Cool cucumber soup meets sizzling grilled shrimp in this summery recipe. This chilled soup combines the delicate flavor of cucumbers with silky tofu, zesty limes and fresh herbs. The addition of grilled shrimp takes the protein quotient to a whopping 49 grams.
Active time: 45 minutes | Total time: 55 minutes, plus chill time
Grilled Shrimp & Cucumber Gazpacho
Ingredients
- 8 (6-inch) wooden or metal
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 2 cucumbers, seeded and chopped (4 cups)
- 1/2 sweet onion, chopped (3/4 cups)
- 1 small garlic clove, peeled
- 1/4 cup Italian parsley leaves
- 1/4 cup (2 oz.) soft silken tofu
- 1/4 cup olive oil, divided
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp sherry vinegar or white-wine vinegar
- 3/4 tsp salt, divided
- 1/2 tsp white or black pepper
- 1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Directions
Soak wooden skewers, if using, in water for at least 30 minutes.
Toast sesame seeds in a small, dry saute pan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until nutty-smelling and golden brown, about 3 min.
In a blender, combine cucumbers, onions, garlic, parsley, tofu, 3 tbsp of oil, lime juice and vinegar. Blend until smooth. Season the gazpacho with 1/2 tsp of salt and pepper and chill for at least 1 hour.
Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Clean and oil the grill. Toss the shrimp with the remaining olive oil, paprika and 1/4 tsp salt. Thread the shrimp onto the prepared skewers. Grill skewers until the shrimp are pink and opaque white throughout and internal temperature reaches 145°F, about 3 min per side.
Pour the soup into four shallow soup bowls and balance the skewers on the edge of the bowls. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Note: The soup can be made up to one day ahead. Whisk to re-incorporate ingredients before serving.
Serves: 4 | Serving Size: 1 cup soup and about 10 shrimp
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 413; Total Fat: 21g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 12g; Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g; Cholesterol: 365mg; Sodium: 719mg; Carbohydrate: 10g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 49g
Nutrition Bonus: Potassium: 906mg; Iron: 15%; Vitamin A: 32%; Vitamin C: 27%; Calcium: 20%
Originally published July 11, 2017; Updated April 2026
