Meet Alex Caspero
Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Plant-Based Chef and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.
Immune Boosting Carrot Ginger Soup! Looking to boost your immune system this cold season? Try this vegan and gluten-free creamy carrot ginger soup recipe. Serves 2, the perfect lunch- ready in just 10 minutes!
Having a newborn during this flu season is no joke. I’ve turned into an over-protective mama almost overnight, shielding him from play dates, most travel, the doctor’s waiting room; almost any place where germs could be hiding. Which, of course, is everywhere. My rational brain knows I can’t protect him forever, but he’s just so young and fragile. Is this how life will be from here on out? A constant stream of worry regarding my babe?
Regardless, I’ve been using my diet to up my own immune system. Since I’m the most likely person to pass any germs onto him, I want to make sure I’ve got my own line of defense. That means my daily vitamin D supplement, lots of fermented foods and immune boosting soups, like this carrot ginger soup recipe.
Isn’t the color so vibrant? I swear I feel better just by watching it blend up. It’s so pretty and so silky smooth. I’ve been eating it a few times a week for a quick lunch.
Produce: For this simple vegan soup, you’ll need a chopped white or yellow onion, a garlic clove, fresh grated ginger, and freshly chopped carrots.
Pantry Ingredients: In addition to the fresh produce, you’ll also need olive oil, orange juice, ground turmeric, vegetable broth and a pinch of salt and pepper.
To garnish the soup before serving, I love to add drizzle a fruity extra-virgin olive oil over along with freshly ground black pepper and finely chopped parsley.
Start by sautéing the carrots and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until just soft. This will provide the soup with lots of aromatics and body once pureed. You need the carrots to be soft enough to blend, otherwise you will end up with a carrot smoothie and not silky, carrot ginger soup.
Once the vegetables have softened, let cool slightly then add to a blender with vegetable broth, fresh ginger, turmeric, orange juice and salt and pepper. Blend until very creamy and smooth. Depending on the power of your blender, this may take a few minutes.
Season to taste, adding in more salt or pepper as desired. For a spicier soup, I recommend adding in a bit of red pepper. To heighten the flavors, you can add in a splash more of orange juice or lemon juice right before serving.
The soup should be ready to eat, but if you want it hotter then place it back into the saucepan and simmer over low heat until warmed through.
The terms detox, anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting are used so often in wellness circles that it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. The truth is that while several foods are believed to boost immunity (like orange juice or chicken soup), their benefits are more hype than hope.
The immune system is very complex and several factors, including diet, play a role. However, it’s unlikely that consuming more superfoods or a single nutrient will do much without a general healthy lifestyle that also includes adequate sleep and minimal chronic stress.
Because the immune system is so complex and involves a number of pathways, no single food will offer special protection. Rather, eating a more healthful diet (along with other lifestyle factors) is best to help reduce inflammation.
That said, there are certain nutrients that have been shown to be essential in various pathways for both growth and immune function: vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, iron and selenium. In addition, consuming enough calories and protein (especially the amino acid glutamine) seem to be helpful.
What you don’t eat may also play a role; diets that are lower in these nutrients and high in ultra-processed foods, refined sugar and red meat tend to have a less favorable microbiome, which can suppress immunity and lead to chronic inflammation.
I often feel silly discussing the microbiome and gut health because this is one area of research that is ever changing as we begin to understand more about the incredible role that the microbiome plays in our overall health, including immune health.
Because our GI tract is a major site (70-80%) of immune activity, our diet therefore plays a large role in determining exactly what kinds of microbes, or gut bugs, live in our intestines.
It’s likely no surprise that a high-fiber, plant-predominant diet that consists of whole grains, nuts, legumes/beans, fruits and vegetables support beneficial microbes. In addition, consuming these fibers leads to short chain fatty acid production, which themselves have been shown to stimulate immune function.
Nutrition science is almost starting to sound like a broken record– eating more plants, more often, is key for overall health– including boosting the immune system.
While this recipe is designed to be a simple vegan soup option for two, it’s very easy to double– or triple.
You don’t need to make any adjustments to the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card and click the 2x button to double or 3x button to triple for the correct amounts.
This carrot ginger soup is rich in vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants, which have all been shown to help with immune cell function.
As a bonus, this simple carrot ginger soup recipe serves two, tastes amazing and is ready in 10-15 minutes. Enjoy it whenever you need a boost or are looking for a warming, simple meal. I’ve been loving it for lunch with a slice of toasted sourdough bread or for a simple snack.
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking!
PrintImmune Boosting Carrot Ginger Soup! Looking to boost your immune system this cold season? Try this vegan and gluten-free creamy carrot soup. Serves 2, the perfect lunch- ready in just 10 minutes!
*I let the ingredients cool slightly before putting in the blender so the steam doesn’t make the top come off!
Tag @delishknowledge on Instagram and hashtag it #delishknowledge
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(9 comments) leave a comment
YUM!! This soup is delicious! Doubled the recipe, flavor is excellent.
★★★★★
So glad you liked it Nan!
This is so delicious! Didn’t know carrot and ginger can boost my immunity. Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Excellent recipe! The ginger flavor is really light, while the turmeric makes it just a little spicy. The orange adds such a nice flavor as well! I’ll definitely be making this again!
★★★★★
So glad you liked it! Thanks!
Can I serve this warm? I am sick right now and wanting to make this for my family and I tonight for dinner. Thank you.
Hi Megan- yes! I love it warm! Just be careful blending it in your blender!
Okay perfect, thank you!
That was delicious! I thought I had fresh ginger but didn’t, so I added the powdered. I’ll make this again with fresh ginger. The flavors were perfect together. I wouldn’t have thought to add orange juice or turmeric. The soup definitely gave me a boost. Thank you.
★★★★★