Detox Lentil Soup is so easy to make one pot meal that is rustic and healthy at the same time.
Why we love this recipe:
Easy to make recipe. Perfect for lunch if you had very indulgent meals the day before or if you just want a clean start.
It can be easily paired with some plain Rice or Cauliflower rice or some crusty bread.
Very mildly flavored so even small kids will eat it willingly.
The ingredients you will need for Detox Lentil Soup:
Green Lentils – High in fiber and complex carbs. High protein content but low in fat and calories. Gluten free and low glycemic index. Overall a win-win.
Celery – Low calorie vegetable with high water content. Plenty of fiber and a good source vitamin K.
Carrot – Often claimed to be a perfect health food, Carrots are good source of beta carotene, fiber, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants
Onion - contain fiber and folic acid, a B vitamin that helps the body make healthy new cells. They also provide additional flavor to any food
Ghee or Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Jam-packed with antioxidants and heart-healthy fats.
Turmeric – Not only contains minerals such as manganese, phosphorus and potassium but also has magical ingredients Curcumin that used in Cancer prevention and treatments of rheumatoid arthritis and other infections.
Cinnamon - Helps your body fight infections and repair tissue damage. It is also shown to lower blood sugar.
Ginger – Certain unique compounds in Ginger are shown to provide many health benefits. Ginger is typically used for Blood sugar management and nausea relief
Garlic – Boosts immune system and improves cholesterol levels
Salt and Black Pepper - Flavor
Water – well, I don’t need to write about this one, do I?
Step by Step Instructions:
Wash the Green lentils 2-3 times in fresh water. Discard the used water. Pour some boiling water over the Lentils and let soak for at least an hour.
The cooking time for Lentils will be reduced if you soak them up to 8 (eight) hours in advance. I usually soak them in the morning after breakfast to make the soup for Dinner or Soak it the night before to make it for Lunch.
Cut Celery and Carrots in similar size pieces to ensure even cooking.
Make a paste of Ginger and Garlic. I like to peel the skin of Ginger before crushing it. To peel the Garlic, soak the garlic in very hot water for a minute, remove from water and Peel. Easy peasy.
In a large Soup Pot, I always use my trusty Le Creuset, heat Olive Oil or Ghee. Keep the heat on Medium. When warm, add Onion and sauté for couple of minutes.
Add Ginger Garlic Paste and sauté for another minute.
Add Carrot and Celery and sauté for 2 minutes. If you see the vegetables are starting to burn, add a Tbsp. of water and keep sautéing.
Add about 3 cups of Water, Cinnamon and Turmeric and let simmer on a medium flame for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, stir and check to see if more water needs to be added. Let Simmer for another 5 minutes. Check if the Lentils are cooked through. They should be very soft to touch and should crush very easily. If you soaked Lentils overnight or for 8 hours, they should be cooked by now.
If you soaked them only for an hour, adjust water as needed and let simmer for another 5 to 8 minutes.
Finally, remove from heat and add salt and Black Pepper. Cover and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Variations:
Swap Green Lentils with Brown Lentils. Brown Lentils are easier to cook than Green Lentils so keep a watch on cooking time and reduce it as needed.
If you find the soup to be too mild, add ½ teaspoon of Curry powder.
Storing and Making ahead tips for Detox Lentil Soup:
The soup can be made ahead and will stay good in refrigerator if kept an air tight container for up to 3 days. Warm in microwave or Stove top before serving.
Some delicious recipes to try next:
Creamy Cauliflower Soup
Thai Red Curry Noodle Soup
If you make this recipe and love it, remember to stop back and give it a five star rating – it helps other people find it.
Detox Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Green Lentils
- ½ Cup Celery chopped measure
- 1 Cup Carrot chopped measure
- ½ Onion medium size
- ¾ tsp. Turmeric
- ¼ tsp. Cinnamon
- 1 tsp. Ginger Garlic paste
- ½ teaspoon Salt adjust as needed
- ½ tsp. Black Pepper adjust as needed
Instructions
- Wash the Green lentils 2-3 times in fresh water. Discard the used water. Pour some boiling water over the Lentils and let soak for at least an hour.
- Cut Celery and Carrots in similar size pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Make a paste of Ginger and Garlic. Peel the Ginger and Garlic before crushing.
- In a large Soup Pot, heat Olive Oil or Ghee. Keep the heat on Medium.
- When warm, add Onion and sauté for couple of minutes.
- Add Ginger Garlic Paste and sauté for another minute.
- Add Carrot and Celery and sauté for 2 minutes. If you see the vegetables are starting to burn, add a Tbsp. of water and keep sautéing.
- Add about 3 cups of Water, Cinnamon and Turmeric and let simmer on a medium flame for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, stir and check to see if more water needs to be added. Let Simmer for another 5 minutes. Check if the Lentils are cooked through. They should be very soft to touch and should crush very easily. If you soaked Lentils overnight or for 8 hours, they should be cooked by now.
- If you soaked them only for an hour, adjust water as needed and let simmer for another 5 to 8 minutes.
- Finally, remove from heat and add salt and Black Pepper. Cover and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
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