Zippy Alton Brown Gazpacho Recipe: Summer’s Coolest Soup

Gazpacho, the liquid sunshine of Mediterranean cuisine, bursts with vibrant flavors that redefine summer dining.

This chilled delicacy transforms ordinary vegetables into an extraordinary culinary masterpiece.

Fresh ingredients mingle like passionate dance partners, creating a symphony of tastes that electrify your senses.

Cool and invigorating, every spoonful carries the essence of sun-ripened produce straight from the garden.

No complex cooking skills required – just pure, unadulterated deliciousness waiting to be unleashed.

Each vibrant sip promises a refreshing escape from scorching temperatures, turning an ordinary meal into an unforgettable experience.

Check out this cool, zesty adventure and let your taste buds embark on a mouthwatering journey they’ll never forget.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 47 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Alton Brown Gazpacho

• Tomatoes: Select ripe, firm tomatoes with deep color and no blemishes for the best flavor.
• Red Onion: Choose a crisp, glossy onion without soft spots or green sprouts for a sharp, clean taste.
• Jalapeno: Pick a vibrant green pepper with smooth skin and no wrinkles for maximum heat and freshness.
• Cucumber: Look for firm, dark green cucumber with minimal seeds and no soft spots.
• Garlic: Select plump, compact cloves with tight, unbroken skin and no green shoots.
• Fresh Basil: Choose bright green leaves with no wilting or dark marks for garnishing.

• Olive Oil: Opt for extra virgin cold-pressed oil with rich, fruity aroma.
• Lime Juice: Use fresh-squeezed juice for brighter, more intense citrus flavor.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Select aged vinegar with deep, complex sweetness.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Choose traditional, well-balanced sauce for depth of flavor.
• Bottled Tomato Juice: Pick pure, low-sodium juice without added preservatives.

• Cumin: Select whole seeds or ground spice with strong, earthy fragrance.

Tools and Equipment for Alton Brown Gazpacho

• 6-quart pot: Large, sturdy pot for boiling water effectively.
• Paring knife: Sharp small knife for precise tomato marking.
• Fine-mesh strainer: Essential tool for separating tomato juice and pulp.
• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining ingredients.
• Cutting board: Stable surface for chopping vegetables.
• Blender: Powerful appliance for creating smooth texture.
• Knife: For chopping red onion, cucumber, and jalapeño.
• Measuring tools: Spoons and cups for accurate ingredient portions.
• Ice bath: Large bowl with ice water for cooling tomatoes quickly.
• Kitchen towels: For drying and handling ingredients safely.

How to Make Alton Brown Gazpacho

• Prep Tomatoes

Boil water in a large pot. Slice a small X on tomato bottoms. Dunk tomatoes quickly into boiling water, then immediately transfer to ice water. Peel skin, remove seeds, and chop tomatoes into small pieces.

• Create Flavor Base

Finely dice red onion, jalapeño, garlic, and cucumber. Combine chopped tomatoes with fresh vegetables in a mixing bowl. Add olive oil, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and cumin for depth of flavor.

• Blend and Chill

Transfer half the mixture to a blender. Pulse briefly to create a slightly chunky texture. Return blended portion to the bowl and stir gently. Refrigerate for several hours to allow flavors to meld together. Before serving, sprinkle fresh basil on top for a bright, aromatic finish.

Tips and Variations for Alton Brown Gazpacho

• Boost Your Gazpacho Game: Expert Tips & Twists
• Customize Your Heat Level: Adjust the spiciness by adding or reducing jalapeño seeds. Remove seeds for mild flavor, keep them for extra kick.
• Switch Up Your Veggies: Experiment with different fresh produce like yellow tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, or add crisp green tomatillos for unique flavor profiles.
• Make It Your Own Protein Bowl: Transform the gazpacho by topping with grilled shrimp, diced chicken, or crumbled queso fresco for a heartier meal.
• Speed Up Chilling Technique: Place the gazpacho in a shallow pan before refrigerating to help it cool faster and develop deeper, more integrated flavors more quickly.

Serving Ideas for Alton Brown Gazpacho

• Garnish Like a Pro: Sprinkle fresh basil chiffonade on top for a burst of color and herbal aroma that elevates the dish's visual appeal.
• Chill and Enhance: Refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and intensify, creating a more complex taste profile.
• Pair with Perfection: Serve alongside crispy tortilla chips, toasted bread slices, or as a refreshing side to grilled proteins for a complete meal experience.
• Temperature Tip: Enjoy this dish cold straight from the refrigerator for a crisp, refreshing flavor that's perfect for hot summer days.

Storage Advice for Alton Brown Gazpacho

• Preserve Fresh Goodness: Store your gazpacho in an airtight glass container to maintain its vibrant flavors and crisp texture. Glass containers prevent flavor absorption and keep the soup tasting exactly as you intended.
• Refrigerate and Savor: Keep the gazpacho chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will actually develop and become more complex as they meld together overnight, making each serving more delicious than the last.
• Smart Portioning: Divide the gazpacho into individual serving containers for quick grab-and-go lunches or refreshing snacks. Mason jars work perfectly for convenient, portable meals that stay fresh and appetizing.
• Freezing Considerations: While fresh is best, you can freeze gazpacho for up to 1 month. Pro tip: Leave a little extra space in the container, as the liquid will expand when frozen. Thaw in the refrigerator and give it a quick stir before serving to restore its original texture.

Vibrant Alton Brown Gazpacho Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 47 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Alton Brown’s gazpacho recipe delivers a refreshing Spanish classic perfect for summer days. Simple ingredients blend into a cool, zesty soup that brings Mediterranean flavors directly to your table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ lbs (680 g) vine-ripened tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1 cup (150 g) cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
• ½ cup (75 g) red bell pepper, chopped
• ½ cup (75 g) red onion, chopped
• ¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp toasted, ground cumin
• 1 small jalapeno, seeded and minced
• 1 medium garlic clove, minced
• 2 tbsps (8 g) fresh basil leaves, chiffonade
• 2 tsp (10 ml) balsamic vinegar
• 2 tsp (10 ml) Worcestershire sauce
• 2 limes, juiced
• tomato juice

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Instructions

1. Tomato Blanching: Bring water to a rolling boil, score tomato bottoms with an X-cut, submerge for 15 seconds, then transfer to an ice bath for 60 seconds to stop cooking.
2. Tomato Preparation: Peel tomatoes, extract seeds through a fine-mesh strainer, capturing additional juice and pressing pulp gently.
3. Flavor Infusion: Combine tomato pieces, juice, extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, red onion, jalapeno, garlic, and cucumber in a large mixing bowl.
4. Blending Technique: Puree 1 1/2 cups of the mixture in a blender for 15-20 seconds until smooth, then reincorporate into the remaining ingredients.
5. Flavor Development: Refrigerate the gazpacho for a minimum of 2 hours, preferably overnight, allowing ingredients to harmonize and intensify.
6. Presentation: Garnish with delicate basil chiffonade just before serving to enhance aromatic complexity.

Notes

• Blanch Tomatoes Perfectly: Create an X-cut at the bottom of tomatoes before boiling to ensure easy skin removal without compromising the fruit’s integrity.
• Maximize Juice Extraction: Gently press tomato seeds through a fine-mesh strainer to capture every drop of flavorful liquid, enhancing the gazpacho’s rich consistency.
• Chill for Flavor Depth: Refrigerate the gazpacho for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, allowing ingredients to marry and develop a more complex, robust taste profile.
• Garnish with Precision: Add fresh basil chiffonade just before serving to introduce a vibrant, aromatic finishing note that elevates the entire dish’s sensory experience.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg