Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups spinach, chopped
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic, cumin, and thyme and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add lentils, chicken broth, and chicken to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Stir in spinach and cook for an additional 3 minutes until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Nutritional Info (per serving):
- Protein: 22g
- Fiber: 15g
- Calories: 300
2. Spicy Black Bean and Quinoa Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or fresh)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened (5 minutes).
- Stir in cumin, chili powder, and black beans. Cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the spices to toast.
- Add quinoa, tomatoes, vegetable broth, and corn. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until quinoa is cooked and tender.
- Stir in lime juice and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve with fresh cilantro and a wedge of lime.
Nutritional Info (per serving):
- Protein: 15g
- Fiber: 18g
- Calories: 280
3. Turkey, Sweet Potato, and Kale Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups kale, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon until browned (about 5-7 minutes).
- Add onion and garlic and sautรฉ until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in sweet potatoes, chicken broth, and oregano. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- Add kale and cook for another 5 minutes until the kale is wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs.
Nutritional Info (per serving):
- Protein: 30g
- Fiber: 10g
- Calories: 320
4. White Bean and Spinach Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups spinach, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened (5 minutes).
- Stir in white beans, vegetable broth, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and freshly ground black pepper.
Nutritional Info (per serving):
- Protein: 10g
- Fiber: 14g
- Calories: 210
5. Beef and Vegetable Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium)
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup green beans, chopped
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned (5-7 minutes).
- Add onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes, and sautรฉ for 5 minutes.
- Stir in beef broth, thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Add green beans and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve hot, topped with fresh herbs if desired.
Nutritional Info (per serving):
- Protein: 28g
- Fiber: 8g
- Calories: 350
6. Split Pea and Ham Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ham steak, diced
- 2 cups dried split peas, rinsed
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened (5 minutes).
- Stir in ham and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Add split peas, broth, carrots, celery, thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45-50 minutes until peas are tender.
- Use a hand blender to purรฉe some of the soup for a creamier texture (optional).
- Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
Nutritional Info (per serving):
- Protein: 20g
- Fiber: 16g
- Calories: 350