Late Summer Peach Soup is creamy, tangy, and just a little bit spicy—exactly what you crave when summer’s winding down and peach season is at its glorious peak. This chilled soup captures that irresistible sun-ripened flavor, brightens it with grilled jalapeño, and cools everything down with a swirl of Greek yogurt. Every spoonful bursts with vibrant color and fresh contrast, making it as beautiful as it is irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Peak Peach Perfection: Fresh peaches, fire-kissed on the grill, create a soup that’s juicy, velvety, and bursting with pure late summer sunshine.
- Sweet & Spicy Balance: The cool, creamy base is brightened with jalapeño heat, honey, crisp cucumber, and a touch of lime—each bite is a delightful surprise.
- No Spoon Left Behind: Finished with charred corn and fresh cilantro, every bowl is creamy, crunchy, tangy, and oh-so-colorful—there won’t be a drop left.
- Make-Ahead Magic: It’s made entirely in advance, so it’s perfect for casual gatherings, fancy starters, or beating the summer heat with zero stress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Late Summer Peach Soup is pure proof that you don’t need a long list to deliver huge flavor. Every ingredient is hand-picked for its role—whether that’s summery sweetness, a touch of heat, creamy smoothness, or fresh crunch.
- Fresh Peaches: Ripe and juicy—grilled for a deeper flavor—these are the star of your soup, so choose the best you can find.
- Jalapeños: Grilled and seeded, they offer subtle heat without overpowering the peaches’ sweetness.
- Cucumber: Adds refreshing crispness and a beautiful, light green color to the base.
- Shallot: Brings mild onion flavor that keeps every spoonful savory and complex.
- Vegetable Broth: Light and flavorful, it ensures the soup isn’t too thick, blending everything to silk.
- Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream: The secret to ultra-creamy texture and a gentle, tangy finish.
- Honey or Agave Nectar: Enhances the peaches’ natural sweetness while rounding out the soup’s acidity and spice.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Brings everything into bright, harmonious balance.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Absolutely essential for seasoning—taste as you blend to get it just right.
- Charred Corn: Adds smoky sweetness and a little crunch for the perfect cold-soup topping.
- Shallot (for Topping): Finely diced, it adds bite to every spoonful.
- Fresh Cilantro: A sprinkling of green, herbal brightness in the topping that wakes up the entire bowl.
Variations
What I love most about this recipe (aside from the color!) is how flexible Late Summer Peach Soup can be. Swap ingredients, tweak the spice level, or make it totally plant-based—the summer is yours to savor.
- Dairy-Free: Substitute coconut yogurt or a rich plant-based sour cream for a lovely vegan version that’s still creamy and refreshing.
- Extra Spicy: Leave some of the jalapeño seeds in, or add a pinch of cayenne for those who like it hot.
- Savor the Herbs: Try topping with fresh basil or mint instead of cilantro for a garden-fresh twist every time you serve it.
- Peach and Tomato: Add in a ripe heirloom tomato for gorgeous color and extra tang—it works beautifully with peaches for that late summer feel.
How to Make Late Summer Peach Soup
Step 1: Grill the Peaches and Jalapeños
Start by halving and pitting your peaches and slicing the jalapeños in half, removing the seeds for a gentler heat. Brush each with a touch of oil, then grill them over medium-high heat until you get those gorgeous little char marks and the fruit turns delightfully fragrant. Chill them thoroughly before moving on—this locks in that summery grilled flavor and keeps your soup super refreshing.
Step 2: Blend the Soup Base
Add your chilled, grilled peaches and jalapeños plus peeled cucumber, chopped shallot, lime juice, honey, and Greek yogurt to a high-speed blender. Pour in the vegetable broth and season generously with salt and cracked pepper. Whiz everything together until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides once or twice so nothing gets left behind.
Step 3: Strain and Chill
For that impossibly silky texture, pour the blended mixture through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing gently to separate out any pulp. Transfer the strained soup to a large bowl, cover, and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours—a nap that lets all those flavors meld and intensify.
Step 4: Prepare the Corn Topping
Mix together the charred corn, finely diced shallot, fresh lime juice, and chopped cilantro in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then stash this mixture in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. (Tip: This topping is so good, you’ll be tempted to pile it onto everything!)
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Ladle your perfectly chilled Late Summer Peach Soup into serving bowls and top each one with a generous spoonful of the corn mixture. Finish with an extra drizzle of yogurt or a few extra herbs if you’re feeling fancy. Grab a spoon—the first bite is pure August magic.
Pro Tips for Making Late Summer Peach Soup
- Pick the Ripest Peaches: The more fragrant and juicy your peaches, the more naturally sweet and vivid your soup will be—go with farmers’ market fruit if possible.
- Grill, Then Chill: Don’t skip the grilling step—it caramelizes the peaches and mellows the jalapeño for a flavor boost you’ll really taste, but be sure everything is fully cooled before blending.
- Strain for Silkiness: Running the blended soup through a mesh strainer is the secret to that lusciously smooth restaurant texture.
- Adjust to Taste: Once chilled, taste the soup again before serving and tweak the salt, lime, or sweetness so the flavors truly pop.
How to Serve Late Summer Peach Soup
Garnishes
This soup absolutely begs for toppings! Try the charred corn and cilantro mixture, but feel free to add a swirl of creamy yogurt, sliced jalapeño, a scatter of toasted pepitas, or even edible petals for pop and vibrancy—it transforms each bowl into an edible celebration of late summer.
Side Dishes
Late Summer Peach Soup loves company—think crusty baguette, ripe tomato bruschetta, or grilled cheese for dunking. For a breezy outdoor meal, pair with a crisp green salad or a platter of marinated feta and olives to keep the summer flavors rolling.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve in petite glasses or shooter cups for a stunning party starter, or set up a DIY soup bar with different toppings and let everyone have fun crafting their perfect bowl. For a dinner party, plate with a drizzle of chili oil and a few microgreens for restaurant-style elegance.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Late Summer Peach Soup in a tightly sealed container in the fridge—it stays fresh, bright, and silky for up to three days. If possible, keep your corn topping separate and add it just before serving to preserve texture.
Freezing
This soup freezes surprisingly well! Pour into airtight containers, leaving a little room for expansion, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and give it a quick blend before serving to restore that creamy smoothness.
Reheating
You really don’t need (or want!) to reheat this soup—Late Summer Peach Soup is designed to be served cold. If it’s been frozen or chilled for a while, simply let it come to fridge temperature, stir well, and enjoy!
FAQs
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Can I make Late Summer Peach Soup with frozen peaches?
You can use frozen peaches if fresh ones aren’t in season—just thaw and drain well before grilling, or simply blend and add a tiny splash of smoked paprika for that grilled touch. The flavor will be different, but still delicious and summery.
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Is it possible to make this soup vegan?
Absolutely! Substitute Greek yogurt or sour cream with a plant-based alternative like coconut yogurt or cashew crème, and use agave nectar in place of honey. The result is every bit as creamy and bright.
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Can I make Late Summer Peach Soup ahead for entertaining?
Yes, this soup is made entirely in advance so it’s perfect for parties. Simply blend, strain, and chill everything the day before; prepare the corn topping and stir together just before serving for the freshest flavor and crunch.
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How spicy is the finished soup?
It has a gentle, subtle warmth rather than strong heat—grilling and removing the jalapeño seeds keeps things family-friendly, but you can always add more chili if you want a bolder kick.
Final Thoughts
There’s a certain joy in capturing the very best of summer in a single, dazzling bowl—Late Summer Peach Soup does exactly that. Make a batch while peaches are at their sweetest, chill it well, and hand out spoons to everyone you love. It’s one of those dishes that brings a smile even before the first bite. Enjoy every sunny, juicy spoonful!
PrintLate Summer Peach Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Blending, Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Late Summer Peach Soup is a refreshing and flavorful chilled soup perfect for hot days. Grilled peaches and jalapeños add a smoky sweetness, while cucumber and Greek yogurt bring a cool, creamy balance. Topped with a zesty charred corn salsa, this soup is a delightful blend of summer flavors.
Ingredients
Soup:
- 4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted, grilled and chilled
- 2 jalapeños, halved and seeded, grilled and chilled
- 1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
For topping:
- 1 cup fresh charred corn
- 1/4 cup shallot, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Soup: Blend all soup ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth. Strain the mixture into a bowl using a mesh strainer. Chill the soup in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Make the Topping: In a separate bowl, combine corn, shallot, lime juice, and cilantro. Season to taste and refrigerate until serving.
- Serve: Ladle the chilled soup into bowls and top each serving with a spoonful of the corn mixture. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier soup, leave some of the jalapeño seeds in when grilling.
- This soup is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 5mg