Let Me Tell You About the Time I Served Soup in July…
Imagine this: It’s 95°F outside, your AC is crying for help, and everyone at your backyard brunch is sipping lukewarm lemonade pretending not to melt.
And then — you bring out soup. Yes, soup. But not the steaming, winter-w
This is Cantaloupe Gazpacho, aka the Beyoncé of chilled summer soups — refreshing, sweet, savory, and topped with crispy prosciutto confetti that makes everyone go, “
Wait, WHAT is this?”Spoiler alert: They’ll ask for the recipe. So make extra.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ No stove drama — unless you count crisping prosciutto
✔ Make-ahead friendly (hello, stress-free hosting)
✔ Unexpectedly elegant but ridiculously simple
✔ Low-carb, gluten-free — but don’t tell anyone
✔ Viral-worthy if you’re the TikTok type
Cantaloupe Gazpacho with Crispy Prosciutto (You’ve Never Had Summer Soup Like This)Estimated reading time: 6 mins | Recipe time: 15 mins | Serves: 4
Course: 30-Minute Meals4
servings10
minutes5
minutes200
kcalIngredients
1 ripe cantaloupe, peeled, seeded, and cubed – 1/2 English cucumber, peeled and chopped – 1/4 small red onion
– 2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
– 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
– 1/4 tsp sea salt (plus more to taste)
– 1/8 tsp white pepper
– 2 slices prosciutto
– 2 fresh basil leaves, for garnish
– Optional: pinch of chili flakes or a drizzle of honey
Directions
- – In a blender, combine cantaloupe, cucumber, red onion, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and white pepper.
– Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust salt, vinegar, or add honey/chili flakes if needed.
– Chill in the fridge for 1 hour (or serve immediately if you’re hangry).
– Meanwhile, crisp up the prosciutto. Place slices in a dry skillet over medium heat and cook for 3–4 minutes per side until crispy. Let cool, then crumble.
– Pour gazpacho into bowls. Top with crumbled prosciutto and a fresh basil leaf. Serve cold.notes:
– Make it vegetarian by swapping crispy prosciutto for toasted pumpkin seeds or crispy shallots.
– For extra chill, freeze your cantaloupe cubes 30 minutes before blending.
Notes
- 🍈 Ingredient Notes (Because Details Matter)CantaloupeChoose one that smells like vacation. Soft to the touch, fragrant at the stem, and no weird mushy spots. A good cantaloupe is juicy, slightly floral and fruiter than the regular.
- Prosciutto Use thin slices, and don’t over-crisp it. We want shatteringly crisp, not jerky-style. Hot tip: Prosciutto in the oven works too — 375°F for ~8 minutes.English CucumberMilder and less seedy. If all you’ve got is regular cucumber, scoop out the seeds before blending.
🔥 The Secret to a Gazpacho That Doesn’t Taste Like Fancy Baby Food
Let’s be real: cold soup has trust issues. It either tastes like sad juice or something you regret ordering at a farm-to-table café.The fix? Balance.
This recipe walks the tightrope between sweet melon and savory zing, using vinegar, onion, and crispy, salty prosciutto to keep it grounded.
🍽️ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
Handy blender or food processor
For silky smooth gazpacho
To crisp up the prosciutto like a pro
Mesh strainer (optional)
For a super smooth finish (if you’re extra)
👉 Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my melon-fueled recipe obsession!
💡 Pro Tips from a Gazpacho-Obsessed Food Blogger
Chill your bowls before serving. Makes it feel super fancy.Make it a pitcher. Serve in glasses with a prosciutto “rim” for a cocktail-vibe starter.Meal prep hack: Keep the soup base in a jar and prosciutto in a snack baggie — assemble when ready.
🍷 What to Serve It With
🧊 Storage Tips
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days
Stir before serving — separation is natural, like friendships after group vacations
Don’t freeze it (cantaloupe + ice = weird)
💬 Reader Reviews (Because Yes, This Soup Has Fans)
“Never thought I’d love cold soup until now. The crispy prosciutto? GAME. CHANGER.” — Jenna, NYC
“Made it for a brunch and everyone thought I catered. I just smiled and took the compliments.” — Marcus,
Austin“Served this in shot glasses as an appetizer and my mom asked for the ‘cocktail recipe.’” — Priya, Chicago
🙋♀️ FAQs: Cantaloupe Gazpacho Edition
Can I use honeydew instead of cantaloupe?You can, but honeydew is milder, so you’ll need to tweak the acid and salt to balance it. Stick to cantaloupe for maximum wow.
Is this kid-friendly?Absolutely! Leave out the prosciutto (or swap for crispy bacon bits) and the kids might think it’s fruit soup.
What if I hate cold soup?Try sipping it like a smoothie shot first — you might just be converted
🛒 One-Click Shopping List
- ✔ Ripe cantaloupe
- ✔ English cucumber
- ✔ Red onion
- ✔ White balsamic vinegar
- ✔ Olive oil
- ✔ Prosciutto
- ✔ Fresh basil
- ✔ Sea salt & white pepper
- Add a chilled glass of rosé, and you’ve got summer in a bowl
💥 Final Thoughts: Don’t Knock It ‘Til You Slurp It
Cantaloupe Gazpacho isn’t just a recipe — it’s a whole mood.
It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel like you’re on a yacht in Capri, even if you’re just sitting in a plastic chair next to a kiddie pool.
Make it once, and it’ll become your summer go-to. Especially when you realize it takes less time to make than it does to find your sunglasses.
📌 Pin It, Save It, Make It Later
Want to impress your brunch squad or wow a date with your “culinary spontaneity”?
Save this post for when the sun’s out and the melons are ripe. Trust me — summer soup is officially in.