Cold Yogurt Cucumber Soup

Name: Cold Yogurt Cucumber Soup - Tarator
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 large English cucumber ((peeled and finely diced)); 1 garlic clove (, pressed); 1/2 tsp salt ((or more to taste)); 2 Tbsp olive or sunflower oil ((optional)); 2-3 Tbsp chopped fresh dill; 2 cups plain Greek yogurt ((I use Greek yogurt, which is a lot easier to find in the US, than Bulgarian)); 2 cups cold water; 2 Tbsp chopped walnuts ((optional, I prefer not to add them))

Cold Yogurt Cucumber Soup – Tarator

By Mira Lyubenova

5 from 9 votes

Sep 12, 2025

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This cold yogurt cucumber soup, known in Bulgaria as Tarator, is light, refreshing, and ready in under 10 minutes.

It’s the perfect no-cook dish for hot summer days: cool, creamy yogurt meets crisp cucumber, fresh dill, garlic, and a splash of olive oil.

Serve it as a starter, a light snack, or even a refreshing drink in a tall glass.

A ceramic bowl with Tarator soup, topped with a drizzle of olive oil and chopped walnuts. — Cold Cucumber Yogurt Soup

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect for summer: Chill it in the fridge and enjoy cold
Quick and easy: No cooking, ready in 5–10 minutes
Light and healthy: Low calorie, probiotic-rich, hydrating
Authentic Bulgarian flavor: Dill, garlic, yogurt, cucumber

A white ceramic bowl with Tarator inside.

Bulgarian Tarator Recipe

You can probably tell by the name that this is another Eastern European recipe I’m sharing with you today.

I’m always a little hesitant to share Bulgarian recipes on the blog, because I’m pretty sure some people will not like them.

But I kind of felt like this is a good one, especially now, when weather is warming up and most of us are trying to get in shape for summer.

It is very light and refreshing, made with just a few ingredients, you most likely have on hand.

What I also like about this soup is that it is perfect for low calorie diet.

It contains just a little bit of olive oil, which is optional, cucumbers have almost no calories and yogurt is a great source of calcium and probiotic.

The fresh dill flavor it the perfect addition to this dish.

A bowl with cold cucumber soup and a soup spoon scooping out of it — Tarator

Ingredients For Bulgarian Tarator

2 tablespoons chopped walnuts (optional, for garnish)
1 large English cucumber, peeled and finely diced (or grated)
1 garlic clove, pressed
½ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
2 tablespoons olive oil or sunflower oil (optional)
2–3 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
2 cups plain Greek yogurt (or Bulgarian yogurt if you can find it)
2 cups cold water (adjust for desired thickness)

Bowls on a countertop with ingredients for Tarator soup

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the cucumber: Peel and finely dice (or grate) the cucumber. Place in a deep bowl.
Add seasonings: Stir in garlic, salt, oil, and dill.
Mix with yogurt: Add the yogurt and stir until smooth.
Dilute and chill: Stir in cold water, mixing well so there are no yogurt lumps. Adjust salt to taste.
Serve: Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with walnuts (optional), dill, or a drizzle of olive oil.

Cold-Cucumber-Yogurt-Soup-tarator-Bulgarian-light-fit

This is not a strict recipe, so I hope no one gets upset.

If for some reason I’m not making this dish the right way.

A bowl with cold Bulgarian Tarator soup recipe — Cold Cucumber Yogurt Soup Tarator

Recipe Tips

Serving style: Serve in bowls with bread on the side, or pour into tall glasses for a refreshing drink
Texture choice: Dice cucumbers for a chunkier soup, or grate for a smoother version
Walnuts optional: Traditional in some regions, but skip them if you prefer nut-free
Consistency: Add more water for a thinner, drinkable style

A wooden bowl with ladle and cold Tarator soup inside

FAQs

Is Tarator the same as tzatziki?

No. Tarator is a cold soup thinned with water, while tzatziki is a thicker dip or spread.

How long does Tarator last in the fridge?

Up to 2 days. Stir before serving as the cucumbers release liquid.

What yogurt works best for Tarator?

Full-fat Bulgarian yogurt is traditional, but Greek yogurt is a great substitute.

5 from 9 votes

Cold Yogurt Cucumber Soup – Tarator

By Lyubomira from CookingLSL

This cold yogurt cucumber soup – tarator is light, fresh and delicious. No cook, very easy and quick to make.

Prep: 10

Total: 10

Servings:

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Ingredients

▢ 1 large English cucumber, (peeled and finely diced)
▢ 1 garlic clove, , pressed
▢ 1/2 tsp salt, (or more to taste)
▢ 2 Tbsp olive or sunflower oil, (optional)
▢ 2-3 Tbsp chopped fresh dill
▢ 2 cups plain Greek yogurt, (I use Greek yogurt, which is a lot easier to find in the US, than Bulgarian)
▢ 2 cups cold water
▢ 2 Tbsp chopped walnuts, (optional, I prefer not to add them)

Instructions

In a large deep bowl combine cucumber, garlic, salt, oil and dill.
Add yogurt and stir to combine.
Dilute with cold water, mixing well, making sure there are no lumps from the yogurt. Add more salt if needed. Top with chopped walnuts (optional)
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, this way the soup is even more refreshing.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 328mg, Potassium: 265mg, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 70IU, Vitamin C: 2.6mg, Calcium: 125mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.