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 I need to rinse lentils before making soup? ›

Lentils do not require it but can be soaked in order to reduce cooking time by about half. Before cooking, rinse lentils in cold water, pick over to remove debris or shrivelled lentils, then drain.

What are the benefits of lentil soup for weight loss? ›

Lentils are high in protein, which is essential for building and maintaining your muscles, bones, and skin. Protein also helps you feel full and satisfied, which can support weight loss and appetite control.

Do lentils soak up broth? ›

Lentils aren't rice—they don't need to absorb every last drop of cooking liquid. They're more like pasta: best cooked in an abundance of water or stock. Bring your liquid up to a boil, add your lentils, then turn down your heat to a simmer for at least 25-30 minutes.

How do you know if your body is detox from toxins? ›

Nausea and digestive issues, such as bloating, gas, or changes in bowel movements, are frequently reported during detox. These symptoms occur as the body works to eliminate toxins through organs like the liver, kidneys, skin, intestines, and lymphatic system.

How often should you eat detox soup? ›

Detox soups focus on clean, vegan ingredients and rely primarily on vegetables, not fruits, so they're low on the glycemic scale and full of fiber and nutrients. I sip one serving of soup six times per day while detoxing. If you feel you need to eat more, add another serving or two until you feel satisfied.

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 color lentils are best for soup? ›

Red lentils are the fastest cooking and they dissolve as they cook and make for a smooth soup. Others, such as green and brown lentils, hold their shape and make a soup with more texture.

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 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 losing belly fat? ›

Lentils are high in fiber and protein, making them a great choice for promoting fullness and reducing overall calorie intake.

How many lentils should I eat a 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.

Why did my lentil soup turn black? ›

the color change you've observed is from oxidation. If you want to prevent this, lay some plastic wrap over the surface of your lentils to prevent air from getting to them, or add some acid, like lime juice, to the recipe.

How long should you soak lentils for soup? ›

How To Soak Right? Soaking lentils for two- eight hours is mostly recommended. In a bowl add the dal and rinse it with water, changing the water 3-4 times and clean it gently by stroking with your fingers. Now add water to a bowl and soak the dal for about 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the type of lentil.

Is it OK to eat slightly undercooked lentils? ›

Lentils should always be consumed well-cooked as when raw or undercooked they can cause serious health problems, food poisoning and, in very extreme cases, even death. It's all because they contain natural compounds called lectins which are toxic but fortunately, cooking destroys them!

What does a food detox do to your body? ›

Detox diets, short-term fasting, and stress

Short-term fasting may improve various disease markers in some people, including improved leptin and insulin sensitivity. However, these effects do not apply to everyone. Research shows that detox diets can lead to increased stress and binge eating.

How do toxins leave the body during detox? ›

Digestive System can detoxify by eliminating toxic foods, by either vomiting or diarrhea. Kidneys detoxify by secreting toxins or filtering toxins out of the blood into urine. Liver detoxifies by changing the chemical nature of many toxins. Kidney and liver are especially important.

Can you lose weight on a soup cleanse? ›

And the fewer calories you eat on a soup diet, generally the more weight you'll lose. Just keep in mind that as with other low calorie diets, most of the weight lost over the 5–10 days is likely due to water rather than fat loss ( 11 ).

What to expect during a food detox? ›

Restricting your diet and calories during detoxification can leave you with little energy to exercise or take on the tasks of a day. The process may disrupt your metabolism and blood sugar levels, too. Gastrointestinal distress. Many cleanses and detoxes include a laxative effect.

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