Anti-inflammatory beets are one of the best ingredients you can design a detox soup recipe around. This version is made ultra creamy thanks to coconut milk, and the delicious combination of fresh, cleansing lime juice can’t be beat.
I have a love-hate relationship with January 1st.
On the one hand, the world is full of optimism. It’s the official time of reflection and intention setting, two things I support year-round. Even those nursing hangovers know for certain: tomorrow will be a better day.
But on the other hand, it’s also when the wellness three ring circus begins.
After a month of holiday gifting craziness, our consumerism turns to self-improvement. There’s talk about weight loss. There’s talk about cleansing. There’s talk about becoming the “you” that you were always meant to be.
The optimism is there. But it relies on the premise that right now you’re not enough.
And that drives me crazy.
No matter what your deepest desires are for your health this year, let this post be a little reminder that you don’t need any program or product to be whole. You don’t need to commit to an outside purchase this week to be on the right track. And your wellness goals do not need to be realized right out of the gate to be made real this year.
This is especially true when it comes to the subject of detox, something that the marketing machine also loves to tout this time of year.
In theory, the idea of detox is really the concept of healing your liver. It doesn’t require you to supplement with pills, juice cleanses or anything that promises to flush you in one end or out the other. Your liver is fully capable of healing itself. You just need to get out of its way.
If you’re wondering how to do that through food, this list of the best detox recipes can give you some guidance, and also explain why this detox beet soup is so good for supporting your liver. This Moroccan Harira is another great winter option, and then there’s this Vegetable Detox Soup for summer.
When I started my wellness project by cleansing my liver, the first thing I did was remove my organ’s three biggest foes: alcohol, caffeine and sugar.
I knew there were foods that could help, but mostly, I focused on removing the things that didn’t.
If you’re considering a dry January, I’m for it. Just remember that it’s only one piece of the picture. And if you take on this kind of restriction just for the sake of doing it, you’re missing out on a whole host of learnings that can better impact your behavior going forward, through February and beyond.
Though it’s certainly a taller order, I’d highly recommend a full vice detox of my favorite lethal trio. Set a period of time, and make your biggest intention be to pay attention. Your cravings will pop up in unexpected ways. Your job is not necessarily to be perfect, it’s to notice.
Again, this is something you’re completely capable of accomplishing on your own, as I certainly did. If you’re the type of person who benefits from accountability though, find a buddy to do it with you. It can be a significant other, or a close friend—somebody who you can vent to when the going gets tough and candy cravings kick in. Someone who will tell you the truth: that you can do it.
I’ll be here all month as an extra cheerleader, feeding you nourishing natural detox recipes like this red beet soup.
This red beet detox soup is made ultra creamy with a combination of coconut milk and cashews. The ginger, lime and cilantro are a fun Asian spin on the classic borscht recipe. But these ingredients are also a boon to your liver.
Beets are well-known for supporting your liver and cilantro is a chelating agent that aids in flushing unwanted toxins, and the perfect thing to incorporate more of into your diet if you’re looking to detox. More importantly, unlike straight beet juice, this soup is full of fiber and blood-sugar balancing coconut. Fiber can easily be part of a soothing digestive recipe as I explain in this cleansing kitchari recipe.
The 4 Weeks to Wellness Course is back in session soon, so if you and your accountability buddy decide you need extra accountability, I’ve added more spots to allow for both of you to join!
I’ll be doing a mini vice detox in solitarily with the group during week 1, and I can say from experience, it’s much easier with this tribe by your side!
Wishing you so much love, health and hedonism this year. Even if you don’t eat any fewer cookies, I know it’s still going to be a great one.
Xoxo
Phoebe
Red Detox Beet Soup with Coconut and Lime
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 small red onion diced
- 1 1/2 pounds beets trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
- 1 tablespoon finely minced ginger root
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 14.5 ounce cans full fat coconut milk
- 2 cups water or vegetable stock
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup whole raw cashews
- 2 tablespoons lime juice plus 1 whole lime cut into wedges for garnish
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion until translucent and soft, 5 minutes. Add the beets, ginger, and garlic. Cook for 5 more minutes, or until vibrant in color and quite fragrant.
- Carefully pour the coconut milk, stock and salt into the pan, scraping up any brown bits that may have formed. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook until the beets are tender, 35 to 40 minutes. During the last 15 minutes of cooking, stir in the cashews.
- Off the heat, stir in the lime juice and taste for seasoning. Puree until very smooth with an immersion blender or in a high-powered stand blender.
- Divide between 4 bowls and garnish with the cilantro leaves and a few lime wedges.
Need help finding lifestyle changes that last? Let’s work together to find your path forward. My 4 Weeks to Wellness Course might just change your life. With 4-weeks worth of recipes that are gluten, dairy, corn, soy and refined sugar free, not to mention tasty AF, it’s a perfect way to explore your food sensitivities and heal inner and outer chaos.
I have a love-hate relationship with all of the weird recipes that several food bloggers post. Like this one!
I am going to stop following these bloggers. It is like they want to see how weird they can be and still have followers!
Bye bye!
Beet soup has hardly weird. What a strange comment to leave. Geez.
🙂 Amen.
I agree. It certainly exceeded my expectations because I’m not a big fan of beets. But this was deliciously healthy!
Your really weird.
I made this soup today, and it’s really delicious. Thanks for posting the recipe!
So glad you liked it Marianne!
I am enjoying some now and have shared the recipe with a friend. The cashews add body and a nice nutty flavour. Do you know how many calories in. 1 cup?
Made it this aft. Smashing great soup and an easy recipe with easy to find ingredients. My besties loved the soup as well.
THANK YOU.
glad you liked it!
Joann Kirk’s miserable comment inspired me to try this recipe. I’ll check in at the end of the week to update.
haha thanks Lynne! That’s why I don’t delete them 🙂 Hope you liked it!
ur recipe doesnt say when to add the coconut milk?
mentions in the ingredients but the method
kindly enlighten
I’m pretty sure it’s in step two where it says “carefully pour coconut oil”, probably a mistake and she meant “coconut milk”. At least that’s when I would do it, hope that helps 🙂
ah sorry! will update
Do you serve this cold like a Borscht soup or warm?
either way! I like it warm
Looks delicious! Could I sub in lemons for limes, or would that heavily alter the flavor of the recipe? Thanks for sharing, can’t wait to try at home!
def!!
Do you have to peel beets before cooking them? If so what is the best way to do this. I always precook my beets and then just rub the peel off with a paper towel.
Sharnell
nope!! beauty of the pureed soup is there’s no need. plus added fiber is good for you!
Just made this and it is amazing. Even the teenagers in this house agree.
This was a delicious soup! My husband and son in-law loved it, simply amazing.
Thank you! I will be enjoying this soup through beet season.
awesome!
I have roasted beets that I froze over the winter. I’m thinking I could use those and add later in the cooking process. Do you think that would be ok?
yes i think this will work!
Could I substitute a different type of nut for the cashews?
By far my FAV soup of all time! ❤️ Thanks for sharing!!
Any recommendations for substitutions for cashews if I can’t have nuts? Looking forward to trying this recipe! Looks delicious! Thanks!
This soup is DELICIOUS!! I could have eaten the whole pot in one sitting!
Just came upon this recipe and can’t wait to try it. It’s just me this week so I’m wondering if this freezes well?
sure does!
Can’t wait to try it my grandson will love it .thanks for recipe.
Great recipe I made it tonight and I will definitely make it again!
Thank you ☺️❤️
LOVE roasted beets and can hardly wait to make this yummy soup!
Question – I currently need to omit garlic and onions from my diet. Are there any good replacements that come to mind regarding this soup recipe?
Thanks!
you can just omit them! or use leeks. but I’m assuming you’re eliminating all alliums. Green scallions work too!
This soup is TO DIE FOR!!! Absolutely delicious!
So glad you enjoyed it!!