a mild heat and subtle spiciness to the soup.

• Croutons: Crispy bread cubes add textural contrast and crunch.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Fresh, sweet mini tomatoes provide bright bursts of flavor.
• Basil Leaves: Fragrant herb adds a fresh, aromatic green note.
• Flaked Sea Salt: Provides a delicate, crunchy finishing touch.

How to Blend and Chill Salmorejo Like Ina

Step 1: Gather Fresh Ingredients

Collect ripe tomatoes, stale bread, red bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Ensure all produce is fresh and vibrant.

• Tomatoes
• Bread
• Red bell pepper
• Onion
• Garlic

Step 2: Blend Vegetable Symphony

Chop the vegetables coarsely and transfer to a blender or food processor. Pulse until the mixture becomes a smooth, velvety texture with minimal tomato skin fragments.

Step 3: Enhance Flavor Profile

• Tomato purée
• Sherry vinegar
• Salt
• Black pepper

Gradually incorporate olive oil while whisking to create a silky consistency.

Step 4: Chill and Develop Flavors

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for two hours. This resting period allows the ingredients to mingle and create a harmonious taste experience. For extended storage, hold off on adding olive oil until just before serving.

Step 5: Artful Presentation

• Crispy croutons
• Halved cherry tomatoes
• Fresh basil leaves
• Flaked sea salt

Finish with a graceful drizzle of premium olive oil.

Top Tips for Smooth, Cold Soup Perfection

• Select Peak Tomatoes: Choose vine-ripened, deep red tomatoes bursting with summer sweetness for an authentic, vibrant salmorejo.
• Trim Bread Edges: Carefully remove bread crusts to ensure a silky-smooth texture without any tough or chewy bits.
• Preserve Oil's Freshness: Wait to drizzle extra virgin olive oil until serving to maintain its delicate flavor and prevent separation in cold temperatures.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Refrigerate the soup for at least two hours, allowing ingredients to meld and develop a more complex, harmonious taste profile.
• Garnish with Flair: Sprinkle crisp croutons, halved cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and a pinch of flaky sea salt just before serving for maximum visual appeal and textural contrast.

Storing Salmorejo Without Separation

• Freeze Strategically: Pour cooled Salmorejo into freezer-safe glass containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving about an inch of space at the top for expansion. Seal tightly and label with the date. Frozen Salmorejo maintains its quality for up to 2 months, perfect for quick meal prep or unexpected guests.
• Prevent Separation: Before storing, give the Salmorejo a good stir to redistribute any settled ingredients. This helps maintain its smooth, creamy texture and prevents liquid from separating during refrigeration.
• Container Choice Matters: Select non-reactive containers like glass or ceramic to preserve the soup's delicate flavor. Avoid metal containers that might alter the taste and compromise the Salmorejo's authentic Spanish character.

Ina Garten Salmorejo Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s salmorejo delivers Spanish summer magic in a chilled tomato soup sensation. Rich cream and smoky ham garnish elevate this classic Mediterranean recipe, promising cool comfort with each luxurious spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 900g / 2 pounds large ripe red tomatoes, cored and roughly chopped
• 1 Holland red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and large-diced
• 120g / ½ cup chopped red onion
• 3 large garlic cloves

Bread and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 heaping cup / about 120g diced country white bread, crusts removed
• 120ml / ½ cup tomato purée (such as passata di pomodoro)
• 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
• 180ml / ¾ cup good olive oil, plus extra for serving

Garnish and Seasoning:

• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Toasted croutons
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Julienned fresh basil leaves
• Flaked sea salt (such as Maldon)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the foundation by combining chopped tomatoes, bread cubes, bell pepper, red onion, and garlic inside a food processor or high-powered blender. Pulse and purée the mixture until the tomato skins are finely broken down and the texture becomes smooth.
2. Transfer the vibrant vegetable purée into a spacious mixing bowl. Incorporate tomato purée, authentic sherry vinegar, kosher salt (or 10 grams), and freshly ground black pepper (or 2 grams). Gradually stream in extra virgin olive oil (240 milliliters or 8 fluid ounces), whisking continuously to create a cohesive and emulsified gazpacho base.
3. Refrigerate the unfinished gazpacho for approximately 2 hours, allowing the complex flavors to harmonize and intensify. For optimal preservation, consider omitting the olive oil during initial chilling and adding it just before serving to maintain its fresh, bright characteristics.
4. Present the chilled gazpacho in elegant shallow bowls. Garnish with homemade croutons, halved cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, flaky sea salt, and a delicate drizzle of premium olive oil to enhance the visual and flavor profile.

Notes

• Tomato Selection Matters: Choose vine-ripened, deep red tomatoes bursting with summer sweetness for the most incredible gazpacho flavor profile.
• Texture Perfection: Strain the blended mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to achieve an ultra-smooth, silky consistency that glides across your palate.
• Chilling Technique: Refrigerate the soup for at least 2-3 hours, allowing ingredients to marry and develop a more complex, harmonious taste.
• Garnish with Precision: Sprinkle crisp croutons, delicate basil leaves, and flaky sea salt moments before serving to maintain maximum crunch and freshness.
• Storage Wisdom: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping olive oil separate until serving to prevent separation and maintain vibrant texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 240 ml)
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 19g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 0mg