Gazpacho Is Your Best Friend For Spring Meal Prep

As the weather begins to warm up and the days get longer, it's time to start thinking about meal-prepping for spring. The dishes on rotation need to be fresh and light, suitable for the warmer weather while being able to get you through the day. And what better dish to choose than gazpacho? This chilled soup is a delicious and refreshing option that can be made in advance and enjoyed throughout the week.

Originating in Andalusia, Spain, gazpacho is a cold soup made with fresh vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and onions. It is traditionally served in the summer months for those hot days that require a cold dish. With the popularity of meal prepping, gazpacho has become a year-round staple for many and is a perfectly suitable addition to your spring routine. If you need a reason to explore the delicious world of gazpacho, read on for why gazpacho is a choice meal prep dish and how to make it.

One of the reasons why gazpacho is so great for meal prepping is that it can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. This means you can make a hefty serving of it at the beginning of your week and enjoy it for lunch over several days, saving you time and energy in the kitchen. Plus, because it's a cold soup, it's hydrating and refreshing, especially during warmer months.

In addition, gazpacho is incredibly versatile. You can adjust the recipe to include your favorite vegetables, spices, and herbs and add some protein, like shrimp or chicken, for a more filling meal. You can also play around with the texture, blending it until it's completely smooth or leaving it slightly chunky for a fun consistency. Saveur explains that a smoothie-like gazpacho texture is preferred in Spain, while a chunkier version is more common in the United States.

To make gazpacho, all you need is a blender or food processor and some fresh ingredients, like ripe tomatoes, bread, cucumbers, and garlic, adding in more ingredients to flavor how you'd like it. Add everything to the blending device of your choice and blend until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until chilled. If desired, serve in chilled bowls or glasses, garnished with additional chopped vegetables. 

An inviting bowl of gazpacho will make you want to taste it right away, but since it's a dish that gets even better with time, you're better off waiting. Bon Appétit recommends allowing gazpacho to chill for at least a few hours to give the flavors a chance to reach their potential. So, why not try it and see for yourself why it's such a beloved soup worldwide? Follow this cool and easy gazpacho recipe or get inspired with recipes like white cashew gazpacho or cucumber and avocado gazpacho.