Hungarian Chilled Cherry Soup (Meggyleves)


🧾 Ingredients

  • 500–700 g sour cherries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 liter water
  • 100–150 g sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2–3 cloves
  • Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
  • 200 ml sour cream or heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon flour or cornstarch
  • Pinch of salt

Optional:

  • Vanilla sugar
  • Red wine for deeper flavor

πŸ‘©β€πŸ³ Step-by-Step Preparation


1. Cook the cherries

In a pot combine:

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  • cherries
  • water
  • sugar
  • cinnamon stick
  • cloves
  • lemon zest

Bring to a gentle boil.

Simmer for about 10–15 minutes.


2. Prepare the creamy mixture

Mix sour cream with:

  • flour or cornstarch
  • a little cold water

Whisk until smooth.


3. Thicken the soup

Slowly add a little hot soup into the cream mixture to temper it.

Then pour back into the pot while stirring continuously.

Simmer gently for a few minutes.

Do not boil strongly after adding cream.


4. Chill completely

Remove cinnamon and cloves.

Allow soup to cool.

Refrigerate for several hours until very cold.


🍽️ How to Serve

Serve Meggyleves:

  • Ice cold
  • As a summer starter or dessert
  • With extra cream on top
  • With fresh cherries for garnish

πŸ”₯ Tips for Best Flavor

  • Sour cherries give the authentic taste
  • Chill thoroughly before serving
  • Don’t overcook the fruit
  • Cinnamon and cloves add classic aroma
  • Slight tartness makes the soup refreshing

πŸ‡­πŸ‡Ί A Unique Hungarian Summer Tradition

Meggyleves is a beloved Hungarian seasonal dish often enjoyed:

  • During hot summers
  • At family lunches
  • In countryside homes
  • As a refreshing alternative to heavy meals

It represents the creative balance of sweet and savory flavors in Hungarian cuisine.


❀️ Final Thoughts

Hungarian chilled cherry soup is refreshing, creamy, fruity, and wonderfully unique. Its combination of sweet cherries, warm spices, and cool creamy texture creates a dish unlike anything else.

A true taste of Hungarian summer tradition

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