Tarator (Таратор) Recipe (Bulgarian Chilled Cucumber Soup)

Ever wondered what makes tarator (tаратор) – chilled cucumber soup, a beloved Bulgarian delicacy? Let me guide you through the refreshing flavors of this nourishing soup.

5 from 2 votes

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Course: Soup

Cuisine: Bulgarian

Keyword: Bulgarian Chilled Cucumber Soup, Tarator, Таратор

Level of Difficulty: Easy

Dietary Preference: Vegetarian

Prep Time: 10

Total Time: 10

Servings: Servings

Calories: 201kcal

Equipment

Bowl
Cutting Board
Knife
Garlic Press
Fork

Ingredients

▢ 1 large-sized or 2 medium-sized cucumbers
▢ 3 cups of yogurt or sour milk
▢ 1 or 2 cups of water
▢ 2 cloves of garlic
▢ 4 tablespoons of ground or finely chopped walnuts
▢ Salt to taste
▢ 2 tablespoons of olive oil
▢ 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh dill

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Dice the cucumber finely, as shown in the images. If you wish, you can peel it beforehand. And place in a bowl.
Chop fresh dill finely and combine with the cucumber.
Add the crushed garlic and walnuts to the bowl and mix well with a fork.
Pour the yogurt over the stirred mixture and add the desired amount of water.
Season the mixture with salt according to your taste then drizzle the olive oil over the mixture and mix well.
Place the tarator in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. When ready to serve, divide the chilled tarator into bowls or soup plates.

Video

Notes

The cooking time is based on 5 servings.
I've found that diced cucumbers fare better than grated ones in this recipe.
Full-fat yogurt enriches tarator beautifully. However, if you're health-conscious, reduced-fat yogurt is a suitable substitute.
Bulgarian yogurt is a traditional choice. If you can't find it, Greek yogurt is the next best option.
To mimic the sourness of Bulgarian yogurt, consider adding a dash of vinegar.
Always serve your tarator chilled for an optimal taste experience. Add a few ice cubes for an extra chill factor.
Control the thickness of your tarator by adjusting the water quantity. Both mineral and chilled filtered water work well in this recipe.
Though cucumber is a mainstay, feel free to add other finely chopped veggies like radishes, romaine lettuce, carrots, celery, pumpkin, or zucchini.
While sunflower or olive oil and walnuts are traditional ingredients, they can be omitted based on your preference. The same goes for the usual seasonings, garlic, and dill.

Nutrition