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 611 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

★★★★★

Did You Make This Recipe?

Be sure to share a comment and rating to let us know!

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)

New to cooking quinoa? Grab your FREE Quinoa Starter Guide!

Become part of the Simply Quinoa community and receive weekly emails with exclusive content that I only share in email, as well as my in-depth guide to starting your quinoa journey.

Download Your Free Guide

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

FAQs

Should lentils be soaked before making soup? ›

Dried lentils cook in 35 minutes in the soup, and there's no need to soak them either!

What are the benefits of turmeric soup? ›

Heart Health: It may improve the function of the endothelium, the lining of your blood vessels, reducing the risk of heart diseases. Cancer Prevention: Some studies suggest that turmeric may help prevent and treat cancer. Digestive Health: It aids digestion and can relieve symptoms of indigestion.

How do you make Jamie Oliver lentil soup? ›

Cook gently with the lid on for about 15 minutes, or until all the vegetables are soft, then add the lentils and 1 litre water or vegetable stock. Bring to the boil and simmer until the lentils are soft (check the packet instructions as different types of lentils vary in cooking time.

Is lentil soup good for you? ›

Here are some of the reasons why you should include lentil soup in your diet. 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.

Which color lentils are best for soup? ›

Red lentils are best for soups, curries, dals, and anything that craves a creamy, thicker, more comforting touch. Red lentils are some of our favorites around here, especially our newest Ethiopian inspired lentils!

Do soaking lentils reduce gas? ›

Soak lentils before cooking them to minimize the gas they might cause. The soaking process will help get rid of some of the oligosaccharides, like raffinose that can make you feel gassy and bloated.

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 happens to your body when you start taking turmeric? ›

Turmeric usually doesn't cause serious side effects. Some people can experience mild side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea. These side effects are more common at higher doses. When applied to the skin: Turmeric is likely safe.

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.

Why is my lentil soup tasteless? ›

Lentils are bland, that's why they are perfect for adding flavour to. Personally, my favourite is to fry up bits of bacon and stir those into the cooked lentils, dead easy and quick. What do I do to keep lentils from being bland and terrible? Add loads of garlic, cumin, onion, and ginger.

Why won't my lentils soften in soup? ›

You're not using enough water

According to the BBC, lentils need a whole lot of water to cook all of the way through. So use at least three times more water than lentils and avoid the temptation to salt the water. Adding salt can make the lentil's exterior tough and unappetizing (via Lentils.org).

Which color lentil is healthiest? ›

The best part is that black lentils are the most nutrient-dense type of lentil, including high quantities of calcium, potassium, iron, and protein. According to the USDA, a half cup of raw black lentils has 960 mg of potassium, 100 mg of calcium, 8 mg of iron, and 26g of protein.

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.

Is lentil soup OK for kidneys? ›

Lentils are an excellent source of plant-based kidney friendly protein, rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Whether used in a soup, salad, or main dish, lentils are a hearty, healthy addition to any meal. Buy lentils in dried, canned, or frozen forms.

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.

What happens if you don't soak lentils? ›

Here's why soaking lentils is important

Fact 1: Soaking lentils improves digestion and nutrition absorption as it can neutralise lectins and phytates present that may cause gas and bloating. Fact 2: Soaking lentils also reduces its cooking time. It also brings prana (life) into the legume.

Do I need to cook lentils before adding to soup? ›

Depends if they are red or green lentils. The red ones can be bunged straight in. I just rinse them and add to the soup, the packet says 30 mins cooking so it should be okay.

Does soaking lentils make a difference? ›

Soaking lentils increase the mineral absorption rate of the body. An enzyme called phytase is activated when you soak the dal for some time. Phytase helps in breaking down phytic acid and helps in binding calcium, iron and zinc. This makes the absorption process much easier.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Catherine Tremblay

Last Updated:

Views: 6194

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Catherine Tremblay

Birthday: 1999-09-23

Address: Suite 461 73643 Sherril Loaf, Dickinsonland, AZ 47941-2379

Phone: +2678139151039

Job: International Administration Supervisor

Hobby: Dowsing, Snowboarding, Rowing, Beekeeping, Calligraphy, Shooting, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Catherine Tremblay, I am a precious, perfect, tasty, enthusiastic, inexpensive, vast, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.