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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!

spoon dipped into bowl of soup

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.

chopped vegetables for soup

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.)

vegetables and water in a soup pot

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.

lentils added to soup pot

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.)

cilantro stirred into the hot soup

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.

detox soup scooped up into ladle

spoon dipped into bowl of soup

Ultimate Detox Soup

4.73 from 193 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!
prep10 mins cook30 mins total40 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
Course: Soup
Cuisine: vegan
Keyword: detox soup

 

Need More Detox Recipes?

Try these other fan favorites below:

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?

Megan Gilmore leaning on her white countertop.

Megan Gilmore

Hi, I’m Megan. A former fast food junkie turned best-selling cookbook author. I create healthy recipes made with simple ingredients to make your life easier.

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Comments

  1. This soup was delicious! We loved all of the flavors in it. I added a little cayenne pepper and threw in some kale with the cilantro. Will be making this on the regular. Thank you!

  2. This will be a week of light, reset lunches for me. I added cumin, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper. Cooked in my pressure cooker for 10 mins on high, with 10 min natural release.

  3. This came out great! I added a bit of smoked paprika and cayenne to add some heat since I love spice. Thank you for the recipe!

  4. I made this soup tonight needing to detox. I used fresh bay leaves and rosemary instead of thyme. Plus I had fresh turmeric that I grated along with the ginger. I will be having this soup until it’s all gone. Glad you posted this recipe. As a change from my typical process I did closely follow your recipe. Even stopping at the grocery today for a yellow onion and three carrots.

  5. After several days of visiting family & friends, and a potluck-style class reunion, we needed to step back and detox our systems. Started the Ultimate Detox Soup first thing in the AM, and ate several bowls over the course of the day. It was DELICIOUS! And we felt so much better. Freezing some for last-minute meals, and the rest for leftovers!

  6. This is my favourite soup ever!!! how can it be adapted to the instant pot?i tried and the soup was far ro thick. im nit sure of the liquid and time Any suggestions???

  7. Me and my 11 daughter just had this for dinner. I followed the recipe to the letter and I have to say it was lovely! I’m pleasantly full without the need for bread with it and my daughter polished hers off. Thanks for such a tasty and healthy recipe!