Best Detox Soup

While you can’t eat something and instantly “detox” your body, you can take daily actions to naturally support your body’s detox organs, like the liver and kidneys.

That’s why you’ll love this detox soup!

It’s a hearty and filling way to incorporate more anti-inflammatory foods into your day, without taking drastic measures. You don’t have to eat it daily to see results, but you certainly can if you love it.

Detox Soup Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Veggies. Carrot, onion, and celery create an aromatic base for this soup. If you want to stir in some chopped kale or spinach towards the end, that is a great option, too.
• Lentils. These are a good source of soluble fiber, which helps remove cholesterol and excess hormones from the bile circulating in your body. (Click the underlined links for research studies.)
• Garlic + Ginger. These two are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and also add extra flavor to your soup.
• Spices. Pantry staples like dried thyme, turmeric, salt, and pepper help the broth develop plenty of flavor as it simmers.
• Cilantro. This fresh herb not only adds flavor, but also polyphenols, which may help protect against Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
• Coconut Milk. This adds dairy-free creaminess, making the soup feel richer. It’s optional, however, if you prefer to skip it.

You’ll notice that you don’t need vegetable broth for this recipe. Using water as the base helps you control the flavor, and it will develop plenty of that as the veggies simmer together!

Detox Vegetable Soup Recipe

Step 1:

In a large pot over medium-high heat, add a drizzle of olive oil followed by chopped onion, carrot, and celery.

Saute the veggies until they start to soften, which should take about 5 minutes. 

Step 2:

Add in the minced garlic, ginger, turmeric, and dried thyme. Stir briefly, just until the spices have a fragrant aroma. This should take about 1 minute. 

Immediately pour in the water and scrape the bottom of the pot with a spatula. This will ensure none of the spices burn to the bottom of the pot.

Then add in the dried lentils, salt, and black pepper. Bring the liquid to a boil. Once it’s boiling, lower the heat and cover the pot with a lid. Let the soup simmer covered until the lentils are tender. This should take about 30 minutes. 

Step 3:

Taste the soup once the lentils are tender and add extra salt, if needed. (I always add another teaspoon, but this will vary based on the type of salt you use. Table salt tastes different than fine sea salt.)

Finish it off by adding lemon juice and fresh cilantro, which will wilt quickly as you stir the hot soup. These finishing touches make this soup taste like it came from a restaurant. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, you can swap fresh parsley instead. 

Storage Tips for Detox Soup

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm a portion in a small saucepan over medium heat on the stove. Stir often for about 5 minutes, or until the soup is heated through.

Alternatively, you can microwave it for 60 seconds, stir well, and then use 30-second intervals until it reaches the desired temperature again.

Looking for more healthy soup recipes? Try Chicken Turmeric Soup, Instant Pot Lentil Soup, or Hearty Quinoa Soup for more options.

Best Detox Soup Recipe

4.73 from 195 votes

This Detox Soup contains anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric, lemon, and ginger. It tastes even better the next day, so it's perfect for meal prep!

prep10 mins cook30 mins total40 mins

Servings:6

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Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

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• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 yellow onion , chopped
• 3 carrots , chopped
• 3 celery stalks , chopped
• 5 garlic cloves , minced
• 1 inches fresh ginger , minced
• 1½ teaspoons ground turmeric
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon freshly chopped rosemary)
• 6 cups water
• 1 cup dry green or brown lentils
• 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ cup fresh cilantro , chopped
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (or to taste)
• ½ to 1 cup full-fat coconut milk (optional for creaminess)

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 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. Stir in ½ cup of coconut milk for creaminess, if desired. (You can add up to 1 cup for even more creaminess, but add extra salt if needed since the added liquid could dilute the flavor.)
• 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

Nutrition information is for roughly 1 1/2 cups of soup without coconut milk, assuming you get 9 cups total from this recipe. (You could end up with more!) This information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, so it’s just an estimate and not a guarantee.

Lentil Note: This recipe works well with green, brown, or black lentils. Red lentils cook faster, so you can probably reduce the cooking time to only 20 minutes. (Keep in mind that red lentils will have a mushy texture and won’t hold their shape. See my Red Lentil Soup recipe for reference.)

Update Note: This recipe was updated in December 2024 to add the optional coconut milk. If you prefer the original recipe, you can find it here.

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

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If you try this Detox Soup recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below and let me know how you like it!