Flu Buster Vegetable Soup

1/2/18

Vegetable soup full of delicious, antiviral ingredients will help chase the germs right out of your body. At the same time, it will fill you up with healthy veggies. So creamy, but made without cream, so it’s gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and Whole 30 friendly. This Flu Buster Vegetable Soup recipe with its immune boosting vegetables and spices is definitely the best soup for a cold or any time you are sick.

Healthy Vegetable Soup

Are you sick of being sick yet? Or sick of your kids being sick? I am. Colds, the flu, ear infections, strep throat, pinkeye, stomach big. Yeah, I am pretty much over it. It is time for a soup full of all kinds of delicious antiviral goodness! And during the winter with the flu and all kinds of other viruses and bacteria running rampant, I thought I would bring you this veggie soup recipe. Based on the Virus Busting Soup from My Foodie Universe, it’s my “Flu Buster” Vegetable Soup recipe.

Well, I can’t guarantee this will cure you, but a steaming mug full of veggies and vitamins that tastes amazing certainly can’t hurt. This is especially true if you are also sipping a Cold Toddy Whiskey Mule at the same time for more germ-fighting ingredients. Just don’t give that one to your kids unless you leave out the whiskey.

How do you make Flu Buster Vegetable Soup?

• Saute onions, garlic, and fresh ginger in olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat.
• Then add the veggies and saute for another few minutes before covering with broth.
• Next, simmer until the vegetables are tender.
• After the veggies are soft, blend it all up till it’s velvety smooth with an immersion blender or a regular or high-powered blender.
• Finally, let it simmer just a bit longer until it is and hot and comforting and everything you want on the coldest winter days.

Why is Flu Buster Vegetable Soup Healthy?

• Flu buster vegetable soup is smooth and creamy, without using any actual cream. So if you are watching your calories, it’s a great lunch option.
• Each of the vegetables, that are nutrient powerhouses on their own, like cauliflower, onions, carrots, and zucchini.
• Since the soup is going to be blended, you don’t have to peel the carrots or potatoes. This adds additional fiber and nutrients.
• Onions, garlic, ginger, and turmeric all have antiviral properties with immune boosting benefits.
• And the addition of cayenne pepper for a little heat will help clear the sinuses.

Is Flu Buster Vegetable Soup Gluten Free or Vegan?

As always, please read all of your ingredient labels to ensure they are gluten free and not affected by cross contamination of hidden sources of gluten. But since this is mostly vegetables and spices, as long as you use gluten free broth or stock from a box or that you’ve made yourself, then it is fine. You can use chicken broth, but if you use vegetable stock, it is also gluten free.

I like to top my soup with a bit of Greek yogurt to balance the bit of heat from the cayenne pepper. However, if you leave off the Greek yogurt or choose a coconut or soy yogurt, this vegetarian soup recipe is also vegan. Plus it also fits in with your paleo diet or that Whole 30 you decided to start.

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What are some more healthy soup recipes to make when you are sick?

• Sriracha Coconut Black Bean Soup  {vegan, gluten free options}
• Butternut Squash Soup with Sage and Thyme {vegan, gluten free, paleo, Whole 30 options}
• Creamy Cauliflower Broccoli Cheese Soup {gluten free, vegetarian, low carb options}
• Avgolemono Greek Chicken Zoodle Soup {gluten free, low carb, paleo, Whole 30 options}

What are some other home remedies?

• Cold Toddy Whiskey Mule has the germ-fighting favorites in a hot toddy, but will cool a burning throat like a frosty Moscow Mule.
• It might not be a home remedy, but this Turkey Tenderloin Slow Cooker Recipe with Sriracha is sure to clear your sinuses.
• Try this Homemade Cough Remedy from Barefeet in the Kitchen.
• Or pop some Homemade Cough Drops in your mouth from The View From Great Island.
• Foodie With Family is also going to kick those germs to the curb with Fire Cider Health Tonic.
• You can also check out 10 Recipes for the Best Home Remedies to Fight Germs and Make You Feel Better

Flu Buster Vegetable Soup Recipe

Even if you aren’t sick, you can still reap the benefits of a big bowl of creamy veggie soup, especially with the comfort food factor on cold winter days. The combination of vegetables and spices taste amazing together. Also, the silky texture from blending it all together soothes the body and soul. Serve it with a piece of Gluten Free Corn Bread or Gluten Free Cheddar Crackers to round out your meal. The family thought it was quite delicious, and as you can imagine, I was so happy to see my boys happily devouring their veggies!

I hope you’ll leave a comment and give it a FIVE STAR rating or share a photo on this pin on Pinterest!

Print Recipe

4.84 from 6 votes

Flu Buster Vegetable Soup

A delicious, creamy vegetable soup without any cream, this gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and Whole 30-friendly recipe is packed with lots of antiviral goodness.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time35 mins

Servings: 8

Calories: 57kcal

Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 small onion, chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon peeled, minced fresh ginger root
• 2 small potatoes, chopped (peeled, if you like)
• 1/2 head of cauliflower, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1 medium zucchini, chopped
• 2 large carrots, chopped (no need to peel)
• 2 stalks of celery, chopped
• salt and pepper, to taste
• juice of one lemon (about 2 Tablespoons)
• 4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to preferred level of spice)
• Greek yogurt, if desired, for serving

Instructions

• In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
• Saute the onion, garlic, ginger, and turmeric for a few minutes, until onions start to soften and become translucent.
• Add the remaining veggies, and salt and pepper, and saute for several minutes longer.
• Pour in the lemon juice, and stir to coat the vegetables.
• Add the broth, cayenne and additional salt and pepper, if desired bring to a boil, cover and boil for 10-15 minutes, or until the veggies are soft.
• Use an immersion blender, or add the contents of the pot to a blender of food processor (in portions, if needed, based on the size of your blender), puree until smooth and creamy.
• Return the soup to the pot, and heat through.
• Serve with Greek yogurt, if desired.

Notes

Slightly adapted from Virus Busting Soup at My Foodie Universe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 57kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 498mg | Potassium: 287mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2920IU | Vitamin C: 19.7mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Enjoy! (Originally published on Jan 21, 2013)