The Best Detox Soup Recipe (with Lentils) (2024)

This Detox Soup recipe is the kind of comforting meal I crave when I need some extra nutrients in my life. It’s so hearty and delicious, I could eat it practically every day!

The Best Detox Soup Recipe (with Lentils) (1)

What Does a Detox Soup Do?

Let’s be clear: You can’t eat something and instantly “detox” your body, but you can take daily actions to naturally support your body’s detox organs, like the liver and kidneys.

This detox soup is a hearty and filling way to squeeze more anti-inflammatory foods into your day, without taking any drastic measures. You don’t have to eat it every day to see results, either, but you can, if you love it!

Here’s what you’ll love about this soup:

  • It’s properly combined. Following food combining principles may help to streamline your digestion and reduce bloating, so it can leave you feeling more energized.
  • This soup is low in calories. Since this is a broth-based soup, it’s low in calories, but is also loaded with fiber to help keep you feeling full.
  • The ingredient list is simple. No need to shop for specialty ingredients! All you need is fresh veggies and herbs, affordable dry lentils, and some spices you probably already have on hand.

This soup recipe is also flexible, so if you don’t have all of the ingredients listed, feel free to swap them for what you do have. Zucchini, green beans, tomatoes, and more, will all be delicious in this soup.

The Best Detox Soup Recipe (with Lentils) (2)

Detox-Friendly Soup Ingredients

Why do I call it a detox soup? I’ve loaded this recipe with detox-friendly ingredients, to give you as much nutrition as possible, while also making it totally delicious.

Here’s what’s inside:

Paired with flavorful veggies, including onion, celery, and carrots, this soup makes a delicious meal– one that even my 4-year-old daughter loves! (Although, she does pick out the cilantro pieces.)

The Best Detox Soup Recipe (with Lentils) (3)

How to Make It

The prep work on this detox soup is pretty minimal. Simply chop a few veggies, and you’re ready to start cooking it. I always start with the onions, carrots, and celery so they can start to soften up, then I add in the garlic, ginger, turmeric, and thyme.

Garlic can burn quickly, so you’ll only need to stir the herbs for about 1 minute, until they smell fragrant. Immediately add in the water after that, so nothing will burn.

The Best Detox Soup Recipe (with Lentils) (4)

Add in the lentils and salt, and then bring everything to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to a gentle simmer, and cover the pot with a lid.

You’ll want to cook the soup until the lentils are tender, which takes about 30 minutes. (If you add more salt, it can take longer for the lentils to cook, and if you omit the salt all together, they can cook a little faster.)

The Best Detox Soup Recipe (with Lentils) (5)

Once the lentils are tender, season with additional salt, and stir in the cilantro and lemon juice.

The herbs will wilt quickly in the hot soup. Adjust any seasoning to taste, then serve warm.

The Best Detox Soup Recipe (with Lentils) (6)

The Best Detox Soup Recipe (with Lentils) (7)

Ultimate Detox Soup

4.72 from 192 votes

This Detox Soup is loaded with fiber and anti-inflammatory ingredients that may help reduce bloating and streamline your digestion. I love how comforting and filling it is!

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Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 40 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion , chopped
  • 3 carrots , chopped
  • 3 celery stalks , chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1 1/2 inches fresh ginger , minced (about 1 heaping tablespoon)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon freshly chopped rosemary)
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 cup dry green or brown lentils
  • 2 teaspoons fine Himalayan salt , divided
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro , chopped
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (or to taste)

Instructions

  • In a large pot (I use a 6-quart one), heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add in the onion, carrots, and celery, and stir until softened, about 5 minutes.

  • Add in the garlic, ginger, turmeric, and thyme, and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Immediately add in the water after that, so the garlic won't start to burn.

  • Add in the lentils, 1 teaspoon of salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Bring the liquid to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Cover and let the soup cook until the lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.

  • When the lentils are tender, add in the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt, along with the cilantro and lemon juice. The cilantro will wilt quickly in the hot soup. Adjust any seasoning to taste, and serve warm.

  • Leftover detox soup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.

Video

Notes

This recipe timing should work well with green, brown, or black lentils. If you want to use red lentils, they will cook faster, so you can probably reduce the cooking time to only 20 minutes in that case. (Keep in mind that red lentils will have a mushy texture. See my Red Lentil Soup recipe for reference.)

Nutrition

Calories: 169kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 850mg, Potassium: 615mg, Fiber: 11g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 8080IU, Vitamin C: 20mg, Calcium: 81mg, Iron: 3mg

Author: Megan Gilmore

Course: Soup

Cuisine: vegan

Keyword: detox soup

Need More Detox Recipes?

Try these other fan favorites below:

  • Detox Juice
  • Classic Detox Smoothie
  • Blueberry Detox Smoothie
  • The Best Detox Salad
  • 2-Ingredient Detox Spaghetti

If you try this Detox Soup recipe, please leave a comment below and let me know how you like it! And if you make any modifications, I’d love to hear about those, too. We can all benefit from your experience!

Reader Feedback: What’s your favorite go-to recipe when you want to feel better fast?

The Best Detox Soup Recipe (with Lentils) (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat lentils on a detox? ›

Other whole grains and legumes like lentils can be used too. Though legumes, in general, are difficult to digest for many people, lentils and mung beans are on the easier-to-digest list. A bowl of kitchari is ideal for the cleanse because it's easy to digest, and it provides plenty of nutrition for healing.

Is lentil soup good for the liver? ›

Lentils - Lentils contain high amounts of choline, which helps prevent fat build up in the liver. If too much fat builds up in the liver it can hinder its ability to properly filter toxins, so lentils are good to add to your diet.

Is lentil soup good for you on a diet? ›

Eating more lentils may help people maintain a healthy weight or lose weight. Replacing energy-dense (or high calorie) foods with legumes such as lentils can help people prevent or manage obesity and lose weight. Research suggests that regularly eating lentils may help with the management and prevention of diabetes.

Do I need to rinse lentils before making soup? ›

The other good news: Lentils don't need to soak as beans do (though you do need to sort and rinse them before cooking). Different types of lentils cook in different amounts of time. Red lentils are the fastest cooking and they dissolve as they cook and make for a smooth soup.

Do lentils clean your gut? ›

Lentils are rich in a type of fiber that helps your digestive system work as it should and fuels good bacteria in your gut. Fiber may also help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. “Fiber plays an important role in regulating our bowels and protecting the immune system,” says Homan.

What is the fastest way to flush your body of toxins? ›

While detox diets have a seductive appeal, your body is fully equipped to handle toxins and other unwanted substances.
  1. Limit alcohol. ...
  2. Focus on sleep. ...
  3. Drink more water. ...
  4. Reduce your intake of sugar and processed foods. ...
  5. Eat antioxidant-rich foods. ...
  6. Eat foods high in prebiotics. ...
  7. Decrease your salt intake. ...
  8. Stay active.

Which lentils are healthiest? ›

Urad dal or black lentil is one of the most nutritious pulses known to mankind. Low in fat and calories, Urad dal helps to improve digestion. With it being a rich source of protein and vitamin B3, it makes our bones stronger and is said to boost energy levels, enhance heart health and strengthen our nervous system.

What to pair with lentil soup? ›

What to Serve with Lentil Soup. It pairs beautifully with a rustic bread – such as sourdough toast or my Fluffy Vegan Spelt Rolls. It would also go well with white or brown rice, cauliflower rice, or Garlic & Herb Flatbread.

Do lentils need to be soaked? ›

Lentils to do not require soaking like other pulses. Rinse your lentils with fresh water before boiling to remove any dust or debris. Cook on a stovetop, using 3 cups of liquid (water, stock, etc) to 1 cup of dry lentils. Be sure to use a large enough saucepan as the lentils will double or triple in size.

Do lentils burn belly fat? ›

Lentils and beans are rich in soluble fiber, which is the single best carbohydrate to help you burn belly fat. "Soluble fiber forms a thick gel when it binds with water in the body," Tracy said. "This gel that forms therefore slows digestion in the body, which keeps you feeling full for longer!

How much lentils to eat per day to lose weight? ›

Eating about 3/4 cup (130 grams) each day of these foods known as pulses led to a weight loss of 0.34 kilograms (just over half a pound), in a systematic review and meta-analysis of all available clinical trials on the effects of eating pulses.

Are lentils anti-inflammatory? ›

Overall, lentils are a highly nutritious food with various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. The fiber and protein content in lentils make them beneficial for weight management, blood sugar regulation, and supporting overall gut health.

Can you overcook lentils in soup? ›

Yes, you can overcook lentils; they will become mushy. Much depends on the type of lentil you're using. Some cook quicker and hold their shape better than others. To avoid overcooking them, always follow the cooking directions in your recipe and use the type of lentils called for in the ingredient list.

What happens if you don't soak lentils? ›

Why Should You Soak Lentils? Certain pulses have a natural drive of causing gas and bloating in the body. Soaking mimics the natural germination process and changes the seed that is dormant and indigestible into the dal laden with nutrients and complete digestibility.

What happens if you forgot to rinse lentils? ›

A typical packet doesn't say to rinse them. With red lentils the only reaosn I can see for rinsing is to (slightly) reduce foaming; with Puy lentils and some others even that's not an issue and you may lose flavour.

What foods should I avoid while detoxing? ›

Most detoxification programs recommend removing highly processed foods and foods to which some people are sensitive, such as dairy, gluten, eggs, peanuts and red meat. They also recommend eating mostly organically grown vegetables, fruit, whole non-glutenous grains, nuts, seeds and lean protein.

When should you not eat lentils? ›

If you have any existing gut issues (such as irritable bowel syndrome) or autoimmune conditions (such as Crohn's or Hashimoto's), lectins are likely to be far more problematic for you. Raw or undercooked lentils are exceedingly harmful and can even result in death for some people.

What are the best foods for detoxing? ›

To help support your detoxification system, add these foods to your weekly shopping list:
  • Crucifers. ...
  • Turmeric. ...
  • Blueberries. ...
  • Green Tea. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Flaxseeds. ...
  • Soy. ...
  • Red Grapes. Red grapes contain resveratrol, a phytonutrient and free radical-scavenging antioxidant that may protect us from heart disease.
Aug 13, 2021

What beans are good for detoxing? ›

Red Kidney beans offer high amounts of the trace mineral molybdenum, an enzyme that helps to detoxify your body of sulfites.

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