Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (2024)

  • Recipes By Course
  • Lunch

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.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Updated on 08/8/20

Trending Videos

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.

  • 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.

  • Healthy Lunches
  • Salads
  • American Food
  • Macrobiotic Cooking
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 your 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.

What can I cook for someone with cirrhosis of the liver? ›

Eat more calories and protein
  • Beans and pulses such as lentils, kidney beans, or baked beans.
  • Nuts such as almonds or walnuts.
  • Eggs, cheese and other dairy products.
  • Fish such as cod, salmon, and tinned or fresh tuna, sardines or mackerel.
  • Meats such as turkey, chicken, or lean cuts of beef, pork and lamb.

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.
  • Ginger tea. ...
  • Grapefruit juice. ...
  • Apple cider vinegar. ...
  • Lemon water. ...
  • Cranberry juice. ...
  • Coffee. ...
  • Oat tea. ...
  • Beetroot juice. Several studies have been done to evaluate the potential benefits of beetroot 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 food is hardest on your liver? ›

Stay Away From Fatty Foods

French fries and burgers are a poor choice to keep your liver healthy. Eat too many foods that are high in saturated fat and it can make it harder for your liver to do its job. Over time it may lead to inflammation, which in turn could cause scarring of the liver that's known as cirrhosis.

Are eggs good for the liver? ›

Eggs are rich in all the eight essential amino acids and choline, which is also a vital nutrient. The amino acids and choline help the liver in the detoxification process and improve the metabolism rate.

Are bananas good for the liver? ›

Bananas: Bharadwaj also suggests bananas for fatty liver disease patients. They are a storehouse f vitamin B6, C and A and also high in resistant starch, which is good for liver health. 5. Cranberries: Just like blueberries, you need to also add cranberries to the diet.

What not to eat with liver? ›

Avoid when possible

Alcohol: Alcohol can be a major cause of fatty liver disease as well as other liver diseases. Added sugar: Avoid sugary foods like candy, cookies, sodas, and fruit juices. High blood sugar increases the amount of fat buildup in the liver. Fried foods: These are high in fat and calories.

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.
May 27, 2022

What is the best cooking method for liver? ›

Liver is extremely nutritious and less expensive than most beef products. It's very lean, so it's most often pan-seared quickly to brown and keep it from drying out, although it can also be baked, braised, grilled or made into paté or liverwurst.

Can you eat spaghetti sauce with cirrhosis of the liver? ›

Foods to avoid

Unhealthy fats: margarine, vegetable shortening, fried foods. Salty snacks: chips, crackers, pretzels, microwave popcorn. Processed meats: hot dogs, sausage, deli meats, bacon, beef jerky. High sodium condiments: soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, steak sauce, spaghetti sauce.

Can you eat pizza with liver disease? ›

Eating for liver health means avoiding saturated fats, trans fats and sugars. This means limiting processed foods including biscuits, cakes, burgers, chips, fried snacks, pastries, pies, processed meats, pizza and frozen meals. Fats to avoid include coconut oil, palm oil, butter, cream, lard and some margarines.

What is the menu for liver disease? ›

Aim for non starchy vegetables and whole fruits. Choose leaner proteins like fish, poultry, beans, and nuts. Limit red meats, cold cuts, bacon and other processed meats. Choose whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal or whole wheat pasta.

What is the best diet for liver repair? ›

What is the best diet plan for a healthy liver? We recommend the Mediterranean diet to our liver patients. The Mediterranean diet is everything you would expect a dietitian to recommend – more fruits and veggies, more whole grains, more nuts and legumes, lean meats, less red meat and less sweets/added sugars.

What is the best vitamin for liver repair? ›

Vitamin B. Studies have shown that B vitamins can benefit liver function in several ways, including reversing liver inflammation. Many B vitamins, including vitamin B12 and folic acid, can improve liver health in people with fatty liver disease.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6234

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-12-23

Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

Phone: +494124489301

Job: Marketing Representative

Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.