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

Do lentils help 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.

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.

Are detox soups good for you? ›

Packed with green veggies like spinach, peas, and broccoli, this detox soup is high in nutrients and will leave you feeling energized and refreshed. It's a great reset after you've over-indulged!

Is lentil soup good for you on a diet? ›

Lentils are a carbohydrate, but it's slow burning which means it keeps you fuller for longer. Studies also suggest that lentils are good for heart health. The added benefit is that they are low in calories with 116 calories in 1 cup of cooked lentils (which is roughly the amount per serving of this lentil soup).

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!

Is lentil soup good for bowels? ›

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.

Are eggs good for the liver? ›

Eggs are rich in all the eight essential amino acids and choline, which is also a vital nutrient. The amino acids and choline help the liver in the detoxification process and improve the metabolism rate.

Which lentils are best for fatty liver? ›

Pulses that should be consumed: yellow lentils split (mung dal), pink lentils split (masoor dal), green gram (hare mung) pulses that should be limited kidney beans, chickpea, black lentil.

What is the healthiest soup you can eat? ›

6 delicious and healthy soups
  • Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
  • Green spring minestrone.
  • Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
  • Lamb shank and barley soup.
  • Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
  • Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
Apr 27, 2020

What foods should you avoid during a detox? ›

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.

How long should you do a soup cleanse? ›

As the soup diet usually only lasts for 7-14 days, it's not recommended in the long term. The NHS also highlights how very low-calorie diets like this often lead to short term weight loss, but it's likely that you'll put some or all of the weight back on once you go back to eating normally.

Which color lentil is healthiest? ›

Black Lentils (Beluga lentils)

Thanks to the robust flavor, these lentils pair well with meaty veggies and marinated proteins like mushrooms, tofu, and seitan. Best of all, black lentils are the most nutritious variety of lentils, boasting the highest amount of protein, plus high levels of calcium, potassium, and iron.

Can I have lentil soup every day? ›

However, it's worth bearing in mind – if you are planning on eating lentils every day – that the fibre they contain can be difficult to break down and can potentially cause gas and cramping if you eat too much of it.

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.

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 foods to 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.

What do lentils do to your body? ›

Lentils are rich in fibre, folate and potassium making them a great choice for the heart and for managing blood pressure and cholesterol. They are also a source of energising iron and vitamin B1 which helps maintain a steady heartbeat.

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.

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