Tarator (Bulgarian Cold Cucumber and Yogurt Soup)
Local name: Таратор
In short: A chilled summer soup of diced cucumber, thick yogurt, garlic, dill and walnuts, thinned with cold water and finished with a thread of sunflower oil. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 240 kcal
Tarator is the cold soup Bulgarians reach for on hot days. It takes about ten minutes: diced cucumber, garlic, dill and crushed walnuts are stirred into plain yogurt thinned with ice-cold water, then finished with a drizzle of sunflower oil. It can be eaten with a spoon or drunk from a glass, and many families serve it with fried fish or a plate of grilled vegetables.
Instructions
- Peel the cucumbers and dice them finely. If they are large, scrape out the seeds first so the soup does not turn watery.
- Put the garlic and salt in a large bowl and crush them together into a paste with the back of a spoon.
- Whisk in the yogurt, then add the cold water a little at a time, whisking until smooth and pourable like thin cream.
- Stir in the cucumbers, most of the dill and half the walnuts.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes so the flavors blend.
- Taste and adjust with salt or more cold water. Ladle into bowls, drizzle with the oil and scatter with the remaining walnuts and dill. Add an ice cube to each bowl if you like.
Tips
- Make it as thin or as thick as you like. Use less water for a dip-like salad to eat with bread, or more to drink from a glass.
- Thin the soup just before serving. Cucumbers release water as they sit, so the texture loosens in the fridge.
Questions and answers
Can I make tarator ahead?
Mix it up to a day ahead without the oil and keep it covered in the fridge. Stir and loosen it with cold water before serving.
Is tarator served cold?
Yes, always cold. Many people add a couple of ice cubes to the bowl.
Can I make tarator without walnuts?
Yes. Leave them out for a nut-free version. The soup is still fresh and garlicky, though a little less rich.
How long does it take to make Tarator (Bulgarian Cold Cucumber and Yogurt Soup)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tarator (Bulgarian Cold Cucumber and Yogurt Soup)?
About 240 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 14 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 240 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
