The Best Detox Lentil Soup Recipe

After visiting the East Coast for Thanksgiving, I realized just how hard it is to continue to eat healthy in the winter. Enter The Best Detox Lentil Soup  recipe to combat all the winter feels, and keep you on a healthy path in between the Holidays.

As soon as I felt the cold weather, I started craving warm carb loaded goodness to heat up my insides. Add to that the Holiday season treats and there is your winter 10lbs! When I got home, not only did I feel like I needed a detox plan, but I also still wanted warm, hearty meals. The best detox lentil soup fits the bill perfectly. It’s hearty, healthy, delicious, totally satisfying and filled with nutrients and antioxidants instead of empty carbs. 

lentil soup

Do You Have to Soak Lentils Before Cooking?

Unlike beans, lentils do not require overnight soaking before you prepare. Before cooking, rinse lentils in cold water, pick over to remove debris or shriveled lentils and then drain. Now you are ready to make the best detox lentil soup.
For this recipe I used green lentils, but you can use any lentil. Lentils come in variety of colors, black lentils, red lentils or even yellow lentils are out there in the world!
Pro tip: For a super fast version of this soup you could make it semi-homemade with Trader Joe’s Lentils. Trader Joe’s cooked green lentils and all you have to do is heat them up.
lentil soup recipe

Are Lentils Good For You?

The short answer is yes.  Lentils are a great source of iron, vitamin B, magnesium, potassium and zinc. And they’re a great  source of plant-based protein and fiber.
This recipe for The Best Detox Lentil Soup also calls for kale. Another great antioxidant, full of calcium, vitamin K and vitamin C as well as iron.

A Note on Kale

Previously, I would only buy and use curly kale. And I did not realize the error of my ways until I went to the fall menu reveal at True Food Kitchen. The chef talked about how curly kale doesn’t have as much flavor and it’s really just used as decoration with seafood displays. Darn it.

I thought I was doing so good with all of my kale eating. After that realization I found that my local store totally has tons of kale varieties and I can’t wait to sample all of them. No more eating seafood display kale for me—I’m on to better things with Lacinato or Dinosaur kale. It’s called Dinosaur kale because the leaves resemble the texture of a reptile skin. They are definitely rough, which is why restaurants massage their kale for salads. Since we are dropping this kale into a soup, we do not have to give it a rub down.

I’ve also stopped eating raw kale all together, I found it was hard for my body to digest it. But it’s a perfect addition to the best detox lentil soup recipe.

With countless benefits of kale and lentils in this green lentil recipe, you can be sure it’s the healthiest soup for a cozy winter dinner.

kale and lentil soup

How to Make the Best Detox Lentil Soup

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butternut squash (peeled and cubed, you could also use sweet potatoes!)
  • 2 cups carrots (peeled and sliced)
  • 1 cups potatoes (chopped)
  • 1 cups celery (chopped)
  • 1 cup green lentils ( you can use the pre-cooked version from Trader Joe’s!)
  • 1 onion (chopped)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 4 cups of vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoons of cumin
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Add at the end:

  • 2-3 cups of Lacinato or Dinosaur kale (stems removed, chopped )
  • Slivers of  parmigiano reggiano

best lentil soup

Directions

  1. Add extra virgin olive oil to the pot, and place all the  chopped ingredients in the pot. Sauté all of the vegetables for 5-7 minutes.
  2. Now add 4 cups of broth, lentils and seasoning to the pot. Let cook on medium until the vegetables are cooked through. If you are using uncooked lentils, let the mixture simmer for longer and add more broth if necessary, until the lentils are soft.
  3. (Optional) Take out one ladle of the soup, and puree it in a blender. I used my ninja and it worked perfectly. I also pureed the soup for the baby and it was a hit! Add the puree mixture back to the pot, this really helps create a velvety texture to the soup.
  4. Now stir in the kale.
  5. Back to the soup. Let the pot simmer for a while. Add salt and pepper to taste, and then serve with a          generous amount of Parmesan. Just so it doesn’t feel too healthy.

Can You Freeze Lentil Soup?

This soup really does taste better the next day, and satisfies the craving for a good and hearty meal. Hope you give it a try. The best detox lentil soup also freezes very well. It’s a perfect protein-packed meal to have in your freezer.

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lentil soup

The Best Detox Lentil Soup

Hearty and healthy lentil and kale soup perfect for a cozy winter night
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup butternut squash (peeled and cubed, you could also use sweet potatoes!)
  • 2 cups carrots (peeled and sliced)
  • 1 cup potatoes (chopped)
  • 1 cup

    celery (chopped)

  • 1 cup

    green lentils ( you can use the pre-cooked version from Trader Joe's!)

  • 1

    onion (chopped)

  • 4

    4 garlic cloves (minced)

  • 4 cups

    vegetable or chicken broth

  • 1 tsp

    cumin

  • 2

    bay leaves

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Add at the end

  • 2-3 cups Lacinato or Dinosaur kale (stems removed, chopped )
  • Slivers of  parmigiano reggiano for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Add extra virgin olive oil to the pot, and place all the  chopped ingredients in the pot. Sauté all of the vegetables for 5-7 minutes.
  • Now add 4 cups of broth, lentils and seasoning to the pot. Let cook on medium until the vegetables are cooked through. If you are using uncooked lentils, let the mixture simmer for longer and add more broth if necessary, until the lentils are soft. Simmer for about 50 minutes
  • (Optional) Take out one ladle of the soup, and puree it in a blender. I used my ninja and it worked perfectly. Add the puree mixture back to the pot, this really helps create a velvety texture to the soup.
  • Now stir in the kale.
  • Let the pot simmer for a while.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste, and then serve with a generous amount of Parmesan. Just so it doesn't feel too healthy.

Other Recipes You May Like

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Ratatouille Recipe

Lentil and Pomegranate Salad

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how to make a quick lentil soup

 

... besos, ALINA

Alina Orozco is a freelance writer with a weakness for hot dogs, the beach, dinner parties and DIY projects. She lives in Orange County, California with her husband and their oversized Beagle named Benny.