No, I’m not going to suggest that you eat nothing but cabbage soup for the next week. I’m just sharing one way that I have been loving up my liver while I heal.
In my opinion, cabbage is a very underrated vegetable. Most people don’t know what a powerhouse of a food it really is. I’ve been eating it on the regular this winter to help with my healing process.
Did you catch my latest update on things I’ve learned from having a chronic illness? If you did, you know that I’m working on getting my liver back in shape so it can do it’s job of helping my body detoxify all of the crap that’s in our environment these days. And this soup is LOADED with all the liver healing foods.
I’m not big on doing hardcore cleansing. I find it best to be supporting the body’s natural detoxifications methods on a daily basis. I like to think of it as self-care for the liver, kidneys, and digestive tract. The body has intuitive wisdom on how to bring itself back to health. But because our environment is more polluted then ever, we just have to help it along a bit.
What makes is Detox Cabbage Soup so awesome:
Cabbage: is a sulfur-rich, cruciferous veggie that increases the production of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes, and stimulates the production of glutathione for liver cleansing, meaning that it helps your liver break down toxins so they can be more easily expelled It also has diuretic properties help rid your body of excess liquid, carrying toxins along with it.
Celery: has been shown in research to improve liver function, which can increase your body’s own detox capacities long term. It also helps rebuild HCL (hydrochloric acid) in your gut, which is crucial for fully digesting your food and absorbing important nutrients. It is a mild diuretic for kidneys to help excrete toxins. It helps reduce inflammation in the body. It also has a calming effect on the nervous system.
Garlic: is sulfur-rich like cabbage, making it awesome for supporting detox in the liver. It also has immune-boosting and antibacterial properties.
Ginger: stimulates digestive acids and secretions, helping the digestive tract do it’s job. It improves the absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients in the body. Proper digestion and regularity is crucial for detoxification.
Cilantro: contains an abundance os anti-oxidants, protecting the body against damage caused by free radicals. It supports efficient digestion, by helping to produce digestive enzymes that aid in the breakdown of foods. It has also been shown to bind to heavy metals, loosening them from tissue, and facilitating their elimination from the body.
This soup is super simple to to throw together. Just a few simple ingredients: cabbage, celery, chicken, broth, garlic, ginger, and salt. I add a bit of fresh cilantro for garnish. It’s ready in about 20 minutes. It makes 2-3 servings.
I’ve also made this soup with ground beef and ground turkey. Whatever you have on hand works great. Add a 6 minute egg. It’s delish. You can leave out the meat if you want. I just prefer to eat nutrient-dense foods, especially since I’m in heal mode over here.
And you don’t have to be struggling with chronic illness to reap the benefits of this soup. No matter who you are, your liver and your body need a bit of help detoxifying and working properly. I like to use food as my medicine whenever I can.
Big love! Here’s to happy livers.
Katja
Prep Time:
Yield:
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PinIngredients
- 1 tbsp coconut oil or ghee (or any healthy fat of choice)
- 1/2 of a small cabbage, sliced thinly (about 4 cups packed)
- 3 stalks of celery, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2–1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 and 1/2 cups of good quality broth (bone broth or veggie broth)
- 1 cup chopped or shredded leftover chicken (or any meat that you like)
- fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Melt fat of choice in a soup pot over medium high heat. Add cabbage, celery, and salt. Saute for 3-4 minutes, until veggie start to soften, stirring often. Add garlic and ginger and cook for another minute.
- Add broth and chicken to pot and simmer until veggies are cooked to your liking.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately. Store leftovers in an airtight glass container for up to 2 days.
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I completely agree that cabbage is so underrated, I wasn’t even all that crazy about it until about a year ago, now I’m all about any recipe that has it! Your soup looks so cozy and delicious, and I love the touch of ginger in there.
Yes! I’m adding cabbage to so many things now. It really is yummy!
Definitely need something like that after all the sweets I had over the holidays! I just love cabbage in every form.
★★★★★
HA! Me too!
I have a total ingredient crush on this dish. This is the simple food I love and you clearly get a bang for your buck with those liver-loving benefits! Happy healing to you xx
Thank you, Irena! 🙂
A friend’s father always used to eat cabbage soup, said it was really good for you. I’m excited to make this, will definitely give it a go. Thanks for the recipe.
Hope you love it!
I pinned this with enthusiasm! I love everything about this recipe!
★★★★★
Thanks, Megan!
Katja, my Dad made a similar soup that I still make today. We add several jalapeno chilis finely chopped and about a cup of lemon juice to a similar recipe. It is so delicious!
Ooooooooh, you version sounds delish. And spicy! Will have to try it.
I love cabbage and it’s so affordable! Thanks for the great recipe
Hope you love it!
I loooove cabbage! So good in soups!
Me, too!!
This soup sounds so lovely and would make for an amazing way to nourish yourself during a detox.
Thanks, Kelly!
This is such a pretty and healthful-looking soup!
Thanks, Becky!
I made this soup last winter right after we got back from a vacation and needed a detox/reset. I remember it was soooo yummy! Going to make it again this week before Thanksgiving 🙂
★★★★★
Yay! So glad you liked it! Hope you enjoy it again!
Can it be frozen
Yes it can. 🙂
I added leeks and onions to the veggie mix. Garnished with cilantro, avocado slices and a drizzle of olive oil.
Am I allowed to eat the whole pot?!?! 🙂
★★★★★
YUM! That sounds incredible. I love avo on anything!! 🙂