Turmeric Broth Detox Soup– a naturally healing, soothing and comforting, Ayurvedic soup that is highly customizable to your needs. Vegan and GF adaptable, full of antioxidants. Video!
Love Turmeric? Check out our 10 Healing Turmeric Recipes (Plus Top Health Benefits)
Remember the pure open sky of your own true nature.
~Tibetan Book of the Great Liberation~
Happy New Year! Here’s a quick and healing recipe to help start off this beautiful New Year in a fresh and vibrant way – Turmeric Detox Broth! Healthy and cleansing, turmeric is soothing and healing, full of powerful antioxidants and inflammation fighters that aid and restore the liver, giving it a little help. The best part is… all the ways you can customize the broth! Watch the quick video to see my very favorite version!
Turmeric Broth Detox Soup! | 90-sec video
The Turmeric Detox Broth is a delicious base, or “jumping off point” to whichever direction you want to take this soup. Keep it vegan by adding noodles, greens and legumes, or add leftover chicken, rice and spinach. It’s pretty fool-proof once you have the nutritious fragrant broth made, which takes about 15- 20 minutes. When it is done, it’s rich and flavorful and just slightly spicy, which of course you can elevate or minimize. I always feel like I’m giving my body such a gift when I make this.
It’s perfect when feeling under the weather- soothes the tummy, clears the sinuses, helps with muscle aches and fatigue, and even soothes headaches!
Turmeric, whether it’s fresh or ground, seems to be what I turn to each New Year, to help restore myself. It’s used in Ayurveda to calm, soothe and basically aid the body in balancing and healing itself.
And maybe it’s because this is the time of year I want to put an end to all the indulging from the holidays and do something good and healthy for my body. This may not be right for everyone, but I like do this Simple 7 Day Clean Eating Plan to help myself get back the right track. If you are interested in doing it or knowing more about it…. it just sign up below the post.
Make the fragrant detoxing Turmeric broth, then make the soup your own. This one meal can easily be made in 30 minutes or less!
Today I felt like slurping so I added rice noodles, chickpeas and kale.
Last week (above) I added lentils, basmati rice and chickpeas….a sort of “Middle Eastern Minestrone” ( see below). The time before that I added leftover Thanksgiving turkey, dill and quinoa, and before that, I dropped some orzo and little meatballs into the flavorful broth until they began to float.
Seriously, it’s pretty hard to mess this up.
Go through your fridge and cupboards and use what you have. Use leftovers. If you have dry beans, pre-soak them over night for faster cooking and easier digestibility.
To keep the soup brothy take care not to add too much pasta, beans or rice or other things that swell, or you will end up with a stew vs. soup – which is not necessarily a bad thing. Also be mindful of cooking times. For example, basmati rice and small lentils cook at about the same rate. But pasta and un-soaked dried chickpeas do not. So be sensible and thoughtful about this and you won’t go wrong.
How to make Turmeric Broth
Step One: It starts with a large, heavy-bottomed dutch oven or pot to make the Turmeric Detox Broth. Saute onion, ginger and garlic and turmeric (either freshly grated turmeric or ground turmeric ) – I like to use both!
Step Two: Add the rest of the spices, salt, veggie broth or chicken stock, water, and lemon or lime.
Step three: Bring to a simmer for a few minutes- and it’s done! Taste and adjust salt. If it’s too salty, add a little water to dilute.
At this point, you will have a delicious tasting broth- a great base for your own creations.
Now it’s time to have fun.
What to add to Turmeric Broth
Protein: Add pre-soaked (or canned)chickpeas, beans or lentils. Or use another form of protein like cooked chicken, turkey, or meatballs.
Starch: noodles, rice, quinoa, or potatoes!
Greens: add herbs or greens! I find that parsley, cilantro, mint and dill all work well with turmeric, but be playful and try something new if you want. Finish the soup with a handful of spinach, or other greens to bump up the nutrients.
I love adding extra -antioxidants and nutrients- a couple of handfuls of chopped spinach, beet greens, chard, arugula or kale or other veggies like shredded brussel sprouts, or cauliflower!
More Turmeric Recipes you may like:
- 10 Turmeric Benefits & Recipes!
- How to make Turmeric Sauerkraut
- Turmeric Curry Tofu with Coconut and Shiitakes
- Glowing Carrot Turmeric Soup
- Ayurvedic Detox Turmeric Tea (a daily drink)
- Turmeric Tonic!
More recipes you may like:
- 10 Healing Turmeric Recipes (Plus Top Health Benefits)
- Coconut Curry Tofu with Turmeric & Shiitakes
- Ayurvedic Detox Turmeric Tea (a daily drink)
- Turmeric Golden Root Juice
- TURMERIC FRUIT SALAD WITH TOASTED COCONUT
- Roasted Cauliflower Farro Salad with Turmeric Dressing
On the homefront: As this New Year begins, I find myself asking the serious questions again. 😉
What am I here to learn? What is my “purpose?” What am I here to do? A few years back, while being led in a meditation, I was directed to ask my “deepest self” these questions. One word came to the surface. I actually gasped because it seemed so ridiculous. SING? My first thought was…I don’t sing! That can’t be right. But it was clear as a bell.
And then I conveniently forgot all about it. 🙂 Haha!
Until recently, when a strange thing happened. My elderly father fell and broke his hip. He also has dementia and the combination has been tragic. Before the broken hip, even though he lost his memory, he was relatively “stable” – content and at peace.
His memory loss changed him into this sweet, childlike being, dissolving away his “dark side”, and for the past 6 or 7 years, we’ve spent time together, allowing me the opportunity to work out all my “issues” with him. It actually has been a very healing experience.
But after the hip surgery, everything changed. There are days when he became really miserable. Inconsolable. Depressed. Ready to leave this world. And in these moments, I feel so helpless! It’s so hard seeing someone you love suffer when nothing helps.
So out of pure desperation, I began to sing to him. My voice shaky, timing off, notes blurred, words often made up, but somehow….it soothed him. It soothed both of us.
I still don’t know what my purpose is. Or what I’m supposed to learn. Or what it is that I’m supposed to do here in this life. Maybe it’s as simple as just being with the suffering of another human being, and singing when words no longer have meaning.
Wow, this is depressing! Sorry. How do I segue way into wishing you all a Happy New Year?
It’s life I guess, real.
Cheers and Love,
xoxo
PS for the rest of the story about my dad… go here.
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Turmeric Broth Detox Soup
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Vegan, Soup, detox, Gluten Free
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Soup
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Turmeric Broth Detox Soup – a naturally healing, soothing and comforting, Ayurvedic soup that is very customizable to your needs. Vegan and GF adaptable!
Ingredients
Turmeric Broth
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil ( or ghee)
- 1 onion- diced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated or finely minced
- 4–5 garlic cloves- grated or finely minced
- 1–2 teaspoons turmeric powder (or 2–3 teaspoons fresh turmeric, finely grated – or a little of both, see notes)
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard seed (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 3/4 – 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups water
- 4 cups veggie broth or chicken stock
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, or more to taste
- Squeeze of lime juice or lemon juice ( to taste) or 1-2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar ( to taste)
Optional additions: veggies, beans or legumes, greens, noodles, whole grains, rice, crispy tofu, shredded chicken, etc.
Variations:
Middle Eastern “Minestrone”
- 1/2 cup basmati rice (dry) or pasta, quinoa (or 1 1/2 cup cooked)
- 1/2 cup little dry lentils (or 1 cup cooked)
- 1 cup cooked garbanzo beans (or canned, drained)
- 1 can diced fire-roasted tomatoes ( or use 1–2 cups fresh, diced tomatoes)
- season with lime and salt to taste, a drizzle of olive oil and fresh cilantro leaves
Chickpea Cauliflower Kale Noodle (photo in post)
- 1– 2 cups cooked chickpeas (or chicken)
- 4 ounces dry noodles ( rice noodles are good)
- 1–2 cups chopped cauliflower ( optional)
- 2 large handfuls chopped kale
- squeeze of lime
Garnish with fresh herbs: cilantro, parsley, scallions, dill,
Serve with lime and drizzle of olive oil. For extra richness feel free to add coconut milk.
Instructions
- In a large heavy bottom pot or dutch oven, saute onion in 1-2 T olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes until fragrant and golden. Add ginger, garlic, and fresh turmeric and saute 2-3 minutes until eh garlic is fragrant and golden. Add the mustard seeds, cumin, coriander, and optional turmeric power and saute 1-2 more minutes.
- Add water, stock and salt. Bring to a simmer. Add vinegar or citrus. (I like a squeeze of lime) Taste. Adjust salt, lime and spice level to your liking. At this point you will have a flavorful base to add what you like. You can also refrigerate or freeze this in batches for later use.
- Remember uncooked pasta and beans will double or triple in size, so add moderately ( 4 ounces dry pasta)
- Remember to think and be sensible about cooking times for each ingredient you add. (see notes in post )
Notes
NOTES: If you are cooking the broth for any length of time, uncovered, remember it will reduce –intensifying the flavor and salt –so you may need to add more water, to dilute the intensity. Dilute the broth to your own taste.
- Using ground turmeric gives the soup this lighter golden color you see in the photographs. Fresh grated turmeric gives the broth a deeper color, but incredible flavor. Often I’ll use a little of both (because I like color AND flavor!). Up to you. 😉 If you are new to turmeric, start conservatively, it has a very distinct flavor, that may be an acquired taste for some.
- A small drizzle of olive oil ( melted ghee or coconut oil) over the soup helps the nutrients in turmeric to bind and more easily absorb into the body. You can also add coconut milk for a creamy version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: With 1 ½ cups chickpeas and 6 ounces linguini
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 557.8 mg
- Fat: 4.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 38.6 g
- Fiber: 5.2 g
- Protein: 8.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Iv just started useing turmeric+few others+have used few others for years but seeing your recipes I’m insured to try as I have lupus+fibromyalgia+few other problems+in constant pain that leads me to eat junk food but I do eat lots of fish veg as can’t eat other quick foods due to in a so have to watch+I feel the soups are what is needed in my diet.many thanks will let you know how we get on xxxx
This is such a flavorful soup! Made it for my fiancé and I. We’re both feeling under the weather and hope this helps!
I’m so glad you tried it- yes, perfect well feeling under the weather, very healing.
thks i live on soup in winter ,its very cold again this week for a couple days, then sun comes back for a few days.i am not a winter person.i live in entirely the wrong place.
This soup sounds delicious so I stopped by for the recipe. I LOVE that you listen to that still small voice. It has guided me in ways that I could never have imagined. I lost my dad in 2013 and went through many of the same emotions. It is so hard to watch a strong capable person become a child but you will never regret a minute of the time you spend caring for him-hardest, worst and best thing I have ever done.
Hi Susan, same here. Hardest and best thing I’ve done ever too. He’s gone now but our time together was incredibly healing for me. All the best to you.
I made this. I was great!!!
I added: Chicken, Celery, red bell pepper, kale, dandelion leaves, tomatoes, and fennel. I used bone broth instead of stock. I purposely didn’t use any water. So, it turned out to be more like a stew, but I absolutely loved it and my husband did too!
I made it last weekend to detox after the holiday indulgence period – it was perfect! super tasty and nourishing. I made it again yesterday to have for the next 2 days for dinner after work – added 2 bunches of Swiss chard, and will serve with some flat rice noodles, scallions and cilantro, top with a few local sauteed shrimp and hot sauce. thank you for this great recipe!
just what I was looking for after the excess of christmas time
Good, flexible recipe that was fun to tweak to what I had on hand. I added coconut milk instead of the water to make it creamy!
Awesome!
Super easy to make and extremely yummy. This feel good basic soup is nurturing my soul.
I love this broth! So much so that I have already made it twice! I’ve added quinoa, kale and chickpeas but really appreciate the various options you suggest. Thank you so much for sharing your recipes and expertise!
Thanks Whitney, Glad you are enjoying it!
I’m making this recipe purely because of your story with your father. This hits home for me, deeply. Thank you for sharing.
I have not yet tried the soup but will today. While reading your story, you gave me an idea to sing to my mother who has dementia and is confined to a wheelchair. Your story is not depressing but part of life. That I understood and I am sure many others did as well.
The recipe sounds yummy,
Thanks Susanne.
Great blending of flavours and healthy too!!
I guess its time to thank you for this recipe and all the variation ideas as I have been using it for a while, with further twists.
THANK YOU!!!
Awww… thanks Ava!! Appreciate you!!!
I’m currently doing the Daniel Fast (21-day Biblical/spiritual Fast of only fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, soy only & only water to drink… no added sugars/sweeteners, preservatives, yeast/leaveners, caffeine or chemicals). This recipe was perfect. I have a friend who is also fasting with me, but she got sick on the 2nd/3rd day, so I made this soup. Perfect because of the detox/anti-inflammatory properties of the ginger and turmeric, and it tasted DELICIOUS. So flavorful! I added carrots, cauliflower, mushrooms, zucchini, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, kale and firm organic tofu. It was a super flavorful and hearty vegan dish! This broth base will be in my regular rotation, fasting or not. Thanks!!
You are so welcome!
Glad you have enjoyed it!
.
I’m currently doing the Daniel Fast (21-day Biblical/spiritual Fast of only fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, soy & only water to drink… no added sugars/sweeteners, preservatives, yeast/leaveners, caffeine or chemicals). This recipe was perfect. I have a friend who is also fasting with me, but she got sick on the 2nd/3rd day, so I made this soup. Perfect because of the detox/anti-inflammatory properties of the ginger and turmeric, and it tasted DELICIOUS. So flavorful! I added carrots, cauliflower, mushrooms, zucchini, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, kale, organic tofu, and topped off with fresh cilantro. Seasoned to taste with salt, pepper and organic soy sauce. Followed the broth instructions otherwise to the letter. Result: It was a super flavorful and hearty vegan dish! Delicious! This broth base will be in my regular rotation, fasting or not. Cant wait to experiment more with it. Thanks!!
Hello, I’m planning to make this today. When you say mustard seed, is it the whole seed or ground? It looks delicious!
I use whole.
Thank you for sharing this. It’s good that you included turmeric as part of your recipe since it also has a lot of benefits. I’d like to try this one of these days. I’m drinking Au Bon Broth and liking it so far. It’s delicious and tasty like it was home made. It also helped me improve my health.
I made your turmeric soup today. I used real ginger and real turmeric (diced up very small). I followed the recipe carefully. I added lentils. This soup was fantastic! I loved it!!
Wow, Sylvia
So sorry to hear about what you’re going through with your Dad.. </3
It's so difficult to reconcile suffering like that with life having a purpose…
I have some experience with Alzheimers , my Grandma and in turn our family suffered with it for 6+ years before she passed away.
This is random but… Here's something that helped me, if you're interested.
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/bible-teach/why-does-god-allow-suffering/
All the best wishes for you and your family,
Jess
PS Can't wait to try your turmeric soup recipe. I've been slightly obsessed with turmeric lately 🙂
Thanks so much for this Jessica!
This soup looks wonderful! I so admire your strength. My mom passed from Alzheimers, and while I cannot hold a tune in a bucket, I did sing to her especially at the last. It was a 10-year journey. I also played Amazing Grace, which was her favorite hymn. It gave her peace, and helped me as well. My heart goes out to you and your family. Warmest Regards, Susan
Hi Sylvia, I just found your blog here on the net. I thought it was about food. It is, but so much more about love. Overpouring love.
And your food is simply out of this world… It’s made with this secret ingredient – love.
Blessings to you and your father.
Awww… thanks so much Marina. Yes, love is the true ingredient here. All the best to you and thanks for being here. xo
Hi I made this last year and it was wonderful and just thought of it and went looking for the recipe again today – I had pinned it. So came back here and was surprised to see that it had been a year since I’ve been here and that your post was a New Years post. Love the broth and love the blog, it timeless. Are you still singing?? Happy New Year again and again
Awww….thanks for this Dianne! Happy New Year to you too! Yes, singing…on the inside, if there is such a thing.;)
OH THERE CERTAINLY IS…
The story about singing to your dad made me cry. Thank you for sharing.
thanks Darlene, happy you are here. xo
I’ve made this soup twice now! I love a recipe with options! Thanks for sharing!