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
This healing/detoxing flavourful soup is chalk full of clean, healthy ingredients. I made the Cauliflower Chickpea Kale version and loved it! Sylvia, your recipes are so interesting and amazing. They reignite my interest in cooking so maybe your purpose is to inspire others with your creativity and talent! Cheers to 2023! Susan
Cheers Susan- appreciate this!
This is wonderful and so easy to make! I made the Chickpea,Cauliflower, Kale, Noodle version and didn’t change a thing. Thank you for a great new recipe in my rotation!
Perfect Chantal!
Hi Sylvia,
Thank you so much for this soup! I’ve been fighting sinusitis, sour throat and an ear infection and I remembered seeing this in one of your emails. It tasted and felt soooo good!!
I added kale, Swiss chard, chickpeas and broken pieces of linguine since I had these on hand. I added another 4 cups of broth because I needed the extra comfort. I also doubled the spices. It was the bowl of deliciousness that my body was craving!!A keeper for sure!!!
Great to hear! So very healing!
Thank you for your site and this delicious detox broth! Your stories, quotes, and recipes enrich my life, and I’m certain so many others as well. Feasting At Home is like having a friendly neighbor. Many blessings Sylvia on this journey we’re all on together ❤️🙏😎🏄🏽♀️🧀
Awww… thanks Kathy appreciate this- so happy you are here! ❤️
I am grateful for this.
Interesting way to give an Indian recipe a twist. Indians have been doing this ‘broth’ for centuries, but the western world has discovered Indian spices in the past couple of decades.
Oh…this soup. Just wonderful. Kept mine simple. Used both fresh and powdered turmeric, rice noodles and kale. Added extra ginger and fresh turmeric. The kale made it “murkier” – how did you keep that bright yellow colour?
Truly a gorgeous soup I’ll make again and again. Many thanks.
Thanks Rose, and interesting! What type of kale and was it washed well?
Hi Sylvia, it was lacinato kale and yes, washed very well. Perhaps you used curly kale?
Rose- I think I used lacinato- but for these photos, if I’m remembering correctly, I added some ground turmeric to boost the color – so both fresh and ground. 🙂
Yes, I used some ground turmeric the first time, too Sylvia, along with fresh ginger and fresh turmeric. But I made it again just a few days ago without kale and it retained is beautiful golden hue. I do add at least twice as much fresh ginger and fresh turmeric. I just love this soup SO much and I’m beyond thrilled that you created the recipe. Many thanks!
Ok maybe it is the kale!? Thanks Rose. 🙂
This was an amazing broth! Tasty, healthy and easy to make. I added carrots, green onions and spinach. Delicious thanks for the recipe!
Perfect Joanne!
I used this as a base for my latest attempt at a gut healthy soup. I used bone broth for the broth and added celery, carrots, fennel, swiss chard, liquid aminos, and nutritional yeast. I also added potatoes and ground chicken sausage so my husband would eat it. Then I put lentils in it and didn’t tell him. He still doesn’t know they’re in there. This soup is delicious and I feel healthier just smelling it. I broke a bone and I swear it’s healing faster because I’ve been eating this soup every day. My gut is happier too.
Great to hear Linda!
This is a “go to” recipe staple in my house. We love it. My personal touch is to add Mexican hominy and meatballs for my hungry boys!
Sounds yummy Gina!
Hi, I’m going to make this for a friend who is having surgery soon. Planning to add the same ingredients you did in the video. I’m wondering if I should hold out the rice noodles prior to cooling and packaging for her to reheat. Will they be too mushy when she reheats if I add? Or should I give her the noodles to add on her own? Want to make is easy for her but also want it be delicious. Thank you!
Hi MG, Love that you are taking care of your friend!
Cooked rice noodles will be fine refrigerated up to 4 days. Here is what I would do:
1)Cook the noodles on the al dente side.
2)Rinse the noodles with cold water and drain really well.
3)Lay them out on a tray to dry a bit (you can then add a little oil but since they are going into soup it is okay if they stick a little, they will come apart once in the broth).
5)Store in an air tight container and deliver separate from the broth.
Make this all the time. I feel so energized making it and eating it as well. I make a bunch, freeze in cup increments add leftovers the next day and make great soup.
Glad to hear it!
Delicious and satisfying. This recipe is in our regular rotation. Thank you Sylvia for making so many great vegetarian recipes.
Thanks so much Jill!
I make this all of the time with garbanzo beans, lentils and cauliflower. To add extra depth of flavor I add dry Persian limes. It’s divine!
Wow sounds great Brenda!
Hi! I love this recipe so much – I’ve made it many times! How many days does it keep?
Awesome, Great to hear- a good one for fall!
How do we cook/add the cauliflower and beans? Do you roast it
You could cook the cauliflower in the broth, or yes, roast ahead and warm. Add cooked beans to the broth and just heat. 🙂
Unfortunately, I can’t find fresh tumeric where I am, but have lots of ground tumeric. Can I omit fresh tumeric and sub in the ground? If so how much should I use.
Yes Deb, start with a 1/2 teaspoon and add more to taste.
thank you for sharing that little blurb about your father. My dad lives with me and he too has dementia. It is a struggle & knowing someone else has been through something similar is very empowering. Thank you! Came for the soup, stayed for the wisdom. Going to make the soup today, it looks delicious
Blessings
It is a really hard thing to go through, thanks for sharing Jan, my heart is with you. ❤️
I’ve made this soup a bunch of times, but last night I decided to switch it up and make it in the instant pot with some chicken. I sauteed the onion with the aromatics & whole spices, then put chicken thighs that I seasoned with powdered cumin and other powdered spices in there to sear. I added the broth, set it for 8 minutes, then when it was done, I added carrots, potatoes and baby bok choy & pressure cooked it for another 2 minutes. Added a little Thai basil to finish it off and it was amazing!
That sounds amazing!!! Thanks for sharing Jill!
I used this recipe to make a traditional broth using barley, veg and pulses. It was delicious – it really intensified the flavours of an otherwise boring broth.
Great to hear Shirley!
Can this be frozen in individual portions? I’m thinking about prepping this as a postpartum lunch option.
I’m not sure here Jayci- what additions would you add to the broth?
Quick question! For the mustard seeds, cumin and coriander..are you using these as seeds or ground?
Hi Cynthia- We are using whole seeds.
The broth I made is bitter. Please advise. Thank you.
Oh dear. Did you use fresh or ground turmeric?
Ground turmeric. I’ve used it in milk and Ayurvedic granola and it was fine—maybe too dense?
Hummm, maybe? I’m really not sure! The soup is generally not bitter, so not sure what happened here.
Love this recipe and have made a few times.
I am starting to watch my cholesterol and wondering where it comes from in this recipe. I can’t seem to figure it out.
Thank you!
Happy you enjoyed this Kim! There was an error- all fixed now. 🙂
I don’t think I can get enough of this recipe. It’s so true, you can add so many things and it always comes out amazing. My mind, body, and soul just feel renewed after cooking this each time. Even my boyfriend says it’s his favorite recipe! The process of cooking it, with the aromas and colors is another amazing thing about this recipe 🙂 healing, comforting, and DELICIOUS.
Yay Whitney- so happy you are enjoying it. Turmeric is great for inflammation…I wonder if your body just really needs it right now. 🙂