Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (2024)

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By

Jen Hoy

Jen Hoy

Jenny Hoy is an author, chef, and holistic nutritionist, with more than two decades of experience in the fields of food and healing.

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Updated on 08/8/20

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The liver is a remarkable organ with tremendous regenerative properties. It assists digestion, alongside the intestines, pancreas, and gallbladder; cleans our blood, and helps metabolizing medicines and detoxifying chemicals. In traditional Chinese medicine, the liver carries qi, the vital force, into our muscles and joints.

The liver, along with our kidneys, is a major filtration system for toxins. The liver also impacts our hormones, vision, nails, and skin. The Chinese consider the liver to be the “General” of the body, a leader in command from which much of our health or disease derives.

Modern lifestyles place a tremendous load on the liver because of fatty foods, drugs of all kinds, alcohol, and diets heavy in animal products. The following recipes are nourishing to the wood element, or liver, according to five-element cooking, and are a wonderful alternative if you're designing a menu with the goal of protecting and helping your liver function.

  • 01 of 09

    Steel Cut Oats With Flax and Fruit

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (1)

    This recipe for steel cut oats with flax and fruit features whole foods and is quick and easy: soak overnight and eat in the morning, or cook in big batches and reheat as needed for a full week or breakfasts. Steel-cut oats are chopped whole oats–less processed, and healthier than the instant variety. Fiber-rich, oats help digestion and lower cholesterol levels, are protein-rich, and have considerable amounts of protein. Combined with flax, which is rich in fatty acids, and sweet fruit, this breakfast is as tasty as it is healthy.

  • 02 of 09

    Ultra Green Smoothie Recipe

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (2)

    This potent green smoothie recipe is so full of liver-cleansing greens, it's guaranteed to deliver a pleasant rush of energy and to jump-start a sluggish digestive system. The banana is an optional addition for those who may not do well with too much of the green flavor, as it softens the intensity and adds creaminess. Organic produce is always recommended for smoothies and raw consumption of fruits and vegetables.

  • 03 of 09

    Provencal Carrot Salad

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (3)

    This simple Provencal carrot salad is common in southern France. Carrots are beneficial for the lungs, liver, and eyes; they help ease indigestion and acidic blood conditions. One of the best sources of beta-carotene, the carrots in the salad are combined with green vitamin-filled parsley, tangy lemon, mustard, and olive oil. Great when made with a sweet, juicy bunch of organic carrots, the salad is also great with larger carrots, as long as they're thoroughly washed and peeled. Often served alongside bowls of olives and other vegetable salads, this salad is a great appetizer or palate cleanser between courses.

  • 04 of 09

    Morrocan Carrot Salad

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (4)

    This flavorful Morrocan carrot salad is particularly good served with tofu or white fish and bitter greens. Carrots are beneficial for the lungs, liver, and eyes. They also help digestion and blood-related conditions. Seasoned with garlic and cumin, also great for improving digestion, this salad is a great source of fiber and vitamins, and an excellent vegan and vegetarian side dish.

    Continue to 5 of 9 below.

  • 05 of 09

    Raw Collard Green Salad

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (5)

    This collard green salad is full of liver-cleansing and boosting ingredients. This cruciferous vegetable is packed with vitamins K, A, C, and folate, as well as calcium and magnesium. Filled with fiber, collard greens support digestion and provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits (lower blood cholesterol, prevent cancer, provide cardiovascular support). Although collards are usually cooked, this salad is instead consumed raw, for a quick and healthy side dish.

  • 06 of 09

    Sauteed Broccoli

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (6)

    This quick and easy whole food sautée broccoli, with shallots, garlic, and lemon, is an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins, and iron. Pungent garlic is also known to help with digestion and shallots (like all other alliums) are a great source of fiber and enzymes that help strengthen the immune system and gut flora.

  • 07 of 09

    Vegetable Broth

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (7)

    This easy recipe for vegetable broth is a soothing and easy dish that can be incorporated into your daily menu as a light and healthy appetizer. This broth is packed with flavor from the vegetables and mushrooms, and can be served as is with chopped green onions on top, or be the base of other healthy dishes like thicker soups or rice.

  • 08 of 09

    Beetroot Salad

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (8)

    Beetroots are an excellent source of fiber and are known for activating liver enzymes and the production of bile, thus helping detoxifying your system. Helpful in reducing inflammation, beetroot also helps to protect from oxidative stress. This easy salad roasts whole beetroots, with the skin on, with salt, thyme, and olive oil. Carefully peel to avoid your hands getting all red, and cube in medium-size chunks. Serve with your favorite citrus vinaigrette.

    Continue to 9 of 9 below.

  • 09 of 09

    Avocado Salad

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (9)

    Avocados are high in fat, but this type of healthy fat is beneficial to the body and helps with digestion and liver and hormonal function. Because they're nutrient-dense, avocados also help you stay satiated for longer. A daily serving of avocado (recommended: 2-ounce piece or one-quarter of a medium-sized fruit) is proven to help with weight maintenance. This easy salad uses fennel, too, which is a fiber-rich bulb with anise flavor that also helps the liver in its cleansing process, boosting its health and your overall well-being.

Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (2024)

FAQs

What are the best foods to nourish the liver? ›

Here are some foods that are good choices for your liver
  • Lean proteins. Getting enough protein is crucial for your liver, and lean chicken, turkey, fish and beef are good options. ...
  • Fruits and vegetables. ...
  • Olive oil. ...
  • Nuts and seeds. ...
  • Oatmeal. ...
  • Coffee and tea.
Mar 3, 2023

What is the super food for liver? ›

Top foods and drinks for liver health
  • Coffee. A 2021 study analyzed data from 494,585 people in the United Kingdom to learn how different types of coffee might affect the risk of chronic liver disease, including decaffeinated, instant, and ground coffee. ...
  • Oatmeal. ...
  • Green tea. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Grapes. ...
  • Grapefruit. ...
  • Prickly pear.

What is a good dinner for the liver? ›

Best Quick Dinner: (1) Grilled pork chops with rice, (2) frozen cooked chicken pieces and a sauce or (3) previously frozen chili. Most important pantry items: Cans (with no salt added) of: tomatoes, tomato sauces, black beans, kidney beans and chickpeas. These items are versatile.

How do you cook liver without losing nutrients? ›

Cooking does not make a mineral disappear; if anything, cooking concentrates minerals. But liver turns hard and unpleasant if cooked for more than a few minutes. Slice your liver at about 1 cm, remove any fibrous parts, heat a pan, and add some butter. When the butter is foaming, add the liver.

What is the best drink to repair your liver? ›

Below, we explore 11 drinks that are often reported to support liver health — and tell you what the research says about each one.
  • Detox tea. Liver detox tea usually contains many different herbs and ingredients. ...
  • Green tea. ...
  • Turmeric tea. ...
  • Ginger tea. ...
  • Grapefruit juice. ...
  • Apple cider vinegar. ...
  • Lemon water. ...
  • Cranberry juice.
Mar 1, 2024

What is the fastest way to repair your liver? ›

The best way to reverse the damage is to remove whatever is causing it. For example, if you have fatty liver caused by drinking alcohol, it's important to stop drinking. If it's caused by your diet or being overweight, then it's important to eat healthily and lose weight.

What is the one nutrient that works wonders for the liver? ›

Choline. The essential nutrient choline rounds out the liver-loving nutrients you may be lacking. Choline supports fat metabolism, helps reduce chronic inflammation, and has been shown to lower the risk of NAFLD. In fact, fatty liver disease and liver cell death occur when deprived of choline.

Are eggs good for the liver? ›

Conclusion: Eating 5-7 eggs/week may have the lowest risk of NAFLD, suggesting taking a moderate amount of eggs to prevent NAFLD, even if the overall diet quality is relatively healthy.

How can I make my liver strong again? ›

Avoid high calorie-meals, saturated fat, refined carbohydrates (such as white bread, white rice and regular pasta) and sugars. Don't eat raw or undercooked shellfish. For a well-adjusted diet, eat fiber, which you can obtain from fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads, rice and cereals.

Is banana good for liver? ›

Vitamins B6, C, and A are abundant in bananas. Additionally, it has a lot of resistant starch, which is excellent for the health of the liver. These nutrients guarantee that the liver operates properly.

Can Apple cider vinegar clean out your liver? ›

One purported benefit of apple cider vinegar is its ability to detoxify the liver. “Apple cider vinegar is rich with detoxification properties and can promote circulation in the liver detox process,” says Jamie Bacharach, a homeopathic expert and the head of practice at Acupuncture Jerusalem.

What breakfast foods are good for the liver? ›

What are some breakfast options that are good for the liver?
  • Greek Yogurt with berries.
  • Oatmeal: Steel-cut.
  • Avocado: Packed with healthy fat and inflammation-fighting ingredients, plus helps you feel fuller longer.
  • Fruit: Inflammation fighting fruits like blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries.

What is the healthiest way to eat liver? ›

Here are some suggestions on how to include it in your diet: Pan-frying it: Liver works well when pan-fried with onions. Using it in Spaghetti Bolognese: Liver can be chopped or minced and then mixed with regular ground beef. Calf or chicken livers work best.

Why do chefs soak liver in milk? ›

Soak the liver in a dish or bowl of milk for 30-60 minutes. This is an important step in removing the bitter flavor from the liver. Salt and pepper the liver generously, and leave it out at room temperature while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Pat the liver dry.

How to cook liver to taste good? ›

  1. Avoid toughening the liver by putting wet liver in a hot pan. Dry the liver or pieces of liver by dredging it or dusting it with cornstarch, potato starch, flour or coarse cornmeal.
  2. Sauté it lightly in a thin coating of fat in a hot pan.
  3. Combine the taste of liver with one or more other interesting tastes:
Jun 18, 2021

How do I make my liver healthy again? ›

5 Ways to Be Kind to Your Liver
  1. Be careful about alcohol consumption. If you think only lifelong, falling-down drunks get cirrhosis of the liver — you're mistaken. ...
  2. Wash produce and steer clear of toxins. ...
  3. Prevent hepatitis A, B and C. ...
  4. Watch out for medications and herbs. ...
  5. Exercise and eat right.

How can I rejuvenate my liver? ›

Avoid frequent overconsumption of food and alcohol, maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen, and get screened if you have liver disease risk factors. If you do have liver damage, work with your physician to come up with the healthiest and safest plan for your personal needs.

What can you drink to cleanse your liver? ›

11 Drinks to Help Your Liver Detox
  • Lemon Water.
  • Ginger and Lemon Drink.
  • Grapefruit Juice.
  • Tumeric Tea.
  • Green Tea.
  • Chamomile Tea.
  • Oat Tea.
  • Jujube Fruit Juice.

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