Ground Turkey Vegetable Soup (Weight Loss Soup)

Eric and I were sitting at the table working earlier today, when a truly terrible song started playing on the radio. I started making gagging sounds in the background, knowing it was likely a David Bowie song. (Eric has been obsessed lately). Anyway, I stopped paying attention and then half a minute later I realized “hey, I like this part! This song is okay toward the end!” No, said Eric, I changed the song. This is the Strokes. 

Well, so much for that. I thought maybe good ol David was growing on me. I think I’m just not cut out for extreme 80s music.

What is Weight Loss Soup?

Have you heard of Weight Loss Soup? It’s from one of those diet trends from the 80s (the 80s: a strange era indeed). I told my brother I was making Weight Loss Soup and he said, oh, like the Celery Soup mom used to always make when she was on a diet? I don’t remember any celery soup and quite frankly it sounds disgusting, unless there is a lot a cream involved, which would definitely make it not-so-diet. (Mom? Celery Soup?? Tell us more.)

Basically the idea behind this diet (called the GM Diet) was to make a really basic soup, mostly cabbage and broth, that you can eat anytime during the diet because it’s super low calorie. The first day you eat all fruit. The second day you eat all veggies. Day four of the diet says, “Consume only bananas and milk.” That’s where they lost me. I’m no nutritionist, but this sounds like a recipe for disaster!! Bananas and milk?? Wth?

The 80s were weird guys. (Just try listening to some obscure David Bowie songs.) But they were onto something with the Weight Loss Soup. Broth and a ton of vegetables really is a super low calorie, delicious meal option if you are trying to lose some weight. I’m not a doctor; don’t take diet advice from me! This soup is delicious and low calorie, and it’s the first thing I make every time I kick off a new healthy eating plan. I turn to it when I get bored with salad. It has about 250 calories per serving, if you divide it into 12 servings.

How to Make Weight Loss Vegetable Soup

Here are the main ingredients you will need for Weight Loss Soup! Basically the entire produce section at the store.

These veggies are mostly suggestions. You can replace ones you don’t like, or omit them entirely and add a little extra of the other ones. No soup nazis around here! Yes soup for you!

This recipe calls for 2 pounds of turkey, but you can use 1 pound or 1 and 1/2 pounds and it will still be really great. Drain the turkey fat and add in some garlic and spices. This brings in tons of flavor and is basically calorie free!

Next add in a heck-ton of broth. I like to use either chicken broth or turkey broth, or a combination! This time I used 8 cups of chicken broth that I had on hand, then another 4 cups of water with 4 teaspoons Better Than Bouillon Turkey Base. I LOVE this turkey base, it brings so much amazing flavor. You can use all chicken broth if that’s what you have, or use water and either chicken/turkey base. 1 cup of water + 1 teaspoon base = 1 cup broth. OR, if you happen to have a turkey carcass, use this Homemade Turkey Stock. (if you are throwing away your turkey carcass after Thanksgiving, you’re a criminal.)

Next chop up all your veggies and add them in, adding the hardest vegetables first so they start cooking right away.

You can add as much cabbage as you want, really. The original Weight Loss Soup was mostly cabbage and broth because cabbage is super low calorie. (Ew.) This time I added about 2 cups, but I’ve definitely added the whole bag before. You can of course chop your own cabbage, I’m just lazy. The coleslaw bags are so convenient!

Wait until your carrots are almost tender before adding in the squash. They only take a few minutes to cook, we don’t want them getting mushy.

How to Serve Ground Turkey Soup

I love to garnish this soup with pesto! It is a powerhouse of flavor! Guess why, because it’s full of nuts and cheese and oil and other calorie-laden ingredients. Go figure! Leave it out if you are really counting calories. Parmesan is great on this soup too, but see above about calories. I also love to garnish with parsley, and that one is calorie free basically!

I promise though, this soup is so good, even without any garnishes or side dishes. It is hearty and will keep you full for hours so you don’t go a-snackin.

If you’re making this for deliciousness reasons instead of diet reasons, feel free to serve it alongside a pile of Instant Pot Brown Rice, a basket of Homemade Crescent Rolls, or a chunk of crusty buttered bread, like The Best Garlic Bread of Your Life!

How to Store Diet Soup

Leftover weight loss vegetable soup will last in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months. 

To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm either in the microwave or on the stove. 

Diet Soup Recipe FAQs

More healthy-ish soup recipes you are going to love!

• How to Make Turkey Stock from the Bones << if you happen to cook a turkey, use the broth to make today’s soup. YUM!
• Chicken, White Bean, and Kale Soup << this is another great healthy soup! No cream.
• Chicken Noodle Soup with Homemade Noodles << this is a classic for a reason. So comforting!
• Creamy Golden Cauliflower Soup << this is another great low calorie soup! It has carrot juice and almond milk.
• Split Pea Soup with Smoked Gouda << one of my all time favorites.
• 10 Minute Wonton Soup << all you need are a few Asian pantry staples for this soup! It’s so fast and easy.
• Simple Asparagus Soup << when you find your expensive asparagus at the bottom of the produce drawer and you are 1 day too late, make this soup. It’s legit.
• Instant Pot Minestrone Soup from Oh So Delicioso
• Hearty Pumpkin Soup from Best Friends for Frosting
• Easy Ham and Bean Soup from Seasons and Suppers