Why it works: Dill and lemon match in chemistry and in kitchens. They rank in the top 1% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 976 recipes. Both carry beta-phellandrene, which smells minty, terpene. The science ↓
Chilled Cucumber Soup
Ingredients
Directions
Blend
Combine ingredients in blender and purée until fairly smooth.
Adjust seasonings to taste.
Chill and serve
Cover tightly and chill at least 3 hours.
Garnish with dill sprigs and lemon slices before serving.
Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)
What these numbers assume: 7 portions
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Yogurt | 170g plain Greek | 100 |
| Onion | 1 medium (110g) | 44 |
| Cucumber | 1/2 cup sliced (52g) | 16 |
| Lemon | juice of 1 lemon (48ml) | 12 |
| Black Pepper | 1 tsp ground (2.3g) | 6 |
| Dill | 5 sprigs fresh (1g) / 1 tsp dried | 4 |
| Salt | 1 tsp (6g) | 0 |
One typical portion per ingredient; the recipe's quantities are not counted. A rough guide only, not for medical or dietary planning.
Steps grouped into stages for easier reading; the method is the source's own.
Explore the science
The flavor team
The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.
-
Dill + lemontop 1% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together976 recipes
Shared aroma: beta-phellandrene (minty, terpene).
-
Cucumber + dilltop 1% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together530 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (earthy, pea).
-
Lemon + peppertop 3% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together27,047 recipes
Shared aroma: trans-2-nonenal (cardboard, fatty).
-
Dill + peppertop 4% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together1,630 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (earthy, pea).
-
Cucumber + lemontop 9% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together2,067 recipes
Shared aroma: trans-2-nonenal (cardboard, fatty).
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
What each ingredient does
- English cucumber
- Provides the bulk and fresh, watery body of the soup.
- Plain yogurt
- Gives the soup its creamy thickness and tangy flavor.
- Lemon juice
- Adds acidity that brightens the yogurt and cucumber.
- Fresh dill
- Contributes the herbal aroma that defines the soup.
- Scallions
- Add a mild oniony bite and savory aroma.
- Vegetable stock
- Thins the blend and adds a savory background.
The step that matters
Chill at least 3 hours. Cold temperature firms the texture and lets the flavors meld. Serving it too soon leaves the soup thin and the seasoning sharper than it will taste once chilled.
Swap the cucumber
How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (dill, lemon, yogurt, pepper):
- Carrotfits about as well
- Cucumberthe original
- Broccolifits about as well
- Potatofits about as well
Fit is the average pairing score against dill, lemon, yogurt, pepper. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes.
“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.
You might also like
Indian Spiced Potato Soup with Tofu and Spinach448 recipes
Clear Carrot and Bottle Gourd Soup65 recipes
Mock Bisque Soup51 recipes
Cream of Asparagus Soup42 recipesThe free Flavor Lab newsletter: one surprising pairing a week and the molecular reason it works, in 60 seconds. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Prefer an account? Create a free account to save pairings and unlock the full chemistry.