Detox Turmeric Lentil Soup (Easy Detox Vegetable Soup Recipe!) (2024)

This Turmeric Lentil Detox Soup is a simple, healthy, and hearty meal that's great for digestion and the liver. It’s easy to make, packed with protein, and delicious!

this recipe

Let’s get this out of the way: the word “detox” is controversial in the health world, and I’m not going to claim that this detox soup will purge your body of toxins and have you feeling like a brand new person after a single bowl. Instead, consider this a detox-friendly soup—it's packed with ingredients that support your body'snatural detoxification system!

You see, our bodies are pretty darn amazing (if you didn't already know). We have systems inside of us that naturally flush out unwanted junk that we're consuming. There aren’t magical foods that “detox” our bodies, but you can support your liver and digestive system by eating the wholesome, nutrient-dense foods they need to do their job.

Enter: Detox Turmeric Lentil Soup.

Just like my Easy Red Lentil Soup and , this Turmeric Lentil Detox Soup is packed with flavor, protein, and fiber, but it's also made with some key ingredients to support your digestive system and liver health.

What Are the Health Benefits of Turmeric?

Curcumin is the active component in turmeric, and not only does it give turmeric its rich golden color, it’s also responsible for its detox powers. Curcumin has been shown to not only help reduce inflammation, but also support, and even enhance, the production of bile in the gallbladder. Bile helps the liver flush out toxins, and it also rejuvenates liver cells!

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

  • Avocado oil
  • Onion
  • Celery
  • Turnipor potato
  • Sweet potato – Sweet potatoes are high in fiber to support the digestive system and liver health.
  • Garlic – Garlic is high in vitamin C and antioxidants, both of which help support the liver and kidneys as they are working to flush toxins from our bodies.
  • Sea salt – Regular salt is fine, too, but sea salt brings some extra minerals to the table.
  • Black pepper – Black pepper contains a compound called piperine that enhances the absorption of curcumin in the body. Whenever you have turmeric, you should always pair it with black pepper!
  • Dried thyme
  • Greenor brown lentils – High fiber foods like lentils help the digestive system do its job more effectively.
  • Red lentils
  • Turmeric
  • Ginger – Ginger speeds up the emptying of the stomach and soothes digestive upset.
  • Cumin
  • Vegetable broth – Homemade vegetable broth is best, but store-bought is fine too.
  • Water
  • Almond milk
  • Spinach
  • Fresh herbs– I like parsley, which has a number of health benefits, but cilantro is delicious in this soup too!
  • Lemon juice
  • Red pepper flakes

How to Make Turmeric Lentil Detox Soup

I can't wait for you to try this soup! Not only is it cozy and loaded with healthy ingredients, it also tastes amazing—and it’s a cinch to make. What’s not to love?!

Cook the veggies. Heat the oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven. Stir in the onions, celery, turnip, potato, and garlic; cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables soften a bit. Add the salt, pepper, and thyme and cook about 2 minutes more.

Simmer. Add the lentils, turmeric, ginger, and cumin to the pot. Sauté for a minute or two, then pour in the broth and water. Bring the soup to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat. Simmer for 30 minutes.

Finish. Remove from the heat and stir in the almond milk, spinach, herbs, lemon juice, and pepper flakes. Once the spinach has wilted, serve immediately.

Tips for Success

This is a simple soup, but I still have a few hints and tips to help make sure it turns out perfect!

  • Pick over the lentils. Whenever you cook with lentils, you should rinse them and give them a quick inspection to make sure there aren’t any pebbles in them. (Believe it or not, it does happen.)
  • Cut your veggies in uniform sizes. This ensures that they’ll cook evenly!
  • Customize it to your needs. Swap the vegetable stock for bone broth (or vegan bone broth!), use heavy cream or coconut milk instead of almond milk, substitute butternut squash for sweet potatoes—this Turmeric Lentil Detox Soup is easy to adapt to all kinds of dietary needs!

Serving Suggestions

This detox soup is delicious as-is, but here are some ideas for jazzing it up!

  • Make it creamier. Add a dollop of yogurt or cashew cream on top and swirl it in just before eating!
  • Add some texture. Toasted cashews, crispy roasted chickpeas, and kale chips are all delicious toppings for this soup.
  • Pair it with your favorite grain. Naturally, we’re partial to cooked quinoa, but brown rice is good too!

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

This detox soup is a healthy meal prep option for lunch or dinner, so you might want to double the recipe! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Can This Recipe Be Frozen?

Like most soups, Detox Turmeric Lentil Soup freezes beautifully! Store it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months; it can be thawed in the refrigerator or reheated from frozen.

More Delicious Soup Recipes:

  • Healing Cauliflower Holiday Soup
  • Healthy Green Detox Soup
  • Tortilla Soup with Quinoa
  • Creamy Italian Quinoa Soup

Detox Turmeric Lentil Soup

3.9 from 607 votes

This Detox Turmeric Lentil Soup is a flavorful cleansing soup recipe made with ingredients that support liver and digestive health.

author: Alyssa

yield: 6 servings

Detox Turmeric Lentil Soup (Easy Detox Vegetable Soup Recipe!) (9)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 40 minutes minutes

Total: 50 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup chopped turnip or potato
  • 2 1/2 cups chopped sweet potato
  • 2 minced garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 1 cup green or brown lentils
  • 1 cup red lentils
  • 1 – 2 tablespoons turmeric I like 2
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1 cup fresh herbs I like parsley
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large stockpot or dutch oven. Add onions, celery, turnip, potato and garlic and saute for about 5 minutes until everything softens slightly. Season with salt, pepper and thyme and cook about 2 minutes.

  • Add lentils, turmeric, ginger and cumin and saute 1 – 2 minutes, then add the broth and water. Bring the soup to a boil, cover and reduce to simmer for 30 minutes.

  • Remove from heat and stir in almond milk, spinach, herbs, lemon and pepper flakes until spinach has wilted. Serve immediately!

Video

Notes

How to store: Store this soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Nutrition

Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 444mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 6g

cuisine: American

course: Soup

★★★★★

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Detox Turmeric Lentil Soup (Easy Detox Vegetable Soup Recipe!) (10)

Filed Under:

  • Dairy Free
  • Freezer Friendly
  • Gluten-Free
  • Lunch
  • One Pot Meals
  • Recipes
  • Soup
  • Stovetop
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
Detox Turmeric Lentil Soup (Easy Detox Vegetable Soup Recipe!) (11)

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Detox Turmeric Lentil Soup (Easy Detox Vegetable Soup Recipe!) (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat lentils on a detox? ›

Lentils are a great source of fiber and the colon is the main exit route for moving toxins and excess cholesterol out of your body, and fiber is what binds these wastes for healthy elimination, making it the ultimate cleanser.

How do you thicken lentil soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

What are the benefits of turmeric soup? ›

One of the benefits of turmeric is its ability to increase the antioxidant capacity of the body. Oxidative damage can lead to aging and a number of other diseases. It involves free radicals, which tend to react with important organic substances like fatty acids, DNA, and protein.

Do lentils thicken stew? ›

Why red lentils: They cook quickly because they are small and split. They become soft when cooked so they work well for thickening soups and making purees.

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.

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.

Do you have to cook lentils before adding to soup? ›

Do you cook lentils before adding to soup? Nope! Dried lentils cook in 35 minutes in the soup, and there's no need to soak them either!

What happens when you overcook lentils? ›

Bring the water to a boil and keep the heat on medium-high. Steam the lentils for 12-15 minutes until they are tender (you should be able to squish a cooked lentil between your fingers). Make sure not to overcook. Your lentils will turn mushy if overcooked, so keep an eye on the timer.

Who should not take turmeric? ›

People who should not take turmeric include those with gallbladder problems, bleeding disorders, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infertility, iron deficiency, liver disease, hormone-sensitive conditions, and arrhythmia. Pregnant women and those who are going to undergo surgery should not use turmeric.

What organ is turmeric good for? ›

Turmeric is widely used in cooking and gives Indian curry its flavor and yellow color. It is also used in mustard and to color butter and cheese. Turmeric has been used in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory, to treat digestive and liver problems, skin diseases, and wounds.

What drugs cannot be taken with turmeric? ›

Don't take turmeric supplements if:

You're taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil , Motrin ), or Acetaminophen (Tylenol ). Turmeric may lessen the effects of these medications.

Do lentils get soggy in soup? ›

If you're making a homey soup or stew, either regular green or brown lentils would be an excellent choice. Instead of holding their shape, they soften and become mushy as they cook. I like to add the dried lentils to a big pot of soup and let it simmer until they become tender, about 30 minutes.

Do lentils need to be washed before cooking? ›

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.

What happens if you add too much water to lentils? ›

If you've added too much liquid and over cook them, they will get mushy! After 20 minutes most of the liquid will have been absorbed. There may still be a bit of liquid on the bottom, which is fine.

Are lentils good for liver detox? ›

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.

What foods to avoid after detox? ›

And in the meantime, stock up on fruits, veggies, healthy fats, whole grains, and plant-based protein (think nuts and beans). Try to avoid dairy, meat, and refined sugars for the first 5 days or so after your cleanse has finished. Over the next few weeks, gradually add back in animal protein if you choose to do so.

Can I eat beans while detoxing? ›

Focus on a high-fiber diet during detox, including leafy vegetables, whole grains, beans and peas.

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.

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