I have a friend who went to six holiday parties this past weekend. Six. I don’t know how a person even pretends to drink that much wine – I myself spent the weekend with hiking in Big Sur, trying to soak in the last bit of California coastline, sunshine and redwoods before Zack and I move to New York in January. Yup – we’re officially moving back. We just signed the lease on a cute little apartment in Brooklyn and, come the 1st, we’ll be packing all of our belongings again into the six suitcases we’ve ensured they all fit into, we’ll be tricking our cat into stepping into the travel carrier that’s flown her thousands of miles around the world with us. Yes, we’re doing all of this during the middle of a time of year when California is a brilliant ball of outdoor sports and sunshine, and New York is a frigid tundra. Yes, we’re doing all of this during the year that we’re planning a West Coast wedding. Yes, we’re a little bit crazy – but we’re also super excited. New York is one of my favorite cities in the world, and though I’ve lived there before, I’ve never lived in Brooklyn (which I’m even more endeared to after seeing the film of the same name. Have you seen it? I thought it was one of the loveliest cinematic experiences I’ve had in awhile).
But I digress. For those of you who spent the weekend indulging – whether it was in alcohol or cookies and cakes – this is the soup for you. I like to make this a few times a month throughout the winter to bolster my immune system against colds and flus, and to protect myself from the inevitable few pounds that tend to creep up this time of year. Because, basically, this soup is a one-bowl wunderkind. You know that green juice that Gwyneth is always toting around, touting the miracle benefits of? This is like that, but way better.
This detox soup has some of the most powerful members of the cruciferous family, kale and broccoli, which increase the amount of glucosinate in your system. You know what glucosinate does? It helps rev up your liver, the organ responsible for processing all those champagne toasts and mulled wines you’re tossing back throughout December. It has cilantro and parsley, both left in their raw form, for an abundance of chlorophyll and digestion-aiding enzymes, in addition to chelating (or blood cleansing) powers. Garlic, left mostly raw, is one of the most powerful immune boosters on the planet, with antibacterial and antiviral properties (translation: that cold going around the office doesn’t stand a chance). Lemons also assist in liver function, and help, along with the copious amount of fiber in the soup, to de bloat and get your digestive tract moving.
And beyond that: it’s good – far better than the green juices we’re always glugging. The carmelized onions add a bit of savory sweetness, and the overall taste, while definitively fresh, is that of a really good vegetable soup. I serve this all the time at dinner parties to people who are not at all health interested, and they gobble it up. But personally? I like to make a big batch on Sunday night and sip it throughout the week, just to give my system a boost of health. I’ll take it in a Mason jar to snack on when I’m out and about, and sometimes, I’ll even sip it for breakfast – there’s something so nice about knowing you’ve gotten a week’s worth of nutrients in by 9 am. Bookmark this one – it’s one of my absolute favorites to keep coming back to whenever I need a little health boost.
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Green Detox Soup (Gluten Free, Paleo, Vegan)
Ingredients
- 3 medium or 2 large yellow onions, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 zucchini, washed but not peeled, and roughly chopped
- 10 leaves dinosaur kale, roughly chopped
- 1 head broccoli, roughly chopped (while you can chop off any especially woody bits, it’s great to include the stem)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 head garlic, cloves removed and minced
- ½ cup packed cilantro (or fresh coriander, for Brits)
- ½ cup packed parsley
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 tbsp raw, unrefined coconut oil
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat coconut oil over medium-high until warm. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add zucchini, kale and broccoli and cook for 5 additional minutes. Pour in vegetable stock and bring to boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 15-20 minutes or until broccoli is easily pierced with fork. Turn off heat and add garlic, then let cool, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Working in batches if necessary, blend with cilantro, parsley, lemon and sea salt until very smooth. Serves 4.
I’ve been making this recipe for years, it’s my number 1 go to soup for the winter. And like you said, there is something amazing about getting all your nutrients in just a few sips. I end up shredding some fresh pecorino or parmigiano reggiano for some extra flavor and goodness 😋
Hey Hannah,
I’m so glad you love the recipe! Adding cheese sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing.
xo, Liz
Wow, did not have great expectations don’t like zucchini…but this soup is amazing…I’m so impressed…will make it often, very easy to prepare…thanks
Hey Laurie,
I’m so glad you love this soup. Thanks for sharing!
xo, Liz
Very good but mine is also an olive green. I followed the times but did use beet greens and everything else around. I think I answered my own question. I will try without the beet greens that have the red veins. Taste and healthiness is most important. Will be making again
★★★★★
Hey Gale,
That could definitely change the color, but I’m glad you found the recipe delicious!
xo, Liz
Tasty
Way more delicious than I anticipated!
I’ll be making this often.
★★★★★
Hey Maggie,
I’m so glad you love the recipe!
xo, Liz
Oh my god! After I blitzed it t was an olive green..I think I over cooked the broccoli…but then I had a taste..it is AMAZING! Going to be a lunch time favourite for the foreseeable future. And the health benefits are a bonus haha
Hey Jason,
I’m so glad you loved the recipe!
xo, Liz
This soup is GREAT! My wife and I don’t use it to detox, but just love the flavor along side a sandwich for our OMAD. We deviate a bit by adding a bit of fresh chili peppers or bell peppers, whatever is fresh, to compliment the flavor. Thank you for helping us lead healthier lives while not sacrificing flavor.
Hey Mike,
I’m so glad you and your wife love the recipe. Those additions sound delicious!
xo, Liz
This detox soup recipe is the bomb!
★★★★★
This detox soup recipe is the bomb! Everyone I know that’s made it loves it too.
★★★★★
Hey Diane!
I’m happy to hear everyone’s loving this soup. Thanks for sharing!
xo, Liz
My partner and I love this soup. Today I threw in a bunch of dill as an addition, and it was a great twist!
★★★★★
Hey Maria,
I’m so glad you and your partner love the recipe. Dill sounds like such a nice twist!
xo, Liz
Woah woah woah. This is AMAZING. So herby and vibrant. Full disclosure – I just threw in some veggies I had on hand. A combination of broccoli and cauliflower, spinach and kale, with fresh Parsley and Cilantro from the farmers market. I also added the liberty of jalapeño and ginger, hoping it would work out. It turned out better than I could have imagined!
That said, if you are looking for a recipe that is super healthy, extremely versatile, and easy – this is for you! Thank you Liz!
hey Katy,
I’m so glad you loved the recipe! All of that sounds delicious.
xo, Liz
I live for lunch time when I’ve prepped this soup. And it really got me through the holidays. Thank you for the delicious fiber, Liz!
★★★★★
Hi Abby,
I’m so glad you love the recipe!
xo, Liz
This soup is THE BEST. I can’t wait to make it again. Thank you!
★★★★★
Hi Kyla, I’m so glad you like it!! Thanks for making the recipe 🙂 xo, Liz
[…] adapted from this recipe. Course: DIET, LUNCH, soup + stew + chiliCuisine: American, gluten free, low carb + keto, vegan, […]
I have tried this recipe a couple of times and now I am making a triple batch. The tears over the 9-6 onions will definitely be worth it
Hi Trina, A TRIPLE batch?! Wow, I’m so glad! I agree the onion tears are totally worth it 🙂 xo, Liz
Yum!! Made this tonight and I absolutely loved it. Added a bit of coconut cream at the end as well and it was so nice served with a piece of gluten free bread! Thank you Liz! 🤗
★★★★★
Hi Jessica,
So glad you’ve enjoyed!
Xo Liz
This is delicious! I highly recommend~
Hi Kathy,
Glad you enjoyed!
Xo Liz
Our whole family loves it! I have made it a couple of times and always a hit. This last time I had everything except the cilantro, but a lot of fresh dill so I swapped that out and used a kale, spinach & chard mix and it was excellent. Just as good cold as it is hot too!
I loooooooove it! I have made this sooo many times , it’s so good. I just wonder what the calories are ??
This was delicious! I added a small jalepeno which added a smidge of heat. I will make this again!
Hi Kathy—Glad you liked it!
Xo Liz
I cannot believe how great this soup tastes.!! Quite frankly, had I not read the reviews first, I’m not sure I would have made it. The lemon juice MAKES it and there is just a hint of coconut. Great job on this recipe! It’s a keeper!!
★★★★★
Hi Sarah—so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Xo Liz
WOW – what a healthy/flavoursome tasting soup – added spinach – loads of black pepper – i added alot more onions then stated -basically doubled up on all ingredients – tasted superb – recommend highly!! BTW – I recommend leaving the soup little chunky not pureed completely!! Nutritional Yeast works well in this soup!!
★★★★★
This was delicious!! I doubled the recipe and will have enough for the whole week!
★★★★★
Wow! I too am not one to leave comments often, but this blew my mind. So delicious and very easy to make, especially with an immersion blender. Thank you!
★★★★★
I never add comments but I was SO surprised how delicious this is – just made it tonight. Thank you for the great recipe!!
A friend made this for our Supper Club last weekend, and it was so good that I made a batch this morning. Do you know if it freezes well?
Disregard! I scrolled down and answered my own question. This is going to make a wonderful breakfast all week!
★★★★★
This soup is EVERYTHING!!! Love it hot and cold!!
Are you able to give any information about the nutritional value?
Hi Katherine — Thanks so much! You can use the following tool to find the nutritional value: https://www.verywellfit.com/recipe-nutrition-analyzer-4157076.
Xo Liz
Made this today. It was really good. I think the lemon really brightens up the flavor. Will definitely make again.
★★★★★
I LOVE this soup! I usually can’t stop myself from tweaking other people’s soup recipes but I’ve been making it exactly as it is because it’s just perfect! I keep coming back to it when I need a health boost. Thank you for the great recipe!
★★★★★
I just made this tonight and it is amazing! I only changed two things and that was that I added a whole jalapeno. I like heat and it added just enough. I also added nutritional yeast which adds a nice sort of butter flavor with all the health benefits. Thank you for sharing! I’m looking into your cook book!!
This is delicious! I added celery instead of the cilantro/parsley and it was delicious. What is the calorie count on a bowl of this?
Hi Brittanie — You can use the following tool to find nutritional information: https://www.verywellfit.com/recipe-nutrition-analyzer-4157076.
Xo Liz
Always come back to this fantastic green detox soup. It tastes wonderful!
★★★★★
So good! I guessed on some of my measurements but it turned out great…could also be used as a sauce?! Love this!
★★★★★
Wondering about the nutrient values for a serving of this soup
Hi Cait — You can use the following tool to find nutritional information: https://www.verywellfit.com/recipe-nutrition-analyzer-4157076.
Xo Liz
Delicious! I used a tad too much parsley but it’s still good. This will be a weekly meal for sure.
★★★★
After a traveling and enjoying food, drinks and sweets, I made this soup to reset my body. It is delicious!!! I have had a mug each of last two days and it quickly helped with feeling satisfied and reduced cravings for all things I indulged during vacation…planning a grocery run so I can make more.
★★★★★
So glad to hear! Hope your vacation was amaze!!
Hi Liz, what is the calorie count on a bowl of this?
Hi Brittanie — You can use the following tool to find the calorie information: https://www.verywellfit.com/recipe-nutrition-analyzer-4157076.
Xo Liz
This recipe is amazing! The soup tastes so good, it’ll replace my morning green juice.
★★★★★
Delicious! Does it freeze well?
Yes! It should absolutely freeze well.
Made this recipe for my boyfriend who can’t stop eating sandwiches and he loves it….. what are the calories per serving?
After looking at various recipes, the reviews for this left me wanting to try it so bad! I decided to make this last night, and for a green detox soup – it tastes amazing. It made approximately 4 portions (I think I tend to make my portions slightly bigger than they’re supposed to) and also made some modifications to the recipe – half a lemon and half a lime I used, used half the amount of garlic (5-6 cloves), and added ginger. I’ll definitely be making this again!!
★★★★★
This is tasty! Thank you ?
★★★★★
This is amazing- I am allergic to onion and did not have parsley and this was still super tasty. Love the lemon in this recipe.
★★★★★
This soup was absolutely fantastic!! Thank you so much for sharing your recipe!
★★★★★
Just made this an it’s amazing what’s the calorie count for a bowl of it?
I love, love, love this! It doesn’t need any help, but I also add tumeric, avocado, and cayenne.
I’ve been making green soups for years and this is THE ABSOLUTE BEST ever!!!! Incredibly delicious with the perfect blend of flavors and full of nutrients. Love!!!!
★★★★★
Can’t wait to make this! Do you drink it warm or cold?
So good! I put in an entire bunch of parsley, an entire bunch of cilantro and 1/2 a small lime juice. I’ve been eating it all day with walnuts sprinkled on top. Obsessed!
★★★★★
I made this soup. It is very tasty. I put in half the garlic and it was still pretty garlicky. I also topped it with a few pinenuts and a couple pieces of goat cheese crumble .
★★★★★
This looks great! Do you consume it cold or hot?
I love your pineapple/cilantro/arugala smoothie (texture and flavour) and while I could drink it everyday, would love something berry based to change up- anti-inflammatory targeted-can you help?!
★★★★★
Made this soup tonight for my parents who aren’t typically concerned about healthy eating, and they loved it! Great taste and very healthy. Can’t wait to make this for my friends!
★★★★★
Love it! Mine doesn’t look like yours, it has more of a pesto look/colour. But it tastes so good! I’ve added some spices when cooking and lots of Tabasco after re-heating. I will decrease the parsley next time I make it though. You talked about it being great for winter, I think it’s perfect for summer – so light and refreshing. Thanks for sharing!
Tried this soup today. I dont like any of the main ingredients and yet loved this soup!!! I hate broccoli and kale and even after many attempts never found a recipe which could change my taste buds…. Till now!
It’s so creamy (how…??) and very filling. Couldn’t give you more than 5 stars, this recipe is 10 star. Thanks a lot! ?
★★★★★
I made this right after finishing my 3 day smoothie detox and it was a simply amazing! Looking at the recipe I didn’t think it would have much flavour, but oh I was so wrong. Thank you! ?
★★★★★
I wasn’t expecting this soup to be this wonderful I am a foodie and I do know good food. I added a couple chopped carrots to this and used tomato bouillon as my only change. I opted to add the lemon to mine individually and leave the batch without it because it does take the savory away. It is good both ways but I prefer mine savory. This is probably the best green soup recipe I have had, you don’t even know how healthy it is would like to have the calorie content but other than that kudos to you!
★★★★★
This soup is so bloody good! My husband and I decided to do an at-home, weekend detox retreat and are using this soup as part of our meal plan.
★★★★★
Super easy to make and absolutely delicious! Tasted very fresh! Already plan to make another batch tomorrow.
★★★★★
Thank you looks good but haven’t tried it yet
Can spinach be substituted for the kale?
Definitely!!
Mine does not look like yours???
How does it taste?
Hi. I love this recipe. The coconut oil helps offer some depth. Just delicious! I’m curious if you know how many calories per cup. Thanks much. Jayne
★★★★★
I think this is going to be my new favorite soup! I’m doing a Candida cleanse, and I’m constantly looking for new recipes. This will fit right in!
Yay! Good luck with the cleanse!
Making this now! You mentioned the benefit to using the cilantro and parsley raw…will they be affected by reheating the left overs?
Hi Carrie! No, it shouldn’t – the heat won’t be on the soup long enough to affect it at all. Enjoy!
[…] for breakfast as much as I can, and, if I’m really feeling like I want a kick, adding my Green Detox Soup in at night, which satisfies just about every savory, healthy craving I […]
I would recommend this WITHOUT the lemon. I was so concerned about the amount of garlic (which wasn’t a problem at all), that I didn’t even realized that it would be the lemon to ruin it. Especially where I’m reheating the leftovers – it just doesn’t as a flavor in hot soup, IMO. It was delicious until then 🙁
Oh man – I LOVE the lemon! I’m glad you liked it otherwise though – and definitely good advice for those out there that prefer a more savory flavor! Thanks for making it, and stopping by! x Liz
[…] Psst! Want more detox deliciousness? Check out this Green Detox Soup, which is perfect when you want all the delicious, cleansing vegetables in a slightly warmer […]
Do you serve cold like a juice or hot like soup?
I love it hot like soup but it’d work as a savory smoothie!
I am not a huge fans of straight juicing or green smoothies, so this detox recipe appealed to me. I made it today and I have to tell you, it is absolutely DELICIOUS! It is warm and hearty with lots of flavor. I can’t speak to the long term benefits yet, but this will definitely be a staple in my home. Thank you for sharing a fantastic alternative to traditional juices and smoothies.
Wow thank you Mary Lynn! I’m so glad you liked it!!
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