You’ve most likely heard it on a television talk show or seen it printed in big, bold letters in a magazine: detox. These most likely look at detoxing through the lens of the ever-controversial juice fast. That is not what we are going to talk about today. No, today we are going to talk about the best foods we can eat for our liver. The liver plays a key role in our body’s day-to-day functions. Whatever we put in our body, the liver aids in getting it out. In fact, theliver isconstantly at work,using 30 percent of the circulating blood in our bodies every minute to remove harmful toxins, distribute and store essential nutrients, make proteins, and detoxify your blood from carcinogens and other harmful ingredients. Pretty amazing, right?
So, where do recipes factor in? It’s been said that one of the best things you can do for your liver is to eat a whole foods plant-based diet. If that’s not your style, then there are some key foods you can include in your regular diet to promote the health of your blood and liver. Foods like leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables (including cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts), beets, sweet potatoes, protein and fiber-rich lentils, and even all work to Support your liver. Garlic and onions, too — so don’t feel shy about adding “too much” of either in your recipes.
If there’s anything we love more than good food, it’s sharing recipe ideas, so to help out, we’ve gone and gathered up the best of our detoxifying recipes.
1. Lentil Burger With Mustard Sauce
These Lentil Burgers With Mustard Sauce are super tasty and only require four ingredients! The combination of earthy flavor from the lentils, the touch of sweetness from the raisins, and the nutty walnuts, make this a unique veggie burger you will fall in love with instantly. Best of all, lentils are detoxifying, so serve yours on a bed of greens and dig in! The zesty mustard sauce just makes this burger even better.
2.French Onion Soup With Cheese Toasts
French onion soup is a classic, and this French Onion Soup With Cheese Toasts is even better than the original. Caramelized onions, which are a detoxifying ingredient, are simmered in a rich broth. Then,they’re topped with a piece of toast smothered in cashew cheese. Absolutely delightful.
3. Roasted Root Fries With Cheesy Dip
Craving fries? These Roasted Root Fries With Cheesy Dip are deliciously savory, crispy, and guilt-free! You get your liver-friendly recipes from the beets and sweet potatoes in a form that tricks you into thinking you’re eating junk food. Win! They simply need to be tossed with some olive oil and herbs, and then roasted in the oven. Pair them with a cheesy, cashew dip and we guarantee you’ll be craving this veggie-centric snack over and over again.
4. Sweet Potato Dal
Dal is an Indian dish that’s made using lentils and blended spices. This Sweet Potato Dal keeps the lentil but adds creamy sweet potato into the mix for a one-two punch detoxifying ingredient combo. The result is a dish that’s nourishing, flavorful, and easy to make. It can be served over any kind of rice, but brown basmati is highly recommended.
5. Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts and Beet Tart
This Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts and Beet Tart not only has two detoxifying ingredients, Brussels sprouts and beets, but also tastes amazing! The beet filling is creamy, rich, and satisfying. It’s a combination nobody will expect but everybody will love. Serve it as an entrée, as a starter or a side dish. It will spruce up your table for sure.
6. Cauliflower Crust Pizza
This Cauliflower Crust Pizza is reminiscent of the traditional Italian dish while also providing a sneaky way to get veggies into your diet. The crust is soft and crumbly, and the herbs and toppings are light and fresh — plus, cauliflower is great for your liver. Try this pizza the next time you desire a fun, vegetable-centric dinner.
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The Food Monster app has over 8000+ recipes and 500 are free. To access the rest, you haveto pay a subscription fee but it’s totally worth it because not only do you get instant access to 8000+recipes, you get 10 NEW recipes every day! You can also make meal plans, add bookmarks, read feature stories, and browse recipes across hundreds of categories like diet, cuisine, meal type, occasion, ingredient, popular, seasonal, and so much more!
7. Caramelized Onion Tart
This Caramelized Onion Tart is a delicious dinner idea for when you want to try something a little different. The pastry is crisp and light while the filling is both sweet and savory, like French onion soup. As it bakes, the top browns, so you get a little bit of something crispy in every bite. This also keeps well in the refrigerator, so if it lasts, you’ll have tasty leftovers!
8. Cleansing Detox Soup
This Cleansing Detox Soup is packed with all the good stuff! Even though it’s oil-free, it’s full-flavored, thanks to fresh lemon juice, fresh ginger, bright turmeric, balancing cinnamon, and a touch of spicy cayenne. The soup’s leafy greens, broccoli, celery, and carrots will nourish you and make you feel whole. Enjoy this soup as a light lunch with a salad on the side.
9. Curry Broccoli Salad
Sometimes it’s the simple recipes turn out the best. Dear goodness, this Curry Broccoli Salad is delicious. It’s packed with fresh broccoli (detox for the win!), sweet grapes, and crunchy walnuts plus a creamy oil-free curry dressing made from tahini. This salad would be amazing served alongside lentils for lunch or dinner.
10. Lentil and Cauliflower Coconut Curry
This Lentil and Cauliflower Coconut Curry is all of the greatest vegetables and flavors in one big bowl of goodness. It’s loaded with cauliflower, eggplant, sweet potato, tomatoes, and red lentils. This is curry isn’t too spicy — but you can always add more heat if you need it – it is fragrant, and topped with a tasty temper of caramelized onions and spices that’s almost too good to be true.
11. Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Walnuts, Dates, and Caramelized Onions
This dish of Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Walnuts, Dates, and Caramelized Onions makes for a meal that’s flavorful and satisfying. Roasting Brussels sprouts allows the outer leaves to brown and crisp while pulling away from the head slightly. The end result is a vegetable that has a crunchy exterior and soft interior with a wonderful, warm, nutty flavor. Paired with caramelized onions, dates, and walnuts, these brussels sprouts are sure to please.
12. Cauliflower Cheese Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Comfort food, without the guilt? This recipe for Cauliflower Cheese Stuffed Sweet Potatoes proves it’s possible! These decadently stuffed sweet potatoes ooze delicious miso-cauliflower cheese, but that’s not all. They are loaded with kale, fresh basil, and sun-dried tomatoes and they’re also super easy to make. So there are no excuses with this one!
13. Kale Salad With Lentil Meatballs
Need something easy and budget-friendly? This Kale Salad With Lentil Meatballs has got your back. The lentil meatballs are deceptively easy to make; they’re dense, meaty, and a little bit spicy. If you’re not a fan of kale, then try massaging the leaves prior to serving — it will make them tender and less bitter. Topped with sliced red onion and fresh cherry tomatoes, this salad is both colorful and full of different flavors and textures. Serve with a drizzle of the leftover barbecue mustard sauce.
14. Lentil Loaf With Carrots, Onions, and Portobello Mushrooms
This Lentil Loaf With Carrots, Onions, and Portobello Mushrooms is the perfect family dinner. Fire-roasted tomatoes make it tender and moist and the wide variety of vegetables adds depth of flavor. This is an entrée that will be a guaranteed hit with anybody.
15. Indian Pan-Fried Cauliflower and Cashews
Transform cauliflower into a flavorful delight with this recipe for Indian Pan-Fried Cauliflower and Cashews. Simply cut the cauliflower into florets and fry them until they are golden brown along with turmeric, coriander, curry powder, raisins, and cashews. This light, nutty, unique, and easy-to-make dish will become a weeknight favorite!
The beauty of these ingredients is that there are so many delicious ways you can prepare them. Which one do you want to try first? Tell us in the comments!
Lead image source: Cleansing Detox Soup
