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Bulgarian Tarator Soup (Cold Cucumber Soup)

September 21, 2015 by Maureen 48 Comments

In my last post, I shared the news that my good friends Hristo and Emiliya from Sofia in Bulgaria had come to visit. Years ago, Hristo stayed with us for a few months when we lived in Victoria and we’ve remained close ever since. One night Hristo walked me through a couple of Bulgarian recipes.

Bulgarian Tarator Soup

“You must make tarator soup,” he said.

“What’s that?”

“It’s a cold yoghurt soup with cucumber, garlic and dill,” he said.

Bulgarian Tarator Soup

“Is that a tzatziki soup?” I asked just trying to be funny.

Well, it turns out that’s exactly what it is and it’s a traditional Bulgarian dish that every Bulgarian eats. Think of it in the same way a Spaniard would think of gazpacho.  That’s what I’m told anyway.

The colder it is, the better it tastes. When I had some the next day, Hristo was right. The flavors had time to meld together and it was even more delicious on day two. It’s often served in appetizer sized portions.

Bulgarian Tarator Soup

5.0 from 12 reviews
Bulgarian Tarator Soup
 
Print
Prep time
15 mins
Total time
15 mins
 
If you like tzatziki, you'll LOVE this soup!
Author: Hristo Marinov
Recipe type: Soup
Cuisine: Bulgarian
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 2-3 Lebanese cucumbers, washed and finely diced
  • 2 cups plain yoghurt
  • ½ cup walnuts, chopped
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon walnut oil
  • Water
Instructions
  1. In a medium sized bowl, add all ingredients except water and mix well.
  2. Slowly whisk in cold water until the soup reaches a consistency you enjoy.
  3. Chill and serve.
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You really should try this soup. John and I both thought it was delicious. Next up is a lovely salad.

Hristo and Emiliya headed to the Great Barrier Reef and then on to Darwin. I certainly have travel envy.

 

Filed Under: Recipes, Soup Tagged With: Bulgarian recipes, bulgarian tarator soup

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Comments

  1. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

    September 21, 2015 at 9:13 pm

    I love tarator but have never had it in soup! Thanks for sharing the recipe! 😀

    Reply
  2. Chris Scheuer says

    September 21, 2015 at 10:11 pm

    I love old traditional ethnic recipes like this. To me, they are like finding a new treasure. It sounds like your friends are treasures as well!

    Reply
  3. movita beaucoup says

    September 21, 2015 at 10:22 pm

    I saw this on facebook the other day and was wondering how to make it! I love, love, love anything with cucumbers! And I love any soup that is this easy…

    Reply
  4. Helen | Grab Your Fork says

    September 22, 2015 at 12:03 am

    Loved tarator in Bulgaria. Will definitely have to bookmark this recipe for the upcoming summer months 😀

    Reply
  5. Lisa (Panning The Globe) says

    September 22, 2015 at 1:32 am

    I love Tzatziki! So does my husband. Can’t wait to try this. Thanks Maureen!

    Reply
  6. Norma Chang says

    September 22, 2015 at 1:34 am

    This is so easy and healthy, thanks for sharing. No idea what the size of a Lebanese cucumber is, suppose I Google the answer, could you give approximate volume or weight?

    Reply
    • Adri says

      January 16, 2023 at 7:18 am

      We have Persian (same as Lebanese) Cucumbers in Southern California. They’re approx 1/2 – 2/3 the length, & 1/2 – 2/3 the diameter of an English cucumber. Persian cuc seeds are more compact so, when salted, they sweat less than an English cuc. Persian cucs have a nice crunch. The best fresh cucs are firm, NOT soft or shriveled.

      Reply
  7. Mira says

    September 22, 2015 at 2:33 am

    Hope ypu had great time with your Bulgarian friends Maureen! Love the tarator you made! Looks perfect! Now I need to make some! So glad you like it and thanks for sharing Bulgarian dishes on your wonderful blog!

    Reply
  8. Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish says

    September 22, 2015 at 3:42 am

    Tzatziki soup 🙂 That’s brilliant!!! Loved this post, Maureen!

    Reply
  9. Roberta says

    September 22, 2015 at 4:01 am

    YUM YUM You have the best friends!

    Reply
  10. mila furman says

    September 22, 2015 at 4:29 am

    Maureen, we have a Russian soup that is very similar to this 🙂 I’m one of those weirdos that hot soups must be hot and that’s that…nonetheless unlike me, I am sure my non-weird family will love this!

    Reply
  11. SallyBR says

    September 22, 2015 at 5:01 am

    Ever since you mentioned it on FB, I was waiting to see the full disclosure… seems pretty delicious to me, refreshing and light…

    I just wish we were headed to Spring instead of Fall… (sigh)

    Reply
  12. Mary Frances says

    September 22, 2015 at 5:03 am

    Tzatziki soup? Wow that sounds like a dream Maureen!

    Reply
  13. Shashi at RunninSrilankan says

    September 22, 2015 at 5:28 am

    I love learning about traditional dishes from other countries – and I cannot but marvel at how similar this is to Indian Raita (though Raita is more a palette cleanser than an appetizer) Love the walnuts in it!

    Reply
  14. Nagi@RecipeTinEats says

    September 22, 2015 at 5:31 am

    I’ve known of this for years but never tried it. It sounded odd! BUT! I trust your taste. 🙂 I will give it a go this summer!!

    Reply
  15. Rachel (Rachel's Kitchen NZ) says

    September 22, 2015 at 5:55 am

    Yep, delicious – haven’t had it for years – but will tuck this away for when it gets a bit warmer.

    Reply
  16. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    September 22, 2015 at 7:17 am

    I’m sure I would have called this tzatziki soup as well! This would be perfect on a hot summer day!

    Reply
  17. Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says

    September 22, 2015 at 8:24 am

    It sounds and looks wonderful! How refreshing. Love learning new things and recipes – thanks Maureen!

    Reply
  18. Liz (Good Things) says

    September 22, 2015 at 9:23 am

    How lovely to have had your dear friends visit you… I’ve heard of this soup, Maureen, but not tried it. Methinks it would be wonderful on a summer’s day! xxx

    Reply
  19. Victoria of Flavors of the Sun says

    September 22, 2015 at 9:25 am

    I’ve never had tarator in soup either. Looks absolutely wonderful. I can almost taste it.

    Reply
  20. Nancy | Plus Ate Six says

    September 22, 2015 at 9:51 am

    I ate so much of this in Poland over the summer – it’s refreshing and very light isn’t it.

    Reply
  21. Marilyn Lesniak says

    September 22, 2015 at 9:53 am

    This looks so appetizing. We have an abundance of cucumbers in the garden so this recipe is definitely one I am going to try! Thanks Maureen.

    Reply
  22. The Surprised Gourmet says

    September 22, 2015 at 11:52 am

    This looks delicious and oh so easy.I really want to try this soon.Love your posts.

    Reply
  23. Kristi @ My SF Kitchen says

    September 22, 2015 at 12:27 pm

    Maureen, this soup looks so refreshing! Can’t wait to make it. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      September 23, 2015 at 11:58 am

      I hope you like it as much as we did!

      Reply
  24. Tara says

    September 22, 2015 at 12:46 pm

    What an amazing looking soup, love that it has walnuts in it too!

    Reply
  25. Abbe @ This is How I Cook says

    September 22, 2015 at 2:10 pm

    This sounds like a lovely soup. Can’t wait to try it though I will probably wait until next year. Though it has been awfully warm around here!

    Reply
  26. Tandy | Lavender and Lime says

    September 22, 2015 at 4:45 pm

    this looks delicious, and has to be one of my favourite summer soups 🙂

    Reply
  27. Glamorous Glutton says

    September 22, 2015 at 6:45 pm

    This sounds delicious. I’m often wary of chilled soup but live it when I actually have it. GG

    Reply
  28. InTolerant Chef says

    September 22, 2015 at 7:25 pm

    Gorgeous! I often grow so many cucumbers that they overrun the garden, I’ll definitely be making this thanks!

    Reply
  29. Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says

    September 22, 2015 at 11:35 pm

    Maureen, it sounds wonderful. This will be the first Bulgarian dish I ever make!

    Reply
  30. Emma @ Bake Then Eat says

    September 23, 2015 at 8:44 am

    What a lovely looking cold soup, it sounds so fresh and tasty I am bookmarking this for when the sun comes back 😀

    Reply
  31. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

    September 23, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    So curious to know what this soup tastes like. In any event though – it looks VERY delicious.

    Reply
  32. Hotly Spiced says

    September 23, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    I can just imagine how refreshing this soup would be during a heatwave. And I sure wish we were having a heatwave – not only so I could make this soup but so I could thaw out. It’s freezing here in Sydney – about 10C and blowing a gale and rain as well. I’m so ready for the heat xx

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      September 24, 2015 at 1:38 pm

      It was cold last night but today is breezy and warm. 🙂

      Reply
  33. Eva says

    September 23, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    It’s great meet your friend in internet ! Great meeting and fantastic recipe!

    Reply
  34. Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says

    September 23, 2015 at 10:39 pm

    I love tzatziki, so I am sure I am going to love this soup!!! I often eat any left over tzatziki with a spoon, so I am half way there 😉

    With the weather warming up this is just perfect for lunch in the garden with a girl friend…..maybe with a sneaky glass of wine!

    Reply
  35. The Ninja Baker says

    September 24, 2015 at 4:28 am

    See me applauding, Maureen? Looks like the Bulgarian soup is indeed a marriage of flavors and ingredients from around the world. Love posts which remind me “I’ts a Small World After All,” My homework: Google Lebanese cucumbers =) P.s. Hope you are feeling better <3

    Reply
  36. Bam's Kitchen says

    September 24, 2015 at 6:03 pm

    Hiya Maureen, I am hoping your having a lovely visit and please extend my thanks for sharing a beautiful recipe with you. It sounds so cool and refreshing and in 15 minutes that is my kind of recipe… I hope you are feeling a little better and balancing/managing your pain better. think of you often. Take Care, BAM

    Reply
  37. Ciao Florentina says

    September 25, 2015 at 6:14 am

    I have never tried this soup, by my friend from Bulgaria was just telling me about it, how funny is that ? Now I have to try it , i love soups!

    Reply
  38. Amanda (@lambsearshoney) says

    September 25, 2015 at 11:14 pm

    Like Helen above, I loved this when we were in Bulgaria. It’s perfect for a summer lunch. Thanks for reminding me of it, Maureen!

    Reply
  39. Vicki Bensinger says

    September 26, 2015 at 4:07 am

    I was just thinking about you this morning and wondering if you were still suffering from vertigo since I hadn’t seen a post from you. Then I was just looking in my junk mail and saw this post. So glad you’re feeling better.

    I love cucumber soup and this sounds and looks very refreshing!

    Reply
  40. Mrs Mulberry says

    September 26, 2015 at 9:57 am

    What a wonderful recipe Maureen. This is one my Greek household will love – I’ll definitely be giving this a try on a warm day!! xx

    Reply
  41. Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says

    September 28, 2015 at 10:58 am

    This looks so refreshing, Maureen! The only cold soup I’ve ever tasted is Gazpacho, but I love tzatziki so these flavors are right up my alley. Yum! Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  42. mjskitchen says

    September 30, 2015 at 11:17 am

    A cold cucumber soup that isn’t pureed. I love it!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      September 30, 2015 at 9:56 pm

      I loved that there was crunch in every bite.

      Reply
  43. sherry from sherrys pickings says

    October 1, 2015 at 6:01 pm

    we used to make this years ago in the summer. very delish. we were always told it was a greek dish. our housemate was greek and she used to make it. i guess lots of people claim it!:)

    Reply
  44. Claire @ Simply Sweet Justice says

    October 8, 2015 at 2:12 pm

    I love, love tzatziki, so I’d love this! CAn’t wait to try it -making it this week end.

    Reply

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