Best Buttermilk Soup Recipes

CHILLED BEET SOUP WITH BUTTERMILK, CUCUMBERS, AND DILL (CHLODNIK)

Steps:

• Using a large knife, separate greens and stems from beets. Thoroughly wash greens and stems; set aside. Scrub beets, transfer to a medium pot, and cover with 1" water. Cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, uncover, and cook until beets are tender when pierced with a knife, about 10 minutes. Drain beets; discard cooking liquid. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, chop beet greens and stems. Transfer to a large pot and add 1/2 tsp. salt and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer, without boiling, until greens are tender, about 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Peel and coarsely grate beets, preferably wearing gloves. Add to pot with cooled greens. Gently stir in cucumbers, pickle, pickle brine, buttermilk, sour cream, and scallions. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cover pot and chill soup at least 30 minutes. Adjust seasonings, if desired. Divide soup among bowls; top with eggs and dill.
• Do Ahead
• Soup can be made 2 days ahead; cover and chill.

CHILLED GOLDEN BEET AND BUTTERMILK SOUP

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine chopped shallots and vinegar and let macerate for 20 minutes. Whisk in 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with a few grinds of black pepper. Set aside.
• Put beets in a large pot over medium heat and add 1 teaspoon salt and enough water to cover. Boil for 25 to 40 minutes, depending on size, until tender when poked with the tip of a knife. Drain beets and let cool, then peel off the skins with your fingers.
• Cut 1 beet into a small, even dice, then add to the shallot mixture, season with a pinch of salt (or to taste) and set aside. Cut the remaining beets into large chunks and purée in a blender with buttermilk and lemon juice until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or until completely cool.
• Ladle the soup into bowls and drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil. Serve with marinated beets, herbs and sour cream on the side, so people can garnish their own bowls as they like.

CHILLED BUTTERMILK SOUP

Steps:

• Whisk together buttermilk, sour cream, and salt in a bowl, then stir in remaining ingredients. Chill 15 minutes before serving.

ABDOOGH KHIAR (CHILLED BUTTERMILK CUCUMBER SOUP)

Steps:

• If using dried rose, crumble a few petals coarsely for garnish and set aside. Place the rest on a cutting board and chop as finely as possible.
• Place the buttermilk, yogurt and 1 teaspoon salt in a blender and blend until frothy, about 30 seconds, or whisk together in a large bowl until smooth and frothy. If you used a blender, pour the mixture into a large bowl. Add the cucumbers, raisins, walnuts, dill, chives, dried mint and 1/4 teaspoon of the finely chopped rose petals. Stir well to combine and season to taste with more salt. Cover and refrigerate to chill and allow the flavors to come to life, at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
• Just before serving, toast the lavash or bread until crisp but not burned, and break into pieces. Stir the soup to mix. It should be the consistency of a thin, runny soup. If it's too thick, thin it out with water or more buttermilk, 1 tablespoon at a time. Keep in mind that you will be adding ice cubes, which will also thin out the soup as they melt. Divide the soup among serving bowls and add the ice cubes. Garnish the top as creatively as you like with crumbled dried rose petals, cucumber, dried mint, dill sprigs, raisins, walnuts and fresh mint leaves. Add the bread pieces right before serving or serve on the side.

BUTTERMILK POTATO SOUP

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a medium saucepan, cover with cold water, and add salt. (If using more than one variety, use a different saucepan for each to accommodate varying cooking times.) Bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer; cook until fork-tender, 10 to 20 minutes.
• While potatoes cook, heat butter and oil in a medium skillet over high heat, and add onions. Reduce heat to medium, and saute until golden brown and slightly caramelized, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Drain potatoes, and let cool briefly. For a decorative touch, use a paring knife to remove a band of peel from the center section of each potato. Divide potatoes between four soup bowls and pour 3/4 cup buttermilk into each bowl. Top with caramelized onions, season with salt and pepper, and garnish with dill. Serve immediately.

CHILLED FRESH PEA AND BUTTERMILK SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add leek, and cook until softened, about4 minutes. Stir in potato and dry vermouth, and reduce slightly, about 2 minutes. Add chicken stock and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Bring to a boil. Add peas. Cover, and cook just untilpeas are tender and bright green, about 2 minutes. Filling a blender halfway and covering with a kitchentowel, puree soup in batches. Strain through a coarse sieve into a large bowl; discard solids. Stir in buttermilk, and season with salt and pepper. Chill soup for at least 3 hours or up to overnight.Garnish each serving with pea tendrils if desired.

CUCUMBER-BUTTERMILK SOUP

Steps:

• Roughly chop 1 1/2 cucumbers; dice remaining cucumber half. Place roughly chopped cucumber in a blender with buttermilk and blend until smooth, 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Divide soup among four bowls and stir in diced cucumber. To serve, top with cucumber rounds, a drizzle of oil, and more pepper, if desired.

PEACH BUTTERMILK SOUP

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Drop the peaches into the boiling water, blanch for 20 seconds, then transfer to the ice water. Peel, cut in half, remove the pits, and set 2 large or 3 small peaches aside.
• Place the remaining peaches in a blender with the honey, lemon juice and 1 cup of the buttermilk (you will probably have to work in batches) and blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and whisk in the remaining buttermilk, the almond or vanilla extract, and the spices. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Slice or dice the peaches you set aside and stir into the soup. Cover and refrigerate for one hour or longer. Ladle into bowls and garnish each serving with slivered almonds.

COLD BUTTERMILK AND SHRIMP SOUP

Steps:

• In a large bowl whisk together the buttermilk, the mustard, the salt, and the sugar, add the chopped shrimp, the chopped cucumber, and the chives, and stir the soup until it is combined well. Chill the soup, covered, for 3 hours, or until it is very cold. Garnish each serving with 1 shrimp half and a slice of cucumber.

CHICKEN SOUP WITH BUTTERMILK DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large, heavy casserole, add the onion, chopped celery, and chopped carrot, and cook the vegetables, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the wine and reduce 1 minute. Add the chicken stock, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper, to taste. Add the chicken to the pot and bring liquid to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer, skimming and stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes.
• Remove the chicken from the pot and transfer to a cutting board. When cool enough to handle, remove meat from bones. Cut chicken into bite-side pieces. Skim surface of cooking liquid and strain it through a sieve into a large saucepan. Add the diced vegetables, bring to a boil and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and the cream. Add the cream mixture to the boiling stock, stirring, and simmer until lightly thickened. Add chicken to saucepan and correct the seasoning adding the lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and top with the dumplings, spacing them evenly. Cover, reduce heat to moderate and simmer until dumplings are firm to the touch and cooked through, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with chives or parsley.;
• Into a bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add parsley, the pepper, and the butter and blend until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in just enough buttermilk to form a soft dough.
• Gently pat the dough into a 1/2-inch thickness and stamp or cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces.

COLD MINTED PEA AND BUTTERMILK SOUP

Steps:

• In a small saucepan simmer the peas in the broth, covered, for 10 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a blender, add the mint and the buttermilk, and purée the mixture until it is smooth. Transfer the soup to a bowl set in a larger bowl of ice and cold water and chill it, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until it is cold.

BUTTERMILK SOUP

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, beat egg yolks then add sugar, lemon juice, lemon rind and vanilla.
• Beat until smooth and well mixed.
• Slowly beat in buttermilk.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• When serving, top each bowl of soup with a dollop of whipped cream and top whipped cream with a bit of jam.

COLD CURRIED PEA AND BUTTERMILK SOUP

Steps:

• Cook shallots in butter and oil in a heavy medium pot over medium heat, stirring, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Add curry powder and 3/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add broth and water and bring to a simmer, then stir in peas and spinach and return to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are just tender, about 6 minutes.
• Immediately purée soup in 4 batches in a blender until very smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids). Transfer to a bowl and stir in buttermilk. Quick-chill (to preserve color) by setting bowl in an ice bath and stirring until cool, then refrigerate until very cold, 1 to 2 hours. Season with salt.

CHILLED CORN AND BUTTERMILK SOUP

Steps:

• Cut corn kernels off cobs; transfer kernels to large bowl. Scrape cobs over bowl with knife to remove any remaining bits of corn and milky liquid. Break cobs in half crosswise and reserve.
• Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots, ginger, and garlic; sauté until shallots begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add corn and any accumulated liquid in bowl. Cook until heated through, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Add cobs and broth. Bring soup to boil; reduce heat to low, cover pan, and simmer until corn is very tender, about 30 minutes. Discard cobs.
• Working in batches, puree soup in blender. Transfer to large bowl. Stir 1 cup buttermilk into soup. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 3 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.)
• Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Divide soup among 8 bowls. Drizzle with additional buttermilk, sprinkle with chives, and serve.

SPINACH AND BUTTERMILK SOUP

Steps:

• In the container of a food processor or blender, combine half of the spinach with the buttermilk. Puree until smooth. Transfer to a saucepan, and stir in the rest of the spinach. Stir together the cornstarch and water; mix into the saucepan along with the sugar, peanuts (see Cook's Note), and salt. Set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, and when they begin to sizzle, stir in the serrano peppers. (You can slice the peppers in two for added flavor and spiciness--or use fewer chiles, if desired.) When the peppers begin to soften slightly, scrape the contents of the pepper pan into the buttermilk mixture.
• Bring the buttermilk mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat immediately, and serve hot.

COLD TOMATO-BUTTERMILK SOUP

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except arugula. Cover, and refrigerate at least 1 hour (or overnight). Stir to recombine. Add arugula, and serve or pour into a thermos.

COOL AS A CUCUMBER SOUP WITH BUTTERMILK, DILL, AND VERMOUTH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Peel the cucumbers. Using a small spoon, or a melon baller, scrape the seeds out. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces; toss the cucumbers with the salt and transfer to a colander set over a bowl. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours or overnight.
• Transfer the cucumbers to a blender or food processor, discarding all exuded juices. Puree until smooth; pass through a food mill if desired. Whisk in the buttermilk and dill; set aside.
• Melt the butter in a saute pan over medium heat. When the butter foams, add the shallots and cook 30 seconds. Add the shrimp and stir over medium heat, 10 to 15 seconds. Add the vermouth, bring to a boil, and immediately strain into the reserved cucumber soup. Spread the shrimp and shallot mixture on a plate to cool, then refrigerate. Chill the soup.
• To serve: Adjust the consistency of the soup with more buttermilk if necessary. Season with vinegar, salt (add sparingly; it probably won't need much), and pepper to taste. Divide the shrimp between the chilled soup plates. Ladle the soup over the shrimp and garnish with red onion, chopped tomatoes, and bits of dill strewn about.

BUTTERMILK SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Tear bread into 1/2-inch pieces (to measure about 1 cup). Transfer to a medium bowl; drizzle with oil. Season with salt and pepper; toss. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet; toast bread in oven until crisp and golden brown, about 13 minutes. Let cool.
• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, squash, and potato; cook, stirring often, until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add 3 cups stock; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, stirring occasionally, until potato is tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Let cool slightly. Carefully ladle soup into a blender (work in batches to avoid filling blender more than halfway); puree until smooth. Pour through a fine sieve into a clean large saucepan.
• Place pan over medium-low heat. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup stock; while stirring, slowly pour in buttermilk. Heat until warm, about 5 minutes. Divide soup and reserved croutons among bowls, and garnish with chives.

YOGURT OR BUTTERMILK SOUP WITH SPINACH AND GRAINS

Steps:

• Place the cucumber in a bowl and sprinkle with salt. Toss and place in a strainer set over the bowl. Allow to drain for 15 minutes. Rinse if desired and drain on paper towels.
• Meanwhile, steam the spinach above 1 inch of boiling water until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes, moving the leaves around with tongs once to ensure that they steam evenly. Rinse with cold water and squeeze out excess moisture. Chop medium-fine.
• Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Thin out with ice water if desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Chill for one hour or longer.

BEET, BUTTERMILK, AND SCALLION SOUP

Steps:

• Puree beets, scallions, buttermilk, and salt in a blender until smooth. Refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour. Stir well, and swirl in more buttermilk if desired before serving.